Thesis submitted in full compliance with the requirements for a Master's Degree in Technology: Dental Technology, Durban University of Technology, 2010. / This study is an evaluation of the perceptions of Zambian dental technicians and dentists of the dental technological services offered in Zambia. Zambia is a small nation (land size of 752,614km²) with a population of approximately 11,000,000. Patients needing oral restorative treatment have two options available to them; they seek treatment in state hospitals or through private practices. Access to prosthetic treatment is difficult due to the difficulties associated with obtaining treatment from the state as well as there being very few privately owned dental laboratories. Dental technology in Zambia dates back to 1964 and since its inception there has been no evaluation as to whether the services offered are adequate and satisfactory. The aim of this study was to;  Provide insights into the understanding of dentists and technicians regarding dental technical services.  Provide insights into available dental technical services with the aim of assisting in developing future guidelines for provision of such services in Zambia.  Identify national oral health objectives and make suggestions for the improvement and development of the services in Zambia. This aims of the research are relevant as the research was conducted at a time when the nation is undergoing a general introspection of service delivery. Data was collected through the medium of semi-structured personal interviews with registered and practicing dentists and technicians in the main cities of Zambia that include Lusaka, Ndola and Kitwe. Their views were transcribed and coded according to significant themes that emerged for data analysis. ii The results indicate that there is reason to be concerned about the general quality of service delivery. In addition, the study showed that the working relationships between technicians and dentists require improvement. Moreover, the study established that Zambia has a critical shortage of skilled technicians and particularly ceramic technicians and ceramic dental laboratories. The data also revealed concerns that little attention by government policymakers is being afforded to dental technical services whilst attention is paid rather to clinical dental services. As a result, state owned laboratories suffer from a lack of adequate and functioning equipment as well as a lack of quality dental materials. Finally, the study showed that Zambia has no clear direct oral health policies that govern the dental technical services.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Technology: Dental Technology, Durban University of Technology, 2010. / This study investigates the perceptions of dentists, dental technicians and dental patients with regard to the professionalization of dental technology as it is currently constituted in South Africa. The origin of dental technology worldwide lies in a trade and has historically been performed by craftsmen under the instruction of dentists. In South Africa during the early 1900s dental technology was practised in much the same way but the need for formalization of this field had been recognised. By 1945 dental technology was regulated by the Dental Mechanicians Board, which enabled only registered technicians to practise dental technology within South Africa. This field continues to be practised similarly at present. In order to establish the professional development of dental technology it is necessary to consider this field within a framework of desired professional attributes. This framework is provided by Greenwood (1957), who defines a profession by the following five attributes: systematic theory, professional authority, community sanction, ethical codes and a professional culture. Owing to the varied implementation and regulation of dental technology worldwide, little research into the professionalization of this field has been conducted to date. For the purpose of this study, dentists, dental technicians and dental patients in KwaZulu-Natal were interviewed in semi-structured interviews. The main themes emerging from this study were identified and considered with reference to the framework within which this study has been positioned. This study concludes that dental technology, as it is currently constituted in South Africa is perceived to be a profession by dentists, dental technicians and dental patients. .The term profession, however, is poorly understood by all three sample groups. Despite being considered a profession, dental technology is not considered to encompass all the attributes of a profession. Dental technology is therefore identified as a developing profession that positions this field somewhere along the professionalization continuum between a profession and a business. / Post Graduate Dept., Durban University of Technology.

This research was conducted in association with Naval Warfare Development Command (NWDC) requests to update Unmanned Vehicle Tactical Memorandum TM-3-22- 5-SW. The research identified and discussed significant USV manning considerations such as source ratings and manpower qualities to pilot, operate sensors, support USV electronics, and the manpower implications associated with various weapons systems alternatives. In addition, this research described several existing and notional USV tactics, as well as a discussion about the existing N75 and N76 primary and secondary mission areas USV operations may support. The methodology consisted of a literature review of USV test reports; USV Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration briefs; USV Concept of Operations; fleet lessons learned; the USV tactical memorandum; Naval manpower instructions, and manuals; Weapons Tactical, Field, and Training Manuals; Military Utility Assessments; search of books, magazines, and manpower theses. The research found that determining manpower qualities and standard operating procedures will remain a dynamic process until USV equipment is standardized. The research also showed USV launch and recovery is more manpower intensive than that of a standard RHIB. Gunners Mates (GM) and Aviation Ordnancemen (AO) are potential source ratings to support USV Hellfire and Javelin missile modules. The Navy should establish a GM Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) to support Hellfire and Javelin or add these weapons to existing GM NECs. Electronics Technicians (ET), Fire Controlmen (FC), and Fire Control Technicians (FT) are potential source ratings for USV electrical/electronic support. FC and FT are potential source ratings to support the Remote Operated Small Arms Mount. This research found additional warfighting capabilities can be gained by equipping surface warfare vessels with USV's without any negative effects to primary or secondary warfare missions. Overall, USVs enhanced designed capabilities of Naval warships and directly support a capabilities based Navy.

The problem involved in this study was twofold. The first was to ascertain what the employment requirements were for a person seeking employment in the field 6f electronics as a technician in the Dallas Metropolitan Area. The second was to determine what the job opportunities were for those individuals.

O presente estudo tem como objetivos investigar junto a pacientes de clínica médica, cirúrgica e psiquiátrica sua compreensão sobre Relacionamento Interpessoal, qual a importância desta habilidade, como ela ocorre entre os técnicos e auxiliares de enfermagem com os pacientes das referidas clínicas, o motivo que os levou a este relacionamento e a freqüência desta interação. A metodologia adotada foi a descritivo-exploratória na abordagem qualitativa. O estudo foi realizado em dois hospitais que atendem pacientes conveniados ao Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), em Passos, Minas Gerais, sendo um hospital geral com clínicas médica e cirúrgica e o outro um hospital psiquiátrico. Fizeram parte do estudo oitenta e sete (87) pacientes dos quais quinze (15) foram submetidos à uma entrevista prévia e setenta e dois (72) foram observados por observadores treinados que a prática da habilidade descrita acima desenvolvida pelos técnicos e auxiliares de enfermagem referidos. Os resultados das entrevistas apresentaram a visão dos pacientes de como são tratados pelos técnicos e auxiliares de enfermagem que trabalham nos referidos hospitais, os conteúdos de suas conversas com esses profissionais, como essas conversas os ajudam, seus sentimentos, o que mais valorizam para o seu bem estar e suas sugestões para melhorar a assistência de enfermagem. Evidenciouse que apesar dos pacientes relatarem que são bem tratados, suas falas levam ao entendimento de que eles evitam fazer comentários negativos da assistência por medo de serem mal tratados e também por medo de ofender os profissionais. As conversas que ocorreram foram breves, superficiais e mecânicas. Constatou-se a predominância por parte dos técnicos e auxiliares de enfermagem em realizar as técnicas, deixando evidente sua formação instrumental, não sendo incluído nesta o relacionamento interpessoal como técnica. Ficou claro seu despreparo para se comunicarem ou se relacionarem com os pacientes, apesar desses relatarem que um dos fatores que mais influenciam em seu bem estar é o relacionamento interpessoal. / The objective of this present study was to investigate the relationship among patients from medical, surgical and psychiatrist clinics, their understanding about this subject, what is the importance of this hability, how it happens between nursing technicians and nursing assistants and the patients from those clinics, the reason that these professionals decided to apply this relation and how often it has been applied. The metodology adopted was the exploratory – descriptive with qualitative research. The study was performed in a psychiatrist hospital and in a hospital where there were medical and surgical clinics. Both of hospitals attend patients connected to Basic Heath Units, in Passos, Minas Gerais. 87 patients participated in this study, 15 of them were interviewed and 72 patients were observed by trained observers. The results of these interviews related what the patients really think about the way they are treated by the nursing technicians and the nursing assistants that work at those hospitals, and the content of their talks with those professionals, how these talks help them, their feelings, their well being and their suggestions to improve the nursing assistance. Even though the patients reported that they are well treated by the nursing technicians and the nursing assistants it was realized that they tend to avoid making negative comments about the assistance afraid of offending the professionals and being bad treated by them. The talks were brief, superficial and mechanic. It was showed the predominance / willingness of those nursing technicians and assistants in appling the technics, their instrumental formation clearly. Relationship was not include as a technic. What it was also clear was that they were not prepared to communicate or to have a relationship with those patients, even though the patients say relationship is one of the reasons that most brought them their well being.

The thesis examines those students in the department of Information Studies at Curtin University of Technology who have articulated into the Bachelor of Applied Science (Information and Library Studies) through holding an Associate Diploma which qualifies them as paraprofessional library technicians.An analysis of students in the department over a period of ten years examines the number and characteristics of library technicians upgrading their qualifications and compares the academic performance of articulating students with those who have no previous qualifications in librarianship. This examination reveals little difference in the academic performance of the two groups. Interviews with academic staff and students reveal attitudes towards articulation, articulating students, education and the relationship between the professional and paraprofessional levels in librarianship which will need to be taken into account in future curricula and course development.

Electronics technicians are frequently required to diagnose faults in equipment but are not provided with adequate training in TAFE Colleges. Hardware fault simulators currently used in TAFE Colleges for diagnostic skill development simulate only a few types of equipment and rapidly become obsolete. FAULTSIM is a computer-based simulator in which modern technology is combined with existing simulation techniques to produce a versatile aid to diagnostic skill development. In the design of the new simulator, attention has been given both to the technical features contributing to its effectiveness and to the factors favouring its adoption by teachers.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-69). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-69). Also available on the Internet.

For many years, researchers have investigated issues of career choice and job satisfaction. One of the earliest and most durable theories of vocational psychology holds that an individual's personality predisposes him or her to be better suited to some occupations than others. According to trait factor theory, if people are matched with the "right" occupations, high levels of satisfaction and performance can be expected.This study examined the personality characteristics in a national sample of 105 career paramedics and investigated the relationship between paramedics' personality type and satisfaction with the work environment. Career paramedics are defused as individuals who earn the majority of their income through the provision of advanced prehospital emergency health care. Four major findings were obtained. First, a chi square analysis showed that the frequency and distribution of personality types of paramedics differs from that of the general population. Second, it appears that many paramedics show a distinct clustering of personality traits. The-, have a strong sense of responsibility; prefer concrete, immediate, factual data; enjoy creating order out of chaos; and are able to work with efficiency and precision in high-pressure situations. Third, analyses of variance indicated significant differences between responses of medics at different sites. This suggests that management differences account for variance in scores on the work satisfaction measure, since work tasks are similar at each location. Fourth, limited evidence was found to support the link between personality type and scores on the work satisfactionmeasure. Results are discussed in relation to the implications for employers and psychologists. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services