New technologies and nursing: use and perception of primary healthcare nurses about electronic health record in Catalonia, Spain

This study was aimed to analyze and assess the use and perception of electronic health records (EHRs) by nurses. The study sample included 113 nurses from different shifts of primary health facilities in Catalonia, Spain, devoted to adult as well as pediatric outpatients using EHRs throughout the year 2010. A majority of the sample (87.5%) were women and 12.5% were men. The average age was 44.27 years and the average time working in primary healthcare was 47.15 months. A majority (80.4%) received specific training on the use of the EHR and 19.6% did not. The use of the application required side technical support (mean: 3.42) and it is considered necessary to learn more about the performance of the application (mean: 3.50). The relationship between the average ratings that nurses have about the EHR and age shows that there is no statistically significant linear relationship (r = - 0.002, p-value = 0.984). As to how long they have used the EHRs, there are significant differences (r= -0.304, p-value = 0.00), so the more time the nurse takes using the EHR, the greater degree of satisfaction is shown. In addition, there are significant differences between nurses" perceptions regarding the EHR and gender (t = - 0.421, p-value = 0.675). Nurses assessed as positive the contribution of the EHRs in their nursing care day work (average score: 2.55/5). Considering that the usability of the EHR device is assessed as satisfactory, the results of the perception of nurses show that we must also take into account the training and emphasize the need for a side technical support in the implementation process of the EHR. Doing so, the positive perception that nurses have in regard to information and communication technology in general and with respect to the EHR in particular may be increased.

Managing induced tourism image : relational patterns and the life cycle

The tourism image is an element that conditions the competitiveness of tourism destinations by making them stand out in the minds of tourists. In this context, marketers of tourism destinations endeavour to create an induced image based on their identity and distinctive characteristics.A number of authors have also recognized the complexity of tourism destinations and the need for coordination and cooperation among all tourism agents, in order to supply a satisfactory tourist product and be competitive in the tourism market. Therefore, tourism agents at the destination need to develop and integrate strategic marketing plans.The aim of this paper is to determine how cities of similar cultures use their resources with the purpose of developing a distinctive induced tourism image to attract tourists and the extent of coordination and cooperation among the various tourism agents of a destination in the process of induced image creation.In order to accomplish these aims, a comparative analysis of the induced image of two cultural cities is presented, Girona (Spain) and Perpignan (France). The induced image is assessed through the content analysis of promotional brochures and the extent of cooperation with in-depth interviews of the main tourism agents of these destinations.Despite the similarities of both cities in terms of tourism resources, results show the use of different attributes to configure the induced image of each destination, as well as a different configuration of the network of tourism agents that participate in the process of induced image creation

Young Firms and R&D subsidies in Catalonia

Based on four different public R&D calls from the Catalan government, this article evaluates the propensity of entrants and young firms to apply for R&D public grants and, as compared to their counterparts, their capacity for obtaining subsides. This analysis is particularly relevant since entrants and young firms encounter greater market difficulties. Our sample contains 22,139 firms and corresponds to a merge of two databases: one from the Catalan agency responsible for promoting private innovation (ACC1Ó) and the other from the Mercantile Register. Merging these databases has two advantages. Firstly, participants and non-participants in the public R&D call (“InnoEmpresa”) are included and, secondly, it provides us with information at firm and project level. The period of observation is between 2006 and 2010, since some explanatory variables are lagged by one period. We apply a two-step methodology. Our results show that entrants and young firms show a lower propensity to apply for R&D subsidies and to obtain R&D public grants. Firm size, exports and participation in a previous call show a positive impact on the likelihood of applying, and firms located in the Barcelona metropolitan area have a greater propensity to apply. Additionally, project quality and R&D cooperative reports presented jointly with other partners have a positive impact on the likelihood of obtaining the R&D subsidy. Finally, firms that have previously obtained an R&D subsidy do not exhibit a greater propensity for obtaining subsequent grants. Keywords: R&D subsidies, entrants and young firms Classification JEL: L53, L25, O38

Travellers' profile, travel patterns and vaccine practices-a 10-year prospective study in a Swiss Travel Clinic.

BACKGROUND: The travel clinic in Lausanne serves a catchment area of 700 000 of inhabitants and provides pre- and post-travel consultations. This study describes the profile of attendees before departure, their travel patterns and the travel clinic practices in terms of vaccination over time. METHODS: We included all pre-travel first consultation data recorded between November 2002 and December 2012 by a custom-made program DIAMM/G. We analysed client profiles, travel characteristics and vaccinations prescribed over time. RESULTS: Sixty-five thousand and forty-six client-trips were recorded. Fifty-one percent clients were female. Mean age was 32 years. In total, 0.1% were aged <1 year and 0.2% ≥80 years. Forty-six percent of travellers had pre-existing medical conditions. Forty-six percent were travelling to Africa, 35% to Asia, 20% to Latin America and 1% (each) to Oceania and Europe; 19% visited more than one country. India was the most common destination (9.6% of travellers) followed by Thailand (8.6%) and Kenya (6.4%). Seventy-three percent of travellers were planning to travel for ≤ 4 weeks. The main reasons for travel were tourism (75%) and visiting friends and relatives (18%). Sixteen percent were backpackers. Pre-travel advice were sought a median of 29 days before departure. Ninety-nine percent received vaccine(s). The most frequently administered vaccines were hepatitis A (53%), tetanus-diphtheria (46%), yellow fever (39%), poliomyelitis (38%) and typhoid fever (30%). CONCLUSIONS: The profile of travel clinic attendees was younger than the general Swiss population. A significant proportion of travellers received vaccinations that are recommended in the routine national programme. These findings highlight the important role of travel clinics to (i) take care of an age group that has little contact with general practitioners and (ii) update vaccination status. The most commonly prescribed travel-related vaccines were for hepatitis A and yellow fever. The question remains to know whether clients do attend travel clinics because of compulsory vaccinations or because of real travel health concern or both.

Aquaculture production in areas with high seasonal temperature variations: Development of planning tools

Postprint (published version)

Notes breus (flora). Amorpha fruticosa L. (Papilionaceae) al Baix Empordà = Amorpha fruticosa L. (Papilionaceae) in the Baix Empordà (NE Catalonia)

Nota breu de flora sobre la presència d’un arbre caducifoli originari del centre i de l’est d’Amèrica del Nord que s’ha trobat naturalitzat a la desembocadura del rec del Molí de Pals

Notes breus (flora). Saxifraga stolonifera Meerb. (= S. sarmentosa L.) a La Garrotxa Saxifraga stolonifera Meerb. (= S. sarmentosa L.) in La Garrotxa (NE Catalonia)

Nota breu de flora que fa referència a la presència de Saxifraga stolonifera Meerb a La Garrotxa

Notes breus (flora). Sicyos angulatus L. al Gironès = Sicyos angulatus L. in Gironès (Catalonia)

Nota breu de flora sobre la presència de Sicyos angulatus L., recollida al llarg del riu Ter, als municipis de Girona,Celrà i Bordils (Gironès, quadrats UTM 31T DG84, DG85 i DG95), entre els 40 i 65 md’altitud

[Notes breus (fauna)] Primera citació de brema blanca (Abramis bjoerkna) a Catalunya i noves introduccions de peixos exòtics (Alburnus alburnus, Sander lucioperca i Silurus glanis) a diverses conques catalanes = First record of white bream (Abramis bjoerkna) in Catalonia (Spain) and new introductions of exotic fish (Alburnus alburnus, Sander lucioperca and Silurus glanis) into Catalan river basins

En aquesta nota es recullen noves observacions de diverses espècies de peixos exòtics obtingudes en un mostreig efectuat de febrer a maig de 2003, en catorze embassaments de Catalunya

Anàlisi de la gestió turística del Museu de Terrassa

El museu de Terrassa acull elements del patrimoni que expliquen la història i evolució de la ciutat més enllà dels elements modernistes o industrials. El museu disposa de cinc seus ubicats arreu de la ciutat. Les cinc seus del museu són de diferents èpoques i amb continguts diversos. L’objectiu d’aquest treball és analitzar aquests elements com a un sol producte ja que, a priori, sembla un conjunt poc estructurat on cada secció funciona per separat

La Iluminación de las ciudades y su imagen nocturna: caso de Lyon y Barcelona

Este trabajo pretende estudiar el uso que se hace de la iluminación para la puesta en valor del patrimonio. Aquí veremos las medidas, normativas, y usos que emplea la ciudad en el espacio nocturno y la relación que tiene con el turismo. Ver si se transmite a través de la imagen inducida nocturna de la ciudad. En un segundo tiempo, miraremos si esas medidas influyen en la imagen del destino. Es decir, si las intenciones de los agentes inductivos, con las medidas, proyectos y normativas se ven reflejados y presentes en las imágenes inducidas del destino

The practical application of e-Portfolio at the Open University of Catalonia : assessment of competence based learning

The paper presents the results of the piloting or pilot test in a virtual classroom. This e-portfolio was carried out in the 2005-2006 academic year, with students of the Doctorate in Information Society, at the Open University of Catalonia. The electronic portfolio is a strategy for competence based assessment. This experience shows the types of e-portfolios, where students show their work without interactions, and apply the competence-based learning theories in an interactive portfolio system. The real process of learning is developed in the competency based system, the portfolio not only is a basic bio document, has become a real space for learning with competence model. The paper brings out new ideas and possibilities: the competence-based learning promotes closer relationships between universities and companies and redesigns the pedagogic act.

Simulation of a Virtual Campus at the Open University of Catalonia

Peer-reviewed

El Turisme de memòria a Catalunya: realitat i perspectives d'un model incipient

Catalunya disposa a l’actualitat de nombrosos equipaments culturals destinats a la difusió memorial mitjançant la pràctica turística creant-se, tanmateix, les primeres estructures en xarxa per tal de fer que aquests espais disposin d’un relat conjunt, element indispensable en el qual recolzar-se a l’hora d’emprendre qualsevol estratègia de difusió. El model català, però, pot dir-se que està en fase embrionària, i des d’aquest moment en endavant ens correspon als professionals i acadèmics treballar de cara a la seva consolidació. Aquest estudi posa les bases per a la investigació en clau turística sobre els Espais de Memòria