Implementing Electronic Conferencing Within A Distance-Based University: University Of South Africa Case Study

The outcome of this paper is primarily to survey and analyse student interactions with electronic conferencing systems and to reflect on the impact of such a system on the students’ learning within an open distance learning context. This pilot study is articulated within action research methodology to generate critical reflection on collaborative, online environments such as electronic conferencing systems for teaching and learning. This study aims to assess the benefits and feasibility of integrating such a system within the University of South Africa’s (UNISA) current organisational structure. These results are intended to generate debate and further research within the university into possible evolution in practice within the institution that would address contemporary learning needs of students. As this was a feasibility study, a comparative study of the current tools available for electronic conferencing was warranted. The findings of this study may be used as a basis for further investigation on the challenges that might face the university if online learning were to be implemented. The success of the online conference is nevertheless significant within the context of the University of South Africa. It provides the opportunity to re-examine the current print-based delivery system, and to devise strategies and solutions to significantly increase the quality of learning within the organisation

Addressing curriculum decolonisation and education for sustainable development through epistemically diverse curricula

AbstractTransformation in Higher Education has been an ongoing concern in post-apartheid South Africa, especially in light of universities’ expected contribution to economic and socio-political transformation. In particular, curriculum transformation has proved challenging, as evidenced in actions and calls by students in recent years for decolonisation of the curriculum. This study, which formed part of an institutional response to the challenge of curriculum transformation and decolonisation, initially sought to examine perceptions of the term ‘decolonisation’ amongst a group of early career lecturers at a leading university in South Africa. Highlighted in the outcomes of the study was the centrality of personal and contextual relevance in notions of decolonised curricula, the impact of curriculum conversations on lecturers’ well-being, and the broader implications of responsive and relevant curricula for institutional and societal well-being. In this respect, the findings of the study illustrated the similarities of curriculum decolonisation approaches and the concept of education for sustainable development which is underpinned by the goal of global well-being and the common good. Also highlighted was the need for greater balance between Mode 1 (theoretical) and Mode 2 (contextually relevant) knowledge in curricula, leading us to posit that both curriculum decolonisation and education for sustainable development are equally necessary for institutional and broader societal reform and well-being, and that both imperatives may potentially be achieved by focusing on the principles of epistemically diverse curricula

Utilising the Healy and Jenkin’s Research Teaching and Curriculum Design Nexus to transform undergraduate nursing research communities of practice

In science, research is known to be a diligent systematic inquiry into nature and society or both. It assists in validating and refining existing knowledge and generating new knowledge. Lecturers and scholars have embraced the integration of evidence-based practice into the nursing education curriculum in numerous ways. Although the learning competencies necessary for research competencies amongst undergraduate nurses include an understanding of the basic concepts and processes of research methods, it does not adequately support student preparedness for the attainment of postgraduate research competencies. The design of this study adopted a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive course of enquiry that explored current pedagogical research practices amongst lecturers and supervisors. A case study approach utilising, specifically, a cross-case analysis helped provide a clear picture of institutional pedagogical practices related to the topic of inquiry and its implementation thereof. The cases from approved local, national and international higher education institutions formed the setting for the study. Lecturers facilitating and supervising undergraduate and postgraduate research studies comprised the target population of a purposive sampling selection. In this study, the authors utilised the Healey and Jenkins Teaching Nexus to show that the research engagement of students and nursing research communities of practice can be strengthened if embraced by sound pedagogical practices. The Nexus outlines four concepts that guide the pedagogical practice of the research module that promotes undergraduate students as researchers. The authors of this article concluded that it was necessary to engage students as producers and not merely as consumers of knowledge. In this study, the researchers also utilised the Nexus to show students’ engagement in fostering different teaching approaches to research knowledge acquisition

The reliability of mortality data in Johannesburg

Infonnation on deaths in Johannesburg is collected on a voluntary basis by the Johannesburg City Health Department from the Department of Home Affairs regional offices as well as state mortuaries in the area. The reliability of these routinely collected data was assessed. Records of deaths of Asians, coloureds and whites from 1 July 1989 to 31 December 1989 were included in the study. Burial orders obtained from the different cemeteries and crematoria in the area were compared with the routinely collected mortality data. Two thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven deaths were included in the study. One hundred and ninety (6%) deaths in the department's records could not be found among the corresponding burial orders while 1 019 (36%) burial order records were not found among the department's routinely collected mortality data. Underreporting of deaths was greatest among the aged (43%) and infants (39%). When this underreporting was taken into account, the corrected infant mortality rate was 19,111 000 live births as opposed to 14,1. Recommendations are made for the improvement ofthe quality of routinely collected mortality data

Focus on azithromycin

Azithromycin is a second-generation macrolide that was developed in the early 1980s as a semi-synthetic derivative of erythromycin. This broad-spectrum antibiotic is known for its activity against some Gram-negative organisms such as H. influenza. Azithromycin is similar to other macrolides, however, it also has the ability to inhibit quorum sensing and the formation of biofilm. Azithromycin has been beneficial in the treatment of influenza and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and recently has shown to be effective against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) when used in combination with hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine. The side-effect that needs to be monitored carefully is the risk of cardiotoxicity when azithromycin is combined with chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine.https://medpharm.co.za/about-our-journals/sagpPharmacolog

'Birth to Ten' - pilot studies to test the feasibility of a birth cohort study investigating the effects of urbanisation in South Africa

Birth to Ten' is a birth cohort study currently being conducted in the Johannesburg-Soweto area. This paper describes the various pilot studies that were undertaken to investigate the feasibility of a cohort study in an urban area. These studies were designed to determine the monthly birth rate, the timing, frequency and duration of maternal antenatal visits, the timing and frequency of visits to well-baby clinics and the accuracy and reliability of routinely collected growth data. In addition, a birth data collection form was tested to ascertain the . appropriateness of its use in clinics within the study area

Perceptions and knowledge about the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome among students in university residences

Using an anonymous questionnaire to obtain baseline data on sexual behaviour and knowledge of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) among students in university residences, the following information was obtained: Knowledge of AIDS was found to be high, although misconceptions regarding transmission of the virus were prevalent. Mosquito bites (15%) and the donating of blood (31%) were incorrectly identified as methods of transmission of the virus. Deep kissing was recognised by only 27% of the students as a possible method of transmission while 22% and 13% of the students, respectively, failed to identify the sharing of razor blades and blood transfusions as possible means of contracting HIV infection. The students' knowledge had not greatly affected sexual behaviour. Two-thirds of the respondents had previously had sexual contact; 38% .were sexually active at the time of the study, and of these 74% had engaged in unprotected intercourse with casual partners in the previous 6 months. There was a negative attitude towards condom use and over 80% of sexually active students did not perceive themselves to be at risk of contracting AIDS. Campus Health (82%), State health services (51%), and public advertisements (60%) were preferred sources of AIDS information. Newspapers/ magazines (80%) and leaflets (69%) were identified as the preferred media. In reality, significantly fewer students obtained their information from Campus Health (15%; P < 0,05), State health services (19%; P < 0,05) and leaflets (44%; P < 0,05). It can be concluded that education programmes should be developed by credible organisations to ensure that an awareness of AIDS results in appropriate sexual behaviour

What to expect when being inspected : an overview of the processes involved in the inspecting of community pharmacies

Pharmacy council inspectors play a crucial role in ensuring the quality, safety, and compliance of pharmacies with established regulations and standards. These inspectors are typically appointed by pharmacy regulatory bodies in South Africa, the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC). It is important for both the responsible pharmacists and other pharmacists to be aware of the functions of these inspectors and what would be expected of them. Pharmacists have the right to expect that any sensitive patient information or confidential business information observed or discussed during the inspection will be kept confidential. It is important for pharmacists to be informed of any specific standards or requirements being assessed during the inspection. After the inspection, pharmacists have the right to receive a written report (provided in a timely manner) that details the findings of the inspection, including any deficiencies or areas of non-compliance. In many cases, pharmacists have the opportunity to correct any deficiencies or violations identified during the inspection. If pharmacists disagree with the findings or actions taken by the regulatory council as a result of the inspection, they may have the right to appeal the decision. Pharmacists should conduct themselves professionally and cooperatively during the inspection process. Additionally, open communication and cooperation with the South African Pharmacy Council can help ensure a smooth and productive inspection process. If pharmacists have concerns or questions about an inspection, they should consider seeking guidance from the South African Pharmacy Council or their professional organisation.http://www.sapj.co.za/index.php/sapjPharmacologySDG-03:Good heatlh and well-beingSDG-08:Decent work and economic growt

Smartphone-based remote monitoring for chronic heart failure: mixed methods analysis of user experience from patient and nurse perspectives

BACKGROUND: Community-based management by heart failure specialist nurses (HFSNs) is key to improving self-care in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Remote monitoring (RM) can aid nurse-led management, but in the literature, user feedback evaluation is skewed in favor of the patient rather than nursing user experience. Furthermore, the ways in which different groups use the same RM platform at the same time are rarely directly compared in the literature. We present a balanced semantic analysis of user feedback from patient and nurse perspectives of Luscii, a smartphone-based RM strategy combining self-measurement of vital signs, instant messaging, and e-learning. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to (1) evaluate how patients and nurses use this type of RM (usage type), (2) evaluate patients' and nurses' user feedback on this type of RM (user experience), and (3) directly compare the usage type and user experience of patients and nurses using the same type of RM platform at the same time. METHODS: We performed a retrospective usage type and user experience evaluation of the RM platform from the perspective of both patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and the HFSNs using the platform to manage them. We conducted semantic analysis of written patient feedback provided via the platform and a focus group of 6 HFSNs. Additionally, as an indirect measure of tablet adherence, self-measured vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, and body mass) were extracted from the RM platform at onboarding and 3 months later. Paired 2-tailed t tests were used to evaluate differences between mean scores across the 2 timepoints. RESULTS: A total of 79 patients (mean age 62 years; 35%, 28/79 female) were included. Semantic analysis of usage type revealed extensive, bidirectional information exchange between patients and HFSNs using the platform. Semantic analysis of user experience demonstrates a range of positive and negative perspectives. Positive impacts included increased patient engagement, convenience for both user groups, and continuity of care. Negative impacts included information overload for patients and increased workload for nurses. After the patients used the platform for 3 months, they showed significant reductions in heart rate (P=.004) and blood pressure (P=.008) but not body mass (P=.97) compared with onboarding. CONCLUSIONS: Smartphone-based RM with messaging and e-learning facilitates bilateral information sharing between patients and nurses on a range of topics. Patient and nurse user experience is largely positive and symmetrical, but there are possible negative impacts on patient attention and nurse workload. We recommend RM providers involve patient and nurse users in platform development, including recognition of RM usage in nursing job plans

Smartphone-based remote monitoring in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: retrospective cohort study of secondary care use and costs

BACKGROUND: Despite effective therapies, the economic burden of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is driven by frequent hospitalizations. Treatment optimization and admission avoidance rely on frequent symptom reviews and monitoring of vital signs. Remote monitoring (RM) aims to prevent admissions by facilitating early intervention, but the impact of noninvasive, smartphone-based RM of vital signs on secondary health care use and costs in the months after a new diagnosis of HFrEF is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to conduct a secondary care health use and health-economic evaluation for patients with HFrEF using smartphone-based noninvasive RM and compare it with matched controls receiving usual care without RM. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 2 cohorts of newly diagnosed HFrEF patients, matched 1:1 for demographics, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, and HFrEF severity. They are (1) the RM group, with patients using the RM platform for >3 months and (2) the control group, with patients referred before RM was available who received usual heart failure care without RM. Emergency department (ED) attendance, hospital admissions, outpatient use, and the associated costs of this secondary care activity were extracted from the Discover data set for a 3-month period after diagnosis. Platform costs were added for the RM group. Secondary health care use and costs were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier event analysis and Cox proportional hazards modeling. RESULTS: A total of 146 patients (mean age 63 years; 42/146, 29% female) were included (73 in each group). The groups were well-matched for all baseline characteristics except hypertension (P=.03). RM was associated with a lower hazard of ED attendance (hazard ratio [HR] 0.43; P=.02) and unplanned admissions (HR 0.26; P=.02). There were no differences in elective admissions (HR 1.03, P=.96) or outpatient use (HR 1.40; P=.18) between the 2 groups. These differences were sustained by a univariate model controlling for hypertension. Over a 3-month period, secondary health care costs were approximately 4-fold lower in the RM group than the control group, despite the additional cost of RM itself (mean cost per patient GBP £465, US $581 vs GBP £1850, US$2313, respectively; P=.04). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective cohort study shows that smartphone-based RM of vital signs is feasible for HFrEF. This type of RM was associated with an approximately 2-fold reduction in ED attendance and a 4-fold reduction in emergency admissions over just 3 months after a new diagnosis with HFrEF. Costs were significantly lower in the RM group without increasing outpatient demand. This type of RM could be adjunctive to standard care to reduce admissions, enabling other resources to help patients unable to use RM