BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

One of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical education is an increased awareness and use of social media (SocMed) to facilitate learning. However, literature on the use of SocMed in medical education has focused primarily on educator-led teaching activities. Our study aimed to describe SocMed initiatives that were student-led, particularly for information dissemination and peer collaborative learning, and to elicit perceptions of medical students towards such activities.

An online survey on SocMed usage in medical education was sent to all first- and second-year medical students at the University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine from October to December 2021. The questionnaire collected data on demographics, SocMed habits and preferences, and perceived advantages and disadvantages of SocMed. Descriptive statistics were calculated while the free-text responses were grouped into prominent themes and summarized.

We received a total of 258 responses (71%) out of 361 eligible participants. Overall, 74% found SocMed platforms to be very and extremely helpful; 88% recommended its continued use. The most popular SocMed platforms for different tasks were as follows: Discord for independent study groups and for conducting peer tutoring sessions; Facebook Messenger for reading reminders; Telegram for reading announcements related to academics and administrative requirements, and for accessing material provided by classmates and professors.

The high uptake of SocMed among medical students may be attributed to its accessibility and costefficiency. The use of a particular SocMed platform was dependent on the students’ needs and the platform's features. Students tended to use multiple SocMed platforms that complemented one another. SocMed also had disadvantages, such as the potential to distract from academic work and to become a source of fatigue. Educators must engage with students to understand how SocMed platforms can be integrated into medical education, whether in the physical or virtual learning environment.

INTRODUCTION

While research has explored various aspects of nursing practice, there is a limited understanding of the specific challenges and experiences of nurses' transitioning into the academia. This knowledge gap hinders the development of effective support strategies to facilitate career transition. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of nurses who transitioned from bedside to academic roles.

This study employed an interpretive phenomenological approach guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). The participants of this study were 21 faculty members from the two Colleges of Nursing (University of Cordilleras and Mountain Province State University). Purposive sampling was used in the selection of participants. Data was collected between April and June 2024. NVIVO 15 was used to organize, analyze, and visualize the data.

Five primary themes emerged, highlighting the complexities of transitioning from bedside to academia. These said themes included: Navigating the Transition, encompassing the integration of clinical identity with the faculty role and adapting to new responsibilities; Impact of Clinical Experience on teaching; Reconciling Professional Identities, involving adaptation to the academic environment and balancing clinical knowledge with academic expectations; Challenges and Support Systems encountered during the transition; and Motivations in Shaping Future Nurses, reflecting the desire to mentor and guide. These themes underscored the significant adjustments that nurses have to undergo and the interplay between their clinical background and academic responsibilities.

The findings of this study highlighted the struggles experienced by nurses as they shift from clinical roles to work in academic institutions. To enable this transition, such support measures should be designed to deal with specific problems not captured within more general support measures. Furthermore, the integration of the clinical and academic roles was equally important for not only quality nursing education but also for safe and quality patient care. Making use of the clinical perspective in positional environments can improve nursing education. Mentorship programmes may also be used to foster the transition and development of future nurses. Lastly, studies have shown the importance of developing policies and programs capable of encouraging this particular change in career and, more broadly, ensuring a healthy nursing education workforce.

Occupational therapists are known to be holistic practitioners who facilitate occupational performance and promote occupational justice. However, limited literature explores the role of the profession for members of the society who identify themselves as lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender (LGBT). This paper analyzes a panel discussion at an international event hosted by a university in the Philippines regarding gender and sexuality. This short report aims to identify the roles of occupational therapists among the LGBT community through the lens of professionals. Upon thematic analysis of the transcription of the discussion, five roles of occupational therapists were identified. These are (1) navigators on the complexity of gender and sexuality, (2) researchers on evidenced-based and practical practices toward the LGBT community, (3) enablers of gender expression among the LGBT community, (4) allies of the LGBT community, and (5) advocates of inclusion in all spaces. It provides actionable approaches for occupational therapists to facilitate gender-affirming healthcare for the LGBT community. Moreover, these findings hold the potential to influence forthcoming policies and educational initiatives for both occupational therapists and allied professionals.
Role ; Occupational Therapy

Humans ; Consensus ; Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis/therapy* ; Heart ; Immunoglobulin Light Chains ; China

Pregnancy ; Humans ; Female ; Cesarean Section ; Consensus ; Trial of Labor

Female ; Humans ; Consensus ; Endometrial Neoplasms/therapy* ; Gynecology ; Oncologists ; China

Animals ; Cattle ; Female ; Milk Hypersensitivity/therapy* ; Consensus ; Immunoglobulin E ; Milk Proteins

Cardiovascular risk assessment is a basic tenet of the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Conventional risk assessment models require measurements of blood pressure, blood lipids, and other health-related information prior to assessment of risk via regression models. Compared with traditional approaches, fundus photograph-based cardiovascular risk assessment using artificial intelligence (AI) technology is novel, and has the advantages of immediacy, non-invasiveness, easy performance, and low cost. The Health Risk Assessment and Control Committee of the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association, in collaboration with the Chinese Society of Cardiology and the Society of Health Examination, invited multi-disciplinary experts to form a panel to develop the present consensus, which includes relevant theories, progress in research, and requirements for AI model development, as well as applicable scenarios, applicable subjects, assessment processes, and other issues associated with applying AI technology to assess cardiovascular risk based on fundus photographs. A consensus was reached after multiple careful discussions on the relevant research, and the needs of the health management industry in China and abroad, in order to guide the development and promotion of this new technology.
Humans ; Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control* ; Artificial Intelligence ; Consensus ; Risk Factors ; Heart Disease Risk Factors

IgG₄ is a subclass of IgG. Elevated serum IgG₄ levels are an important serological feature of IgG₄ related diseases and serve as a serological marker for assessing disease activity and severity. The harmonization of IgG₄ detection is crucial for its clinical application. National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (Peking Union Medical College Hospital), Experimental Diagnosis Research Committee, Rheumatology and Immunology Physicians Committee of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Autoantibodies Detection Committee, and Chinese Rheumatism Data Center have organized clinical and laboratory experts to draft this consensus, aiming to standardize IgG₄ detection and provide guideline for clinician and laboratory experts to appropriate utility and interpret IgG₄ results in China.
Humans ; China ; Consensus ; Immunoglobulin G/blood*

Background: The nursing profession had recently noted a significant increase of men entering the profession. However, in countries like Canada where men comprise approximately 9% of the regulated nursing population---they were viewed as untapped human health resource due to an estimated 117,600 nurse shortage in Canada by 2030. Addressing barriers such as gender-based stigmatization, role strain, and stereotypes could improve male representation and help mitigate this workforce gap globally. The objectives of this study's literature review was to explore and to critically examine stigmatization, stereotypes, and other genderbased barriers that men face in the educational and professional setting while analyzing what influences their recruitment and retention in the nursing profession. Method: The literature review was based on related databases, such as CINAHL and PubMed, where barriers that exist for men in the nursing profession and in their undergraduate nursing education were explored. The search was restricted to international literature published in the English language with a publication date limited from 1990 to present. Key factors noted in the literature review that affected men in nursing education and the nursing profession were summarized as follows: (i) the historical feminization of nursing and (ii) stigma, role strain and stereotypes. These factors created barriers for men in nursing education and the nursing profession. Conclusion A variety of factors encompassing stress, barriers, and role strain affected the recruitment and retention of nursing students and professionals. It was discovered that there was a need to encourage men to enter the nursing profession using proactive and intentional recruitment strategies to de-gender the nursing profession and to remove the systemic barriers examined.
Nurses ; Male ; Role Strain ; Role Conflict