Ethics outside, within or beyond OR models

Since ethical concerns are calling for more attention within Operational Research, we present three approaches to combine Operational Research models with ethics. Our intention is to clarify the trade-offs faced by the OR community, in particular the tension between the scientific legitimacy of OR models (ethics outside OR models) and the integration of ethics within models (ethics within OR models). Presenting and discussing an approach that combines OR models with the process of OR (ethics beyond OR models), we suggest rigorous ways to express the relation between ethics and OR models. As our work is exploratory, we are trying to avoid a dogmatic attitude and call for further research. We argue that there are interesting avenues for research at the theoretical, methodological and applied levels and that the OR community can contribute to an innovative, constructive and responsible social dialogue about its ethics.Ethics, models, processes, OR

The domain and interpretation of utility functions: An exploration

This paper proposes an exploration of the methodology of utility functions that distinguishes interpretation from representation. While representation univocally assigns numbers to the entities of the domain of utility functions, interpretation relates these entities with empirically observable objects of choice. This allows us to make explicit the standard interpretation of utility functions which assumes that two objects have the same utility if and only if the individual is indifferent among them. We explore the underlying assumptions of such an hypothesis and propose a non-standard interpretation according to which objects of choice have a well-defined utility although individuals may vary in the way they treat these objects in a specific context. We provide examples of such a methodological approach that may explain some reversal of preferences and suggest possible mathematical formulations for further research.Utility, representaion, interpretation, preference reversal

New guidelines as a basis for crisis settlement in the health-oriented teacher training activities

The system of teachers’ training for the health-oriented activities implementation in educational institutions is experiencing a period of crisis. This affects the quality of how teachers implement the health creating function and, eventually, the health condition and formation of a healthy and safe lifestyle culture for students and pupils. Given that the health-oriented activities of educational institutions are one of the state’s priorities, we should pay particular attention to the modernization of the teachers’ training system and improvement of their skills in the field of conservation, enhancement and development of the students’ and pupils’ healt

Is a teacher’s professional development possible in the traditional system of vocational training?

The problems and gaps of the system of teachers’ professional training are discussed. The experience of the organization of teachers’ vocational training is presented, in which the process of teachers’ professional development is ensuredРассматриваются проблемы и дефициты системы профессиональной подготовки педагогов и представлен опыт организации дополнительного профессионального образования педагогов, при котором обеспечивается процесс их профессионального развити

System-developing education quality assessment and teacher’s professionalism

Рассматривается потенциал саморазвития педагогического сообщества, основанный на применении социального механизма тьюторства в системе профессионального развития и внедрения развивающей оценки качества образованияThe article examines the potential of self-development of teachers’ community, based on the application of the social mechanism of tutoring in professional development and providing the system of developing education quality assessmen

Financial burden of orthopaedic gunshot-related injury management at a major trauma centre

Background. Violence and injuries are a significant global public health concern, and have a substantial emotional, physical and economic impact on society. In South Africa (SA), the Western Cape Injury Mortality Profile shows that homicides increased from 38 deaths per 100 000 in 2010 to 52 deaths per 100 000 in 2016. This increase is directly related to an increase in firearm-related homicides, which doubled from 2010 to 2016. Previous research estimated the average cost per gunshot wound (GSW)-related orthopaedic patient at USD2 940. GSW-related patient numbers as well as treatment costs have escalated exponentially over the past few years.Objectives. To calculate the financial costs involved in managing gunshot-related orthopaedic injuries both surgically and non-surgically at a tertiary centre in SA.Methods. After ethics approval, a retrospective review of all GSW patients seen in the emergency unit at Tygerberg Hospital in 2017 was undertaken. Patient records yielded data on the following parameters: injury site and characteristics, imaging modalities, orthopaedic management, hospital admission and duration of hospitalisation, theatre episodes, orthopaedic implants and blood products administered. Cost analysis was performed using this information.Results. A total of 389 patients (360 male and 29 female), average age (range, standard deviation) 28 (3 - 69, 9.50) years, were treated during the study period. Patient records identified a total of 449 orthopaedic injuries. A total of 187 patients were admitted, with 175 requiring surgical fixation. The conservatively calculated cost of managing this patient group was ZAR10 227 503. The average management cost per patient was ZAR26 292, with an average of ZAR46 670 per case requiring surgical management and ZAR8 810 for non-surgical cases (the average USD-ZAR exchange rate in 2017 was USD1-ZAR13.30).Conclusions. The total cost of managing 389 patients with gunshot-related orthopaedic injuries at a tertiary hospital was ZAR10 227 503. Improved understanding of these costs will help the healthcare system better prioritise orthopaedic trauma funding and training and highlights the urgent need for cost-saving measures, specifically primary prevention initiatives

Health-creating function of a teacher and teachers training for its implementation in the Russian system of education

The essential characteristics of a teacher’s professional function, which is aimed at protecting the health of students, is presented. The philosophical and normative-legal basis is given. The overview of the system of school staff training for implementation of this function in the Russian system of education is describedПредставлены основные характеристики профессиональной функции педагога, которая направлена на охрану здоровья обучающихся. Обозначены философские и нормативно-правовые основы этой деятельности. Дается краткое описание системы профессиональной подготовки педагогов для реализации этой функции в российском образовани

A teacher as a tutor of health education: conceptual basic and system solution

Tutor activity in the field of health education of school-children is discussed as a competence of each teacher in the context of individualization of educational processПоказана тьюторская деятельность в области формирования культуры здорового и безопасного образа жизни обучающихся как сфера ответственности каждого педагога в контексте индивидуализации образовани

Oriented on health teacher training in the context of current educational situation

The article presents the characteristics of the current system of vocational teacher training from the standpoint of different participants of this system and their intentions. The attention is focused on the anthropological and social-oriented nature of vocational education (including postgraduate vocational training). The essence of oriented on health teachers’ activities and its methodological basis is shown. In consideration of it the positions, which should be guided in improving the system of vocational teacher training in the aspect of their oriented on health activity, are proposedПредставлены характеристики современной системы профессиональной подготовки педагогов с позиций различных субъектов этой системы и их установок. Акцентируется внимание на антропологической и социально ориентированной сущности профессионального образования (в том числе дополнительного профессионального образования) педагогических кадров. Показана сущность педагогической деятельности по охране здоровья обучающихся, ее методологическая основа. Предложены позиции, на которые следует ориентироваться в процессе совершенствования системы профессиональной подготовки педагогов к здоровьеориентированной деятельност

Network cooperation of educational organizations for building a culture of healthy and safe lifestyle: theoretical-methodological aspect of vocational staff training

The aim of the study is to consider network cooperation as a resource of the renewal and innovative development of education. Methods. Systemization of existing practices of network partnership in the sphere of education for decision of pupils’ health protection problems; monitoring of health and physical readiness of the trainees of general educational establishments; modelling of network interaction. Results and scientific novelty. It is shown that network cooperation in the field of building a culture of healthy and safe lifestyle of pupils has a considerable potential. If educational organizations are closed to cooperation, isolated on the infrastructure in their district, city, region, the task of building a healthy lifestyle of pupils can not be solved. In general, teaching staff is unprepared for this activity and require additional preparation, methodological and methodical information materials on its realisation. The author theoretically proves and describes substantive provisions of network interaction of the educational establishments with social partners aimed at pupils’ health culture formation, which is presented as one of socialisation directions, i.e. realisation of social function of education – especially organized educational activity that is directed on development of pupils’ social competence. Thus, the model of network cooperation of educational organizations for building a culture of healthy and safe lifestyle (as one of the areas of socialization of pupils) is presented in the presented study. It is considered as a theoretical and methodological basis for the development of process of establishing partnerships of educational organizations not only with other organizations of the education system (basic, professional and additional), but also with organizations of health care, physical culture and sport, culture and recreation, and other social spheres. Practical significance. Results of research will help the pedagogical staff carrying out network interaction to present and describe own activity in a consistent manner; teachers with insufficient readiness to designing and realisation of partner communications with other organisations can use the proposed materials for vocational development; it also serves as theoretical base for formation of cognitive component of readiness for realisation of health protection function with use of network interaction resourcesЦель статьи – рассмотреть сетевое взаимодействие как ресурс обновления и инновационного развития образования. Методы. Систематизация существующих практик сетевого партнерства в сфере образования для решения проблем здоровьесбережения учащихся; мониторинг здоровья и физической подготовленности обучающихся общеобразовательных организаций; моделирование сетевого взаимодействия. Результаты и научная новизна. Показано, что сетевое взаимодействие имеет значительный потенциал в области формирования культуры здорового и безопасного образа жизни обучающихся и воспитанников. Эту задачу образовательные учреждения не могут решить на высоком уровне, будучи закрытыми к сотрудничеству, изолированными от инфраструктуры своего района, города, области. Педагогические кадры во многом не готовы к осуществлению сетевой деятельности и нуждаются в дополнительной подготовке, методологических и методических информационных материалах по ее осуществлению. Автором теоретически обоснованы и описаны основные положения сетевого взаимодействия образовательных организаций с социальными партнерами, имеющего целью формирование культуры здоровья учащихся, которое представлено как одно из направлений социализации, т. е. реализации социальной функции воспитания – особо организуемой образовательной деятельности, направленной на развитие у обучающихся и воспитанников социальной компетентности. С опорой на это положение разработана и описана модель сетевого сотрудничества образовательных учреждений, которая предполагает участие в процессе ее реализации всех педагогов вне зависимости от специфики их профессиональной деятельности. Данная модель представляет собой теоретико-методологическую основу для разработки педагогическими коллективами своих моделей, позволяющих более активно развернуть процессы налаживания партнерских связей не только с другими учреждениями основного, профессионального и дополнительного образования, но и с организациями системы здравоохранения, физкультуры и спорта, культуры и досуга и других социальных сфер. Практическая значимость. Результаты исследования помогут педагогическим коллективам, осуществляющим сетевое взаимодействие, системно представить и описать свою деятельность, а тем, кто недостаточно готов к проектированию и реализации партнерских связей с другими организациями, изложенные материалы станут подспорьем к осмыслению своих возможностей, теоретической базой для формирования когнитивного компонента готовности к реализации здоровьесозидающей функции с использованием ресурсов сетевого взаимодействи