Dataset Information

A needs assessment survey of dental public health graduate education in Saudi Arabia.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The Faculty of Dentistry at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) is planning to develop a master's program in dental public health (DPH). To develop a curriculum for this program, a needs assessment was conducted in order to identify the level of DPH expertise that currently exists in Saudi Arabia, to identify gaps in knowledge, and to explore current perceptions regarding this type of program.

Methods

A competency-based survey instrument was administered to private and government affiliated dental practitioners in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Participants' knowledge, attitudes, and competencies in DPH were assessed. In addition, questions were submitted that addressed preferred strategies of teaching, curriculum delivery methods, course content, and prerequisites for DPH. These data were combined with data previously collected from dentists holding academic positions at KAU (n = 146) and were analyzed using Statistical Analysis System version 9.3 software. Mean values and frequencies were calculated for the study variables. Proportional odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated to assess differences in educational preferences and DPH competencies according to age, gender, and qualification.

Results

Most of the participants (95%) reported a need for a DPH graduate program. The respondents had a basic knowledge of DPH and moderate experience in DPH competencies. A variety of preferred educational strategies and methods were identified and differences in educational preferences according to age, gender, and qualification of the respondents were identified. The responses obtained also acknowledged skills and competencies that the participants considered most important for a DPH practice and that would be important for students accepted into a DPH graduate program.

Conclusions

This needs assessment survey represents a preliminary step in establishing a DPH graduate program that addresses current gaps in knowledge and in the practice of public health dentistry. This survey also provided valuable feedback regarding the development of course content for a graduate education program in DPH.

SUBMITTER: Al Agili DE

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4501464 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

A needs assessment survey of dental public health graduate education in Saudi Arabia.

Al Agili Dania Ebrahim DE

The Saudi dental journal 20150507 3

<h4>Objectives</h4>The Faculty of Dentistry at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) is planning to develop a master's program in dental public health (DPH). To develop a curriculum for this program, a needs assessment was conducted in order to identify the level of DPH expertise that currently exists in Saudi Arabia, to identify gaps in knowledge, and to explore current perceptions regarding this type of program.<h4>Methods</h4>A competency-based survey instrument was administered to private and gove ...[more]

PMID: 26236128

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Project description:BackgroundDespite the large body of evidence suggesting that effective public health infrastructure is vital to improving the health status of populations, many universities in developing countries offer minimal opportunities for graduate training in public health. In Nepal, for example, only two institutions currently offer a graduate public health degree. Both institutions confer only a general Masters in Public Health (MPH), and together produce 30 graduates per year. The objective of this assessment was to identify challenges in graduate public health education in Nepal, and explore ways to address these challenges.MethodsThe assessment included in-person school visits and data collection through semi-structured in-depth interviews with primary stakeholders of Nepal's public health academic sector. The 72 participants included faculty, students, alumni, and leaders of institutions that offered MPH programs, and the leadership of one government-funded institution that is currently developing an MPH program. Data were analyzed through content analysis to identify major themes.ResultsSix themes characterizing the challenges of expanding and improving graduate public health training were identified: 1) a shortage of trained public health faculty, with consequent reliance on the internet to compensate for inadequate teaching resources; 2) teaching/learning cultures and bureaucratic traditions that are not optimal for graduate education; 3) within-institution dominance of clinical medicine over public health; 4) a desire for practice-oriented, contextually relevant training opportunities; 5) a demand for degree options in public health specialties (for example, epidemiology); and 6) a strong interest in international academic collaboration.ConclusionDespite an enormous need for trained public health professionals, Nepal's educational institutions face barriers to developing effective graduate programs. Overcoming these barriers will require: 1) increasing the investment in public health education and 2) improving the academic environment of educational institutions. Long term, committed academic collaborations with international universities may be a realistic way to: 1) redress immediate inadequacies in resources, including teachers; 2) encourage learning environments that promote inquiry, creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking; and 3) support development of the in-country capacity of local institutions to produce a cadre of competent, well-trained public health practitioners, researchers, teachers, and leaders.

Project description:BackgroundWork-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are injuries affecting bones, joints, muscles, and tendons due to improper working conditions with serious consequences on health and career. Dentists were found to be at greater risk of developing WMSD compared to other healthcare providers. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of WMSD among dental students in Saudi Arabia.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey-based study recruited dental students across the kingdom using respondent-driven sampling technique. Data was collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal scale and a validated, self- administered, close-ended questionnaire which assessed WMSDs predisposing factors, enabling factors and musculoskeletal disorders consequences and management. The questionnaire was administered in both Arabic and English languages and was distributed online using google forms. Data analysis was performed using SPSS, Chi-square test or Fisher Exact test was used where appropriate and Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of developing WMSDs.ResultsThe prevalence of WMSD was 87% (95% CL; 83.9% to 90.3%) among the 462 respondents. Gender, study year, type of practice, having clinics for left-handed, hours of clinical practice, sitting in the proper position while working, use of coping strategies were significantly associated with WMSD prevalence (P < 0.05). Males were OR = 10 times at higher risk of WMSD compared to females (P = 0.0001). Those with daily clinical practice were OR = 5 times at higher risk of WMSD than those who have weekly practice. Those practicing walking, workout, and yoga showed lower prevalence of WMSD (OR = 0.377 & 0.323, p = 0.015, 0.010 respectively).ConclusionsThe prevalence of WMSD among dental students in KSA was high. Males and those with prolonged clinical sessions were at greater risk of WMSD. There is a need for awareness campaigns to educate dental students about risk factors of WMSD. Collegesy, dental colleges should adopt policies in reducing WMSD among their students.

Project description:ObjectivesThe objectives of this study are to (1) identify Graduate Public Health (GPH) programmes with an integrated practicum, (2) determine current practice for practicum design and (3) use the information to make recommendations to inform the design of Public Health Graduate programme practicums.DesignScoping review.Data sourcesAcademic Ranking World Universities 2019 was used to identify top 10 institutions in each geographical hub offering GPH programmes. Each GPH programme website was searched for practicum information.Eligibility criteriaGPH programmes offering a practice-based component as a requirement in their curriculum.Data extraction and synthesisOne reviewer screened GPH websites for eligibility and extracted data. Verification of data for accuracy and completeness was done on 10% of the sample by the second author. Data were compiled into an Excel file and were analysed to describe the duration, timing, credit, contact hours, preceptor requirements, prerequisites, objectives, deliverables and methods of evaluation of the practice-based component.ResultsOut of the 108 GPH programmes screened, a total of 35 programmes were included. There was a significant variation in required practicum duration ranging from 4 to 16 weeks. Only 31% specifically outlined prerequisites to be completed before the initiation of the practicum. More than half (57%) had a published list of core competencies. A majority of practicum did not provide criteria for appropriate preceptors (63%) and their responsibilities (66%). All programmes listed assessment criteria however the majority (57%) did not specify if the practicum was graded or a for-credit component.ConclusionsThe integration of practical components into curricula is inconsistent. This research resulted in 14 recommendations intended to guide GPH practicum design. We propose that this study be used as a tool to spark a global dialogue about best practices in GPH education through the identification of common practices and opportunities for improvement.

Project description:BACKGROUND:There is an increasing number of pediatric urgent care centers that are largely staffed by pediatric residency graduates. It is unclear if pediatric residency adequately prepares a physician to fully and successfully provide care in an urgent care setting. The goal of this study is to conduct an assessment of urgent care directors' perceptions of recent pediatric residency graduates' preparedness to successfully provide pediatric urgent care after graduation. METHODS:This is a 2018 cross-sectional survey of all pediatric emergency medicine division chiefs in the United States and all pediatric urgent care directors who are members of the Society for Pediatric Urgent Care. An electronic survey was distributed consisting of eight multiple choice questions regarding perceived preparedness and knowledge gaps of recent pediatric residency graduates for independent practice in urgent care. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze results and qualitative data were analyzed via an inductive thematic approach. RESULTS:Forty-two percent (65/154) of surveys were completed. No respondents believed that a recent pediatric residency graduate would be adequately prepared to independently practice in a pediatric urgent care and 81% of respondents recommended some additional training. Most respondents described this training as important (46%) or very important (35%). Most respondents recommended between 6 months and 1 year as the appropriate amount of time to achieve competency. CONCLUSIONS:Despite the growing number pediatric residency graduates staffing pediatric urgent care centers, the majority of surveyed pediatric emergency medicine division chiefs and pediatric urgent care directors do not think that pediatric residency adequately prepares graduates to successfully provide urgent care to pediatric patients. We recommend further exploration of gaps in knowledge of recent pediatric residency graduates as a next step towards developing systems for further training for pediatric residency graduates to gain competency in urgent care management.

Project description:BackgroundThe funding and delivery of healthcare including dental care in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA, or Saudi Arabia) is undergoing a process of reform. To inform this process, it is important that policymakers are aware of the relationships between service use, specific types of use, and the factors that influence this. Currently, there is a paucity of research in this area in KSA that examines dental service use for checkups at a national level and none that examines differences in this use across regions or that examines explicitly the role of income.AimsThis study uses the most recent version of the Saudi Health Interview Survey (SHIS) to examine the relationships between the use of dental services for a checkup and socio-demographic characteristics of respondents. Particular focus is given to the differences between regions in service use and the role of socio-demographics within regions.MethodsData were taken from SHIS 2013. Descriptive statistics (means and standard errors) were used to characterize the sample. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between checkups in the past 12 months and a range of covariates including income and region. The analysis was repeated for sub-samples based on specific regions. No attempt was made to impute missing values.ResultsA sample of 7603 respondents provided complete data for analysis. Fifty-one per cent of the respondents were male, 29% were educated at least to degree level, 25% reported that they floss at least once per day, 69% reported that they brushed their teeth at least once per day, and 11% reported that they had visited the dentist for a checkup in the preceding 12 months. Logistic regression analyses revealed income, region, and oral hygiene habits to be among the significant determinants of the likelihood of dental checkup in the preceding 12 months. In logistic regression analyses at the regional level, different relationships were evident between checkups and socio-demographic characteristics across regions.ConclusionRegion and income are significant determinants of dental service use for checkups. Differences exist between regions in the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and the likelihood of getting checkups. Policy changes should reflect the potential differences they might have across regions for which the role of socio-demographic characteristics varies.

Project description:BackgroundTeledentistry is believed to improve dentalcare provided to patients and time management efficiency. In addition, teledentistry can be a useful tool for peer education, consultations and ensures proper channeling for referrals.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore Saudi Arabian dental professionals' perceptions of teledentistry's benefits in improving dental practice and patient care.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study involving an electronic survey of a sample of Saudi Arabian dental professionals. A validated 26-item, 5-point Likert-scale questionnaire was used to assess perceptions of dental professionals in four domains: usefulness of teledentistry for patients, the usefulness of teledentistry for dental practice; the potential of teledentistry to improve practice; and existing concerns about the use of teledentistry. Statistical analyses involved descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis using SPSS software. Significant differences were considered at a p-value of 0.05.ResultsWith an overall response rate of 28.6%, 286 dental professionals participated in the study. More than 70% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that teledentistry would improve dental practice through enhancing communication with peers, guidance and referral of new patients. A substantial proportion of respondents (60-70%) expressed uncertainty with technical reliability, privacy and diagnostic accuracy. The participants' qualification was statistically significant with usefulness of teledentistry for patients (p = 0.027), while work experience in years was statistically significant with both usefulness of teledentistry for dental practice and patients (p = 0.046 and <0.0001 respectively).ConclusionGenerally, the feedback gained by this study showed readiness of the dental professionals to be engaged in the teledentistry approach. Further investigation of the business model of teledentistry is needed to understand the readiness and challenges. Directed campaign to educate dentists and the public of the technology and it is potential is necessary.

Dataset Information

A needs assessment survey of dental public health graduate education in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

A needs assessment survey of dental public health graduate education in Saudi Arabia.

Similar Datasets

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