Quality management in schools: Analysis of mediating factors

The objective of this study is to contribute to Quality Management Systems (QMS) and their impact on schools in the Basque Country, Spain. Specifically, it analyses two models: the EFQM Excellence Model, which originated in the business world, and the Integrated Quality Project (IQP) Model, which has a humanistic focus and arose from an educational research perspective. To do so, 14 schools were analysed by means of a sample of 315 subjects (42 managers and 273 teachers) who utilise one of these two QMS. The results show that the longer the period of time for which schools had had quality certification, the greater the perception of quality among the teaching staff, regardless of the model used. This leads to the conclusion that having in place a quality model in a school makes the teaching staff more aware of the existence and importance of quality management systems and models and leads them to aspire to higher educational quality.Keywords: assessment methods; education; educational quality; EFQM Excellence Model; quality management systems; quality model

IDUQoL: un instrumento específico de calidad de vida para usuarios de drogas inyectadas. Datos descriptivos y adecuación a una muestra española

La valoración de la calidad de vida se ha convertido en la investigación clínica en uno de los más utilizados indicadores de resultados. Para ello, se precisa de instrumentos adaptados y validados al contexto donde han de utilizarse. El propósito del estudio es presentar, inicialmente, las características de las versiones existentes del IDUQoL (Injection Drug User Quality of Life Scale)) y ofrecer datos descriptivos y de adecuación del instrumento adaptado al español. Participan en el estudio 100 personas diagnosticadas de adicción a opiáceos incluidas en un programa de mantenimiento con metadona, quienes responden al IDUQoL en sus dos versiones de 17 y 21 dominios y otros dos instrumentos de calidad de vida el SF-36 y EQ-5D . Se obtienen datos de fiabilidad óptimos (alpha de Cronbach de 0,92 y coeficiente de correlación Intraclase para el test-retest de 0,79) y validez convergente y de criterio muy adecuadas (coeficientes de correlación con el SF-36 y EQ-5D entre 0,34 y 0,61, y con otras variables criterio entre 0,23 y 0,39; p>0,05). Los resultados obtenidos presentan el IDUQoL como un instrumento específico de calidad de vida en el ámbito de los trastornos adictivos con adecuadas características en su adaptación al español

Valoración psicométrica de la versión española del SLIM (Serious Leisure Inventory and Measure) en contextos deportivos

El ocio serio explica el compromiso e implicación en prácticas de ocio con el fin de adquirir y expresar las destrezas necesarias para llevarlas a cabo. El SLIM (Serious Leisure Inventory and Measure) es un instrumento dedicado a la evaluación de este concepto. El presente estudio tiene por objeto analizar las características psicométricas y la validez estructural del SLIM. Participan en el estudio 232 deportistas federados amateurs a quienes se les aplicó la versión de 54 ítems del SLIM. Para la validez del constructo se probaron los modelos teóricos propuestos por Gould, Moore, Karlin, Gaede, Walker y Dotterweich (2011) a través de Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio (AFC). El modelo de medida ofreció unos muy adecuados índices de ajuste (χ²(9) = 15,23, p = ,087, χ²/gl = 3,29, GFI = ,97, CFI = ,98, SRMR = ,04, RMSEA = ,05 [,02 a ,09]) con índices de Fiabilidad Compuesta entre ,71 y ,86. Un segundo modelo, llamado inventario no tuvo inicialmente una buena adecuación y fue redefinido obteniendo un nuevo modelo de tres factores que explican adecuadamente los beneficios del ocio serio (χ²(49) = 126,36, p < ,001, χ²/gl = 2,86, GFI = ,92, CFI = ,93, SRMR = ,06, RMSEA = ,078 [,05 a ,10]). Los resultados del estudio muestran unas adecuadas características psicométricas del SLIM y la posibilidad de ser utilizado como un indicador de ocio serio en las prácticas deportivas.The serious leisure explains the commitment and involvement in leisure practices in order to acquire and express the skills needed to carry them out. The SLIM (Serious Leisure Inventory and Measure) is an instrument used to the measure and evaluate of this concept. The main objective of this study is to analyze the psychometric characteristics and structural validity of the SLIM. Involved in the study 232 amateur sportspeople who were administered the 54-item version of SLIM. For the construct validity, theoretical models proposed by Gould, Moore, Karlin, Gaede, Walker and Dotterweich (2011) through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were tested. The measure model offered very appropriate fit index (χ²(9) = 15,23, p = ,087, χ²/df = 3,29, GFI = ,97, CFI = ,98, SRMR = ,04, RMSEA = ,05 [,02-,09]) with Composite Reliability index between ,71 and ,86. A second model, called inventory, initially did not have a good fit and was redefined getting a new three-factor model that adequately explain the serious leisure benefits (χ²(49) = 126,36, p <0,001, χ²/df = 2,86, GFI = ,92, CFI = ,93, SRMR = ,06, RMSEA = ,078 [,05-,10]). The study results show adequate psychometric characteristics of SLIM and the possibility of being used as an indicator of serious leisure in sports.O lazer sério explica o compromisso e envolvimento em práticas de lazer a fim de adquirir e expressar as habilidades necessárias para realizá-las. O SLIM (Serious Leisure Inventory and Measure) é um instrumento dedicado à avaliação deste conceito. O presente estudo tem por objetivo analisar as propriedades psicométricas e a validade estrutural do SLIM. Participaram no estudo 232 desportistas amadores aos quais foi aplicada a versão de 54 itens do SLIM. Para a validade de constructo foram testados os modelos teóricos propostos por Gould, Moore, Karlin, Gaede, Walker e Dotterweich (2011) através de análise fatorial confirmatória (AFC). O modelo de medida ofereceu índices de ajuste muito apropriados (χ²(9) = 15,23, p = ,087, χ²/gl = 3,29, GFI = ,97, CFI = ,98, SRMR = ,04, RMSEA = ,05 [,02 a ,09]) com índices de confiabilidade composta entre ,71 e ,86. Um segundo modelo, chamado inventário, inicialmente, não teve um bom ajuste e foi redefinido obtendo-se um novo modelo de três fatores que explicam adequadamente os benefícios de lazer sério (χ²(49) = 126,36, p < ,001, χ²/gl = 2,86, GFI = ,92, CFI = ,93, SRMR = ,06, RMSEA = ,078 [,05 a ,10]). Os resultados do estudo mostram características psicométricas adequadas do SLIM e a possibilidade de ser utilizado como um indicador de lazer sério nos esportos

Going beyond Quietness: Determining the Emotionally Restorative Effect of Acoustic Environments in Urban Open Public Spaces

The capacity of natural settings to promote psychological restoration has attracted increasing research attention, especially with regards to the visual dimension. However, there is a need to extend these studies to urban settings, such as squares, parks or gardens, due to the global trend towards urbanisation, and to integrate the dimension of sound into landscape. Such was the main aim of this study, in which 53 participants assessed four public spaces in Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain) as part of the CITI-SENSE Project (137 observations were used for analysis). A smartphone application was used to simultaneously collect objective and subjective data. The results show that at the end of the urban environmental experience, there was a statistically significant reduction in negative emotions and perceived stress, and a slight increase in positive emotions. Emotional restoration was mainly associated with prior emotional states, but also with global environmental comfort and acoustic comfort. The soundscape characteristics that contributed to greater emotional restoration and a reduction in perceived stress were pleasantness, calm, fun and naturalness. Therefore, in agreement with previous research, the findings of the present study indicate that besides contributing to the quietness of the urban environment, the urban soundscape can promote psychological restoration in users of these spaces.This research formed part of the CITI-SENSE project funded under the European Union Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration, grant agreement no 308524

A critical analysis of user satisfaction surveys in addiction services: Opioid maintenance treatment as a representative case study

Background: Satisfaction with services represents a key component of the user's perspective, and user satisfaction surveys are the most commonly used approach to evaluate the aforementioned perspective. The aim of this discursive paper is to provide a critical overview of user satisfaction surveys in addiction treatment and harm reduction services, with a particular focus on opioid maintenance treatment as a representative case. Methods: We carried out a selective critical review and analysis of the literature on user satisfaction surveys in addiction treatment and harm reduction services. Results: Most studies that have reported results of satisfaction surveys have found that the great majority of users (virtually all, in many cases) are highly satisfied with the services received. However, when these results are compared to the findings of studies that use different methodologies to explore the patient's perspective, the results are not as consistent as might be expected. It is not uncommon to find that "highly satisfied" patients report significant problems when mixed-methods studies are conducted. To understand this apparent contradiction, we explored two distinct (though not mutually exclusive) lines of reasoning, one of which concerns conceptual aspects and the other, methodological questions. Conclusion: User satisfaction surveys, as currently designed and carried out in addiction treatment and harm reduction services, do not significantly help to improve service quality. Therefore, most of the enthusiasm and naiveté with which satisfaction surveys are currently performed and interpreted - and rarely acted on in the case of nonoptimal results - should be avoided. A truly participatory approach to program evaluation is urgently needed to reshape and transform patient satisfaction surveys. Keywords: patient satisfaction, substance abuse treatment services, harm reduction services, patient-centered evaluation, service user perspective, user involvemen

Impact of quality management systems in the performance of educational centers: educational policies and management processes

[EN] In this paper, the findings of an I + D + i research are presented. In this study, an analysis was conducted to assess 14 educational centers where in one of two distinct quality systems had been implemented: the EFQM (European Foundation Quality Management) and el Proyecto de Calidad Integrado (PCI)—the Integrated Quality Project—promoted by the Horrêum Foundation (Álvarez and Santos, 2003; Villa and Marauri, 2004). The EFQM was first used by businesses before being recently transferred to the academics. It comprised nine factors that were translated in an educational context: leadership, policy and strategy, people, alliances and resources, processes, impact on people, impact on clients, impact on society, and key impacts of an organization. The first five factors examine the way activities are carried out and improved, and the final four focus on the impact, i.e., the effect of the organization's activities. Improvement is achieved through learning and innovation. The PCI (Muñoz and Sarasúa, 2005) has its educational origins in the Effective School Improvement model. Seven factors are analyzed (Sarasola et al., 2003; Villa et al., 2004): institutional approach, organizational structures, relationships and living together, counseling and tutoring, curriculum, family and the community (Martínez and Galíndez, 2003), and management and services. The study looks at the impact that the two aforementioned quality systems (EFQM and PCI) have had on educational centers. The term “impact” is understood as the changes experienced both inside and outside an educational center. It must be sustainable overtime, considering the changes and effects achieved, as evidence of improvement. The quantitative analysis focuses on two dimensions. The first addresses three key factors of educational policy: educational planning, communication, and support and rewards for teachers. The second comprises three factors linked to management processes in educational institutions: organizational climate, teaching and learning processes, and relationships with the community

Integrating Soundscape Criteria in Urban Sustainable Regeneration Processes: An Example of Comfort and Health Improvement

This paper reports an example of an urban sustainable regeneration process in a small open square following the soundscape approach in urban design and involving a transdisciplinary team. The renovation of this urban public space brought changes in its acoustic environment and improved soundscape perception as much more pleasant (enhanced comfort). The rehabilitation broadened the use of the square and enhanced users’ wellbeing and health, showing a significant positive impact of sound: reduction in negative emotions and perceived stress while increasing positive feelings. To conclude, the implications of the results about restorative environments in urban sound planning and future areas of research are discussed.This research received no external funding

Impacto de la violencia colectiva en la salud. Resultados del estudio ISAVIC en el País Vasco

ResumenObjetivoA pesar de la ubicuidad de la violencia y de su posible importancia para la salud de las personas y las colectividades, su papel y mecanismos de acción en este sentido no están apenas analizados. Este estudio, realizado en los años 2005-2008 en el País Vasco, trata de estimar la asociación de la violencia colectiva con la salud de sus víctimas primarias.MétodosSe emparejó una muestra intencional de 33 víctimas primarias (receptores directos de la violencia o familiares en primer grado de personas asesinadas), en función de su edad, sexo, nivel de estudios y provincia de residencia, con sujetos (en una proporción 1:5) procedentes de una muestra representativa de la población mayor de 16 años residente en el País Vasco. Todos completaron un cuestionario que incluía medidas de salud (WHO-DAS-II-12, GHQ-12, SF-12, escalas de soledad y estigma) y variables potencialmente mediadoras (apoyo y clima social, y otras). Se compararon mediante regresiones condicionales a la experiencia de violencia colectiva.ResultadosLas víctimas primarias presentan entre cuatro y siete veces un mayor riesgo de padecer peor salud física y emocional, y ocho veces más de sufrir alteraciones funcionales. También perciben una mayor soledad y estigma, y valoran negativamente el apoyo y el clima social. No se observó asociación en los sujetos que declararon exposición a una violencia interpersonal leve.ConclusionesLos resultados sugieren que la violencia colectiva se asocia a una pérdida considerable de salud en las víctimas primarias. Su asociación en la población general requiere una investigación más específica.AbstractObjectivesDespite the ubiquity of violence and its possible impact on individual and collective health, the role and causal pathways of this phenomenon as a health determinant have not been widely studied. The present study was conducted between 2005 and 2008 in the Basque Region of Spain and aimed to estimate the health effects of collective violence on its primary victims.MethodsA purposive sample of 33 primary victims (direct victims of collective violence and the first degree relatives of murder victims) was matched (1:5 ratio) with a random selection of persons drawn from a representative sample of the population aged more than 16 years old living in the Basque Region. Matching criteria were age, sex, educational level and province of residence. All participants completed a questionnaire that included health status measures (WHO-DAS-II-12, GHQ-12, SF-12, loneliness and stigma scales) and other potentially mediating variables such as social support and emotional climate. The results were assessed by regression analysis conditional to exposure to collective violence.ResultsThe odds of perceiving worse physical and emotional health were 4 to 7 times higher among primary victims than among the general population and were 8 times higher for experiencing functional disability. Primary victims also perceived more loneliness and stigma and negatively valued their social support and emotional climate. No significant impact was found among the general population with some experience of interpersonal violence.ConclusionsThese results suggest that collective violence is associated with substantial impairment in health status. More specific studies to assess the health effects of collective violence in the general population are warranted

Patient and clinician's ratings of improvement in methadone-maintained patients: Differing perspectives?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the last few years there seems to be an emerging interest for including the patients' perspective in assessing methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), with treatment satisfaction surveys being the most commonly-used method of incorporating this point of view. The present study considers the perspective of patients on MMT when assessing the outcomes of this treatment, acknowledging the validity of this approach as an indicator. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the concordance between improvement assessment performed by two members of the clinical staff (a psychiatrist and a nurse) and assessment carried out by MMT patients themselves.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Patients (n = 110) and their respective psychiatrist (n = 5) and nurse (n = 1) completed a scale for assessing how the patient's condition had changed from the beginning of MMT, using the Patient Global Impression of Improvement scale (PGI-I) and the Clinical Global Impression of Improvement scale (CGI-I), respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The global improvement assessed by patients showed weak concordance with the assessments made by nurses (Quadratic-weighted kappa = 0.13, p > 0.05) and by psychiatrists (Quadratic-weighted kappa = 0.19, p = 0.0086), although in the latter, concordance was statistically significant. The percentage of improved patients was significantly higher in the case of the assessments made by patients, compared with those made by nurses (90.9% vs. 80%, Z-statistic = 2.10, p = 0.0354) and by psychiatrists (90.9% vs. 50%, Z-statistic = 6.48, p < 0.0001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>MMT patients' perception of improvement shows low concordance with the clinical staff's perspective. Assessment of MMT effectiveness should also focus on patient's evaluation of the outcomes or changes achieved, thus including indicators based on the patient's experiences, provided that MMT aim is to be more patient centred and to cover different needs of patients themselves.</p

Learning competence in university : development and structural validation of a scale to measure

Esta investigación se centra en el diseño y validación de una escala para evaluar el nivel de la competencia para aprender de los estudiantes universitarios. La competencia para aprender se refiere a la adquisición, selección y movilización integrada de los conocimlentos, habilidades y actitudes necesarios para aprender de manera continuada a lo largo de la vida. El desarrollo de esta competencia es un objetivo formativo fundamental por su influencia en el desarrollo personal y profesional. Se parte de que la competencia para aprender está compuesta de cuatro dimensiones: conocimiento personal como aprendiz, construcción del conocimiento, autogestión del aprendizaje y transfereneia del conocimiento. Se han realizado análisis exploratorios y confirmatorios para validar el modelo teórico del constructo. Los resultados confinnan en buena medida esta estructura (fiabilidad 0.86 de la escala total y entre .57 y .75 de las sub-escalas, así como la adecuación del modelo estructural elegido: GFI = .94, RMSEA = .039), lo que permite considerar la Escala de Competencia de Aprendizaje (LCS) como un instrumento válido de 17 ítems para medir esta competencia