What the HEC-C? An Analysis of the Healthcare Ethics Consultant-Certified Program: One Year in

Abstract

Efforts to professionalize the field of bioethics have led to the development of the Healthcare Ethics Consultant-Certified (HEC-C) Program intended to credential practicing healthcare ethics consultants (HCECs). Our team of professional ethicists participated in the inaugural process to support the professionalization efforts and inform our views on the value of this credential from the perspective of ethics consultants. In this paper, we explore the history that has led to this certification process, and evaluate the ability of the HEC-C Program to meet the goals it has set forth for HCECs. We describe the benefits and weaknesses of the program and offer constructive feedback on how the process might be strengthened, as well as share our team’s experience in preparing for the exam.     

Information and action in punching a falling ball

Lee, Young, Reddish, Lough, and Clayton (1983) reported that the timing control of jumping and vertically punching a dropping ball exploits the inverse of the rate of change of optical expansion, τ(r). We raise a number of methodological and logical criticisms against their experiment and conclusions and attempt to rectify them by examining elbow joint angles only,in seated punchers, under both monocular and binocular conditions, with two ball sizes, dropped from two heights. Differences between the binocular and monocular cases suggest the exploitation of different information. We present several techniques to help determine the operative variable(s) controlling the action. The optical variable used to initiate and guide flexion appeared to be expansion velocity (looming), rather than τ(r); extension appeared to be under the control of different variables in the monocular and binocular cases. Simulations using single variables and single perceptuo-motor intervals were of mixed success.     

Suicide Clusters: A Review of Risk Factors and Mechanisms

Suicide clusters, although uncommon, cause great concern in the communities in which they occur. We searched the world literature on suicide clusters and describe the risk factors and proposed psychological mechanisms underlying the spatio‐temporal clustering of suicides (point clusters). Potential risk factors include male gender, being an adolescent or young adult, drug or alcohol abuse, and past history of self‐harm. However, the majority of studies lack methodological rigor. Many different psychological mechanisms are described, including contagion, imitation, suggestion, learning, and assortative relating, but supporting empirical evidence is generally lacking. More scientifically rigorous studies are needed to improve understanding of suicide clusters.     

Friendships in middle childhood: Links to peer and school identification,and general self-worth

Children's friendships are important for well-being and school adjustment, but few studies have examined multiple indices of friendships together in middle childhood. The current study surveyed 7- to 11-year-olds (n = 314) about their friendships, best friendships, friendship quality and indices of self-worth, identification with peers, and identification with school. Peer relationships were positively related to self-worth, but not identification with peers or school. Best friendship quality moderated the relationship between number of reciprocated friendship nominations and self-worth. Children with a reciprocated best friend had higher friendship quality and peer identification than others. Where best friendship was reciprocated, the relationship with identification with peers was mediated via positive friendship quality. The results suggest that friendship reciprocity is particularly relevant for children's self-worth and identification with peers. The findings are discussed in relation to the importance of fostering the development of reciprocated friendships.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

• Friendships are related to well-being, school relations, and how young people feel about their peers at school.
• Friendship quality may be important in moderating the relationship between peer relations and adjustment.

What does this study add?

• Various aspects of friendships are studied simultaneously with younger children than much previous research.
• Reciprocated best friendships were better quality than partial or non-reciprocated best friendships.
• Friendship reciprocity was most relevant for children's self-worth and peer identification.

     

PEDAGOGICAL KNOWLEDGE AND ELEMENTARY READING METHODOLOGY TEXTBOOKS: IN SEARCH OF A SHARED PARADIGM

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether there is evidence to support the existence of a shared paradigm of pedagogical knowledge in elementary reading methodology textbooks. To accomplish this purpose, a computer‐based citation concordance was prepared that represented 5,760 references from 12 elementary reading methodology textbooks with copyright dates ranging from 1985 to 1989. The results suggest the existence of a shared paradigm of pedagogical knowledge in elementary reading methodology textbooks. The shared paradigm is not sharply defined and unambiguous in content, instead, it is composed of a complex amalgam of knowledge on philosophies, principles and practices representing a variety of perspectives.