Radiologic Sciences Student Perceptions of Advisement

PURPOSE

To investigate student perceptions of a structured advisement program.

METHODS

Using a mixed-methods approach, 24 radiologic sciences students were surveyed in the initial and final semesters of the program to capture their perceptions of advisement practices. Quantitative data were analyzed for percentages and descriptive statistics, and qualitative responses were analyzed for emergent themes.

RESULTS

Qualitative data analyses identified 3 themes: building relationships, strengthening student performance, and determining best practices for advisement. Quantitative data demonstrated that students appreciated the advisement process and acknowledged improvements in communication skills and the feedback loop.

DISCUSSION

Advisement sessions can serve an important role in identifying areas where students can improve their performance. To grow and develop, students must understand their own strengths and weaknesses. Structured forms of advisement can serve as important tools to guide advisement conversations toward specific topics.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study indicate that student advising is a vital component of radiologic sciences programs. Participants indicated that the advisement process helped them build relationships with faculty members and improved their overall performance.

Steering the sustainability of entrepreneurial start-ups

Entrepreneurship is a promising business avenue that individuals, groups and governments can explore and adopt for economic progress. However, there have been high rates of failure of entrepreneurial start-ups within their first 5 years across the globe. In this regard, the aim of the study was to explore ways of improving the sustainability of entrepreneurial start-ups. The study employed a thematic synthesis exploratory analysis on 105 articles. The paper sheds light on survival tools which may be applicable particularly during the setting-up of entrepreneurial ventures as well as in the course of difficult economic periods. The research findings were that, firstly, the entrepreneurial start-ups are prone to risks that if left uncontrolled would impact on their survival. Secondly, there exists a strong theoretical basis for birth (start-up) and death (failure/exit) of start-ups although failure is a learning opportunity. Thirdly, club theory provides a platform for a sharing economy which resource constrained start-ups would find cost friendly. Fourthly, building of relationships through collaboration and social networking has been in existence but favourably emerging approach that could offer start-ups a lifeline through accruing social capital. Fifthly, incubation and responsible innovation have continually been embraced wherein science and research are key ingredients for start-ups’ sustainability. Finally, sustainability of entrepreneurial start-ups is a cumulative effect from existing and new product(s) and process(es) aspects. The insights emanating from this exploratory study may serve as signals to governments and private stakeholders of the urgency to initiate frameworks that would incorporate and facilitate entrepreneurial start-ups in implementing sustainability programmes. The findings derived from the study are expected to influence the sustainability management theory especially for entrepreneurial start-ups. Based on the limitations of manual exploratory analysis, the study recommends consideration of machine learning methods in conducting future exploratory studies.

Considerations for preparing a randomized population health intervention trial: lessons from a South African-Canadian partnership to improve the health of health workers

Background

Community-based cluster-randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are increasingly being conducted to address pressing global health concerns. Preparations for clinical trials are well-described, as are the steps for multi-component health service trials. However, guidance is lacking for addressing the ethical and logistic challenges in (cluster) RCTs of population health interventions in low- and middle-income countries.

Objective

We aimed to identify the factors that population health researchers must explicitly consider when planning RCTs within North–South partnerships.

Design

We reviewed our experiences and identified key ethical and logistic issues encountered during the pre-trial phase of a recently implemented RCT. This trial aimed to improve tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention and care for health workers by enhancing workplace assessment capability, addressing concerns about confidentiality and stigma, and providing onsite counseling, testing, and treatment. An iterative framework was used to synthesize this analysis with lessons taken from other studies.

Results

The checklist of critical factors was grouped into eight categories: 1) Building trust and shared ownership; 2) Conducting feasibility studies throughout the process; 3) Building capacity; 4) Creating an appropriate information system; 5) Conducting pilot studies; 6) Securing stakeholder support, with a view to scale-up; 7) Continuously refining methodological rigor; and 8) Explicitly addressing all ethical issues both at the start and continuously as they arise.

Conclusion

Researchers should allow for the significant investment of time and resources required for successful implementation of population health RCTs within North–South collaborations, recognize the iterative nature of the process, and be prepared to revise protocols as challenges emerge.