Development and validation of a structured feedback questionnaire from postgraduates on various elements of postgraduate medical curriculum

Learning needs of nursing postgraduates in Southwest China based on Hutchinson's learning needs theory: a qualitative research

BACKGROUND

The process of education is mutual. The learning needs of students need to be paid attention to and can affect the learning outcome. In order to make nursing postgraduates' curriculum better, meet the learning needs of students, and help to achieve the learning objectives of students, this study based on Hutchinson's learning needs theory, aims to collect the learning experience of nursing graduates, as well as the gap between learning needs and target needs, and explore the benefits and barriers of nursing graduates in the curriculum learning. It may provide beneficial reference for further optimizing teaching content and improving teaching methods.

METHODS

This study was designed as a qualitative research. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 17 nursing postgraduates in the only two universities in Chongqing, Southwest China, 2021. Semi-structured, in-depth individual interviews were conducted to explore how they subjectively experience the benefits and demands of the professional curriculum. Data was analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step analysis.

RESULTS

Three main themes "clear learning cognition and goals," "positive learning attitude," and "the gap between learning goals and actual needs" were identified from the original data. Respectively, Subthemes concerning the first theme included "improve scientific research capabilities, enlighten thinking and broaden your horizons, and learn new knowledge and new skills." Subthemes of the second theme were "improve abilities in practice and actively seek diversification of course content and format." Subthemes of the third theme included "the course has a certain depth and breadth, but the course study does not meet the needs of scientific research, the course contents are theoretical, not knowing how to use the research method in certain conditions."

CONCLUSIONS

The learning needs of nursing postgraduates in Southwest China could be divided into two parts: benefits and barriers, among which the benefits were participants had clear learning goals and positive learning attitudes. When curriculum could not meet their needs, they actively sought methods (e.g., networks or off-campus resources) to close the gap between those needs and their goals. Follow-up educators should focus on learning needs and build curricula by optimizing the contents and methods of existing teaching resources.

Effect of Bhramari Pranayama intervention on stress, anxiety, depression and sleep quality among COVID 19 patients in home isolation

Background

COVID-19 outbreak is considered to be a major public health concern as it has a negative impact on the patient's psychological health. In addition, patients under home isolation might be more panic and in stress. In this study, we examined the effect of Bhramari Pranayama (Bhr.P) intervention on patients' psychological distress during home isolation.

Methods

Ninety-two asymptomatic COVID-19 patients were recruited from the host hospital and willing patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria (n= 42) were selected for the study. The patients were given Bhr.P intervention (20 min) through online for 15 days. Participants were assessed with Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21(DASS-21), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) at baseline and post-intervention.

Results

Bhr.P practice has shown a significant (P<0.05) reduction in DASS-21 score of depression, anxiety and stress. In addition, the patients stated significant improvement in quality of sleep (PSQI; p<0.05) and quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF; p<0.05) after the intervention.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that Bhr.P intervention had a positive impact on psychological health as well as quality of sleep among the COVID-19 patients during home isolation. However, it needs to be confirmed by multi-site randomized controlled trials.

Clinical trial registration

CTRI/2021/04/032845.

Validation of expanded form of lubben social network scale among community-dwelling geriatric population in India

Background:

For assessing social networks in the elderly and the social support they receive and to predict social isolation, a proper valid and reliable short-scale screening tool is necessary. The present study aims to estimate the internal consistency and structural validity of the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-18) among community-dwelling Indian older adults.

Materials and Methods:

We have administered the LSNS-18 scale to 500 older adults (>60 years) and performed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling for the validation. Cronbach's alpha was done for estimating the internal consistency.

Results:

The LSNS-18 was easily answerable and the only minimum time is required for administration. CFA identified three domains with six items for each domain that demonstrated a good fit for the older adults with the internal consistency of 0.91.

Conclusion:

These findings suggest that LSNS-18 may be a valid tool for assessing the social network of the elderly and help to predict the risk for isolation in this vulnerable group.