Innovative technologies have become a key driver of global development, enhancing communication, streamlining processes, and facilitating institutional collaboration. This study examines the perceptions of researchers and academic staff involved in research activities within educational institutions in Romania, a country that has faced challenges in intellectual property management and registration processes. The research focuses on the innovation registration process and the need for an online platform leveraging new digital technologies for intellectual property protection. Using an econometric model developed and tested through WarpPLS 8.0, the analysis reveals that 84% of respondents’ perceptions of the innovation registration process can be explained by the independent variables at the pattern level. The findings underscore the importance of aligning global legislative frameworks to stimulate innovation, promote intellectual property rights registration, and support sustainable economic growth. Furthermore, the study advocates for the development of an online platform that integrates artificial intelligence to enhance its functionality, streamline the application process, and foster the creation and dissemination of innovative technologies. By addressing these issues in Romania, the research contributes to global sustainable development objectives by providing a model for improving innovation registration processes worldwide, thus promoting technological advancement, intellectual property protection, and sustainable economic growth.
Background: Integrative and complementary medicine has gained increasing recognition as a patient-centered approach to managing chronic conditions, particularly through the integration of advanced medical technologies into conventional care. These approaches aim to enhance treatment effectiveness, improve patient experience, and support long-term health outcomes, while promoting a more holistic and personalized model of healthcare delivery. Methods: This study employs a cross-sectional quantitative research design based on a sample of 159 patients who underwent treatments involving advanced medical technologies integrated into integrative medicine protocols. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using a structural equation modeling approach to assess the relationships between key determinants and patient satisfaction. Results: The findings indicate that patient satisfaction is significantly associated with perceived benefits and trust, while prior experience and perceived costs exert weaker effects. In contrast, perceived outcomes and service quality did not show statistically significant associations with patient satisfaction within the analyzed sample. The independent variables included in the model explained 69% of the variance in patient satisfaction. Furthermore, patient satisfaction explained 42% of the variance in patients’ intention to reuse such treatments. Conclusions: The patients included in the study reported high levels of satisfaction with advanced medical technology-based treatments in integrative medicine. The results highlight the importance of perceptual factors, particularly perceived benefits and trust, in shaping patient satisfaction within integrative care settings. These findings may support the integration of advanced medical technologies into patient-centered healthcare models and contribute to the ongoing development of innovative and sustainable practices in integrative and complementary medicine.
Background/Objectives: Healthcare professions impose high physical and mental demands, potentially affecting health. Despite advocating for active lifestyles, many physiotherapists do not meet recommended physical activity levels (PALs). This study explores physical activity patterns and recreational engagement among practicing physiotherapists. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational design examined the relationship between physical activity and recreational participation among 60 physiotherapists (38 females, 22 males, mean age 38.62 ± 9.78 years). Data were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and the Pittsburgh Enjoyable Activities Test (PEAT). The analysis focused on bivariate correlations between PAL, energy expenditure (MET), recreational habits (PEAT score), and sociodemographic and anthropometric variables. Results: The IPAQ-SF results indicated that 38.3% of participants had a low PAL, 40.0% a moderate level, and 21.7% a high level. Average energy expenditure was 1927.62 ± 1479.73 MET-minutes/week. PEAT data indicated moderate engagement in recreational activities (mean score: 22.63 ± 7.76), with participants predominantly involved in low-intensity, passive leisure. Significant positive correlations were observed between PEAT scores and both MET values (Kendall’s tau-b = 0.669, p ≤ 0.01) and PALs (Kendall’s tau-b = 0.804, p ≤ 0.01), indicating that higher engagement in recreational activities is associated with greater energy expenditure and overall physical activity levels. Conclusions: Despite the physical demands of their profession, many physiotherapists report low activity levels. The positive correlations between physical activity, energy expenditure, and recreational engagement highlight the need for structured exercise to support both personal health and professional integrity. Future research should include larger samples and objective assessments.
Background/Objectives: Patient-centered care has become an important component of chronic disease management. Patients are increasingly involved in complex decisions about their treatment, while effective doctor–patient communication, access to clear medical information, and active involvement in decision-making can contribute to a better care experience. This study aimed to identify the main factors associated with patient participation in medical decision-making and to examine the relationship between participation and patient satisfaction. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 176 patients with chronic conditions. Data were collected using an online questionnaire. The proposed relationships between doctor–patient communication, trust in the doctor, ability to understand medical information, patient involvement in their own care, quality of information provided, participation in medical decision-making, and patient satisfaction were examined using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Results: All five factors examined were positively and significantly associated with patient participation in medical decision-making. Doctor–patient communication showed the strongest association, followed by patient involvement in their own care and ability to understand medical information. The model explained 69.3% of the variance in participation in medical decision-making (R2 = 0.693). Participation was strongly associated with patient satisfaction and explained 56.2% of its variance (R2 = 0.562). Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of actively involving patients with chronic conditions in medical decision-making. Greater patient participation was associated with higher satisfaction with the care received.