Search Results (132)

Background/Objectives: Clinical Research Nurses (CRNs) have emerged as pivotal actors in the conduct, coordination, and oversight of clinical trials globally. Over the past three decades, the role of the CRN has evolved in response to the increasing complexity of research protocols, ethical standards, and regulatory frameworks. Originating as task-oriented support figures, CRNs have progressively assumed broader responsibilities that include patient advocacy, protocol integrity, ethical vigilance, and interprofessional coordination. By mapping the global literature on CRNs, this review will examine how their role has been defined, implemented, and evaluated over the past three decades. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The search covered the peer-reviewed and gray literature from 1990 to 2024 across major databases. Data analysis combined traditional extraction with topic modeling, Multiple Correspondence Analysis, and k-means clustering to identify key themes. Results: From the 128 included studies, four major themes emerged: clinical trial management, role perception and team integration, professional competencies and development, and systemic barriers. Despite formal competency frameworks, CRNs face inconsistencies in role recognition, unstable contracts, and limited career pathways. Emotional strain and professional isolation are recurrent. Over time, their functions have evolved from task execution to broader responsibilities, including advocacy and ethical oversight. However, no studies reported patient-level outcomes, revealing a critical gap in the evidence base. Conclusions: CRNs play a vital but undervalued role in clinical research. Persistent structural challenges hinder their development and visibility. Enhancing institutional support and generating outcome-based evidence are necessary steps toward fully integrating CRNs into research infrastructures. Full article

In the context of the construction industry in Chile, the presence of women has historically been limited—i.e., approximately 12% of participation. Despite efforts to increase female participation in recent years, various barriers persist that hinder their development in construction. To leverage the existing challenges faced by women in the Chilean construction industry, interviews were conducted with industry professionals, and a qualitative analysis was performed to identify existing challenges in Chile and recommendations to deal with such challenges. We found that existing challenges can be classified into three professional development stages: entering the sector, retention, and advancement in women’s professional careers. The results reveal that women working in the construction industry face biases and stereotypes that negatively impact their recognition and professional advancement. Furthermore, women were much more aware of challenges compared to men, for instance, entrenched machismo in the workplace, the social burden associated with motherhood, and their effects on women within this industry. Ultimately, this is a construction sector problem and not a problem with the women in the industry; thus, we all need to participate in the solution to this problem, men and women alike. Full article

Workaholism and perfectionism have increasingly been identified as significant obstacles to effective lifelong learning and skills development, ultimately undermining long-term career adaptability and organizational resilience. This study explores the predictive role of perfectionism and professional workaholism, with a particular focus on their implications for continuous education and occupational sustainability—defined as employees’ ability to remain adaptable and resilient over time. Using a cross-sectional quantitative design, data were collected from 105 participants (54 IT professionals and 51 nurses) who completed standardized measures of perfectionism and workaholism and reported their cognitive–emotional readiness for further training. Four regression models were employed to assess the impact of the three perfectionism dimensions and profession on overall workaholism and its subcomponents (excessive work, compulsive work, supplementary work). Socially prescribed perfectionism emerged as a strong predictor, accounting for over one-third of the variance in workaholism (β = 0.37; R²_adj = 0.368; p < 0.001), while self-oriented perfectionism significantly predicted excessive work (β = 0.25; p = 0.015). Professional domain had no significant effect, indicating the trans-professional nature of these psychological barriers. Additionally, workaholism was associated with reduced cognitive–emotional availability for ongoing training, highlighting its detrimental effects on lifelong learning. Limitations include the cross-sectional design and reliance on convenience sampling. From a practical perspective, the findings support interventions targeting maladaptive perfectionism, aiming to enhance engagement in continuous professional education and foster sustainable work environments, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4 and SDG 8). Full article

Despite decades of ongoing efforts to address gender equality, female physicians, particularly women of color, continue to face significant barriers in medicine, which are exacerbated by microaggressions. In this qualitative study, 133 female physicians recalled experiences with microaggressions and the impact of these experiences on their professional identities and career progression. Thematic analysis revealed four major themes: (1) disregard for professional status; (2) undermining contributions; (3) intersectionality; (4) impact on career mobility and professional confidence. Further, there was one emerging theme: leadership and culture. The results underscore the compounding effects of microaggressions for female physicians with intersecting identities. Highlighting the application of social identity theory, intersectionality, and organizational justice, this study provides a comprehensive view of the impact of microaggressions on female physicians, offering new perspectives on the intersectional nature of discrimination and its effects on professional identity and career satisfaction. Full article

As mental health has gained prominence in recent years, elite ice hockey players have shared their experience of psychological problems, including adverse alcohol use, anxiety, depression, distress, eating disorders, and sleep disturbances. Mental health remains a sensitive issue for ice hockey players, as stigma, a strong hockey culture, lack of mental health literacy, and negative past experiences with seeking help constitute barriers to seeking support. This scoping review aims to identify the psychological factors contributing to elite ice hockey players’ well-being. After screening the titles and abstracts of three databases within a 2002–2025 timeframe, a total of 517 articles were retrieved. Seventeen articles targeting ice hockey athletes over 14 years of age competing at an elite level were selected. Three main categories emerged from the included studies: anxiety and depressive symptoms, motivational variables, and coping strategies at different career stages. Factors such as retirement, concussions, social support, parenting style, task-approach goals, and task-oriented behavior were influential components to the well-being and mental health of elite ice hockey players. Using the Lazarus and Folkman model, the identified psychological factors may help athletes and various actors surrounding them to better understand athletes’ well-being. Full article

Gender inequality remains a persistent issue in healthcare, especially in ophthalmology, where women face systemic barriers such as pay gaps, limited surgical opportunities, harassment, and unequal family expectations. Despite increasing entry into the field, women remain underrepresented in leadership, affecting career advancement and patient care. This study examines how virtual platforms, and co-led initiatives can address gender disparities in eye health. In 2021, Women in Ophthalmology, Seva Foundation, and Orbis International launched the Women’s Leaders in Eye Health (WLEH) initiative—a global community promoting mentorship, networking, and leadership development. Starting with virtual webinars and informal networking, the initiative expanded to in-person events in 2023 due to strong global engagement and demand. Early virtual programming, including webinars and “Coffee Hour” sessions, proved effective and laid the groundwork for broader offerings such as mentorship and professional development grants. WLEH’s success underscores the power of collaboration in promoting gender equity. By fostering connections and leadership pathways, WLEH offers a scalable model to break down gender challenges and uplift the next generation of women leaders to deliver more accessible eyecare globally. Full article

Aim: This article explores the contributing factors to the decline in the number of auditors globally and aims to provide the consequences and possible recommendations. Auditors play a critical role in ensuring transparency, trust, and credibility of financial statements. However, the profession is experiencing a decline across the globe. The decrease in the number of registered auditors has become a pressing issue, raising concerns about the future of the assurance industry’s ability to maintain the number of registered auditors and continue providing assurance services to public and private entities or companies. Methodology: A scoping-review methodology was adopted to analyse the existing literature on the global decline in the number of auditors. This approach utilises research evidence to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities within the audit profession. Relevant studies were sourced from databases such as ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate, as well as the grey literature. Main findings: This study identifies a combination of factors driving the decline of auditors globally. Economic pressures, such as cost reduction initiatives and outsourcing, have impacted the demand for traditional auditing services. Complex regulatory requirements have increased barriers to entry, while technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence, are disrupting traditional auditing roles. Additionally, the profession suffers from negative perceptions regarding workload, remuneration, and work–life balance, discouraging new entrants. Practical implications: The findings emphasise the urgent need for the auditing profession to adapt to evolving challenges. Stakeholders, including regulatory bodies and professional organisations, must address issues such as technological integration, career development pathways, and regulatory simplification. Enhanced public awareness campaigns and training initiatives are critical to attracting and retaining professional talent. Contribution: This study contributes to the limited body of knowledge on the global decline of auditors by creating a broad spectrum of evidence. It highlights actionable strategies to address the profession’s challenges and provides a foundation for future research on sustaining the relevance of auditors in a dynamic global economy. Full article

The construction industry is perceived as an industry that is not viable for females to progress their careers in. Existing research studies focused on retaining senior female construction professionals are lacking. Particularly, the existing challenges and strategies found through a critical literature review were scattered and not specific to the retention of senior construction professionals. Identifying this gap, this study led to an empirical research phase to gather the firsthand experiences of 14 senior female professionals in Australia through semi-structured interviews. Subsequently, the gathered data was analysed through content analysis using NVivo software (2020). This study revealed several barriers, which were categorised into three clusters: culture in construction, disrupted career progression, and difficult working conditions. The results revealed that some barriers were consistent with the broader literature findings, while some were interesting context-specific barriers such as a lack of recognition and respect, a lack of confidence in decision-making, misalignment of childcare and construction hours, and lack of on-site feeding facilities. Similarly, the strategies were also discussed under three categories: to support females to adapt in construction, support them in their return to work from leave, and increase flexible work. Finally, recommendations were provided for individuals, organisations, and the industry to retain female employees in construction. Theoretically, this study advances understanding by identifying barriers and retention strategies specific to senior female construction professionals, framing retention as a multi-level challenge, while practically, the findings inform targeted policies to address gaps in the Australian context and improve gender equity. Full article

Diversion programs are increasingly used as alternatives to criminal penalties for women involved in commercial sex, yet limited research has examined how such programs support behavior change across diverse subgroups, particularly between sex-trafficked and non-trafficked participants. This study evaluates changes in readiness for change among 131 women who participated in a court-ordered diversion program led by survivors of sex trafficking. Participants were classified as sex-trafficked or non-trafficked based on self-reported age of entry and experiences of third-party control. The program offered a range of trauma-informed services aimed at fostering holistic well-being and facilitating a pathway out of sex trafficking and prostitution. Participants engaged in group classes focused on job interview skills, emotion regulation, substance use awareness, and psychoeducation related to trauma. Life skills workshops addressed financial literacy, relationship dynamics, and conflict resolution. In addition, participants received referrals to GED programs, career training, mental health services, and emergency housing as needed. Program duration typically ranged from 12 to 16 weeks, adjusted for individual needs. Results from a repeated-measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant increase in readiness for change (p < 0.05) from program entry to completion. However, women with trafficking histories demonstrated smaller gains than their non-trafficked peers, suggesting that trauma-related and systemic barriers may limit the impact of short-term interventions. These findings underscore the importance of tailoring diversion programs to address the complex needs of sex-trafficked individuals and support the development of differentiated trauma-responsive strategies within diversion frameworks. Full article

This qualitative study investigates how short-term international mobility—specifically Erasmus staff exchange—nurtures educational leadership in an increasingly globalized landscape. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 55 educators from European and non-European countries, the research traces the ways mobility experiences reshape professional practice, career trajectories and institutional engagement. Findings show that time abroad enhances intercultural competence, global awareness, and pedagogical innovation—capabilities central to educators who must lead learning in diverse, rapidly evolving contexts. Participants described a renewed sense of purpose and an expanded leadership identity on reentry, positioning mobility as both a personal and systemic catalyst. Nonetheless, persistent barriers—including financial constraints, language proficiency gaps, and uneven institutional support—continue to restrict mobility access. Addressing these inequities is imperative if Erasmus and similar programs are to serve as genuine engines of educational transformation rather than isolated opportunities for the already advantaged. By mapping the link between mobility, leadership growth, and institutional change, this article offers actionable insights for policy-makers and university leaders seeking to embed inclusive, innovation-oriented practices across local and international education systems. Full article

As global concerns about climate change and air quality intensify, nations are increasingly adopting sustainable transportation solutions, with electromobility emerging as a key alternative. This study investigates the factors influencing powertrain technology choice and the barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Poland, focusing on insights from technically educated youth, early-career researchers, and academic professionals. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach, the study investigates public perceptions, motivations, and challenges associated with EV uptake in a country historically reliant on fossil fuels. Key drivers such as environmental considerations, government policies, and infrastructure development are evaluated alongside persistent obstacles, including high initial purchase costs, inadequate charging networks, range anxiety, and scepticism about battery performance. While the sample is not representative of the broader Polish population, it provides insights from a technically literate cohort likely to shape future technological and policy advancements. Our findings reveal that the adoption of EVs among this group is influenced by factors such as technological innovation and government policies, while barriers include high initial costs, limited charging infrastructure, and scepticism about perceived sustainability, battery life, and performance. The research also highlights the critical role of education and awareness in shaping attitudes toward EVs. This study, though limited by sample size and demographic focus, offers valuable contributions to understanding the early-stage adoption of EVs in Poland and serves as a foundation for future research targeting a more diverse population. The applied research model is scalable, providing a framework for broader studies that could include different age groups, geographical regions, and professional sectors. Full article

Architecture as a STEM career presents a promising yet challenging path for women pursuing professional growth in the field, as they remain under-represented, particularly in leadership roles and professional practice, despite their increasing presence in architectural education. This study investigates the experiences, motivations, and challenges faced by women in architecture in the educational setting of Nigeria. Using a quantitative research approach, data were collected from 137 respondents through structured questionnaires, representing a 97.93% response rate. The findings reveal that passion for design and creativity (73.7%) was the predominant motivation for women choosing architecture. While 80.5% of respondents reported experiencing or observing gender-related challenges, these were not ranked as primary barriers when specific obstacles were identified; instead, financial constraints, limited resource access, and work–life balance emerged as the most significant challenges. Remarkably, 89.5% of participants expressed satisfaction with architecture as a career choice, with no reported dissatisfaction. Creativity (28%), continuous learning (24.2%), and societal impact (20%) were found to be the most rewarding aspects of their architectural careers. Statistical analyses revealed no significant association between academic level and career satisfaction or between institution attended and experiences of gender-related challenges. The correlation analysis demonstrated that intrinsic motivators like passion for design have stronger relationships with career satisfaction than extrinsic factors like financial stability or family influence. These findings contribute to understanding women’s experiences in architectural education in Nigeria and have implications for educational institutions, professional organizations, and policymakers seeking to enhance women’s participation and advancement in architecture. The research highlights the importance of addressing structural barriers while nurturing the creative and professional aspects that draw women to the field. Full article

In the Dutch labor market, where the number of vacancies exceeds the number of unemployed, many young adults still struggle to find meaningful work. This article explores their experiences as they develop career agency while encountering obstacles and barriers. Career agency is understood as an emergent phenomenon, shaped by both external limitations and intrapersonal development. Considering its relational and dialectical nature, we use Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) to explore complex agency development among young adults. Through in-depth interviews with 25 young adults, we identified four types of contradictions. These contradictions, often characterized by conflicting motives, can be paralyzing. Some emerge between personal motives and external environments, while others stem from conflicting internal motives. Although such contradictions may hinder career agency, they can also stimulate development and professional growth. Our analysis further highlights formative intraventions. In some instances, we discovered that young adults adjusted their motives, norms, values, and needs to align with the expectations of their new environments, or they took a stance to change those environments. The ability to envision possible actions within their context appears to be crucial. Understanding these contradictions and responses can help mentors develop interventions that support young adults in navigating labor market challenges and building sustainable careers. Full article

Background/Objectives: Youth mental health significantly impacts future well-being, with nearly half of mental health disorders emerging during adolescence. Civic engagement is defined as active participation in the community to improve conditions for others or to help shape the community’s future. It offers a unique opportunity to enhance youth mental well-being, acting as a protective factor against mental health struggles. In this line, Relational Developmental Systems Theory posits that positive youth development is positively linked to civic engagement. The main objective of this literature-based paper is to identify, select, assess, and synthesize the existing literature on interventions promoting mental health in the youth through civic engagement, resulting in an up-to-date review. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a search was conducted using PsycInfo, Scopus, and Web of Science to gather studies published between 2018 and 2023, based on the combination of key terms: (“civic engagement” OR “social participation”) AND (“mental health” OR “psychological adjustment” OR “well-being”) AND (adolescen* OR teen* OR youth OR “young people”) AND (program* OR intervention OR training OR education). Data extraction and risk-of-bias assessments were performed. Results: Ten studies were included in this review which suggest that civic engagement programs improve youth mental health outcomes, including reduced anxiety, reduced sadness, and increased resilience. These programs foster empowerment, sense of belonging, and social connections, while also enhancing interpersonal skills and career aspirations. Youth also gain valuable skills such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving, contributing to educational and vocational growth. However, challenges such as socio-economic barriers and attendance issues can impact some outcomes, with variations in effectiveness across programs. Conclusions: Youth civic engagement programs should integrate mental health support to mitigate the emotional costs of activism, ensuring greater participation and well-being. It is important to adapt these programs to local contexts and provide flexibility to strengthen participation and community impact. Future research should explore the role of cultural, gender, and socio-economic factors in shaping program outcomes and utilize randomized controlled trials to improve the validity and generalizability of findings. Full article

As faculty in a college of education, we have undertaken a multi-year process to redesign pathways leading to teacher certification. Throughout this process, we have confronted challenges in recruiting and retaining teachers, concluding these issues stem from deeper inequities in the current design of the education workforce. To address this, we have implemented new models of educator preparation designed to foster social justice and ensure educators and students alike can thrive. These models emphasize the roles of educators and how they work together as a team with distributed expertise with embedded growth opportunities, and clear paths for career advancement. These models are designed to create inclusive and supportive environments. Central to this redesign, we created holistic systems of care, mitigated long-standing barriers to entry, specialization, and advancement for educators, and liberated content, resulting in increased access for individuals wanting to become educators. In this article, we share insights from our journey of redesigning educator preparation to meet the needs of preservice teachers equipping them to adapt skillfully to dynamic educational demands. Our work aims to reshape educator preparation through fostering a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable workforce adept to the needs of ever-shifting educational systems. Full article