• For many IT professional aspirants, technical support or help-desk positions remain a traditional entry point into the field. 
• Help-desk certifications tend to focus on technical support skills and specific vendors or overarching help-desk functions and job roles. 
• Valuable certifications include proprietary certs from companies like Apple and Microsoft and broader learning-path certifications from companies like CompTIA and ITIL. 
• This article is for IT professionals interested in pursuing help-desk certifications to further their careers.

Technical support and help-desk positions are traditional entry points for IT professionals navigating their career paths. Earning a respected help-desk certification can help IT professionals stand out, validate valuable knowledge and skills, and demonstrate their willingness to learn to employers and hiring managers. 

Help-desk certifications tend to focus on two areas: overarching help-desk functions and job roles or technical support skills with an emphasis on specific vendor platforms or products.

We’ll highlight help-desk certifications that fit both categories while also considering employer preferences and specific in-demand career skills these certifications help verify. 

Did you know?: Some organizations incorporate the best live chat apps into their help-desk offerings to quickly track and resolve issues.

Top help-desk certifications for IT professionals

Some organizations staff help-desk positions to meet support requirements for specific vendor products, platforms, and tools. Others want team members with an excellent general technical background and an understanding of IT operations, practices and procedures. 

Consider the following well-regarded help-desk certifications and determine which ones best suit your needs and career path. 

1. CompTIA A+2023

CompTIA A+ is an excellent entry-level certification for those entering the IT help-desk and hardware support professions. More than 1 million people have earned this credential, and its popularity with IT professionals and employers remains high. 

CompTIA A+ is one of CompTIA’s core credentials; it’s an ideal foundational certification for candidates pursuing a wide range of other IT certifications. (Visit CompTIA’s career path planning tool to see its versatility.) The A+ is well-known and respected in various IT circles; the Department of Defense recognizes it, and it’s a service technician requirement for many enterprise-level companies, including Dell, HP and Intel.

A+ credential holders are support technicians — either in-house or field techs — who can take on the following responsibilities:

• Install, configure, and maintain PCs, laptops, printers and mobile devices.
• Dig into PC and mobile operating systems to configure and troubleshoot those systems.
• Perform basic networking tasks.

In April 2022, CompTIA launched a new CompTIA A+ credential (CompTIA A+ 2023). In this iteration, candidates can expect to find the following updates:

• Greater emphasis on security
• Increased reliance on software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications for remote work, data management, and scripting 
• Focus on a range of operating systems beyond Microsoft systems 

The new exam addresses nine core competencies:

1. Harware. CompTIA A+ 2023 addresses identifying, using and connecting hardware devices and components.
2. Operating systems. CompTIA A+ 2023 focuses on installing and supporting Windows OS and system configuration and troubleshooting for macOS, Chrome OS, Linux and Android.
3. Networking. CompTIA A+ 2023 explores networks and connection types like TCP/IP, Wi-Fi, and SOHO.
4. Software troubleshooting. CompTIA A+ 2023 addresses troubleshooting software for PCs, mobile devices and application security support.
5. Troubleshooting. CompTIA A+ 2023 addresses troubleshooting network and real-world device issues.
6. Security. CompTIA A+ 2023 addresses identifying and protecting against device and network security vulnerabilities.
7. Mobile devices. CompTIA A+ 2023 addresses installing and configuring mobile devices.
8. Virtualization and cloud computing. CompTIA A+ 2023 addresses virtualization and cloud computing elements, including setting up client-side virtualization and understanding different cloud computing concepts.
9. Operation procedures. CompTIA A+ 2023 addresses demonstrating and following best practices for communication, safety, and environmental factors.

Two exams are still required to earn the credential:

• Core 1 exam. The Core 1 (220-1101) exam focuses on cloud computing and virtualization, hardware, network technology and mobile devices. 
• Core 2 exam. The Core 2 (220-1102) exam covers operating system installation and configuration, security, operational procedures and troubleshooting software.

The previous version of the A+ exam was launched in January 2019 and retired in October 2023. If you’re starting preparations for the CompTIA A+ exam, ensure you’re studying for the latest exam version.

Did you know?: CompTIA certifications are part of a broader iterative roadmap. For example, A+ leads to CompTIA’s Network+ certification, which opens into a wider range of certifications for cybersecurity, administration and more.

CompTIA A+ facts and figures

Tip: When you’re ready to move beyond fundamental networking tasks, consider additional certifications to advance your networking career and achieve titles like network specialist, network administrator or network technician.

2. Apple Certified Support Professional

If you’re a fan of MacBooks and all things Apple, the Apple Certified Support Professional certification is a must. Targeting IT professionals who support Macs, iPhones and iPads in business, this certification validates a candidate’s knowledge and the technical skills necessary to support these platforms and Mac products. 

To earn the certification, candidates must pass the Apple Device Support exam. While the exam has no prerequisites, Apple encourages all aspirants to view the free Apple Device Support tutorials. Additionally, Apple encourages people to have hands-on experience supporting Apple devices with at least 30 to 60 hours of preparation experience. 

The Apple Certified Support Professional is also an excellent starting certification for moving deeper into the Apple space, as it’s a prerequisite to earning the Apple Certified IT Professional certification. As Apple devices become more common in enterprise environments, demand for Apple knowledge may also increase. 

Apple certifications are increasingly popular, especially as Macs become more common in enterprise environments and companies switch from PC to Mac. Apple continues to demonstrate high-quality customer support by preparing in-house support professionals to help their organizations support Apple computers. 

Check out Apple’s Training and Certification page and select the certification of your choice for more info. 

Apple Certified Support Professional facts and figures

Tip: To further shore up your Apple device skills, consider pursuing the AppleCare Hardware Certification program, which is among the best computer hardware certifications around.

3. HDI-CSR: HDI Customer Service Representative

The HDI-CSR certification is designed for IT professionals in call or support centers. Candidates typically have the following talents: 

• Excellent soft skills that facilitate effective communication and listening
• Technical skills to assess customer needs
• The ability to troubleshoot and quickly resolve issues
• The ability to manage challenging customer interactions 

HDI highly recommends training for the HDI-CSR via an online course, virtual classroom or self-study. The training course contains four units that cover the courses below:

• The IT professional’s role in the support center
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
• Maximum effectiveness

To obtain the HDI-CSR, candidates must pass one exam that focuses on one of the following categories:

• Leadership (10 percent)
• Policy and strategy (10 percent)
• People management (10 percent)
• Resources (10 percent)
• Process and procedures (55 percent)
• Performance results (5 percent)

The HDI Learning Center administers the exam online, and it must be completed within six weeks of purchase.

Of all the help-desk certifications we’re highlighting, HDI’s offerings are probably the best-known and most respected of their kind in the industry. Anyone interested in career advancement in this fast-growing area of IT should dig into HDI’s certification credentials, especially at management levels. 

HDI offers a complete multi-tiered certification program that includes:

Other credentials of interest include:

HDI-CSR facts and figures

Did you know?: If you’re considering parlaying a technical position like a help-desk job into a career in IT management, it’s essential to work on your organizational, project management and people skills.

4. ITIL 4 Foundation

ITIL is an industry-accepted framework for managing IT service delivery. ITIL defines a service lifecycle model for processes and activities during the design, development, delivery, and support of IT services. Axelos, a U.K. company, develops best practices, maintains ITIL, and administers the ITIL certification program.

The ITIL Foundation is the entry-level certification in the ITIL scheme, which also includes Managing Professional, Strategic Leader and Extension Module certifications. At the Foundation level, an individual understands key concepts, terminology, roles, and core processes involved throughout the ITIL service lifecycle. 

Although the ITIL Foundation training and examination syllabus specifically includes a service desk component, the entire ITIL Foundation certification lends itself well to the help-desk industry.

Candidates can take a three-day training course through an Accredited Training Organization (ATO) or Accredited Trainer (using the Axelos Find a Trainer web page) and take the exam at the end of the course. Alternatively, they can self-study for the exam and take it at an ITIL Examination Institute. 

ITIL Foundation facts and figures

Tip: ITIL Foundation certification can also help you establish an enterprise IT architect career. ITIL certs are considered among the best enterprise architecture certifications to advance your IT career.

5. Microsoft 365: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate

Microsoft certifications now have a role-based approach. According to the Microsoft Training and Certification Guide, certs are available for five primary focus areas: Azure, Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365, Power Platform and Security. 

Our pick for the most helpful certification for help desk professionals is the Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate. The credential validates the following skills:

• Deploying, installing and configuring the Windows operating system
• Configuring and managing storage and connectivity for devices 
• Maintaining the Windows operating system
• Protecting any associated devices and all data within those devices
• Establishing identity and access management 
• Establishing and managing configuration profiles and compliance policies
• Protecting, maintaining, and managing devices
• Managing applications

To earn the credential, candidates must pass two exams:

• Windows Client (Exam MD-100) 
• Managing Modern Desktops (MD-101). 

Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate

Beyond the top 5 help desk certifications

In addition to the help-desk credentials we’ve highlighted, various outlets offer other tech support certification offerings. Here are some to consider:

• Ed2Go. Ed2Go (part of Cengage Learning, a major publisher of community college textbooks) offers a certificate program called Help Desk Analyst: Tier 1 Support Specialist. The program is part of business, computer science and information technology curricula at community colleges, universities, four-year colleges and private higher-education companies that offer IT training programs.
• RCCSP Professional Education Alliance. For help-desk professionals in leadership roles, RCCSP Professional Education Alliance offers the Help Desk Team Lead training and certification program. The two-day training program specifically targets professionals in leadership and management roles. courses covered include escalation and conflict management, help-desk processes and best practices, people management, coaching, and quality assurance. 

In the help-desk certification arena, the more you look around — and the more specific a target you choose — the more options you’ll find. Outside the credentials we’ve highlighted, proceed with caution.

Key takeaway: The technology field changes rapidly. New certifications arise, and existing ones are retired frequently. When pursuing help-desk certifications or any of the best IT certifications, ensure they address technologies with long shelf lives that will continue to be in demand.

Choosing the right certification

Selecting the right help-desk certification often means deciding or determining the best technology to focus on. For example, professionals working in environments with heavy Apple or Microsoft usage will likely benefit from those proprietary training paths. In contrast, generalists can find valuable information from HDI, ITIL or CompTIA paths. 

Ultimately, help-desk professionals should remember that skills from any certification will be transferable across roles. 

Jeremy Bender contributed to the reporting and writing in this article.

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

• CISSP certification is highly sought-after in the IT industry; it requires passing an exam and meeting an extensive qualification list.
• A fully accredited CISSP can earn between $120,552 and $135,510 in the U.S. and $92,639 to $123,490 globally. 
• Alternate ways to meet CISSP certification requirements include becoming an (ISC)²  Associate, applying for CompTIA certifications, and becoming an SSCP.
• This article is for IT professionals considering pursuing CISSP certification.

As all facets of society rely more on technology, information security has become paramount. With information readily available online, businesses must do everything possible to prevent data breaches and cyberattacks while safeguarding critical systems and data. 

With so much at risk, businesses need qualified people to manage their information systems. CISSP certification indicates professional excellence, assuring hiring managers that candidates have the in-demand career skills necessary to manage IT security.

We’ll explore what it takes to become a CISSP when navigating your career path in the IT industry.

What is a CISSP?

CISSP stands for Certified Information Systems Security Professional. It’s a globally recognized certification offered by the International System Security Certification Consortium, also known as (ISC)². CISSP is considered one of the best infosec and cybersecurity certifications around. 

Individuals seek CISSP certification to answer the call for experienced, highly capable IT professionals who can effectively manage an enterprise’s cybersecurity by applying IT security-related concepts and theories.

After passing the certification exam (which usually takes around six hours), CISSPs can take on various job titles, including the following: 

• Security Manager
• Security Analyst
• Chief Information Security Officer

No matter the job title, a CISSP always focuses on upholding a top-notch IT security system.

Did you know?: Earning the best IT certifications, including CISSP certification, is an excellent career advancement asset that validates your skills and knowledge.

How much does a CISSP make?

There are relatively few CISSPs in the industry, so those who pass the certification exam and meet the requirements are well-compensated.

Reports differ regarding how much CISSPs earn. For example, the Global Knowledge 2020 IT Skills and Salary Report said CISSPs are the third-highest earners in the IT industry worldwide while ranking fifth in the North America Region.

An (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce study shows that the global average security manager’s salary is $92,639. Below are the figures for different regions based on the latest available information.

On the other hand, according to the Certification Magazine-Salary Survey 75 report, average salaries are as follows:

The average global salaries from (ISC)² and CertMag differ; CertMag’s values combined U.S. and non-U.S. salaries. Additionally, while CertMag’s values were based on a study of only 55 respondents, (ISC)²’s statistics are derived from an industry-wide study and may be more representative of actual averages.

Tip: A CISSP certification is an excellent springboard into an information security career and a path toward helping to prevent network security threats and vulnerabilities via unified threat management.

What experience do you need to become a CISSP?

Despite the increasing demand for CISSPs, the (ISC)² imposes strict qualifications to ensure that only the most capable and experienced professionals earn the title. The industry is lucrative, but the requirements CISSPs must fulfill are extensive.

First, CISSP applicants must have at least five years of valid working experience relevant to the IT security field. The (ISC)² requires that work experience falls under the eight domains of the (ISC)² CISSP CBK:

• Domain 1. Security and Risk Management
• Domain 2. Asset Security
• Domain 3. Security Architecture and Engineering
• Domain 4. Communication and Network Security
• Domain 5. Identity and Access Management (IAM)
• Domain 6. Security Assessment and Testing
• Domain 7. Security Operations
• Domain 8. Software Development Security

Additionally, to satisfy these domains, the (ISC)² requires experience in any of the following positions:

• Chief Information Security Officer
• Chief Information Officer
• Director of Security
• IT Director/Manager
• Security Systems Engineer
• Security Analyst
• Security Manager
• Security Auditor
• Security Architect
• Security Consultant
• Network Architect

Work experience can come from full-time employment, part-time employment, or an internship. (Requirements may vary depending on your employment terms.)

• Full-time employment. For full-time employees aiming to become CISSPs, work experience only qualifies as full time if you’ve worked a minimum of 35 hours per week for four weeks, accrued monthly.
• Part-time working experience. If your work hours fell between 20-34 hours weekly, your experience will qualify as part-time. Your experience will be computed as follows:
  • Every 1,040 hours of part-time work rendered are equivalent to half a year’s worth of full-time experience.
• Every 2,080 hours of part-time work will be equivalent to one year of full-time work experience.
• Internships. If your only relevant experience involves an internship program, the (ISC)² will accept it if you have certification from the organization that validates your internship. The consortium will accept qualified paid and unpaid internships as working experience.
• Other work experience options. According to the (ISC)², you can also satisfy a year’s worth of necessary experience if you:
  • Hold a four-year college degree (or regional equivalent).
  • Have an advanced degree in information security from the U.S. National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAE/IAE).
  • Have any other approved credentials as outlined by the (ISC)².

Did you know?: The CISSP certification is considered an evergreen IT certification; it demonstrates excellent longevity, desirability, popularity, and compensation.

What does the CISSP exam entail?

Work experience is only part of what you need to become a CISSP. To be certified, you’ll also need to prepare for and pass the CISSP exam, which costs $699 and requires a minimum score of 700 out of 1,000 points.

Besides passing the certification exam, you must also undergo an endorsement process to become a CISSP. You can do this by subscribing to the (ISC)² Code of Ethics. The endorsement form must be completed within nine months after passing the exam to fully certify your status as a CISSP.

What are other paths toward achieving the CISSP title?

Not everyone meets CISSP certification requirements – in fact, very few do. However, there are ways to bypass or fast-track your way into the industry. 

1. Become an (ISC)² Associate to help meet CISSP requirements.

One of the biggest challenges to becoming a CISSP is acquiring the relevant qualifying experience. However, you can remedy your lack of experience by applying for a job as an (ISC)² Associate.

Becoming an (ISC)² Associate helps you fast-track your cybersecurity career. Additionally, because you’ll work closely with the consortium, you can learn more about the industry and grow as a cybersecurity expert.

2. Get CompTIA certifications to help your cybersecurity career.

You can also jump-start your cybersecurity career by looking into certifications offered by CompTIA. CompTIA helps IT professionals acquire specific certifications to fortify their credentials. Some certifications you can apply for include the entry-level A+, Security+, and Network+ certifications. 

Key takeaway: Entry-level cybersecurity certifications can help jump-start your cybersecurity career by verifying your skills and knowledge and getting your resume noticed.

3. SSCP certification can help you meet CISSP requirements.

Another way to meet the required CISSP qualifications if you have relevant but insufficient work experience is to work on your credential as a Systems Security Certified Professional or SSCP, also under the (ISC)².

Following this path will help you prepare for CISSP certification. It’s like a walk-through toward fulfilling your primary goal with the added perk of gaining an extensive understanding and mastery of the job ahead of time.

Should you pursue a career as a CISSP?

Becoming a CISSP is challenging, and the necessary qualifications require extensive time and effort. However, compared to almost any other employment type – even in the IT sector – CISSP certification is profitable and affords many opportunities. 

If you have what it takes to become a CISSP – drive, credentials, time, and money – and feel confident, you should consider taking the exam. The CISSP job market has high demand across all industries and organizations. Aside from its considerable earning opportunities, you can become an indispensable asset for any company because of your IT security expertise.

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Young children are naturally inclined to help others, revealed a new study that also underscored the one exception when they stop showing compassion.

When kindness came at a personal cost, it reduced compassionate responding, researchers also found.

The research, published on Wednesday in the journal Royal Society Open Science, assessed the nature of over 280 four- and five-year-old children to help others.

Scientists, including James Kirby from The University of Queensland in Australia, conducted experiments to determine what factors facilitated and inhibited compassionate behaviour in them.

Compassion is a widely studied behaviour that is strongly linked to how people help and comfort others.

The trait comes with a complex motive and sensitivity to one’s own suffering as well as to others, along with a commitment to alleviate or prevent it.

Previous studies have shown that children tend to have a natural tendency to show compassion whenever they can.

It has, however, remained unclear under what conditions they can drop out of helping others.

In the new study, scientists sought to examine what factors may facilitate greater compassionate behaviour in young children and what conditions may lead to them being less helpful to others.

Researchers asked children to play a puzzle game, on the completion of which they received a sticker as a reward.

Before being introduced to the games, the children picked their three favourite stickers from a large selection.

They played the games alongside adults or puppets – Millie the Monkey, Ellie the Elephant and George the Giraffe – who did not have sufficient pieces to finish the task.

The children became visibly distressed in three different ways after being unable to receive stickers.

“This allowed three opportunities for the child to help,” scientists explained in the study.

“If the child helped after the suffering was shown by the puppet, it was operationalised as compassionate behaviour,” they added.

The tasks were ended either when the child helped or after three prompts when the child did not help.

Researchers found the children helped across all the studies whenever they had extra puzzle pieces.

But when they had only enough pieces to complete the puzzle themselves, they were found to not help others.

“We found strong evidence that cost reduces compassionate responding,” researchers explained.

Scientists also found that the recipient of compassion did not influence the children’s behaviour as they were equally likely to help a human adult and a puppet.

The findings suggested that in children who are four and five years of age, personal cost could be a “greater inhibitor” to responding compassionately than to who the compassion is directed.

Researchers also tried to vary study conditions to understand what factors may increase the chances of children giving up the puzzle piece and forgoing their sticker reward.

They did this by telling the children in a separate experiment that they could share pieces, adding that they were on the same team with the puppet or adult. However, this too was without success, researchers said.

“It is possible that children saw the ‘finite’ amount of resources available in the shared bucket and realised they had to get the pieces they needed before the puppet,” researchers added.

Taken together, the results of the experiments suggest that personal cost is a key inhibitor to compassionate behaviour in children, implying that reducing this cost may facilitate compassion.

The findings, according to the scientists, can help facilitate compassionate behaviour in young children.

A medication that is already on the market may help people who binge drink, new research shows.

The medication, naltrexone, is already approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat alcohol use disorder as well as opioid use disorder, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA.

When taken for alcohol use disorder, naltrexone is taken daily in pill form.

A new study published in December in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that taking naltrexone prior to an expected episode of binge drinking, as opposed to taking it daily, can help curb the amount of alcohol consumed.

Binge drinking is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a "pattern of drinking that brings a person's blood alcohol concentration to 0.08 grams percent or above."

That typically means consuming five or more drinks in a two-hour period for men and four or more drinks in a two-hour period for women, according to the CDC.

The new research, first reported by The New York Times, looked at young men who took the pill one hour before they expected to drink.

In addition to the medication, the participants also received education on reducing alcohol use.

After 12 weeks, participants who took naltrexone prior to drinking reported consuming less alcohol than the participants who received a placebo.

The participants who took naltrexone also reported its effect lasting up to six months, according to the study.

The medication works by binding endorphin receptors in the body, which helps block the "effects and feelings of alcohol," according to SAMHSA.

"Naltrexone reduces alcohol cravings and the amount of alcohol consumed," the agency states on its website, adding that with alcohol use disorder, the treatment typically lasts for three to four months. "Once a patient stops drinking, taking naltrexone helps patients maintain their sobriety."

Binge drinking on the rise

The new research on naltrexone for helping to curb excessive alcohol use comes amid an increase in binge drinking in the United States.

The annual number of binge drinks among adults who reported binge drinking jumped on average from 472 in 2011 to 529 in 2017, a 12% increase, according to a CDC study published in 2020.

Increases in binge drinking were most prominent in people 35 or older and those with lower educational levels and household incomes, according to the CDC data.

One in 6 adults in the U.S. binge drinks about four times a month, consuming about seven drinks per binge, and binge drinking is twice as common among men than among women, according to the CDC.

Drinking a steady amount of alcohol in a short amount of time has a different impact on your body than drinking, for example, one glass of wine each night over the course of one week, according to Dr. Jennifer Ashton, ABC News chief medical correspondent and a board-certified OBGYN.

For women, a moderate alcohol intake per week is defined as seven servings of alcohol or less. For men, it is 14 servings of alcohol or less per week, according to the CDC.

One serving of alcohol is defined as 5 ounces for wine and just 1 1/2 ounces for hard alcohol, far less than what is typically served in bars, restaurants and people's homes.

Dr. Darien Sutton, a board-certified emergency medicine physician and ABC News medical contributor, said people who are concerned about their alcohol use should speak with their medical provider.

"The first step, I always want to advise patients, is acknowledging to yourself that you might have a problem," he said. "Talk to your physician about your symptoms so that you can get a good gauge on what the issue is and the other possible treatments."

SAMHSA also has a 24/7 free and confidential helpline available at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), and online at samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline.

The EdTech company continues to support educator pathways and diversify the teacher pipeline through its Keys to the Classroom initiative

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Study.com, one of the most transformational companies in EdTech, is partnering with TNTP Teaching Fellows to help aspiring educators earn their teaching credentials. Through its Keys to the Classroom initiative, Study.com will donate 400 test preparation scholarships to aspiring teachers across the five Fellows programs in Baltimore, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Minnesota.

TNTP Teaching Fellows programs offer career changers, graduating college seniors, and accurate grads a more affordable, faster path to teacher certification through practice, job-embedded training, and personalized coaching. TNTP will manage the distribution of the scholarships to diversify and strengthen the teaching pipeline in the five communities they serve.

"At TNTP Teaching Fellows, we prioritize equitable education to ensure economic and social mobility for our students," said Jamila Newman, TNTP Vice President. "One proven way to Excellerate student performance and life outcomes, especially for students of color, is to ensure that the teacher workforce is diverse and holds and delivers on the high expectation that all students can excel."

According to a 2019 National Council on Teacher Quality report, half of teacher candidates do not receive a passing score on their first certification exam, and a quarter never pass. The discrepancies in passage rates between white candidates and candidates of color are significant, as 38 percent of Black teacher candidates never pass the Praxis.

"Research shows that students benefit when a teacher's race and ethnicity reflect the students they serve," said Dana Bryson, SVP of social impact at Study.com. "With over half of the teacher candidates in Keys to the Classroom identifying as people of color, we share a joint commitment with TNTP to break down barriers for teachers of color to get into the classroom, creating quality classroom experiences for students."

Story continues

Through Keys to the Classroom, Study.com partners with education departments, school districts, colleges of education, and education-focused nonprofits to help aspiring educators prepare and pass their credentialing exams. Keys to the Classroom is currently in 20 states, and Study.com has committed to donating over $4 million in test prep materials. Keys to the Classroom was recently honored by Tech and Learning with an Award of Excellence for Primary Education.

About Study.com

Study.com enables learners and educators to meet their academic and professional goals through K12 curriculum, college courses, tutoring and test preparation. Used in over 9,000 school districts across the nation, Study.com is recognized by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for meeting Level IV evidence standards. Headquartered in Mountain View, CA, Study.com is named on the 2022 and 2023 GSV 150, a list of the world's most transformative private companies in education. The company has donated $27 million across social impact programs committed to the mission of Making Education Accessible. These programs include Working Scholars®, an accelerated pathway for working adults to earn a debt-free bachelor's degree, and Keys to the Classroom, which seeks to help aspiring educators prepare for and pass their teacher certification exams.

About TNTP

TNTP believes our nation's public schools can offer all children an excellent education. A national nonprofit founded by teachers, we help school systems end educational inequality. We work at every level of the public education system to attract and train talented teachers and school leaders, ensure rigorous and engaging classrooms, and create environments that prioritize great teaching and accelerate student learning. Since 1997, we've partnered with hundreds of public school districts, charter school networks, and state departments of education. We have recruited or trained more than 50,000 teachers and inspired policy change through acclaimed studies such as The Mirage (2015), The Irreplaceables (2012), and The Widget Effect (2009). Our latest report, The Opportunity Myth (2018), followed nearly 4,000 students in five diverse school systems to learn more about their experiences in school. Today, TNTP works directly with more than 300 school systems in 35 states.

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SOURCE Study.com

A Macquarie University study of breast implants gone wrong has found that patients with complications occurring within five years of implantation were twice as likely to have used non-certified surgeons.

The study, published in the latest Aesthetic Surgery Journal and co-authored by surgeon Professor Anand Deva, analyzed data from a survey of more than 600 women who attended the Breast Implant Clinic at Macquarie University in 2018.

Patients who came to the clinic, which Deva describes as a world-first, had lived with their implant for an average of 11 years and had an average age of 42. The study showed that most experienced breast pain and/or a problem with the implant and the most common complication was capsular contracture, affecting more than 90% of clinic patients.

"Capsular contracture is where the shell of the implant becomes creased or folded instead of sitting smoothly within the body, and then contracts and becomes hardened," says Professor Anand Deva, who is Head of Cosmetic, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Macquarie University.

Visible deformities were also common, with almost a third of patients having the "waterfall deformity," where breast tissue can sag over the implant, and about one in eight patients having "double bubble" where the implant is displaced, slipping below the breast.

Patients have poor awareness of risks

Deva says the data was collected from more than 600 women who gave their consent for researchers to gather useful data about adverse events following breast implant surgery.

He says there was "poor awareness universally" about the risks of breast implants among patients.

"Many patients were also told not to have recommended cancer screening mammograms following breast implant surgery, which is incorrect," says Deva.

"One thing that stood out is that procedures by certified plastic surgeons carried a significantly lower risk of 'double bubble' and 'waterfall' complications, which can involve implant malposition and deformity," he says.

More than half the implants in women attending the clinic who had cosmetic procedures in Australia were inserted by doctors who were not qualified specialists, having either general medical registration or general practice registration.

Profit-driven clinics

Deva says the breast assessment clinic also revealed some concerning data about a subset of medical practitioners who had worked at the now-defunct cut-price breast implant clinic chain, The Cosmetic Institute—the subject of a current class action.

Most of these doctors only held Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) general registration, and had not completed any specialist training after their internship and residency.

"The lack of recognized surgical training and relative lack of experience by unqualified practitioners probably contributed to poor outcomes for many patients subject to invasive surgery," says Deva.

One in five women attending the breast assessment clinic had traveled overseas to get breast implants in "fly-in, fly-out" discounted arrangements where patients may only meet their surgeon just before their pre-paid operation, by which stage "fully informed patient consent" is less likely.

Australian research into medical tourism for breast implant surgery has shown that complications are common, and range from wound infection to serious outcomes including sepsis, radical mastectomy, brain injury and death.

Patients who return from overseas surgery with problems can also burden the Australian health system with the cost of treating these complications, Deva says.

No lifetime guarantee

Breast augmentation is the most common elective plastic surgery performed in the world after liposuction.

About 73% of the 65,000 breast implant patients recorded in the Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR) between 2012 and 2020 had surgery for cosmetic reasons, with the rest being post-cancer and other medical reconstruction. About a quarter of these cosmetic procedures involved surgery to correct or remove breast implants.

Deva says the ABDR was established in 2012 to record all breast implants and implant revision surgery in Australian women, following a series of crises around breast implant safety.

These included the failure of French company Poly Implant Prothese (PIP), which sold more than 300,000 implants containing poor-quality silicon, and had nearly 1,000 cases of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) reported globally.

"The registry meant that for the first time, we could understand the performance of these devices," he says—but adds the registry doesn't include the significant portion of implants now done overseas.

Revision surgery is common

After nine years, the registry shows that an increasing proportion of women with implants are undergoing revision surgeries.

Deva says most first-generation implants from the 1960s lasted just a few years and their thin shells often contracted and ruptured, but today's "fifth generation" of implants have more robust shells.

But while many breast implant manufacturers promise a lifetime warranty, Deva warns these guarantees have many loopholes and capsular contracture—the most common defect—is not covered.

"Our experience suggests that most implants fail over time, not just from device failure, but also from changes to the breast structure through breastfeeding, aging, menopause—just general wear and tear," he says.

"After around 10 years, there's a slow and steady accumulation of problems that will eventually require the implant to be removed or replaced."

Deva says that the Macquarie University breast implant assessment clinic provides a useful service where women can have their implants reviewed regularly, and there's a need for similar services to be established more widely.

"Our data also shows that there are still a lot of cowboys out there, and that better regulation of elective cosmetic procedures is necessary," he says.