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bioRxiv2018

Mental and Physical Well-being of People Working in Helping Professions, Employed in Youth Educational Centres and Sociotherapy Centres

Representatives of helping professions are particularly exposed to occupational stress. The aim of the study was to evaluate mental and physical well-being, as well as their correlates and predictors in a group of employees working at youth educational centres and sociotherapy centres. A total of 96 employees working at youth educational centres and sociotherapy centres in Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodeship took part in the study. The following psychometric tools were used: the Psychosocial Working Conditions Questionnaire, the Mini-COPE, the LOT-R, and the GSES. The results obtained indicate that people working in helping professions experience mental and physical health problems. Only 3% of the subjects declared they sleep all night. Over 40% and over 35% of the subjects estimate they suffer from low mood and irritation episodes, respectively, rather frequently or continually. Subjects with poorer mental health are more likely to use Helplessness, Avoidance behaviours, or Turning to religion to cope with stress. The strongest predictor of mental well-being is the sense of self-efficacy. Whereas, the strongest predictor of physical well-being is the ability to cope with stress by giving into the feeling of Helplessness. The study demonstrated poor mental and physical well-being of the subjects. A statistically significant correlation was found between sex and the level of mental and physical health. Employees working at youth educational centres and sociotherapy centres with better mental and physical well-being had a stronger sense of self-efficacy and a higher level of life optimism. Hence, the sense of self-efficacy is a predictor for better mental well-being.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2022

Standards needed? An Exploration of Qualifying Exams from a Literature Review and Website Analysis of University-Wide Polices

PurposeWhile known by many names, qualifying exams function as gatekeepers to graduate student advancement to PhD Candidacy, yet there has been little formal study on best qualifying exam practices particularly in biomedical and related STEM PhD programs. The purpose of this study was to examine the current state of qualifying exams through an examination of the literation and exploration of university policies. Design/methodology/approachWe conducted a literature review of studies on qualifying exams and completed an external evaluation of peer institutions and internal institutional qualifying exam requirements to inform our discussion of common practices of qualifying exams in doctoral training at a research-intensive institutions. FindingsOur research identified the need for more evidence-based research on qualifying exams, which are nearly universal as a major doctoral training milestone across US institutions of higher education. Our findings indicate a wide variety of qualifying exam formats, often lacking the establishment of explicit expectations and evidence for specific formats. This lack of understanding of best practices coupled with insufficient clarity has a real potential to disadvantage doctoral students, particularly first generation, underrepresented minority, international, and/or other trainees who are not privileged or socialized to navigate training environments with vague landmarks such as the qualifying exams. OriginalityThere are very few studies that evaluate qualifying exams in US doctoral education, particularly in STEM fields, and to our knowledge, there has been no analysis of campus wide policies on qualifying exams reported. The lack of evidence for best practices and the need for to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of qualifying exams are discussed.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2020

Scoping reviews in medical education: A scoping review

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to characterize the extent, range, and nature of scoping reviews published in core medical education journals. In so doing, the authors identify areas for improvement in the conduct and reporting of scoping reviews, and highlight opportunities for future research. MethodThe authors searched PubMed for scoping reviews published between 1999 through April 2020 in 14 medical education journals. From each review, the authors extracted and summarized key bibliometric data, the rationales given for conducting a scoping review, the research questions, and key reporting elements as described in the PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines. Rationales and research questions were mapped to the reasons for conducting a scoping review, as described by Arksey and OMalley. ResultsOne hundred and one scoping reviews were included. On average 10.1 scoping reviews (MED=4, SD=13.08) were published annually with the most reviews published in 2019 (n=42) in 13 of the included 14 journals reviewed. Academic Medicine published the most scoping reviews (n=28) overall. Authors described multiple reasons for undertaking scoping reviews, including to: summarize and disseminate research findings (n=77); examine the extent, range, and nature of research activity in a given area (n=74); and to analyze an emerging topic or heterogenous literature base (n=46). In 11 reviews there was alignment between the rationales for the scoping review and the stated research questions. No review addressed all elements of the PRISMA-ScR, with only a minority of authors publishing a protocol (n=2) or including stakeholders (n=20). Authors identified several shortcomings of scoping review methodology, including being unable to critically assess the included studies. ConclusionsMedical educators are increasingly conducting scoping reviews with a desire to characterize the literature on a topic. There is room for improvement in the reporting of scoping reviews, including the alignment of research questions, the creation and publishing of protocols, and the inclusion of external stakeholders in published works.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2022

Exploring the potential of using simulation games for engaging with sheep farmers about lameness recognition

IntroductionComputer simulation games are increasingly being used in agriculture as a promising tool to study, support and influence real-life farming practices. We explored the potential of using simulation games to engage with sheep farmers on the ongoing challenge of reducing lameness. Working with UK stakeholders, we developed a game in which players are challenged with identifying all the lame sheep in a simulated flock. Here, we evaluate the games potential to act as a tool for to help assess, train and understand farmers ability to recognise the early signs of lameness. MethodsParticipants in the UK were invited to play the game in an online study, sharing with us their in-game scores alongside information relating to their real-life farming experience, how they played the game, and feedback on the game. Mixed methods were used to analyse this information in order to evaluate the game. Quantitative analyses consisted of linear modelling to test for statistical relationships between participants in-game recall (% of the total number of lame sheep that were marked as lame), and the additional information they provided. Qualitative analyses of participants feedback on the game consisted of thematic analysis and a Likert Scale questionnaire to contextualise the quantitative results and identify additional insights from the study. ResultsQuantitative analyses identified no relationships between participants (n = 63) recall scores and their real life farming experience, or the lameness signs they looked for when playing the game. The only relationship identified was a relationship between participants recall score and time spent playing the game. Qualitative analyses identified that participants did not find the game sufficiently realistic or engaging, though several enjoyed playing it and saw potential for future development. Qualitative analyses also identified several interesting and less-expected insights about real-life lameness recognition practices that participants shared after playing the game. DiscussionSimulation games have potential as a tool in livestock husbandry education and research, but achieving the desired levels of realism and/or engagingness may be an obstacle to realising this. Future research should explore this potential further, aided by larger budgets and closer collaboration with farmers, stockpeople and veterinarians.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2022

Prototype matching: children's preference for forming scientific concepts

Inspired by a sample lesson, this paper studies and discusses childrens preferences in learning scientific concepts. In a "Dissolution" lesson, one of the students took the demonstration experiment of "carmine dissolves in Water" demonstrated by the teacher as the prototype to judge whether a new phenomenon belongs to dissolution, instead of analyzing and judging the phenomenon by using the dissolution definition. Therefore, we propose a conjecture that "prototype matching" may be a more preferred way for children to learn concepts than thinking through inquiry experiment, analysis, deduction, etc. To this end, we conducted a targeted test on 160 fifth grade students (all of whom had learned this lesson) from a primary school in Beijing, and used goodness of fit test to statistically analyze the results. The results showed that: {sscircled1} the Chi square of the general result is 73.865, P<0.001, indicating that children did have obvious prototype preference; {sscircled2} We "tampered" some of the prototypes, that is, they looked like the prototypes that the teacher had told students, but they were actually wrong. However, the results showed that children still preferred these so-called "prototypes" (chi square is 21.823, P<0.001). Conclusion: {sscircled1} Children have an obvious preference for "prototype matching" in scientific concept learning, which is not only obviously deviated from the current general understanding of science education that emphasizes inquiry construction, but also points out that there may be a priority relationship among various ways of concept organization (such as definition theory, prototype theory, schema theory, etc.). {sscircled2} Childrens preference for prototypes seems to be unthinking, and they will not identify the authenticity of prototypes, which is particularly noteworthy in front-line teaching.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2019

The California Environmental DNA \"CALeDNA\" Program

Global change is leading to habitat shifts that threaten species persistence throughout Californias unique ecosystems. Baseline biodiversity data provide opportunities for ecosystems to be managed for community complexity and connectivity. In 2017, the University of California Conservation Genomics Consortium launched the California Environmental DNA (CALeDNA) program, a community science initiative monitoring Californias biodiversity through environmental DNA (eDNA)--DNA shed from organisms through fur, mucus, spores, pollen, etc. Community scientists collect soil and sediment samples, then researchers analyze the eDNA in the samples and share results with the public. The results are catalogues of thousands of organisms per sample, ranging from microbes to mammals. The CALeDNA website presents biodiversity inventories in a platform designed for the public and researchers alike, as well as user-friendly analysis tools and educational modules. Here, we present CALeDNA as a scalable community science framework that can harmonize with future biodiversity research and education initiatives.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2022

Distribution of the National Science Foundation's Advancing Informal STEM Learning Awards (AISL) between 2006-21

The COVID-19 pandemic tested many fundamental connections between science and society. A growing field working to strengthen those connections exists within the informal STEM learning (ISL) community which provides diverse learning and engagement environments outside the formal classroom. One of the largest funders of ISL initiatives is the National Science Foundation (NSF) which runs the Advanced Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program in the United States. The AISL program supports initiatives through six categories that include pilots and feasibility studies, research in service to practice, innovations in development, broad implementation, literature reviews, syntheses, or meta-analyses, and conferences. However, a number of questions remain unanswered with respect to the distribution and ultimately the broad impact of the awards. In this study, we analyzed publicly available awardee information across a 15-year period (2006-2021) to provide a preliminary analysis of how the AISL grants are distributed across individual states, organizations, and the principal investigators. Several states, organizations, and principal investigators stood out as prolific awardees. Massachusetts and California represented the largest share of awards at 14% and 13% respectively during that time. WGBH Educational Foundation located in Massachusetts and the Exploratorium located in California, received the largest number of awards during the 15 year period. Notably, 67% of the AISL awards list at least one co-principal investigator. Our report brings to light a number of new questions and charts new paths of exploration for future studies.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2016

Personal Pharmacogenetic Testing Enhances Pharmacy Student Knowledge and Attitude Towards Precision Medicine

ObjectiveTo evaluate if pharmacy students participation in personal pharmacogenetic (Pgx) testing enhances their knowledge and attitude towards precision medicine (PM).\n\nMethodsFirst-year pharmacy students were offered personalized pharmacogenetic testing as a supplement to a required curricular pharmacogenomics course. Ninety-eight of 122 (80%) students completed pre- and post-course surveys assessing knowledge and attitudes regarding PM; 73 students also volunteered for personal pharmacogenetic testing of the following drug metabolizing enzymes (CYP2C19, CYP2D6, UGT1A1) and pharmacodynamics-relevant proteins (interleukin (IL)-28B & human lymphocyte antigen HLAB*5701).\n\nResultsAmong the 122 students, we found that incorporating pharmacogenetic testing improved mean knowledge and attitude by 1.0 and 0.3 Likert points, respectively. We observed statistically significant improvements in 100% of knowledge and 70% of attitude-related statements for students who decided to undergo personal pharmacogenetic testing. Students who were enrolled in the course but did not partake in personalized pharmacogenetic testing had similar gains in knowledge and attitude.\n\nConclusionThis study demonstrates the feasibility and importance of educating future pharmacists by incorporating pharmacogenetic testing into professional school curricula. Students who opt not to participate in genotyping may still benefit by learning vicariously through the shared learning environment created by genotyped students.

Scientific Communication and Education↗

bioRxiv2025

Elucidating the perception, awareness and biosecurity practices among the live poultry/poultry-meat sellers to mitigate the risk of zoonotic salmonellosis

Zoonotic salmonellosis remains a major public health concern, especially in low-resource settings where poultry handling practices are often informal. Biosecurity measure of live poultry/poultry-meat vending shop is necessary to address this zoonoses. This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes, and biosecurity practices of poultry/poultry-meat sellers toward the risk of zoonotic salmonellosis in Bangladesh. A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among the 432 poultry/poultry-meat sellers through a structured questionnaire in multistage sampling approach. Majority of the poultry/poultry-meat sellers (n=432) were male (75.5%), age between 26-34 years (31.9%), had primary education (28.9%), experience of [≤]5 years (40.3%), and monthly income was <20000 BDT (43.3%). Additionally, minimal had training on live poultry marketing (33.1%), and poultry-meat processing and marketing (28.5%). The 33.34% and 62.03% of poultry/poultry-meat sellers had the good knowledge and positive attitudes respectively. While 41.43% were involved in correct biosecurity practice. Moreover, the mean KAP score was 53.12{+/-}0.89, 68.59{+/-}0.79 and 54.58{+/-}0.73 respectively. From the multivariate analyses, higher education was a strong predictor of good knowledge (Bachelors degree: OR=6.64, 95%CI:2.59-17.04, p<0.01), positive attitude (Bachelors degree: OR=13.48, 95%CI:3.72-48.87, p<0.01), and correct biosecurity practices (HS: OR=5.52, 95%CI:2.62-11.63, p<0.01; Bachelors degree: OR=4.81, 95%CI:2.03-11.39, p<0.01). The sellers with good knowledge, positive attitudes, and correct biosecurity practices perceived higher zoonotic risk (median=7, p<0.05), with perception co-relation that significantly influenced by education (r=0.131, p<0.01) and training (r=0.084, p<0.05). Despite moderate awareness, sellers showed notable gaps in safe practices, highlighting the need for practical training that enhances risk perception, promotes behaviour change, and builds hands-on biosecurity skills.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2024

Employing Microsoft Sway as a Repository for Data Generated in Pharmaceutics Experimental Courses: A Case study on Topical Formulation Characterization

Microsoft Sway is an easy-to-use online creative software developed by Microsoft. It has many advantages as follows: easy to operate and does not require long-term practice and learning; network links can be created and accessed by devices such as Personal Computer (PC) and mobile terminals; Educators and Learners are allowed to browse this repository at anytime to facilitate the application prospects of mining relevant data. Therefore, the author proposes that Microsoft Sway may be a very promising data repository for pharmaceutical experimental teaching courses, and is expected to be extended to undergraduate experimental teaching in other natural science fields.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2019

Visual impairment, spectacle wear and academic performance among junior high school students in western China

In September 2013, 2248 students from 36 junior high schools in Shaanxi Province underwent assessment of visual acuity (VA), completed a questionnaire about their spectacle use and were administered a standardized mathematics examination. Among 2,248 students (mean age 13.6 years, 52% male), visual impairment was present in 699 (31%, 95% Confidence Interval 29-33%). Spectacle wear was observed in 360 of 966 children needing glasses (37%). Ownership of spectacles among children needing glasses was associated with poorer uncorrected vision in the better-seeing eye (P <0.001) and paternal educational (p=0.001), but not age, sex, boarding at school, both parents having out-migrated for work or maternal education. Spectacle ownership among children with visual impairment was associated with better test performance (P=0.035). Therefore, visual impairment and non-wear of spectacle were common. Wearing spectacles was associated with better academic performance in this cross-sectional analysis, consistent with recent trial results among younger children.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2020

Experiences of cervical cancer survivors in Chitwan, Nepal: a qualitative study

Introduction Cervical cancer is a global leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The majority of cervical cancer deaths occur in developing countries including Nepal. Though knowledge of cervical cancer is an important determinant of women’s participation in prevention and screening for cervical cancer, little is known about this topic in Nepal. This study explores the experiences of cervical cancer survivors and assesses the attitude of family and community towards it and stigma related to this disease in Bharatpur, Nepal.Methods The study design is qualitative methods involving two focus-group discussions. A total of 17 cervical cancer survivors were selected purposively from Chitwan. All qualitative data were transcribed and translated into English and were thematically analyzed.Results Majority of the participants had scant knowledge about cervical cancer, its causative agent, showed less cervical cancer screening, delayed healthcare-seeking behavior despite having persistent symptoms before the diagnosis. The main reasons identified for not uptaking the cervical screening methods are an embarrassment and having no symptoms at all. Most of them endured social stigma related to cervical cancer in the form of physical isolation and verbal abuse.Conclusions There is an urgent need for interventions to make women and the public aware of cervical cancer and launch effective health education campaigns, policies for cervical cancer prevention programs. This implementation can save the lives of hundreds of women and help them avoid going through all the negative experiences related to cervical cancer. More studies are required to gain the perspectives, knowledge, experiences, and attitudes of cervical cancer survivors to add to the research.View Full Text

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2022

Cloud-controlled microscopy enables remote project-based biology education in Latinx communities in the United States and Latin America

Project-based learning (PBL) has long been recognized as an effective way to teach complex biology concepts. However, not all institutions have the resources to facilitate effective project-based coursework for students. We have developed a framework for facilitating PBL using remote-controlled internet-connected microscopes. Through this approach, one lab facility can host an experiment allowing simultaneous interaction by many students worldwide. Experiments on this platform can be run on long timescales and with materials that are typically unavailable to high school classrooms. This allows students to perform novel research projects rather than just repeat standard classroom experiments. To investigate the impact of this program, we designed and ran six user studies with students worldwide. All experiments were executed in Santa Cruz and San Francisco, California, with observations and decisions made remotely by the students using their personal computers and cellphones. In surveys gathered after the experiments conclusion, students reported increased excitement for science and a greater desire to pursue a career in STEM. This framework represents a novel, scalable, and effective PBL approach that has the potential to democratize biology and STEM education around the world.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2019

Challenges and Strategies for Recruiting Type 1 Diabetes Families in Kuwait with Strong Beliefs in Familism

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is one of the most common endocrine and metabolic conditions in children. In fact, this disease in children and adolescents has been increasing exponentially, with Kuwait being ranked second highest in the world regarding the number of T1D incidences. Kuwait is an oil-rich country known for its strong sense of familism, affiliative obedience, and filial obligation. Therefore, a familial study of this disease may disclose certain causative agents responsible for passing the disease on to subsequent generations.\n\nTo recruit T1D patients and their family members, three different scenarios were developed. First, since Kuwaiti families are generally obedient to their doctors, the authors decided to recruit the patients through their endocrine physicians. Second, home visits were performed for meeting the families requirements. In this case, a team consisting of one nurse, two phlebotomists (a male and a female, since some refused to be seen by the opposite gender), and a driver of the institutes car was arranged. Finally, two diabetes educators were employed to resolve any issues raised during the recruitment process. Utilizing these approaches helped convince the culturally and religiously oriented Kuwaiti families to participate in this study. In this case, the doctors and educators were not only aware of the obstacles in this population but also sensitive to the families beliefs. This paper reports on our experience in recruitment and presents a roadmap for any future familial studies on culturally tailored societies i.e. Arab populations.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2024

Development and Utilization of 3D Anatomy Education Content using Metaverse and XR for Remote Telemedicine Education

The objective of this study is to explore innovative integration within the field of anatomy education by leveraging HoloLens 2 Augmented Reality Head-Mounted Display (AR HMD) technology and real-time cloud rendering. Initial 3D datasets, comprising extensive anatomical information for each bone, were obtained through the 3D scanning of a full-body cadaver of Korean male origin. Subsequently, these datasets underwent refinement processes aimed at enhancing visual fidelity and optimizing polygon counts, utilizing Blender software. Unity was employed for the development of the Metaverse platform, incorporating tailored 3D User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) components to facilitate interactive anatomy education via imported cadaver models. Integration with real-time remote rendering cloud servers, such as Azure, was implemented to augment the performance and rendering capabilities of the HoloLens 2 AR HMD. The extended reality (XR) content uses the Photon Cloud network for real-time data synchronization and HoloLens 2 voice functionality. The metaverse platform supports user interaction through room creation and joining, with various tools for bone manipulation, color differentiation, and surface output. Collaboration features enable sharing and synchronization of model states. The study highlights the importance of technological innovation in anatomy education for future medical professionals. The proposed content aims to address limitations of traditional methods and enhance learning experiences. Continued efforts in developing and improving such technologies are crucial to equip learners with essential skills for adaptation in the evolving healthcare landscape. keyword: Metaverse, Anatomy, Cadaver, Extended Reality(XR), Virtual Reality(VR)

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2018

Pain neuroscience education on YouTube: a systematic review

ObjectivesThe Internet in general, and YouTube in particular, is now one of the most popular sources of health-related information. Pain neuroscience education has become a primary tool for managing persistent pain, based in part on the discovery that information about pain can change pain. Our objective was to examine the availability, characteristics, and content of YouTube videos providing pain neuroscience education.\n\nMethodsWe conducted a systematic review of videos on YouTube using the search terms \"pain education\", \"what is pain\", and \"pain brain\" in January 2018. Videos were included if they were in English, were under 10 minutes long, and included information on the neuroscience of pain. Videos were coded for i) descriptive characteristics (e.g., number of views, duration on YouTube), ii) source and style, iii) whether or not they addressed seven pre-determined target concepts of pain neuroscience education (e.g., Pain is not an accurate marker of tissue state), and iv) how engaging they were.\n\nResultsWe found 106 unique videos that met the inclusion criteria. The videos ranged from having four views to over five million views (Mdn = 1163 views), with the three most highly viewed videos accounting for 75% of the total views. Animated videos were much more highly viewed than non-animated videos. Only a small number of videos had been posted by a clearly-identifiable reputable source such as an academic or medical research institution (10%), although a number of videos were posted by healthcare professionals and professional medical societies. For a small number of videos (7%), the source was unclear. We found 17 videos that addressed at least one target concept of pain neuroscience science education, only nine of which were considered to be engaging. The target concept Pain is a brain output was considered to be well addressed by the most videos (N = 11), followed by Pain is a protector (N = 10). We found only one video that adequately addressed all seven target concepts of pain neuroscience education.\n\nDiscussionYouTube contains a variety of videos that practitioners, patients, and families may view to access pain neuroscience education information. A small portion of these videos addressed one or more target concepts of pain neuroscience education in an engaging manner. It is yet to be determined to what extent patients are able to learn information from these videos, to what extent the videos promote behavior change, and thus to what extent the videos may be useful for clinical practice.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2020

Knowledge syntheses in medical education: A bibliometric analysis

Purpose This bibliometric analysis maps the landscape of knowledge syntheses in medical education. It provides scholars with a roadmap for understanding where the field has been and where it might go in the future. In particular, this analysis details the venues in which knowledge syntheses are published, the types of syntheses conducted, citation rates they produce, and altmetric attention they garner.Method In 2020, the authors conducted a bibliometric analysis of knowledge syntheses published in 14 core medical education journals from 1999 to 2019. To characterize the studies, metadata was extracted from Pubmed, Web of Science, Altmetrics Explorer, and Unpaywall.Results The authors analyzed 963 knowledge syntheses representing 3.1% of total articles published (n=30,597). On average, 45.9 knowledge syntheses were published annually (SD=35.85, Median=33), and there was an overall 2,620% increase in the number of knowledge syntheses published from 1999 to 2019. The journals each published, on average, a total of 68.8 knowledge syntheses (SD=67.2, Median=41) with Medical Education publishing the most (n=189; 19%). Twenty-one knowledge synthesis types were identified; the most prevalent types were systematic reviews (n=341; 35.4%) and scoping reviews (n=88; 9.1%). Knowledge syntheses were cited an average of 53.80 times (SD=107.12, Median=19) and received a mean Altmetric Attention Score of 14.12 (SD=37.59, Median=6).Conclusions There has been considerable growth in knowledge syntheses in medical education over the past 20 years, contributing to medical education’s evidence base. Beyond this increase in volume, researchers have introduced methodological diversity in these publications, and the community has taken to social media to share knowledge syntheses. Implications for the field, including the impact of synthesis types and their relationship to knowledge translation, are discussed.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.View Full Text

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2018

Quality circles for quality improvement in primary health care: their effectiveness, gaps of knowledge, origins and significance - a scoping review

BackgroundQuality circles, or similarly structured small groups in primary health care, such as peer review groups, consist of 6 to 12 professionals from the same background who meet regularly to improve their standard practice. This paper reports the results from a scoping search performed to clarify possible effectiveness, knowledge gaps, underlying concepts and significance.\n\nObjectivesTo gain insight into knowledge gaps and understanding of the effectiveness, origins and significance of quality circles.\n\nMethodsA search strategy was developed starting with quality circle in PubMed and the index terms from those articles revealed were then used as search terms to identify further papers. Repeating this process in collaboration with a librarian, search strings relating to quality circles were built, and databases searched up to December 2017. Any paper on structured quality circles or related small group work in primary health care was included when relevant to the objectives.\n\nResultsFrom 11973 citations, 82 background papers and 58 key papers were identified, in addition to 12 books and 10 websites. 19 studies, one paper summarizing three studies and one systematic review suggest that quality circles can be effective in behaviour change, though with varying effect sizes. Quality circles and their techniques are complex, as they are not standardized, and changes seem to depend on the topic and context, which requires further research into how and why they work in order to improve them. From their origins in industry, they are now used in primary health care in many countries for continuous medical education, continuous professional development and quality improvement.\n\nConclusionThe evidence on quality circles indicates that they can successfully change general practitioner behaviour. As they are a complex intervention, theory-driven research approaches are needed to understand and improve their effectiveness. This is of major importance because they play an important role in quality improvement in primary health care in many countries.

scientific communication and education↗