Physician assistants are medical professionals educated in an allopathic medical education model in the United States. In order to successfully matriculate, educate and graduate safe and effective health care providers in a 2-year time frame, the 4-year M.D. curriculum has been abbreviated and condensed leading to an intense, full-time cohort educational experience that taxes physician assistant students to their limits. The demanding workload can lead to fluctuations in mood and morale along with increased levels of psychological distress. This dissertation explores this under examined student experience by first introducing the physician assistant profession and the process by which it educates its members. The cohort patterns of mood and morale observed by faculty during the educational process are described using the conceptual and theoretical models of transformative learning, transition, change and cross-cultural adaptation as explanations for the observed experience. A retrospective naturalistic research paradigm utilizing focus groups elucidated the student perspective of the cohort medical education experience over the course of the didactic curriculum, and study results highlight a three-stage experience consistent with stages-of-change theories from multiple disciplines. In addition, a prominent pattern of emotional subthemes provide a window into the psychological significance of this transformative experience. A better understanding of the effects of this academically rigorous and psychologically challenging medical education process on physician assistant students clarifies opportunities for amelioration of student challenges while simultaneously enhancing the ultimate goal of developing safe and effective health care providers.

This paper concerns a case study which attempts to underline the importance of culture learning through foreign language acquisition in the transformation of prejudices and the fomentation of cultural awareness. More specifically, it aims to present the way in which adult learners’ critical reflection on culture in combination to foreign language learning can lead to their acknowledgement of the equity between cultures and their proximity to “the other”, a fact that is considered to foster cultural respect and awareness. For doing so, a qualitative approach was used in order to examine the perceptions of a group of adults learning Spanish in an elementary level class in Greece. Data was collected from in-depth interviews where participants were asked to expose their opinion of the importance of culture and its connection to language, to consider the implication of culture learning in foreign language learning and to share their personal views of the Hispanic culture as it derives from their studying the Spanish language and reflecting on the Hispanic culture-Spanish language correlation. Research delivered positive outcomes concerning this specific issue and showed evidence that the transformative effect of learning about a culture through language acquisition is indeed possible. Suggestions for further research on the matter are made so as to investigate the replicability of such a transformative effect in other similar cases and to secure the generalization of results.

It is undeniable that internet nowadays is part of our life and community. Internet opens door for expression of ideas and opinions which can both be given and taken freely. Moreover, with the rise of the new internet model, Web 2.0, the platform becomes wider and more interactive which has an effect on the copyright aspect all over the world. User-generated content was soon born as a result of Web 2.0 and caused unsolvable legal issues in the copyright regime due to its transformative nature which acts in contrary to the exclusive right of the author.          This thesis paper seeks the best solutions for the complicated nature of user-generated content in online platform which has been causing legal tension in copyright law for quite some time. The paper will focus mainly in the scope of EU copyright law as well as Thai copyright law. The Canadian new specific exception for user-generated content and its semi-open “fair dealing” exception will be discussed as a possible approach to the solution. Moreover, Human rights aspect in scope of freedom of expression will be analyzed in order to find the balance between the copyright and human rights in the most effective way to serve the core purpose of copyright law.

This mixed methods, multisite case study examined the relational ecology of two urban middle schools that had adopted school-wide restorative practices (SWRPs) and the changes that occurred as a result of the reform initiative. The study was conducted in two Title I middle schools in the Oakland Unified School District in California. A positive relational ecology existed in these two urban middle schools, and this ecology was built on the interacting and interrelated themes of relational trust, being heard, a relational-based, student-centered culture, and a commitment to the principles of social justice. The positive relational ecology created a strong foundation upon which change could occur at the organizational, individual, and pedagogical levels. Various structures within the schools, including circles, instructional leadership teams, student councils, and peer mediation, created space for teachers and students to be heard and empowered, which subsequently facilitated change and growth for many administrators, teachers, and students. High turnover, lack of initial and ongoing training, and the development of quasi- or non-restorative processes jeopardized program fidelity. Findings revealed that in these restorative schools, relational ecology and change were inseparable, and that they moved and influenced each other. A positive relational ecology created an environment that enabled leaders and staff to feel safe as they embarked upon the journey of change. Changes in the ways that members of the school communities related to each other on a daily basis provided additional motivation to continue the change effort, and these changes then strengthened the relational ecologies. Findings of this study are significant and have implications for schools and school districts, policy makers, and teacher and leader education programs. Future research should include longitudinal, mixed methods studies that assess the school culture before and after implementing SWRPs, as well as experimental or quasi-experimental designs that compare restorative and non-restorative schools. Such studies may provide more empirical evidence that links healthy relational ecologies to student achievement, less teacher turnover, decreased conflict, and healthier communities, thereby strengthening the case for rejecting punitive and discriminatory zero tolerance school discipline policies and adopting restorative justice in education instead. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Background: The transition from trainee to newly-registered (novice) practitioner is regarded as the most stressful and challenging of time of a healthcare professional's career. Community pharmacists are unusual in that they transition into roles where they commonly work as the sole pharmacist, manage a team of support staff and are accountable from day one of professional registration (without any formal support structure), yet little research exists in this area. This study aimed to identify the transition challenges faced by novice community pharmacists and to develop and feasibility test an evidence-based intervention to ease their transitions to independent practitioners. Methods: Medical Research Council guidance for developing complex interventions was used to frame this programme of work. During development, evidence from existing literature and an exploratory nominal group study identified and prioritised the challenges faced by novice community pharmacists. Findings informed the iterative design process for a peer-coaching intervention with the following components; a social media group, one-to-one coaching, a handbook, group activities and weekly clinical/practice scenarios for group discussion. Twelve novice community pharmacists were recruited purposively to participate in the draft intervention, which was evaluated using semi-structured telephone interviews. Results: Twenty-five participants took part in homogenous group discussions consisting of novice community pharmacists, early career pharmacists, pre-registration tutors and pharmacy colleagues. Similarly to challenges reported by novice doctors and nurses, nominal group discussions identified the following challenges [in order of importance]; relationship management; lack of confidence; decision-making; being in charge and accountable; and adapting to the workplace. Relationship management was attributed to novices' lack of affective skills. There were some differences however in the challenges reported by novice community pharmacists, such as power struggles (with managers or pharmacy colleagues), inverse hierarchy, professional isolation, target culture and full immediate accountability. A number of factors perpetuating these differences were perceived to increase the weight of professional accountability and augment stress; the retail community pharmacy context, the relative lack of support and isolation from peers. Hence, the draft intervention focussed on supporting the novice community pharmacist to develop cognitive and affective skills. All participants viewed the social media forum as the most valuable component because it provided a confidential space for reassurance, feedback, and sharing or discussing practice experiences. Participants also valued one-to-one discussions with the coach, which supported meaningful reflection and developing self-awareness. Outcomes reported by all participants included increased self-efficacy, increased confidence in decision-making/managing others, an increased sense of preparedness and the ability to cope during transition. Through group components, novice community pharmacists developed and reported feeling less isolated in the workplace. Conclusions: This novel programme of work revealed the challenges faced by novice community pharmacists during transition. Findings suggest that a lack of affective and cognitive skills, the demands of the job and professional isolation caused novices to experience psychosocial stress and high job strain. A group peer-coaching intervention designed to ease the transitions of novice community pharmacists was reported to be acceptable, feasible and beneficial. Study findings led to some recommendations for transition support interventions: incorporate psychosocial support with developmental activities; provide a supportive learning space for developmental discourse that is accessible facilitated and structured; and offer coaching and supported reflection from an experienced pharmacist coach.

Business leaders struggle with the application of appropriate leadership models to retain stakeholder trust. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of mortgage and investment leaders and stakeholders on applying various leadership models to restore stakeholder trust. Stakeholder and stewardship theories formed the conceptual framework of this study. A purposive sample of 20 stakeholders from the investments and mortgage industry in central Colorado participated in semistructured interviews. The research questions were on a leader's application of various leadership traits to restore stakeholder trust. Six themes emerged following coding and reduction using a modified van Kaam approach: (a) benevolence, (b) transparency, (c) humility, (d) approachability, (e) authenticity, and (f) personality. The themes were consistent with transformative leadership traits and satisfied stakeholder affective needs for trust. These findings may be applicable to mortgage and investment business leaders who adopt a transformative leadership approach; such leaders may find an ethically sustainable leadership style that facilitates follower commitment and organizational change, reduces turnover, improves performance, and strengthens social relationships. Stakeholders may find that business leaders who adopt a transformative leadership approach may eventually commit to long-term wealth creation, maintain near-congruent values, and avoid self-serving behaviors.

Research has shown that, worldwide the nursing profession is faced with image-related challenges impacting on its status, prestige, power and the ability to attract more young and suitably qualified students to nursing. There is adequate evidence of a link between the image of nursing and the number of young people entering and leaving the profession. A positive image of nursing attracts applicants and the intention to leave nursing correlates positively with holding a negative image of nursing. There is also evidence of poor perception of the image of nursing among student nurses. The study aimed at exploring the potential of appreciative inquiry (AI) as a teaching strategy to transform the image of nursing among 3rd and 4th year, college and university student nurses in the Gauteng province of South Africa. The second aim was to describe student nurses’ experiences regarding their participation in the process of AI. A qualitatively dominant, sequentially embedded, mixed methods design with explorative-descriptive and quasi-experimental features was utilised. Sequential data collection and analysis were conducted during five stages comprising: a pre-test survey, intervention (appreciative inquiry), a post-test, description of the experiences of student nurses of AI and an integration stage. The pre-test results showed more positive than negative perceptions of the image of nursing among student nurses. The negative perceptions of the image of nursing among student nurses that needed intervention included the working conditions of nurses and the perception of nursing as a profession that was not respected and appreciated. The student nurses who took part in appreciative inquiry showed a significant and positive change in their perception of the image of nursing as a respected and appreciated profession. From the individual interviews on the student nurses’ experiences of AI, the themes “experience of positive emotions” and “experiential learning” emerged. The student nurses experiences described their engagement in AI as a positive and enjoyable experience from which multidimensional learning resulted. / Health Studies / Ph. D. (Health Studies)

Syftet med detta arbete är att försöka ta reda på vilka egenskaper som framtidens ledare kommer att behöva inom den kommunala sektorn, men också om det finns eventuella förutsättningar som måste förändras för framtidens ledare. Tio intervjuer genomfördes med personer på ledande positioner inom fyra kommuner i Mellansverige. Utifrån detta sammanställdes intervjumaterialet, och ur detta framkom tre övergripande huvudområden organisation, egenskaper och framtid som sen utmynnade i ett antal ledord. Mot dessa tolkades teorier i ett försök att koppla de till det framtida ledarskapet. Slutsatsen är att det inte finns bara en teori att förhålla sig till, utan det gäller att kunna hantera kontexten och förutsättningarna, och utifrån den kunna anpassa sig. Ett transformativt synsätt kring ledarskap kan vara ett sätt att lyckas i framtiden.

The aim of this study is twofold, first is to create an in-service training example that can be conducted with childhood education teachers in framework of transformative learning towards learning for sustainability and education for sustainable development. Second aim of study is to investigate effects and contributors of created transformative learning example on participants&rsquo / perspective transformation. 24 teachers were involved as convenient sample in this research. Research methodology combined two basic data gathering and analysis methods. Sample group participated in seven half day in-service training, at the end of training initial inquiry was conducted by using Learning Activities Survey with all participants and it was continued with 6 follow-up interviews. Assessment tool and interview format were developed by Kathleen P. King (1997) and were translated in Turkish and adapted for the use of this research. The results of this research revealed that 100% of participants experienced perspective transformation at varying degrees in relation to in-service training conducted.The most telling findings indicate that: (a) perspective transformation learning experiences include major shifts in learner&rsquo / s understanding of his/her life and world, (b) journey of transformative learning differs among learners, (c) sampled population experienced some changes in their perspective of their beliefs, assumptions and points of view as well as they transitioned to a more differentiated frame of reference which is related with sustainability, (d) both classroom assignments and support were noted as important contributors of perspective transformation, (e) discussions, group projects, critical thinking activities, self-evaluation of participants and unconventional structure of training, support of trainer, support from others and challenge from trainer were evaluated as main contributors to perspective transformation.

The aim of this study is twofold, first is to create an in-service training example that can be conducted with childhood education teachers in framework of transformative learning towards learning for sustainability and education for sustainable development. Second aim of study is to investigate effects and contributors of created transformative learning example on participants&rsquo / perspective transformation. 24 teachers were involved as convenient sample in this research. Research methodology combined two basic data gathering and analysis methods. Sample group participated in seven half day in-service training, at the end of training initial inquiry was conducted by using Learning Activities Survey with all participants and it was continued with 6 follow-up interviews. Assessment tool and interview format were developed by Kathleen P. King (1997) and were translated in Turkish and adapted for the use of this research. The results of this research revealed that 100% of participants experienced perspective transformation at varying degrees in relation to in-service training conducted.The most telling findings indicate that: (a) perspective transformation learning experiences include major shifts in learner&rsquo / s understanding of his/her life and world, (b) journey of transformative learning differs among learners, (c) sampled population experienced some changes in their perspective of their beliefs, assumptions and points of view as well as they transitioned to a more differentiated frame of reference which is related with sustainability, (d) both classroom assignments and support were noted as important contributors of perspective transformation, (e) discussions, group projects, critical thinking activities, self-evaluation of participants and unconventional structure of training, support of trainer, support from others and challenge from trainer were evaluated as main contributors to perspective transformation.