Residential curbside waste collection programs design: A multicriteria and participatory approach using choosing by advantages

Policy making involves translating political visions into programs that seek to change a social behavior. To design these programs, decision makers must consider multiple aspects to achieve sustainable solutions. Furthermore, decision makers must manage interrelated information and preferences of different stakeholders to ensure the policy suits the community and accomplishes its goals. This research provides evidence of the applicability of the Choosing by Advantages (CBA) decision system to make environmental public policies, in particular to design a waste collection program for a city in Canada. The methodology is based on a case study where CBA was used to choose the recycling, organics, and PAYT (Pay as you throw) utility components of the program. To analyze the process, researchers measured decision makers' perceptions of levels of satisfaction or frustration during the program-design process by conducting surveys with decision-makers at different stages in time. The research also measured decision-makers' preference for applying CBA over traditional practices where no formal decision-making method is used, in terms of (1) reaching consensus and transparency, (2) making complex decisions, and (3) making faster decisions. The results show that CBA helped to include multiple aspects in designing for sustainability, and to consider the municipality and community preferences into the program. The study also evidenced that satisfaction levels increased as the process progressed. Finally, 75% of decision makers reported preference for CBA regarding reaching consensus and transparency, while this preference was milder (55%) regarding making complex decisions, and the opposite (27%) regarding making faster decisions.

Undergraduate pharmacy students' motivations, satisfaction levels, and future career plans

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate undergraduate pharmacy students' reasons for joining the pharmacy program, their levels of satisfaction regarding their choice, and their future career plans.

Methods

A cross-sectional research design was adopted using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. All undergraduate pharmacy students at one public university in KSA were invited to participate in the study.

Results

A total of 398 participants responded to the questionnaire. Family influence (66.6%), seeking a job with diverse opportunities (81.7%), and the desire to work in a health-related profession (83.4%) were the main reasons for studying pharmacy. Only 58% of respondents affirmed that, given the chance to choose their undergraduate program again, they would still choose pharmacy. Working as a hospital clinical pharmacist was the most popular future career plan, cited by 83.2% of respondents.

Conclusion

There is a need to guide high school students regarding their choice of undergraduate programs, and for these students to be made aware of the challenges and opportunities of studying pharmacy. This can be achieved by organizing a one-day pharmacy orientation program introduced to students during their high school education.