-
Medical Teacher Jan 2022Accreditation is widely used by medical schools around the word to evaluate their curricula and educational processes, although its impacts on those involved in the...
PURPOSE
Accreditation is widely used by medical schools around the word to evaluate their curricula and educational processes, although its impacts on those involved in the 'frontline' of medical education receive little attention. This study systematically identified and synthesised qualitative studies that have explored medical teachers' and students' experiences of accreditation.
METHODS
Four databases (Pubmed, EMBASE, ERIC, and PsychINFO) were searched for relevant published articles. Synthesis was performed using meta-ethnography.
RESULTS
Eighteen articles were included in the final synthesis with 1017 individual participants from 10 countries. Findings were categorised into four domains, including navigating power differentials, evaluating credibility, influencing medical programmes, and culture and behaviour. The synthesis demonstrates divergent views on the value of accreditation in medical schools from students and staff including both positive and negative impacts on medical education programmes and stakeholders.
CONCLUSIONS
Although accreditation is perceived to have many benefits, it also has a number of unintended consequences, including on staff morale, student-teacher relationships, and teacher workloads. Medical teachers also have a number of concerns about the credibility of accreditation standards, assessors, and processes. Regulators and policymakers should consider the views of teachers and students as they seek to improve current accreditation practices.
Topics: Accreditation; Anthropology, Cultural; Curriculum; Humans; Schools, Medical; Students
PubMed: 34455898
DOI: 10.1080/0142159X.2021.1965976 -
Obesity Reviews : An Official Journal... Apr 2023Healthy food outlet accreditation schemes represent an avenue for incentivizing food retailers to promote healthy eating patterns by improving the healthiness of food... (Review)
Review
Healthy food outlet accreditation schemes represent an avenue for incentivizing food retailers to promote healthy eating patterns by improving the healthiness of food environments. This systematic review aimed to (i) assess the impact of food outlet-level accreditation schemes on outlet practices and customer purchases and (ii) identify barriers and enablers to scheme implementation. Peer-reviewed and grey literature were systematically searched. Eligible studies related to outlet-level food and beverage accreditation schemes across any food retail setting. Findings were narratively synthesized by retailer type according to (i) scheme characteristics (governance, targeted products, support, and monitoring); (ii) scheme outcomes (rate of uptake, proportion of certified retailers, impact on purchasing, customer perspectives, and retailer perspectives); and (iii) barriers and enablers to implementation. From 21,943 records screened, 48 were included, covering 26 schemes. Most (18) targeted restaurants or convenience stores. Average uptake was 65% of all outlets approached to participate. Implementation of accreditation schemes was associated with healthier customer purchases in convenience stores, schools, and hospitals, but evidence from restaurants was mixed. Enablers of scheme implementation included support for implementation and maintenance, flexible scheme criteria, and motivated retail staff. Healthy food outlet accreditation schemes represent a promising mechanism for engaging retailers to improve the healthiness of food retail environments.
Topics: Humans; Food Supply; Food; Beverages; Diet, Healthy; Accreditation; Commerce
PubMed: 36756666
DOI: 10.1111/obr.13556 -
Environmental Research Feb 2023Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances recognised as relevant tumourigenic chemicals. Studies show that even EDCs which were long abolished are... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances recognised as relevant tumourigenic chemicals. Studies show that even EDCs which were long abolished are still contributing to the increasing incidence of neoplasia.
AIM
To investigate the association between human exposure to EDCs and the risk of endocrine-related tumours: breast, prostate, thyroid, uterus, testis, and ovary.
METHODS
A systematic review using PubMed, Scopus, and Embase was conducted, searching for original observational studies published between 1980 and 2020, approaching EDCs exposure and endocrine tumourigenic risk in humans. We comprised neoplasia of six endocrine organs. We included all the studies on EDCs reporting tumour odds ratio, risk ratio, or hazard ratio. Study levels of confidence and risk of bias were accessed applying accredited guidelines. Human-made accidents and natural EDCs were not considered in the present study.
RESULTS
Our search returned 3271 papers. After duplicate removal and screening, only 237 papers were included (corresponding to 268 records). EDCs were grouped from the most frequently (pesticides) to the least frequently studied (salts). The most tumourigenic EDC groups were phthalates (63%), heavy metals (54%), particulate matter (47%), and pesticides (46%). Pesticides group comprised the highest number of retrieved studies (n = 133). Increased neoplasia risk was found in 43-67% of the studies, with a lower value for ovary (43%) and a higher value for thyroid (67%).
CONCLUSIONS
The innovative nature of our review comes from including human studies of six endocrine-related neoplasia aiming to understand the contribution of specific EDCs groups to each organ's tumourigenesis. Thyroid was the organ presenting the highest cancer risk after EDC exposure which may explain the increasing thyroid cancer incidence. However, detailed and controlled works reporting the effects of EDCs are scarce, probably justifying conflicting results. Multinational and multicentric human studies with biochemical analysis are needed to achieve stronger and concordant evidence.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Endocrine Disruptors; Endocrine System; Pesticides; Testis; Metals, Heavy
PubMed: 36460069
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114869 -
Nurse Education Today Jul 2021Co-producing aspects of nursing and midwifery education is increasingly being used in higher education to try to improve student learning and meet standards set by some... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Co-producing aspects of nursing and midwifery education is increasingly being used in higher education to try to improve student learning and meet standards set by some professional accreditation bodies. This review aims to identify and synthesise evidence on this pedagogical approach.
DESIGN
Systematic review.
DATA SOURCES
Searches were conducted in CINAHL, ERIC, MEDLINE, and PubMed.
REVIEW METHODS
Four bibliographical databases were searched using relevant search terms between 2009 and 2019. Titles, abstracts, and full text papers were screened. Pertinent data were extracted and critical appraisal undertaken. Data were analysed using the framework approach and findings presented in a narrative summary.
RESULTS
Twenty-three studies were included. Two overarching themes emerged. The first focused on the impact of co-production on nursing and midwifery students, service users, and carers which had five subthemes; 1) acquiring new knowledge and skills, 2) gaining confidence and awareness, 3) building better relationships, 4) feeling vulnerable, and 5) attaining a sense of pride or enjoyment. The second theme centred on factors affecting how co-production was delivered which had three subthemes; 1) human interactional approach, 2) pedagogic quality, and 3) organisational environment.
CONCLUSION
This review provides a comprehensive update of the literature on co-production in nursing and midwifery education. Tentative evidence exists that participatory approaches could improve learning and positively impact on nursing and midwifery students, service users, and carers. Educators should consider adopting co-production and including students, service users, carers, practice staff, and other relevant stakeholders in this pedagogical process. However, more rigorous research examining how effective co-production is in improving learning over traditional methods is warranted given the additional resources required to deliver it.
Topics: Clinical Competence; Educational Status; Female; Humans; Learning; Midwifery; Pregnancy; Students, Nursing
PubMed: 33905899
DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2021.104900 -
BMC Health Services Research Jul 2015The increased international focus on improving patient outcomes, safety and quality of care has led stakeholders, policy makers and healthcare provider organizations to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The increased international focus on improving patient outcomes, safety and quality of care has led stakeholders, policy makers and healthcare provider organizations to adopt standardized processes for evaluating healthcare organizations. Accreditation and certification have been proposed as interventions to support patient safety and high quality healthcare. Guidelines recommend accreditation but are cautious about the evidence, judged as inconclusive. The push for accreditation continues despite sparse evidence to support its efficiency or effectiveness.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) indexes and keyword searches in any language. Studies were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and AMSTAR framework. 915 abstracts were screened and 20 papers were reviewed in full in January 2013. Inclusion criteria included studies addressing the effect of hospital accreditation and certification using systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, observational studies with a control group, or interrupted time series. Outcomes included both clinical outcomes and process measures. An updated literature search in July 2014 identified no new studies.
RESULTS
The literature review uncovered three systematic reviews and one randomized controlled trial. The lone study assessed the effects of accreditation on hospital outcomes and reported inconsistent results. Excluded studies were reviewed and their findings summarized.
CONCLUSION
Accreditation continues to grow internationally but due to scant evidence, no conclusions could be reached to support its effectiveness. Our review did not find evidence to support accreditation and certification of hospitals being linked to measurable changes in quality of care as measured by quality metrics and standards. Most studies did not report intervention context, implementation, or cost. This might reflect the challenges in assessing complex, heterogeneous interventions such as accreditation and certification. It is also may be magnified by the impact of how accreditation is managed and executed, and the varied financial and organizational healthcare constraints. The strategies hospitals should impelment to improve patient safety and organizational outcomes related to accreditation and certification components remains unclear.
Topics: Accreditation; Administrative Personnel; Benchmarking; Health Personnel; Hospitals; Humans; Interrupted Time Series Analysis; Patient Safety; Quality of Health Care
PubMed: 26202068
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-015-0933-x -
International Journal of Health Care... Mar 2019Accreditation is an essential component in primary healthcare (PHC) systems. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the most suitable PHC accreditation models and...
PURPOSE
Accreditation is an essential component in primary healthcare (PHC) systems. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the most suitable PHC accreditation models and standards, worldwide, and to prepare a comprehensive and unbiased summary from research on these models.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH
A systematic search was undertaken using Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Springer, PubMed and ProQuest databases in August 2016 and updated in January 2018. English language studies addressing PHC accreditation standards and models, published between 1995 and January 2018, were included, resulting in 9051 citations. After excluding duplicates and irrelevant studies, 19 were included in the final review. Two independent reviewers critically appraised the studies. Consequently, accreditation standards in the models were extracted and compared.
FINDINGS
Results indicate that USA, Australia, Canada, UK and New Zealand (non-eastern Mediterranean regions (EMR)) and Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Egypt (EMR) had well-developed and high-quality PHC accreditation models. The Jordanian, Egyptian and Saudi models had the highest diversity in their PHC standards domains. Community-oriented care, safe care, high-quality care, care continuity and human resource management had the highest priority among PHC accreditation programs.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE
The authors provide PHC accreditation benchmarks and determine high priority practical domains in accreditation standards. The findings should help health system managers and policymakers design new PHC accreditation programs and promote PHC service quality.
Topics: Accreditation; Benchmarking; Continuity of Patient Care; Humans; Patient Rights; Patient Safety; Personnel Management; Primary Health Care; Quality of Health Care
PubMed: 31017069
DOI: 10.1108/IJHCQA-02-2018-0052 -
Annals of Plastic Surgery Apr 2014Maintenance of the highest ethical and professional standards in plastic surgery is in the best interests of our profession and the public whom we serve. Both the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Maintenance of the highest ethical and professional standards in plastic surgery is in the best interests of our profession and the public whom we serve. Both the American Board of Medical Specialties and the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education mandate training in ethics and professionalism for all residents. Presently there is no gold standard in ethics and professionalism education.
METHODS
A systematic review on teaching ethics and professionalism in plastic surgery was performed for all articles from inception to May 23, 2013 in MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and ERIC. References of relevant publications were searched for additional papers. Key journals were hand searched and relevant conference proceedings were also reviewed. Duplicate and non-English articles were excluded. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to find articles that described a curriculum in ethics and/or professionalism in plastic surgery.
RESULTS
Two hundred twenty-seven relevant articles were identified. One hundred seventy-four did not meet inclusion criteria based on screening of the title, and 39 of those did not meet inclusion criteria based on screening of the abstract or introductory paragraph. Of the 14 identified for full text review, only 2 articles described a set curriculum in ethics and/or professionalism in plastic surgery training and reported outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
A paucity of data exists regarding the structure, content, or relevant measures that can be applied to assess outcomes of a curriculum to teach ethics and professionalism to plastic surgery trainees. Endeavors to teach ethics and professionalism to plastic surgery trainees must rigorously document the process and outcomes to facilitate the maintenance of our profession.
Topics: Curriculum; Education, Medical, Graduate; Ethics, Medical; Humans; Internship and Residency; Surgery, Plastic; United States
PubMed: 24618742
DOI: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000000126 -
Research in Social & Administrative... Oct 2023Traditional and complementary medicines (T&CMs) are not typically covered in medical curricula despite 80% of the world's population using some form of herbal product as... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Traditional and complementary medicines (T&CMs) are not typically covered in medical curricula despite 80% of the world's population using some form of herbal product as part of their healthcare. Concurrent use of T&CMs with conventional therapies is common, and both are primarily accessed in pharmacies. There is an expectation that pharmacists should be knowledgeable about T&CMs. Therefore, this review aimed to investigate what is currently known about pharmacists' T&CMs education and training to inform developments in pharmacy education.
METHODS
Eligible studies published between 01/01/2016 and 28/02/2023 were identified across six databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, ScienceDirect and MEDLINE). Data were extracted from included studies and categorized into key themes and sub-themes and reported descriptively.
FINDINGS
Fifty-eight studies were identified, conducted across 30 countries, that included information about pharmacists' T&CMs education and training. Within the four main themes extracted, six subthemes were identified including: T&CMs education and training received; inadequate education and training opportunities; knowledge, and confidence towards T&CMs in the pharmacy setting; professional practice behaviour associated with T&CM; university education for pharmacy students; and continuing professional development for practicing pharmacists, including T&CM-drug interactions, interpreting T&CM research, T&CM-specific communication skills, T&CM use in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and efficacy and safety of T&CM in specific conditions.
CONCLUSION
Overall pharmacists are receiving limited T&CM education in undergraduate and continuing professional training and report a lack of resources to inform the advice they provide to consumers. The findings of this review can inform developments in T&CMs curriculum and accreditation standards that support the training needs of pharmacists who play a role in fostering the safe and appropriate use of these products.
Topics: Female; Humans; Complementary Therapies; Pharmacists; Pharmacy; Medicine, Traditional; Education, Pharmacy; Community Pharmacy Services; Professional Role
PubMed: 37482480
DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.07.007 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Nov 2023Shoulder pain is a disabling musculoskeletal disorder worldwide. Thus, it is important to identify interventions able to improve pain and disability. (Review)
Review
Effect of Mobilization with Movement on Pain, Disability, and Range of Motion in Patients with Shoulder Pain and Movement Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
BACKGROUND
Shoulder pain is a disabling musculoskeletal disorder worldwide. Thus, it is important to identify interventions able to improve pain and disability.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of mobilization with movement (MWM) on pain, disability, and range of motion in patients with shoulder pain and movement impairment.
METHODS
A systematic search of different databases was performed. The systematic review protocol has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023404128). A random-effects model for meta-analysis was used to determine the mean difference (MD), standardized mean differences (SMD), and 95% confidence interval for the outcome of interest.
RESULTS
Twenty-six studies were included. Of these, eighteen were included in the meta-analysis. MWM improved pain during movement with a moderate effect SMD of (-0.6; 95% confidence interval, -1.1 to -0.1, I = 0%; N = 66;) and shoulder abduction MD of (12.7°; 1.3 to 24.0; I = 73%; N = 90) compared to sham MWM in the short term (0-6 weeks). Combined MWM and conventional rehabilitation improved pain at rest, with a MD of (-1.2; -2.2 to -0.2; I = 61%; N = 100), and disability SMD of (-1.3; confidence interval -2.2 to -0.4; I = 87%; N = 185) compared to conventional rehabilitation alone in the short term. Combined MWM and conventional rehabilitation also resulted in improvement in shoulder abduction and external rotation. Compared to Maitland, MWM resulted in improvement in the shoulder abduction MD (20.4°; confidence interval 4.3 to 36.5; I = 89%; N = 130) in the short term. There is no information regarding long-term effects.
CONCLUSION
Evidence suggests that MWM may reduce shoulder pain and restore shoulder range of motion and function. Our findings are promising, but the evidence is not strong enough to recommend it pragmatically.
PubMed: 38068468
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12237416 -
Annals of Saudi Medicine 2011Accreditation is usually a voluntary program in which trained external peer reviewers evaluate a healthcare organization's compliance and compare it with pre-established... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Accreditation is usually a voluntary program in which trained external peer reviewers evaluate a healthcare organization's compliance and compare it with pre-established performance standards. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of accreditation programs on the quality of healthcare services
METHODS
We did a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the impact of accreditation programs on the quality of healthcare services. Several databases were systematically searched, including Medline, Embase, Healthstar, and Cinhal.
RESULTS
Twenty-six studies evaluating the impact of accreditation were identified. The majority of the studies showed general accreditation for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), trauma, ambulatory surgical care, infection control and pain management; and subspecialty accreditation programs to significantly improve the process of care provided by healthcare services by improving the structure and organization of healthcare facilities. Several studies showed that general accreditation programs significantly improve clinical outcomes and the quality of care of these clinical conditions and showed a significant positive impact of subspecialty accreditation programs in improving clinical outcomes in different subspecialties, including sleep medicine, chest pain management and trauma management.
CONCLUSIONS
There is consistent evidence that shows that accreditation programs improve the process of care provided by healthcare services. There is considerable evidence to show that accreditation programs improve clinical outcomes of a wide spectrum of clinical conditions. Accreditation programs should be supported as a tool to improve the quality of healthcare services.
Topics: Accreditation; Delivery of Health Care; Humans; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Peer Review; Quality of Health Care
PubMed: 21808119
DOI: 10.4103/0256-4947.83204