Technology education in primary schools: addressing teachers’ perceptions, perceived barriers, and needs

In primary schools, the benefits of incorporating technology in curricula have been addressed by several studies; however, technology integration as experienced by teachers is often overlooked. Teachers’ lack of confidence teaching STEM and technology subjects, their lack of appropriate preparation along with unclear curricula frameworks in technology education, and the ambiguity of the definition of technology education have scarcely been discussed in the literature. This study explored teachers’ experiences with the current integration of technology and identified challenges to the integration of technology and areas where support is needed. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data and were analyzed using content analysis. Content knowledge, proper training, and professional development programs on the integration of technology along with the need for clear and unanimous curricula standards have been perceived as important factors in the integration of technology education. Participants also acknowledged the need for the establishment of teaching communities wherein they can learn from one another. Our study discusses implications for research and practice and provides a knowledge base for the establishment of well-structured professional development courses based on teacher needs

Investigation of nursing errors in clinical practice associated to mental and physical health, resilience and burnout of nurses

Introduction: The health and well-being of nurses are critical aspects for providing safe care. Stress and burnout affect patient care. Developing a safety culture promotes proper care delivery and reduces nursing errors. Commitment from both nurses and management in this direction is crucial. The aim of this research study was to identify errors in daily nursing practice in relation to their interaction with nurses' psychosomatic health, resilience, stress, and professional burnout. Methodology: This is a concurrent study of review and correlation. The study commenced on 20/07/2020 and concluded on 20/07/2023 with approval from the Research Ethics and Deontology Committee of the University of West Attica and the scientific committees of the five participating hospitals. The research tools approved in the study's research protocol included the demographic questionnaire, the error recording questionnaire (Taxonomy of Error, Root Cause Analysis Practice-Responsibility-TERCAP), the General Health Questionnaire (General Health Questionnaire-GHQ28, Cronbach’s α=0,91), the Positive And Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS, Cronbach’s α=0,82 ), the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS, Cronbach’s α=0,75), and the Expanded Nurse Stress Scale (ENSS, Cronbach’s α=0,94). The questionnaire completion process was anonymous and voluntary for the participants. The data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 software. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between the variables. Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to assess the association of error with the research scales. Additionally, linear regression was utilized to describe the scales of general health, emotional state, psychological resilience, and nursing stress. The sample of the study included 597 nurses, who completed valid questionnaires in-person and via electronic platform. It is characterized as a convenience sample. 39% of the nurses were aged 22-35 years, 36% were 36-45 years old, and 22.9% were 46-55 years old. Only 2.2% of the sample were over 56 years old. The mean age of the sample was 37 years (±3.4). 86.6% of the sample were female nurses and 13.4% were male nurses. 83.9% were registered nurses and 16.1% were nursing assistants. Among the 83.9%, 21.3% held a position in the nursing hierarchy. The mean duration of work experience in the hospital was 11.6 years. Results: A total of 69.7% of nurses reported experiencing an error in their workplace. Among them, 48.5% indicated that the error was committed by themselves, while 74.5% reported it was committed by another colleague. Errors occurred predominantly during the morning shift (39.4%), followed by the afternoon shift (35.7%), and the night shift (17.3%). The patient's room was the primary location of errors (22.4%). High workload (82.9%) and staff shortages (74.6%) were identified as major contributing factors to errors. Multifactorial analysis revealed several factors associated with nurses' likelihood of committing errors in their workplace. Specifically, nurses with higher levels of negative emotions and without a specific position in the nursing hierarchy appeared to be more susceptible to errors (p=0.010 and p=0.009, respectively). Additionally, nurses with higher income and longer tenure in the hospital seemed to report errors less frequently (p=0.001 and p=0.049, respectively). Furthermore, factors such as stress due to patient death, conflicts with physicians, and the Positive And Negative Affect Schedule were also associated with the likelihood of committing errors (p=<0.001, p=0.023, and p=0.016, respectively). For pediatric nurses, only the negative emotions scale was significantly associated with the occurrence of errors. Specifically, more negative emotions were associated with a higher likelihood of facing errors committed by another colleague (p=0.018). Moreover, the positive emotions scale was significantly related to the occurrence of errors due to personal responsibility (p=0.019). Specifically, more positive emotions were associated with a lower likelihood of committing errors in the workplace for pediatric nurses. The error rates were significantly lower among nurses in specialized departments. Additionally, it was found that nurses who had made a mistake in their workplace, in a specialized department, had significantly less tenure in the current hospital (p=0.048). Conclusions: The low psychosomatic health and professional burnout of nurses affect the safety of nursing care. Interventions by nursing management to address nurse exhaustion, including support and stress management training, are crucial. Additionally, creating a balanced work environment and promoting a culture of safe care are essential. Finally, strengthening psychological resilience can help reduce stress and exhaustion through psychological support and training in stress management techniques.Εισαγωγή: Η υγεία και η ισορροπία των νοσηλευτών είναι κρίσιμες πτυχές στην παροχή ασφαλούς φροντίδας στον ασθενή. Το στρες και η εξουθένωση επηρεάζουν τη φροντίδα του ασθενούς. Η ανάπτυξη κουλτούρας ασφαλείας προάγει την ορθή παροχή φροντίδας και περιορίζει τα νοσηλευτικά λάθη. Η δέσμευση των νοσηλευτών και των διοικήσεων τους αυτή την κατεύθυνση είναι καθοριστικής σημασίας. Ο σκοπός τους παρούσας μελέτης ήταν ο προσδιορισμός των λαθών στην καθημερινή νοσηλευτική πρακτική σε σχέση με την ψυχοσωματική υγεία, την ανθεκτικότητα, το στρες και την επαγγελματική εξουθένωση των νοσηλευτών. Μεθοδολογία: Πρόκειται για μια συγχρονική μελέτη επισκόπησης και συσχέτισης. Η εν λόγω μελέτη ξεκίνησε τον Ιούλιο του 2020 και ολοκληρώθηκε τον Ιούλιο του 2023 με άδεια από την Επιτροπή Ηθικής και Δεοντολογίας τους Έρευνας του Πανεπιστημίου Δυτικής Αττικής και τους επιστημονικές επιτροπές των πέντε νοσοκομείων που συμμετείχαν στη μελέτη. Τα ερευνητικά εργαλεία που εγκρίθηκαν στο πρωτόκολλο της μελέτης περιελάμβαναν το ερωτηματολόγιο δημογραφικών δεδομένων, το ερωτηματολόγιο καταγραφής λαθών (Taxonomy of Error, Root Cause Analysis Practice-Responsibility-TERCAP), το ερωτηματολόγιο Γενικής Υγείας (General Health Questionnaire-GHQ-28, Cronbach’s α=0,91), την κλίμακα θετικών και αρνητικών συναισθημάτων (Positive And Negative Affect Schedule-PANAS, Cronbach’s α=0,82), την κλίμακα ψυχικής ανθεκτικότητας (Brief Resilience Scale-BRS, Cronbach’s α=0,75) και την κλίμακα νοσηλευτικού στρες (Expanded Nurse Stress Scale-ENSS, Cronbach’s α=0,94). Η συμπλήρωση των ερωτηματολογίων ήταν ανώνυμη και εθελοντική. Τα δεδομένα αναλύθηκαν μέσω του προγράμματος SPSS 26.0. Για τη συσχέτιση του λάθους με τις ερευνητικές κλίμακες πραγματοποιήθηκε πολυπαραγοντική λογαριθμιστική παλινδρόμηση. Για την περιγραφή των κλιμάκων γενικής υγείας, συναισθηματικής κατάστασης, ψυχικής ανθεκτικότητας και νοσηλευτικού στρες χρησιμοποιήθηκε η γραμμική παλινδρόμηση. Το δείγμα τους μελέτης περιελάμβανε 597 νοσηλευτές, οι οποίοι συμπλήρωσαν έγκυρα ερωτηματολόγια δια ζώσης και μέσω ηλεκτρονικής πλατφόρμας με τη μέθοδο της χιονοστιβάδας. Το 39% των νοσηλευτών ήταν ηλικίας 22-35 ετών, το 36% ήταν 36-45 ετών και το 22,9% ήταν 46-55 ετών. Το 2,2% του δείγματος ήταν άνω των 56 ετών. Η μέση ηλικία του δείγματος ήταν τα 37 έτη (±3,4). Το 86,6% του δείγματος ήταν νοσηλεύτριες και το 13,4% ήταν νοσηλευτές. Το 83,9% ήταν πτυχιούχοι νοσηλευτές και το 16,1% ήταν βοηθοί νοσηλευτών. Από το 83,9%, το 21,3% κατείχε θέση στη νοσηλευτική ιεραρχία. Η μέση χρονική διάρκεια προϋπηρεσίας στο νοσοκομείο ήταν 11,6 έτη. Αποτελέσματα: Το 69,7% των νοσηλευτών ανέφερε ότι είχε συμβεί κάποιο λάθος στον εργασιακό του χώρο. Από τους, το 48,5% δήλωσε ότι το λάθος είχε γίνει από τους τους τους νοσηλευτές και το 74,5% από κάποιον άλλο νοσηλευτή. Το 39,4% των λαθών συνέβη κατά την πρωινή βάρδια, το 35,7% κατά την απογευματινή και το 17,3% κατά τη νυχτερινή βάρδια. Το 22,4% δήλωσε ότι τα λάθη έγιναν κυρίως τους θαλάμους των ασθενών. Αναφέρθηκε από τους νοσηλευτές ότι ο υψηλός φόρτος εργασίας (82,9%) και η έλλειψη ικανού αριθμού νοσηλευτών (74,6%) είναι οι κύριοι παράγοντες τους εμφάνισης των συμβάντων λάθους. Από την πολυπαραγοντική ανάλυση διαπιστώθηκε ότι οι νοσηλευτές με υψηλότερο επίπεδο αρνητικών συναισθημάτων και χωρίς κάποιο αξίωμα στη νοσηλευτική ιεραρχία φαίνεται να είναι πιο επιρρεπείς στη διάπραξη λαθών (p=0,010 και p=0,009 αντίστοιχα). Επιπλέον, οι νοσηλευτές με υψηλότερο εισόδημα και μεγαλύτερη προϋπηρεσία στο νοσοκομείο φαίνεται να αναφέρουν λιγότερο συχνά τη διάπραξη λαθών (p=0,001 και p=0,049 αντίστοιχα). Οι παράγοντες τους το στρες λόγω του θανάτου του ασθενούς και οι διαμάχες με τους ιατρούς φαίνεται να αυξάνουν την πιθανότητα διάπραξης λαθών με προσωπική ευθύνη από τους νοσηλευτές (p=<0,001 και p=0,016 αντίστοιχα). Η κλίμακα θετικών και αρνητικών συναισθημάτων, τους, σχετίζεται με την πιθανότητα διάπραξης λαθών από τους νοσηλευτές, όπου τα περισσότερα αρνητικά συναισθήματα συνδέονται με περισσότερα λάθη από τους ίδιους (p=0,019). Για τους παιδιατρικούς νοσηλευτές, μόνο η κλίμακα αρνητικών συναισθημάτων είχε συσχέτιση με την εμφάνιση λαθών (p=0,018). Συγκεκριμένα, περισσότερα αρνητικά συναισθήματα συσχετίστηκαν με την υψηλότερη πιθανότητα ύπαρξης λαθών χωρίς προσωπική ευθύνη (p=0,018). Επιπλέον, η κλίμακα θετικών συναισθημάτων είχαν σημαντική συσχέτιση με την εμφάνιση λαθών λόγω προσωπικής ευθύνης (p=0,019). Συγκεκριμένα, η ύπαρξη περισσότερων θετικών συναισθημάτων τους παιδιατρικούς νοσηλευτές συνδέονταν με χαμηλότερη πιθανότητα διάπραξης λαθών στον εργασιακό τους χώρο. Τα ποσοστά λάθους ήταν σημαντικά χαμηλότερα τους νοσηλεύτριες των ειδικών τμημάτων. Τους, βρέθηκε ότι οι νοσηλευτές που είχαν κάνει οι ίδιοι κάποιο λάθος στον εργασιακό τους χώρο, σε ειδικό τμήμα, είχαν σημαντικά μικρότερη προϋπηρεσία στο παρόν νοσοκομείο (p=0,048). Συμπεράσματα: Η χαμηλή ψυχοσωματική υγεία και η επαγγελματική εξουθένωση των νοσηλευτών επηρεάζουν την ασφάλεια τους παρεχόμενης νοσηλευτικής φροντίδας στον ασθενή. Οι παρεμβάσεις τους νοσηλευτικής διοίκησης για την αντιμετώπιση τους εξουθένωσης των νοσηλευτών, συμπεριλαμβανομένης τους υποστήριξης και τους εκπαίδευσης για τη διαχείριση του στρες, είναι σημαντικές για την εύρυθμη λειτουργία τους οργανισμού υγείας. Επιπλέον, η δημιουργία τους ισορροπημένου εργασιακού περιβάλλοντος και η προαγωγή μιας κουλτούρας ασφαλούς φροντίδας είναι απαραίτητες. Τέλος, η ενίσχυση τους ψυχικής ανθεκτικότητας των νοσηλευτών μπορεί να συμβάλει στη μείωση του στρες και τους εξουθένωσης μέσω ψυχολογικής υποστήριξης και εκπαίδευσής τους σε τεχνικές αντιμετώπισης του στρες

真空紫外・軟X線領域の新しい光物性理論(講義,講義の報告,1985年度物性若手夏の学校報告)

この論文は国立情報学研究所の電子図書館事業により電子化されました

Evaluating the Role of Probiotics in the Prevention and Management of Age-Related Diseases

The human lifespan has been significantly increased due to scientific advancements in the management of disease; however, the health span of the aging population does not follow the same trend. Aging is the major risk factor for multimorbidity that is derived from the progressive loss of homeostasis, immunological and stem cell exhaustion, as well as exacerbated inflammation responses. Age-related diseases presenting with high frequencies include neurodegenerative, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, metabolic diseases and cancer. These diseases can be co-morbid and are usually managed using a disease-specific approach that can eventually lead to polypharmacy, low medication adherence rates and undesired drug-drug interactions. Novel studies suggest targeting the shared biological basis of age-related diseases to retard the onset and manage their manifestations. Harvesting the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory capacity of probiotics to tackle the root cause of these diseases, could pose a viable alternative. In this article, a comprehensive review of the effects of probiotic supplementation on the molecular pathogenesis of age-related diseases, and the potential of probiotic treatments as preventative or alleviatory means is attempted. Furthermore, issues on the safety and efficiency of probiotic supplementation, as well as the pitfalls of current clinical studies are discussed, while new perspectives for systematic characterization of probiotic benefits on aged hosts are outlined

Evaluating the Role of Probiotics in the Prevention and Management of Age-Related Diseases

The human lifespan has been significantly increased due to scientific advancements in the management of disease; however, the health span of the aging population does not follow the same trend. Aging is the major risk factor for multimorbidity that is derived from the progressive loss of homeostasis, immunological and stem cell exhaustion, as well as exacerbated inflammation responses. Age-related diseases presenting with high frequencies include neurodegenerative, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, metabolic diseases and cancer. These diseases can be co-morbid and are usually managed using a disease-specific approach that can eventually lead to polypharmacy, low medication adherence rates and undesired drug-drug interactions. Novel studies suggest targeting the shared biological basis of age-related diseases to retard the onset and manage their manifestations. Harvesting the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory capacity of probiotics to tackle the root cause of these diseases, could pose a viable alternative. In this article, a comprehensive review of the effects of probiotic supplementation on the molecular pathogenesis of age-related diseases, and the potential of probiotic treatments as preventative or alleviatory means is attempted. Furthermore, issues on the safety and efficiency of probiotic supplementation, as well as the pitfalls of current clinical studies are discussed, while new perspectives for systematic characterization of probiotic benefits on aged hosts are outlined

The Role of the Gut Microbiome in Cancer Immunotherapy: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

Cancer immunotherapy is a treatment modality that aims to stimulate the anti-tumor immunity of the host to elicit favorable clinical outcomes. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) gained traction due to the lasting effects and better tolerance in patients carrying solid tumors in comparison to conventional treatment. However, a significant portion of patients may present primary or acquired resistance (non-responders), and thus, they may have limited therapeutic outcomes. Resistance to ICIs can be derived from host-related, tumor-intrinsic, or environmental factors. Recent studies suggest a correlation of gut microbiota with resistance and response to immunotherapy as well as with the incidence of adverse events. Currently, preclinical and clinical studies aim to elucidate the unique microbial signatures related to ICI response and anti-tumor immunity, employing metagenomics and/or multi-omics. Decoding this complex relationship can provide the basis for manipulating the malleable structure of the gut microbiota to enhance therapeutic success. Here, we delve into the factors affecting resistance to ICIs, focusing on the intricate gut microbiome–immunity interplay. Additionally, we review clinical studies and discuss future trends and directions in this promising field

Anxiety, Stress and the Resilience of University Students during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on everyone&rsquo;s daily lives with short-term or long-term consequences. Among the affected population, university students were studied by researchers specifically due to the total change to their educational way of learning and the courses they attended. The present study aimed to assess the psychological difficulties experienced by the university students of Greece during the first wave of the outbreak. Methods: 288 university nursing students completed an electronic questionnaire after consent. The sample included students from all years of study. The questionnaire included demographic data and questions about mental health status, resilience level, coping strategies, positive and negative emotions and an optimism assessment. Results: Depression (44.8%), anxiety (36.8%) and stress (40.3%) were experienced by the students. Females had significantly greater anxiety and stress signs compared to males (p &lt; 0.001). The resilience score was significantly greater in males, as it was for the Positive Affect Score. Students in the fourth year of study used significantly more active/positive coping strategies than students in the first (p = 0.016) or second year of study (p = 0.005). Conclusion: Several students experienced serious mental disorders during the first period of the COVID-19 outbreak. Variables such as gender, year of study, age, positive and negative affect score, life orientation test score and coping strategies were identified as factors contributing to this situation. Special attention must be paid to female students as they mentioned negative emotions more frequently than males. Further research on the academic population could be beneficial to university administrators

Anxiety, Stress and the Resilience of University Students during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on everyone’s daily lives with short-term or long-term consequences. Among the affected population, university students were studied by researchers specifically due to the total change to their educational way of learning and the courses they attended. The present study aimed to assess the psychological difficulties experienced by the university students of Greece during the first wave of the outbreak. Methods: 288 university nursing students completed an electronic questionnaire after consent. The sample included students from all years of study. The questionnaire included demographic data and questions about mental health status, resilience level, coping strategies, positive and negative emotions and an optimism assessment. Results: Depression (44.8%), anxiety (36.8%) and stress (40.3%) were experienced by the students. Females had significantly greater anxiety and stress signs compared to males (p p = 0.016) or second year of study (p = 0.005). Conclusion: Several students experienced serious mental disorders during the first period of the COVID-19 outbreak. Variables such as gender, year of study, age, positive and negative affect score, life orientation test score and coping strategies were identified as factors contributing to this situation. Special attention must be paid to female students as they mentioned negative emotions more frequently than males. Further research on the academic population could be beneficial to university administrators

Investigation of Mental and Physical Health of Nurses Associated with Errors in Clinical Practice

Background: Errors are common among all healthcare settings. The safety of patients is linked directly with nursing errors because nurses stand by them more often than any other healthcare professional. The role of mental and physical health of nurses is of great interest for a good and efficient job performance, but also for maintaining good patient care delivery. This study aimed to investigate the association between nurses’ general health and making errors during clinical practice. Methods: A total of 364 nurses completed a specially designed questionnaire anonymously and voluntarily. The sample consisted of nurses with all educational degrees. The questionnaire included demographic data and questions about general health issues, resilience status and nurses’ possible experience with errors within a hospital. Results: 65,8% of the participants stated that at least one error had happened at their workplace, and 49,4% of them reported that the error was caused by them. Somatic symptoms were found to have a positive correlation with making errors (p p < 0.001) when correlated with all aspects of general health (anxiety/insomnia, severe depression, somatic symptoms), but not with social dysfunction. Conclusion: Nurses are affected by their somatic symptoms in their daily clinical practice, making them vulnerable to making errors that compromise patient safety. A high resilience level could help them cope with unfavorable situations and prevent them from doing harm to a patient or themselves

COVID-19 Vaccination Intention Associated with Behaviors towards Protection and Perceptions Regarding the Pandemic

Background: The impressively rapid availability of different types of COVID-19 vaccines and, on the other hand, the degree of their effectiveness as opposed to the likelihood of serious or non-serious side effects place a fairly large percentage of the population at a crossroads regarding the choice to get vaccinated or not, hence threatening achievement of total immunization coverage and full immunity. This study aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccination intention in Greece regarding protection behaviors and perceptions of the pandemic. Methods: A total of 3753 participants completed a specially designed electronic questionnaire anonymously and voluntarily. The study population consisted of healthcare workers, students, members of professional societies, teachers, and professors. The questionnaire was composed of four parts pertaining to demographic data and possible changes in hygiene attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: In total, 43.3% of the participants stated that SARS-CoV-2 poses a significant risk. The most widespread protection practice was avoiding crowded places (90.1%), followed by reducing the use of public transport (86.1%) and washing their hands with soap and water more often than usual (84.2%). Women undertook significantly more behavioral changes than men and participants of other nationalities. About half of the participants (44%) implemented seven behavioral changes. Lower personal and general perceived risk due to COVID-19 was significantly associated with lower intention to get vaccinated. Conclusion: Strong hesitancy was observed towards COVID-19 vaccination. There is a need for further studies to be conducted to investigate the benefits and safety of vaccines for the purpose of better informing the public. Healthcare personnel can and should play a key role in this process