European lung cancer screening: valuable trial evidence for optimal practice implementation

Lung cancer screening (LCS) by low-dose computed tomography is a strategy for secondary prevention of lung cancer. In the last two decades, LCS trials showed several options to practice secondary prevention in association with primary prevention, however, the translation from trial to practice is everything but simple. In 2020, the European Society of Radiology and European Respiratory Society published their joint statement paper on LCS. This commentary aims to provide the readership with detailed description about hurdles and potential solutions that could be encountered in the practice of LCS.

Leveling the Workload for Radiologists in Diagnostic Mammography: Application of Lean Principles and Heijunka

To facilitate the delivery of accurate and timely care to patients in complex environments, process improvement methodologies such as Lean can be very effective. Lean is a quality improvement methodology that seeks to add value for patients and employees by continuously improving processes and eliminating waste. At our institution, Lean principles were applied to improve efficiency and minimize waste in the diagnostic breast imaging reading room. This paper describes how we applied Lean principles, including plan-do-study-act testing, level-loading (heijunka), and visual management, to level the workload of the diagnostic radiologists in our practice. Implementation of these principles to improve the diagnostic workflow in breast imaging is described along with examples from our practice, including challenges and future opportunities.

Green Aid Tax Relief Participation Scheme – A Study about a Creative Environmental Tax Towards Carbon Reduction in the Post – Covid 19 Era

Environmental tax is the climate policy that offers, in theory, the easiest way for carbon reduction. But in practice, implementation has proven complicated despite public demand for policy action on climate change. This research investigates to reframe environmental taxes in ways more personally engaging to create a moral foundation, and massive participation. As people show rising demand, we aimed to design a tool that responds to public expectations and operates directly at source on emission reducers, viz the trees. Drawing on research from environmental taxes and the evidence of measures taken, we reasoned that an environmental fiscal policy may not intend necessarily to punish the “bads”, but rather might reward the positive attitude and direct it to act. Consequently, we focused on tax reliefs and designed Green Aid, that can address people’s attitude to take active participation into account by incorporating virtuous behaviours into tax relief. Green Aid Tax relief works embedded in the Green Aid Participation Scheme that bears directly on a source of environmental recovery and organizes the global call to public action in a sustained, structured, and collective participation to forestation. Green Aid bridges the action of contributing to carbon reduction with immediate, tangible, and direct benefits. It can be an alternative environmental tax, able to address and operate directly at source on emission reducers and secure effectiveness in carbon reduction and efficiency in terms of public acceptance and viability at a global level.

The molecular tumor board: a tool for the governance of precision oncology in the real world

Clinical oncology is going through a period of profound change. Targeted therapy, and more recently immunotherapy, have revolutionized the natural history and outcomes of many solid tumors. Clinical oncology is now indissoluble from molecular oncology, a rapidly evolving field. This profound transformation is the rationale for molecular tumor board (MTB) implementation. MTBs represent a resource for the development of precision oncology and clinical practice implementation is a complex and important challenge for the future of clinical and molecular oncology. Economic sustainability of genomic tests, access to drugs or clinical trials according to the MTB recommendation, and expanded use of existing anticancer drugs are required for MTBs to become a useful tool for the governance of precision oncology in the real world. This is an ongoing process, with establishment of MTBs the first step. Continuing to work in collaboration with scientific societies, MTBs are poised to become a homogeneous and well-structured reality that can make the care pathway of the patient with cancer more efficient, with the ultimate goal to offer personalized therapy based on the most advanced scientific knowledge.

Collaborations Practice Implementation on Education for Sustainable Development in Host Universities of Regional Centres of Expertise, Kenya

The study sought to assess the scope of collaborations practice implementation on education for sustainable development (ESD) in host universities of Regional Centres of Expertise (RCE) in Kenya as well as the challenges faced thereof. The study was conducted using a mixed methodology with concurrent model of triangulation and descriptive survey research design to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. The study established that host universities had made efforts to implement RCE collaborations practice on ESD through creation of new partnerships. Cooperation and coordination among the stakeholders was well supported by the host universities through collaborative governance where stakeholders were involved in decision making. The study recommended that host universities of RCEs should be more intentional in creating awareness on RCEs and ESD through university community outreach programs in order to build capacity in social learning and networking on ESD.

Best Research Practice Implementation: The Experience of the N.N. Burdenko National Medical Research Center of Neurosurgery

Implementing the best research principles initiates an important shift in clinical research culture, improving efficiency and the level of evidence obtained. In this article, we share our own view on the best research practice and our experience introducing it into the scientific activities of the N.N. Burdenko National Medical Research Center of Neurosurgery (Moscow, Russian Federation). While being adherent to the principles described in the article, the percentage of publications in the international scientific journals in our Center has increased from 7% to 27%, with an overall gain in the number of articles by 2 times since 2014. We believe it is important that medical informatics professionals equally to medical experts involved in clinical research are familiar with the best research principles.

Mediation and communication practices in education

In the sphere of education, mediation and communication practices help not only to resolve disputes and conflicts most effectively but also to protect the interests of children and minors. The study aims to explore and analyze the effectiveness of mediation and communication practices in resolving conflicts in educational organizations, as well as identify trends in the development of this institution. The importance and role of using mediation and communication practices in conflict resolution in the sphere of education are analyzed and the theoretical aspects of the effectiveness of mediation in educational organizations are studied. The reasons for the emergence of conflicts in educational organizations are identified and the need to improve the effectiveness of mediation and communication practice implementation in conflict resolution in the sphere of education is substantiated. The study results allow outlining trends in the development of the studied institution. Further research can address the effectiveness of mediation and communication practices and the feasibility of using various methods and techniques to improve the use of mediation and communication skills in educational legal relations.

Governance Practice Implementation on Education for Sustainable Development in Host Universities’ Regional Centres of Expertise, Kenya

Institutional management refers to the effective running of different programmes and activities of an institution. This study sought to assess governance practice implementation on education for sustainable development (ESD) in host universities’ Regional Centres of Expertise (RCE) in Kenya. The study employed mixed methodology and concurrent model of triangulation and descriptive survey research design to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. The target population was from 8 acknowledged RCEs in Kenya. This included 8 RCE coordinators, 270 lecturers conversant with ESD and 150 representatives of partner institutions making a total of 428 respondents. Purposive and simple random sampling was used to come up with the study sample of 93 respondents comprising of of 3 RCE coordinators, 60 lecturers, and 30 representatives of partner institutions. Research tools used were open and close-ended questionnaires, interview schedule and document analysis checklist. Quantitative data was analysed descriptively using SPSS version 23 and presented using tables, frequencies, percentages and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Qualitative data was thematically analysed and presented verbatim and as narratives using MS Word. Mixing and interpretation of data was then done. The study established that despite numerous challenges, RCE host universities had implemented RCE governance practice on ESD through establishment of governance structures and appointment of coordinators. Financial and infrastructural resources were found to be a main challenge in implementation of governance practice on ESD. Anticipated beneficiaries of the study findings and conclusion include the management of RCE host universities, RCE coordinators, Ministry of education and County governments. The study recommended that host universities in Regional Centres of Expertise should initiate innovative methods of raising funds from both government and private sectors to establish a funding mechanism for ESD activities and programs in the RCEs. The appointment of RCE coordinators needs to be removed from the host university Vice Chancellors and a committee of partner representatives tasked with the appointment.