The present study aimed to examine work environment related factors and frontline primary healthcare profes-sionals’mental-emotional wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic in school communities of Hong Kong.A total o...The present study aimed to examine work environment related factors and frontline primary healthcare profes-sionals’mental-emotional wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic in school communities of Hong Kong.A total of 61(20%)school health nurses(frontline primary healthcare professionals)participated in a cross-sec-tional online survey from March to June 2020.Outcomes of mental-emotional health were measured using the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form(14-item scale with three subscales related to emotional,social and psychological wellbeing);the Perceived Stress Scale(10-item scale with two subscales related to perceived help-lessness and lack of self-efficacy);and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory(Brief COPE),a 28-item inventory with two subscales related to adaptive and maladaptive strategies.Almost half(42.6%)of par-ticipants experienced mental health problems.Those employed in government subsidized schools had signifi-cantly lower scores in mental health wellbeing than those who worked in private schools.Factors relating to increased mental health problems included lack of emotional support,inadequate training relating to infection prevention and control measures,disengagement and self-blame.A variety of factors influencing school health nurses’social,emotional and psychological wellbeing in their work environment during the COVID-19 pandemic were also reported.The mental-emotional wellbeing of school nurses may relate to their subjective feeling of lone-liness as participants were the sole frontline primary healthcare professional working in the school community during the COVID-19 pandemic.Studyfindings provide relevant evidence for management teams to build a cul-ture of psychological and social support into workplace policies and procedures.Continuous staff development and adequate social support are important to promote the mental-emotional wellbeing of primary healthcare pro-fessionals in school communities as they play a significant role in safeguarding resources during pandemics.展开更多
The present study investigated the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety levels,contamination and responsibility/control obsessions and associated OC behaviors in healthcare versus non-healthcare professionals.Th...The present study investigated the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety levels,contamination and responsibility/control obsessions and associated OC behaviors in healthcare versus non-healthcare professionals.The study also aimed to examine the relationship between anxiety levels and obsessive-compulsive(OC)symptom levels,gender,age,educational level,and personal and family history of chronic diseases.The 664 participants included 395(59.5%)men and 269(40.5%)women and comprised 180(27.1%)healthcare professionals and 484(72.9%)non-healthcare professionals.The survey included three data collection tools:(i)Sociodemographic data form,(ii)Beck Anxiety Inventory(BAI),and(iii)the Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale Abriged(DOCS-A)pre-and post-pandemic forms.The BAI scores established a moderate positive correlation with post-pandemic DOCS-A total scores and a weak positive correlation with pre-pandemic DOCS-A total scores(p<0.001 for both).Pre-and post-pandemic DOCS-A total and subdimension scores were significantly higher in women than in men(p<0.05).Participants with a personal history of chronic diseases had higher BAI and DOCS-A scores compared to participants with no such history(p<0.001 and p<0.001,respectively).The results indicated a significant increase in OC symptoms during the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period and a moderate correlation between the anxiety levels and OC symptom severity.It was also revealed that female gender and personal or family history of chronic diseases posed a higher risk for the increase in anxiety and OC symptoms and healthcare professionals had a higher risk of developing anxiety symptoms compared to non-healthcare professionals.展开更多
BACKGROUND:Healthcare professionals are expected to have knowledge of current basic and advanced cardiac life support(BLS/ACLS) guidelines to revive unresponsive patients.METHODS:Across-sectional study was conducted t...BACKGROUND:Healthcare professionals are expected to have knowledge of current basic and advanced cardiac life support(BLS/ACLS) guidelines to revive unresponsive patients.METHODS:Across-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the current practices and knowledge of BLS/ACLS principles among healthcare professionals of North-Kerala using pretested self-administered structured questionnaire.Answers were validated in accordance with American Heart Association's BLS/ACLS teaching manual and the results were analysed.RESULTS:Among 461 healthcare professionals,141(30.6%) were practicing physicians,268(58.1%) were nurses and 52(11.3%) supporting staff.The maximum achievable score was 20(BLS15/ACLS 5).The mean score amongst all healthcare professionals was 8.9±4.7.The mean score among physicians,nurses and support staff were 8.6±3.4,9±3.6 and 9±3.3 respectively.The majority of healthcare professionals scored <50%(237,51.4%);204(44.3%) scored 51%-80%and 20(4.34%)scored >80%.Mean scores decreased with age,male sex and across occupation.Nurses who underwent BLS/ACLS training previously had significantly higher mean scores(10.2±3.4) than untrained(8.2±3.6,P=0.001).Physicians with <5 years experience(P=0.002) and nurses in the private sector(P=0.003)had significantly higher scores.One hundred and sixty three(35.3%) healthcare professionals knew the correct airway opening manoeuvres like head tilt,chin lift and jaw thrust.Only 54(11.7%) respondents were aware that atropine is not used in ACLS for cardiac arrest resuscitation and 79(17.1%) correctly opted ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia as shockable rhythms.The majority of healthcare professionals(356,77.2%) suggested that BLS/ACLS be included in academic curriculum.CONCLUSION:Inadequate knowledge of BLS/ACLS principles amongst healthcare professionals,especially physicians,illuminate lacunae in existing training systems and merit urgent redressal.展开更多
Although whole food nutrition will likely influence physical health more than any other lifestyle component besides exercise, the use of dietary supplements among men and women continues to be high. Due to this fact, ...Although whole food nutrition will likely influence physical health more than any other lifestyle component besides exercise, the use of dietary supplements among men and women continues to be high. Due to this fact, it is imperative that healthcare professionals understand how supplements may impact overall health and wellness of their patients. With the majority of adults taking some form of dietary supplements and many concomitantly taking prescription medications, healthcare providers should be conscientious of adverse effects and interactions that may occur between dietary supplements and prescription drugs. As many consumers are misled by false marketing, healthcare providers should encourage them to be wary of exaggerated claims and direct them to products that are scientifically supported and safe. Continuing education for healthcare providers on dietary supplements is crucial, with new dietary supplement products constantly reaching the markets, in addition to new findings being made through clinical research and case studies. While some dietary supplements provide no meaningful benefit, many dietary supplements have been identified that can be used to ameliorate nutritional deficiencies and reduce the risk of some common health conditions. Others can serve to improve mental and physical performance, while truly enhancing health. This article presents relevant information on dietary supplements that will be useful to the healthcare professional.展开更多
It is proposed that healthcare professionals are prone to be stalked by their patients, but many feel ashamed to talk about it, believing that they might have done something to warrant the stalking. We undertook a rig...It is proposed that healthcare professionals are prone to be stalked by their patients, but many feel ashamed to talk about it, believing that they might have done something to warrant the stalking. We undertook a rigorous review of the literature with the primitive goal of highlighting noteworthy issues on the stalking of healthcare professionals and psychologists by their patients. Databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar were searched to collate articles and studies on the topic with the keywords “stalker, stalking, assaults, aggression, and physicians”. From the review, the prevalence rate of stalking healthcare professionals ranged between 6%</span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">53%. This huge variation was largely due to the inconsistencies in the definition of what constituted stalking. The common motives of stalkers were largely due to erotomania or misguided expectation and a sense of resentment due to service dissatisfaction. Finally, it was apparently right to conclude that, medical doctors or healthcare professionals are at risk of being stalked on the grounds of service dissatisfaction, and mismanagement of treatment processes resulting in physical or perceived client injuries. Whereas psychologists and other psychiatrists are more prone to be stalked due to erotomaniac reasons.展开更多
Background: Health care professionals at the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic require continued support to ensure not only their well-being, but enhanced care for those infected by the disease. This study aimed to ...Background: Health care professionals at the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic require continued support to ensure not only their well-being, but enhanced care for those infected by the disease. This study aimed to assess the perceptions of health care providers regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Lesotho. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from 190 healthcare workers who were conveniently sampled from a total of 25 health care facilities and completed structured questionnaires. Data were collected in September 2021 and analyzed using SPSS (vs23). Permission to conduct this study was granted by the relevant authorities. Informed written consent was given by the respondents in writing before they could take part in this study. Results: Respondents had positive views about the COVID-19 pandemic, and they were associated with the level of education. They understood that COVID-19 can affect anyone, including themselves and is not a disease for any particular race. They perceived that they could contract COVID-19, even despite pre-existing conditions, and there was a positive prognosis after contracting COVID-19 if necessary precautions were taken. Furthermore, they knew that the virus was affecting many people worldwide, including the elderly, who were willing to be tested. Respondents felt the testing procedure was rather painful and uncomfortable. The test providers were friendly and not rude, and respondents did not have any preferred gender for them. Respondents were also willing to discuss issues on COVID-19 with families and friends, and they lived close to health care facilities. Conclusions: This study concludes that healthcare professionals at the frontline were mostly nurses, and they had positive perceptions about the COVID-19 pandemic as they were knowledgeable and willing to test for the disease. Test providers were viewed as pleasant and healthcare facilities were accessible. Support for frontline healthcare professionals remains crucial to ensure effective service delivery. More education can be provided to enhance the general views about the COVID-19 to improve uptake of services, not only amongst healthcare professionals but the general public.展开更多
BACKGROUND Celiac disease(CD)is one of the most prevalent chronic disorders.The clinical manifestations of CD are diverse and may present with gastrointestinal findings,extra-intestinal findings or no symptoms.Althoug...BACKGROUND Celiac disease(CD)is one of the most prevalent chronic disorders.The clinical manifestations of CD are diverse and may present with gastrointestinal findings,extra-intestinal findings or no symptoms.Although there has been a marked increase in the prevalence of CD in the past 30 years,up to 95%of patients with CD remain undiagnosed.As most cases have atypical signs or no symptoms,the diagnosis of CD is either missed or delayed.In addition,one of the most important reasons for the delay in diagnosis may be the poor knowledge of healthcare professionals(HCPs)regarding CD.AIM To evaluate the knowledge of HCPs,patients and their caregivers(parents)regarding CD.METHODS The current study was carried out between June 2021 and February 2022 prospectively,as part of the Focus IN CD project.Patients with CD and their caregivers participated in the study from 6 different cities in Turkey.General practitioners,pediatricians,pediatricians with other subspecialities and pediatric gastroenterologists from different cities participated in the study.RESULTS The questionnaire was completed by 348 HCPs,34 patients with CD,and 102 mothers and 34 fathers of patients with CD.Most of the participants were general practitioners(37.07%).There were 89(25.57%)pediatricians and 72(20.69%)pediatric gastroenterologists in the study.The highest score in all categories was achieved by pediatric gastroenterologists.There were significant differences between the four groups of HCPs in terms of the subsections of overall mean score,epidemiology and clinical presentation,treatment and follow-up.No significant difference was found between the groups(patients with CD,mothers of patients with CD and fathers of patients with CD)in terms of the questionnaire subsections.CONCLUSION The level of knowledge on CD among HCPs,patients and their caregivers was unsatisfactory.We consider that it is necessary to increase awareness and to develop e-learning activities on CD among HCPs,patients and their caregivers.Consequently,they may benefit from e-learning programs similar to the one created as part of the EU-funded project Focus IN CD(https://www.celiacfacts.eu/focusincd-en).展开更多
Background The usage of herbal medicine for health care has gradually expanded because of its safety,effectiveness,cultural acceptance,and lack of negative effects in recent years all around the world.Plants and plant...Background The usage of herbal medicine for health care has gradually expanded because of its safety,effectiveness,cultural acceptance,and lack of negative effects in recent years all around the world.Plants and plant products have been used to heal and prevent illnesses with varying degrees of effectiveness throughout history.The main objective of the study is to evaluate the perception of healthcare professionals about the use of herbal medicines.Methods The study was conducted using a cross-sectional study design.The sample size was 382 participants;however,7 questionnaires were excluded because of invalid data.The 375 questionnaires were included by expert validation from which 77 were General Physicians,75 Pharmacists,74 Nutritionists,74 Nurses and 75 Herbalists.The study settings were hospitals,pharmacies&clinics of Islamabad.The data were analyzed using Chi-square test.Results Out of 375 respondents,54.7%(n=205)were males and 45.3%(n=170)were females.The majority of the respondents used internet 50.9%(n=191)as a source of information while 77.9%of participants consider that herbal medicines are safe because they are natural.Conclusion There was a significant difference seen in the perception of healthcare professionals regarding use of herbal medicines based on demographics.展开更多
Objective:This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing literature on vicarious post-traumatic growth(VPTG)among healthcare professionals and its influencing factors.Methods:Using electr...Objective:This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing literature on vicarious post-traumatic growth(VPTG)among healthcare professionals and its influencing factors.Methods:Using electronic databases PubMed,PsycInfo,Science Direct,CINHAHL,Web of Science,Scopus,and CNKI,a search was performed for articles on VPTG among healthcare professionals.Relevant articles were included and summarized.Results:This review mapped 29 studies that highlighted positive outcomes of VPTG in healthcare professionals.Factors likely to influence VPTG were identified,such as age,gender,occupation,years of experience,others factors and their importance in understanding well-being.Gaps in the literature,practical recommendations,and future research direction were suggested.Conclusion:This review highlights the nature of research on VPTG and its influencing factors in healthcare professionals.It emphasizes the importance of further research to explore the complex interactions between psychological and physiological responses to vicarious trauma.This review can inform interventions to improve VPTG and support the holistic health of healthcare professionals.展开更多
Occupational burnout, even though is a widespread subject of research, remains one of the factors that threaten the implementation and organizational structure of the provided health service. The aim of our study is t...Occupational burnout, even though is a widespread subject of research, remains one of the factors that threaten the implementation and organizational structure of the provided health service. The aim of our study is to investigate the level of burnout among health professionals in Hellenic Red Cross Hospital, one of the biggest Public Hospitals in Athens, Greece. The study population included 116 health workers and was conducted in 2022. The present study, cross-sectional in nature, investigates burnout symptoms in the health-related professionals by measuring the three dimensions of burnout;emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal achievements. The overall findings show that people who provide health care services in hospitals are a vulnerable group to burnout syndrome. More specifically, it was found that emotional exhaustion moves at medium to high levels, as did depersonalization, while personal achievements are at moderate to low levels. The findings of the present study indicate that emphasis should be given to increasing the personal achievements of employees, which will in turn reduce emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Perhaps a more detailed study on this topic could enlighten us about the causes and treatment of burnout syndrome in health professionals.展开更多
Correction of genetic errors, commonly known as gene editing, holds promise to treat diseases with unmet medical needs. However, gene therapy trials do encounter unwanted outcomes, because of an incomplete understandi...Correction of genetic errors, commonly known as gene editing, holds promise to treat diseases with unmet medical needs. However, gene therapy trials do encounter unwanted outcomes, because of an incomplete understanding of the disease states, and gene therapy processes, among others. This situation encourages a concept that healthcare professionals receiving laboratory research training will not only identify inadequacies in basic biomedical knowledge of gene therapies but also provide tangible refinements. To this end, we have undertaken the PharmD student training in gene editing in a basic research laboratory setting. As a model, MYC gene was chosen for knockout using CRISPR-Cas9 method in HT29 and OVCAR8 cells. Students were involved in the design of MYC-specific gRNAs, subcloning into Cas9-carrying plasmid, and selection of knockout clones from the transfected cells. Subsequently, genomic DNA isolation and sequencing, analysis of clonal DNA sequences using online bioinformatics tools, western blotting, cell proliferation and cell division cycle experiments, were performed to characterize the MYC knockout clones. Results presented in this communication suggest that healthcare professionals who received laboratory training gain a better understanding of the disease states and mechanisms, gene therapy protocols, limitations of gene therapies, ability to critically evaluate the literature and confidence in the oversight of gene therapies in the clinic.展开更多
Satisfied employees in healthcare services who have opportunities to develop their professional competence by reflecting on professional challenges play an important role in the quality of care. The aim of the present...Satisfied employees in healthcare services who have opportunities to develop their professional competence by reflecting on professional challenges play an important role in the quality of care. The aim of the present study was to describe the employees’ experience of the benefits of participating in a person-centred clinical supervision setting. The supervision, guided by a professional supervisor, was carried out with a group of six day- and night-shift municipal healthcare professionals for a period of four months during their mandatory work hours. Data were obtained from written individual evaluations and group interviews shortly after the last session and again twelve months later. The results showed that the participants experienced that their internal resources and coping skills had been strengthened by the supervision. They developed abilities to meet the challenges more constructively than before. New understandings gave them the opportunity to alternative actions in practice. Further intervention studies of person-centred clinical supervision must focus on such clinical outcomes as patient safety and professional development.展开更多
Background:Many healthcare workers were infected by coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)early in the epidemic posing a big challenge for epidemic control.Hence,this study aims to explore perceived infection routes,influ...Background:Many healthcare workers were infected by coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)early in the epidemic posing a big challenge for epidemic control.Hence,this study aims to explore perceived infection routes,influencing factors,psychosocial changes,and management procedures for COVID-19 infected healthcare workers.Methods:This is a cross-sectional,single hospital-based study.We recruited all 105 confirmed COVID-19 healthcare workers in the Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from February 15 to 29,2020.All participants completed a validated questionnaire.Electronic consent was obtained from all participants.Perceived causes of infection,infection prevention,control knowledge and behaviour,psychological changes,symptoms and treatment were measured.Results:Finally,103 professional staff with COVID-19 finished the questionnaire and was included(response rate:98.1%).Of them,87 cases(84.5%)thought they were infected in working environment in hospital,one(1.0%)thought their infection was due to the laboratory environment,and 5(4.9%)thought they were infected in daily life or community environment.Swab of throat collection and physical examination were the procedures perceived as most likely causing their infection by nurses and doctors respectively.Forty-three(41.8%)thought their infection was related to protective equipment,utilization of common equipment(masks and gloves).The top three first symptoms displayed before diagnosis were fever(41.8%),lethargy(33.0%)and muscle aches(30.1%).After diagnosis,88.3%staff experienced psychological stress or emotional changes during their isolation period,only 11.7%had almost no emotional changes.Arbidol(Umifenovir;an anti-influza drug;69.2%)was the drug most commonly used to target infection in mild and moderate symptoms.Conclusion:The main perceived mode of transmission was not maintaining protection when working at a close distance and having intimate contact with infected cases.Positive psychological intervention is necessary.展开更多
Introduction: The healthcare industry continues to adopt and integrate smart technology into its operations. However, the adoption of the eHealth solutions has not been smooth in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) due ...Introduction: The healthcare industry continues to adopt and integrate smart technology into its operations. However, the adoption of the eHealth solutions has not been smooth in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) due to negative beliefs about the technology, lack of awareness and motivation and resistance to change. Thus, this study was developed to investigate the knowledge and perceptions of hospital care staff towards the Medical Internet of Things and to explore the role of awareness videos in changing negative perceptions. Methods: One group pre-test post-test quasi-experimental study design was incorporated, and 116 participants from Ministry of Health hospitals in Riyadh, KSA, were included. A series of four videos were developed to observe their influence on the knowledge and perceptions of mIoT. Results: The findings showed that participants had more knowledge about the individual components of mIoT (particularly wearable devices) compared to the processes or functions of mIoT. Similarly, just over half (56.0%) of the individuals think that the current systems in the hospital are enough to deliver mIoT. However, 90% think mIoT is the future of digital health. Similarly, PE, SI, BI, EE and CESE were considered facilitators and PTA and CC were considered grave barriers to mIoT adoption. The awareness videos positively influenced knowledge and perceptions of PE, EE, CESE and SI. Conclusion: The study concludes that hospital staff in Riyadh (excluding doctors) possess basic mIoT knowledge, consider various adoption factors as enablers, and awareness video can play a critical role in effectively introducing the technology to the hospital care staff.展开更多
Facing critical situations such as the ones triggered by COVID-19 may take healthcare professionals to confront their psychological resources, which may induce a higher stress level. We aimed to understand the feeling...Facing critical situations such as the ones triggered by COVID-19 may take healthcare professionals to confront their psychological resources, which may induce a higher stress level. We aimed to understand the feelings experienced by nurses, physiotherapists, and medical doctors in a field hospital dedicated to patients with COVID-19 in the biggest city of Brazil. Methods: We performed a qualitative study in a state field hospital in S?o Paulo city, Brazil, in a sample of 25 volunteer healthcare professionals. Participants answered to a sociodemographic electronic survey and were subjected to an individual semi-structured on-site interview. Results: Participants were mostly female (68%), comprised eight nurses, eight physiotherapists, and nine medical doctors, had an average age of 36.8 years, and were professionally experienced. Speech analysis revealed two thematic categories (related to work and assistance in the pandemic) and 11 subcategories: adaptation to the scenario, stressing experience, psychological support, difficulties with workwear, safety with workwear, non-verbal communication, empathy, patient comfort, outstanding experiences, major challenges, and teamwork. Conclusion: Nurses, physiotherapists, and medical doctors’ experiences while working in the field hospital were permeated by both positive and negative feelings. Those feelings originated directly from the fear of the unknown when dealing with a new disease without well-established scientific evidence, the use of medical workwear for long periods, and communication and environmental difficulties. In contrast, positive feelings, related to teamwork and empathy, arose and overlapped with the difficulties.展开更多
BACKGROUND Over the last few decades,3 pathogenic pandemics have impacted the global population;severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus(SARS-CoV),Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus(MERS-CoV)and SARS-Co...BACKGROUND Over the last few decades,3 pathogenic pandemics have impacted the global population;severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus(SARS-CoV),Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus(MERS-CoV)and SARS-CoV-2.The global disease burden has attributed to millions of deaths and morbidities,with the majority being attributed to SARS-CoV-2.As such,the evaluation of the mental health(MH)impact across healthcare professionals(HCPs),patients and the general public would be an important facet to evaluate to better understand short,medium and long-term exposures.AIM To identify and report:(1)MH conditions commonly observed across all 3 pandemics;(2)Impact of MH outcomes across HCPs,patients and the general public associated with all 3 pandemics;and(3)The prevalence of the MH impact and clinical epidemiological significance.METHODS A systematic methodology was developed and published on PROSPERO(CRD42021228697).The databases PubMed,EMBASE,ScienceDirect and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were used as part of the data extraction process,and publications from January 1,1990 to August 1,2021 were searched.MeSH terms and keywords used included Mood disorders,PTSD,Anxiety,Depression,Psychological stress,Psychosis,Bipolar,Mental Health,Unipolar,Self-harm,BAME,Psychiatry disorders and Psychological distress.The terms were expanded with a‘snowballing’method.Cox-regression and the Monte-Carlo simulation method was used in addition to I2 and Egger’s tests to determine heterogeneity and publication bias.RESULTS In comparison to MERS and SARS-CoV,it is evident SAR-CoV-2 has an ongoing MH impact,with emphasis on depression,anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.CONCLUSION It was evident MH studies during MERS and SARS-CoV was limited in comparison to SARS-CoV-2,with much emphasis on reporting symptoms of depression,anxiety,stress and sleep disturbances.The lack of comprehensive studies conducted during previous pandemics have introduced limitations to the“know-how”for clinicians and researchers to better support patients and deliver care with limited healthcare resources.展开更多
The frontlin</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">e</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> pharmacists during this pandemic COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) situat...The frontlin</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">e</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> pharmacists during this pandemic COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) situation are potentially contributing to sav</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ing</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> human lives worldwide. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the current contributions of pharmacists among the frontline healthcare professionals in the management of the COVID-19 crisis across the world. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched for this study from March 20, 2020 to May 20, 2020. The basic keyword “pharmacist and COVID-19” was used to select studies. Relevant English-language studies, guidelines, articles, relevant published reports in different online news portals and official web pages of different organizations were searched. Pharmacists in the United States and United Kingdom are testing patients for COVID-19 and providing medical advice to patients. Community pharmacists in European countries are focused on the smooth supply of essential medicines, and working to build awareness regarding the community transmission of COVID-19. Hospital and clinical pharmacists are working to facilitate the effective medication therapy management for improving the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients. Pharmacists in low-and middle-income countries around the world have focused their efforts mainly on awareness-building activities regarding the community transmission of COVID-19, and the mass production of alcohol-based hand-sanitizer. Several resources are globally available for pharmacists to improve their competency and self-protection from COVID-19. Frontline pharmacists are enthusiastically contributing in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 from a community-to-clinical level worldwide. Their active participation as a member of the frontline healthcare team is crucial in order to address and overcome the challenges </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">that </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">this pandemic has created, and to tackle this global healthcare crisis efficiently.展开更多
文摘The present study aimed to examine work environment related factors and frontline primary healthcare profes-sionals’mental-emotional wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic in school communities of Hong Kong.A total of 61(20%)school health nurses(frontline primary healthcare professionals)participated in a cross-sec-tional online survey from March to June 2020.Outcomes of mental-emotional health were measured using the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form(14-item scale with three subscales related to emotional,social and psychological wellbeing);the Perceived Stress Scale(10-item scale with two subscales related to perceived help-lessness and lack of self-efficacy);and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory(Brief COPE),a 28-item inventory with two subscales related to adaptive and maladaptive strategies.Almost half(42.6%)of par-ticipants experienced mental health problems.Those employed in government subsidized schools had signifi-cantly lower scores in mental health wellbeing than those who worked in private schools.Factors relating to increased mental health problems included lack of emotional support,inadequate training relating to infection prevention and control measures,disengagement and self-blame.A variety of factors influencing school health nurses’social,emotional and psychological wellbeing in their work environment during the COVID-19 pandemic were also reported.The mental-emotional wellbeing of school nurses may relate to their subjective feeling of lone-liness as participants were the sole frontline primary healthcare professional working in the school community during the COVID-19 pandemic.Studyfindings provide relevant evidence for management teams to build a cul-ture of psychological and social support into workplace policies and procedures.Continuous staff development and adequate social support are important to promote the mental-emotional wellbeing of primary healthcare pro-fessionals in school communities as they play a significant role in safeguarding resources during pandemics.
文摘The present study investigated the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety levels,contamination and responsibility/control obsessions and associated OC behaviors in healthcare versus non-healthcare professionals.The study also aimed to examine the relationship between anxiety levels and obsessive-compulsive(OC)symptom levels,gender,age,educational level,and personal and family history of chronic diseases.The 664 participants included 395(59.5%)men and 269(40.5%)women and comprised 180(27.1%)healthcare professionals and 484(72.9%)non-healthcare professionals.The survey included three data collection tools:(i)Sociodemographic data form,(ii)Beck Anxiety Inventory(BAI),and(iii)the Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale Abriged(DOCS-A)pre-and post-pandemic forms.The BAI scores established a moderate positive correlation with post-pandemic DOCS-A total scores and a weak positive correlation with pre-pandemic DOCS-A total scores(p<0.001 for both).Pre-and post-pandemic DOCS-A total and subdimension scores were significantly higher in women than in men(p<0.05).Participants with a personal history of chronic diseases had higher BAI and DOCS-A scores compared to participants with no such history(p<0.001 and p<0.001,respectively).The results indicated a significant increase in OC symptoms during the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period and a moderate correlation between the anxiety levels and OC symptom severity.It was also revealed that female gender and personal or family history of chronic diseases posed a higher risk for the increase in anxiety and OC symptoms and healthcare professionals had a higher risk of developing anxiety symptoms compared to non-healthcare professionals.
文摘BACKGROUND:Healthcare professionals are expected to have knowledge of current basic and advanced cardiac life support(BLS/ACLS) guidelines to revive unresponsive patients.METHODS:Across-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the current practices and knowledge of BLS/ACLS principles among healthcare professionals of North-Kerala using pretested self-administered structured questionnaire.Answers were validated in accordance with American Heart Association's BLS/ACLS teaching manual and the results were analysed.RESULTS:Among 461 healthcare professionals,141(30.6%) were practicing physicians,268(58.1%) were nurses and 52(11.3%) supporting staff.The maximum achievable score was 20(BLS15/ACLS 5).The mean score amongst all healthcare professionals was 8.9±4.7.The mean score among physicians,nurses and support staff were 8.6±3.4,9±3.6 and 9±3.3 respectively.The majority of healthcare professionals scored <50%(237,51.4%);204(44.3%) scored 51%-80%and 20(4.34%)scored >80%.Mean scores decreased with age,male sex and across occupation.Nurses who underwent BLS/ACLS training previously had significantly higher mean scores(10.2±3.4) than untrained(8.2±3.6,P=0.001).Physicians with <5 years experience(P=0.002) and nurses in the private sector(P=0.003)had significantly higher scores.One hundred and sixty three(35.3%) healthcare professionals knew the correct airway opening manoeuvres like head tilt,chin lift and jaw thrust.Only 54(11.7%) respondents were aware that atropine is not used in ACLS for cardiac arrest resuscitation and 79(17.1%) correctly opted ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia as shockable rhythms.The majority of healthcare professionals(356,77.2%) suggested that BLS/ACLS be included in academic curriculum.CONCLUSION:Inadequate knowledge of BLS/ACLS principles amongst healthcare professionals,especially physicians,illuminate lacunae in existing training systems and merit urgent redressal.
文摘Although whole food nutrition will likely influence physical health more than any other lifestyle component besides exercise, the use of dietary supplements among men and women continues to be high. Due to this fact, it is imperative that healthcare professionals understand how supplements may impact overall health and wellness of their patients. With the majority of adults taking some form of dietary supplements and many concomitantly taking prescription medications, healthcare providers should be conscientious of adverse effects and interactions that may occur between dietary supplements and prescription drugs. As many consumers are misled by false marketing, healthcare providers should encourage them to be wary of exaggerated claims and direct them to products that are scientifically supported and safe. Continuing education for healthcare providers on dietary supplements is crucial, with new dietary supplement products constantly reaching the markets, in addition to new findings being made through clinical research and case studies. While some dietary supplements provide no meaningful benefit, many dietary supplements have been identified that can be used to ameliorate nutritional deficiencies and reduce the risk of some common health conditions. Others can serve to improve mental and physical performance, while truly enhancing health. This article presents relevant information on dietary supplements that will be useful to the healthcare professional.
文摘It is proposed that healthcare professionals are prone to be stalked by their patients, but many feel ashamed to talk about it, believing that they might have done something to warrant the stalking. We undertook a rigorous review of the literature with the primitive goal of highlighting noteworthy issues on the stalking of healthcare professionals and psychologists by their patients. Databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar were searched to collate articles and studies on the topic with the keywords “stalker, stalking, assaults, aggression, and physicians”. From the review, the prevalence rate of stalking healthcare professionals ranged between 6%</span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">53%. This huge variation was largely due to the inconsistencies in the definition of what constituted stalking. The common motives of stalkers were largely due to erotomania or misguided expectation and a sense of resentment due to service dissatisfaction. Finally, it was apparently right to conclude that, medical doctors or healthcare professionals are at risk of being stalked on the grounds of service dissatisfaction, and mismanagement of treatment processes resulting in physical or perceived client injuries. Whereas psychologists and other psychiatrists are more prone to be stalked due to erotomaniac reasons.
文摘Background: Health care professionals at the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic require continued support to ensure not only their well-being, but enhanced care for those infected by the disease. This study aimed to assess the perceptions of health care providers regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Lesotho. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from 190 healthcare workers who were conveniently sampled from a total of 25 health care facilities and completed structured questionnaires. Data were collected in September 2021 and analyzed using SPSS (vs23). Permission to conduct this study was granted by the relevant authorities. Informed written consent was given by the respondents in writing before they could take part in this study. Results: Respondents had positive views about the COVID-19 pandemic, and they were associated with the level of education. They understood that COVID-19 can affect anyone, including themselves and is not a disease for any particular race. They perceived that they could contract COVID-19, even despite pre-existing conditions, and there was a positive prognosis after contracting COVID-19 if necessary precautions were taken. Furthermore, they knew that the virus was affecting many people worldwide, including the elderly, who were willing to be tested. Respondents felt the testing procedure was rather painful and uncomfortable. The test providers were friendly and not rude, and respondents did not have any preferred gender for them. Respondents were also willing to discuss issues on COVID-19 with families and friends, and they lived close to health care facilities. Conclusions: This study concludes that healthcare professionals at the frontline were mostly nurses, and they had positive perceptions about the COVID-19 pandemic as they were knowledgeable and willing to test for the disease. Test providers were viewed as pleasant and healthcare facilities were accessible. Support for frontline healthcare professionals remains crucial to ensure effective service delivery. More education can be provided to enhance the general views about the COVID-19 to improve uptake of services, not only amongst healthcare professionals but the general public.
文摘BACKGROUND Celiac disease(CD)is one of the most prevalent chronic disorders.The clinical manifestations of CD are diverse and may present with gastrointestinal findings,extra-intestinal findings or no symptoms.Although there has been a marked increase in the prevalence of CD in the past 30 years,up to 95%of patients with CD remain undiagnosed.As most cases have atypical signs or no symptoms,the diagnosis of CD is either missed or delayed.In addition,one of the most important reasons for the delay in diagnosis may be the poor knowledge of healthcare professionals(HCPs)regarding CD.AIM To evaluate the knowledge of HCPs,patients and their caregivers(parents)regarding CD.METHODS The current study was carried out between June 2021 and February 2022 prospectively,as part of the Focus IN CD project.Patients with CD and their caregivers participated in the study from 6 different cities in Turkey.General practitioners,pediatricians,pediatricians with other subspecialities and pediatric gastroenterologists from different cities participated in the study.RESULTS The questionnaire was completed by 348 HCPs,34 patients with CD,and 102 mothers and 34 fathers of patients with CD.Most of the participants were general practitioners(37.07%).There were 89(25.57%)pediatricians and 72(20.69%)pediatric gastroenterologists in the study.The highest score in all categories was achieved by pediatric gastroenterologists.There were significant differences between the four groups of HCPs in terms of the subsections of overall mean score,epidemiology and clinical presentation,treatment and follow-up.No significant difference was found between the groups(patients with CD,mothers of patients with CD and fathers of patients with CD)in terms of the questionnaire subsections.CONCLUSION The level of knowledge on CD among HCPs,patients and their caregivers was unsatisfactory.We consider that it is necessary to increase awareness and to develop e-learning activities on CD among HCPs,patients and their caregivers.Consequently,they may benefit from e-learning programs similar to the one created as part of the EU-funded project Focus IN CD(https://www.celiacfacts.eu/focusincd-en).
文摘Background The usage of herbal medicine for health care has gradually expanded because of its safety,effectiveness,cultural acceptance,and lack of negative effects in recent years all around the world.Plants and plant products have been used to heal and prevent illnesses with varying degrees of effectiveness throughout history.The main objective of the study is to evaluate the perception of healthcare professionals about the use of herbal medicines.Methods The study was conducted using a cross-sectional study design.The sample size was 382 participants;however,7 questionnaires were excluded because of invalid data.The 375 questionnaires were included by expert validation from which 77 were General Physicians,75 Pharmacists,74 Nutritionists,74 Nurses and 75 Herbalists.The study settings were hospitals,pharmacies&clinics of Islamabad.The data were analyzed using Chi-square test.Results Out of 375 respondents,54.7%(n=205)were males and 45.3%(n=170)were females.The majority of the respondents used internet 50.9%(n=191)as a source of information while 77.9%of participants consider that herbal medicines are safe because they are natural.Conclusion There was a significant difference seen in the perception of healthcare professionals regarding use of herbal medicines based on demographics.
文摘Objective:This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing literature on vicarious post-traumatic growth(VPTG)among healthcare professionals and its influencing factors.Methods:Using electronic databases PubMed,PsycInfo,Science Direct,CINHAHL,Web of Science,Scopus,and CNKI,a search was performed for articles on VPTG among healthcare professionals.Relevant articles were included and summarized.Results:This review mapped 29 studies that highlighted positive outcomes of VPTG in healthcare professionals.Factors likely to influence VPTG were identified,such as age,gender,occupation,years of experience,others factors and their importance in understanding well-being.Gaps in the literature,practical recommendations,and future research direction were suggested.Conclusion:This review highlights the nature of research on VPTG and its influencing factors in healthcare professionals.It emphasizes the importance of further research to explore the complex interactions between psychological and physiological responses to vicarious trauma.This review can inform interventions to improve VPTG and support the holistic health of healthcare professionals.
文摘Occupational burnout, even though is a widespread subject of research, remains one of the factors that threaten the implementation and organizational structure of the provided health service. The aim of our study is to investigate the level of burnout among health professionals in Hellenic Red Cross Hospital, one of the biggest Public Hospitals in Athens, Greece. The study population included 116 health workers and was conducted in 2022. The present study, cross-sectional in nature, investigates burnout symptoms in the health-related professionals by measuring the three dimensions of burnout;emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal achievements. The overall findings show that people who provide health care services in hospitals are a vulnerable group to burnout syndrome. More specifically, it was found that emotional exhaustion moves at medium to high levels, as did depersonalization, while personal achievements are at moderate to low levels. The findings of the present study indicate that emphasis should be given to increasing the personal achievements of employees, which will in turn reduce emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Perhaps a more detailed study on this topic could enlighten us about the causes and treatment of burnout syndrome in health professionals.
文摘Correction of genetic errors, commonly known as gene editing, holds promise to treat diseases with unmet medical needs. However, gene therapy trials do encounter unwanted outcomes, because of an incomplete understanding of the disease states, and gene therapy processes, among others. This situation encourages a concept that healthcare professionals receiving laboratory research training will not only identify inadequacies in basic biomedical knowledge of gene therapies but also provide tangible refinements. To this end, we have undertaken the PharmD student training in gene editing in a basic research laboratory setting. As a model, MYC gene was chosen for knockout using CRISPR-Cas9 method in HT29 and OVCAR8 cells. Students were involved in the design of MYC-specific gRNAs, subcloning into Cas9-carrying plasmid, and selection of knockout clones from the transfected cells. Subsequently, genomic DNA isolation and sequencing, analysis of clonal DNA sequences using online bioinformatics tools, western blotting, cell proliferation and cell division cycle experiments, were performed to characterize the MYC knockout clones. Results presented in this communication suggest that healthcare professionals who received laboratory training gain a better understanding of the disease states and mechanisms, gene therapy protocols, limitations of gene therapies, ability to critically evaluate the literature and confidence in the oversight of gene therapies in the clinic.
基金received funding from University College,Nord-Trondelag,Norway.
文摘Satisfied employees in healthcare services who have opportunities to develop their professional competence by reflecting on professional challenges play an important role in the quality of care. The aim of the present study was to describe the employees’ experience of the benefits of participating in a person-centred clinical supervision setting. The supervision, guided by a professional supervisor, was carried out with a group of six day- and night-shift municipal healthcare professionals for a period of four months during their mandatory work hours. Data were obtained from written individual evaluations and group interviews shortly after the last session and again twelve months later. The results showed that the participants experienced that their internal resources and coping skills had been strengthened by the supervision. They developed abilities to meet the challenges more constructively than before. New understandings gave them the opportunity to alternative actions in practice. Further intervention studies of person-centred clinical supervision must focus on such clinical outcomes as patient safety and professional development.
基金supported by the Emergency Science and Technology Project in Hubei Province(2020FCA008)
文摘Background:Many healthcare workers were infected by coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)early in the epidemic posing a big challenge for epidemic control.Hence,this study aims to explore perceived infection routes,influencing factors,psychosocial changes,and management procedures for COVID-19 infected healthcare workers.Methods:This is a cross-sectional,single hospital-based study.We recruited all 105 confirmed COVID-19 healthcare workers in the Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from February 15 to 29,2020.All participants completed a validated questionnaire.Electronic consent was obtained from all participants.Perceived causes of infection,infection prevention,control knowledge and behaviour,psychological changes,symptoms and treatment were measured.Results:Finally,103 professional staff with COVID-19 finished the questionnaire and was included(response rate:98.1%).Of them,87 cases(84.5%)thought they were infected in working environment in hospital,one(1.0%)thought their infection was due to the laboratory environment,and 5(4.9%)thought they were infected in daily life or community environment.Swab of throat collection and physical examination were the procedures perceived as most likely causing their infection by nurses and doctors respectively.Forty-three(41.8%)thought their infection was related to protective equipment,utilization of common equipment(masks and gloves).The top three first symptoms displayed before diagnosis were fever(41.8%),lethargy(33.0%)and muscle aches(30.1%).After diagnosis,88.3%staff experienced psychological stress or emotional changes during their isolation period,only 11.7%had almost no emotional changes.Arbidol(Umifenovir;an anti-influza drug;69.2%)was the drug most commonly used to target infection in mild and moderate symptoms.Conclusion:The main perceived mode of transmission was not maintaining protection when working at a close distance and having intimate contact with infected cases.Positive psychological intervention is necessary.
文摘Introduction: The healthcare industry continues to adopt and integrate smart technology into its operations. However, the adoption of the eHealth solutions has not been smooth in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) due to negative beliefs about the technology, lack of awareness and motivation and resistance to change. Thus, this study was developed to investigate the knowledge and perceptions of hospital care staff towards the Medical Internet of Things and to explore the role of awareness videos in changing negative perceptions. Methods: One group pre-test post-test quasi-experimental study design was incorporated, and 116 participants from Ministry of Health hospitals in Riyadh, KSA, were included. A series of four videos were developed to observe their influence on the knowledge and perceptions of mIoT. Results: The findings showed that participants had more knowledge about the individual components of mIoT (particularly wearable devices) compared to the processes or functions of mIoT. Similarly, just over half (56.0%) of the individuals think that the current systems in the hospital are enough to deliver mIoT. However, 90% think mIoT is the future of digital health. Similarly, PE, SI, BI, EE and CESE were considered facilitators and PTA and CC were considered grave barriers to mIoT adoption. The awareness videos positively influenced knowledge and perceptions of PE, EE, CESE and SI. Conclusion: The study concludes that hospital staff in Riyadh (excluding doctors) possess basic mIoT knowledge, consider various adoption factors as enablers, and awareness video can play a critical role in effectively introducing the technology to the hospital care staff.
文摘Facing critical situations such as the ones triggered by COVID-19 may take healthcare professionals to confront their psychological resources, which may induce a higher stress level. We aimed to understand the feelings experienced by nurses, physiotherapists, and medical doctors in a field hospital dedicated to patients with COVID-19 in the biggest city of Brazil. Methods: We performed a qualitative study in a state field hospital in S?o Paulo city, Brazil, in a sample of 25 volunteer healthcare professionals. Participants answered to a sociodemographic electronic survey and were subjected to an individual semi-structured on-site interview. Results: Participants were mostly female (68%), comprised eight nurses, eight physiotherapists, and nine medical doctors, had an average age of 36.8 years, and were professionally experienced. Speech analysis revealed two thematic categories (related to work and assistance in the pandemic) and 11 subcategories: adaptation to the scenario, stressing experience, psychological support, difficulties with workwear, safety with workwear, non-verbal communication, empathy, patient comfort, outstanding experiences, major challenges, and teamwork. Conclusion: Nurses, physiotherapists, and medical doctors’ experiences while working in the field hospital were permeated by both positive and negative feelings. Those feelings originated directly from the fear of the unknown when dealing with a new disease without well-established scientific evidence, the use of medical workwear for long periods, and communication and environmental difficulties. In contrast, positive feelings, related to teamwork and empathy, arose and overlapped with the difficulties.
基金Supported by Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust.
文摘BACKGROUND Over the last few decades,3 pathogenic pandemics have impacted the global population;severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus(SARS-CoV),Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus(MERS-CoV)and SARS-CoV-2.The global disease burden has attributed to millions of deaths and morbidities,with the majority being attributed to SARS-CoV-2.As such,the evaluation of the mental health(MH)impact across healthcare professionals(HCPs),patients and the general public would be an important facet to evaluate to better understand short,medium and long-term exposures.AIM To identify and report:(1)MH conditions commonly observed across all 3 pandemics;(2)Impact of MH outcomes across HCPs,patients and the general public associated with all 3 pandemics;and(3)The prevalence of the MH impact and clinical epidemiological significance.METHODS A systematic methodology was developed and published on PROSPERO(CRD42021228697).The databases PubMed,EMBASE,ScienceDirect and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were used as part of the data extraction process,and publications from January 1,1990 to August 1,2021 were searched.MeSH terms and keywords used included Mood disorders,PTSD,Anxiety,Depression,Psychological stress,Psychosis,Bipolar,Mental Health,Unipolar,Self-harm,BAME,Psychiatry disorders and Psychological distress.The terms were expanded with a‘snowballing’method.Cox-regression and the Monte-Carlo simulation method was used in addition to I2 and Egger’s tests to determine heterogeneity and publication bias.RESULTS In comparison to MERS and SARS-CoV,it is evident SAR-CoV-2 has an ongoing MH impact,with emphasis on depression,anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.CONCLUSION It was evident MH studies during MERS and SARS-CoV was limited in comparison to SARS-CoV-2,with much emphasis on reporting symptoms of depression,anxiety,stress and sleep disturbances.The lack of comprehensive studies conducted during previous pandemics have introduced limitations to the“know-how”for clinicians and researchers to better support patients and deliver care with limited healthcare resources.
文摘The frontlin</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">e</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> pharmacists during this pandemic COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) situation are potentially contributing to sav</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ing</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> human lives worldwide. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the current contributions of pharmacists among the frontline healthcare professionals in the management of the COVID-19 crisis across the world. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched for this study from March 20, 2020 to May 20, 2020. The basic keyword “pharmacist and COVID-19” was used to select studies. Relevant English-language studies, guidelines, articles, relevant published reports in different online news portals and official web pages of different organizations were searched. Pharmacists in the United States and United Kingdom are testing patients for COVID-19 and providing medical advice to patients. Community pharmacists in European countries are focused on the smooth supply of essential medicines, and working to build awareness regarding the community transmission of COVID-19. Hospital and clinical pharmacists are working to facilitate the effective medication therapy management for improving the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients. Pharmacists in low-and middle-income countries around the world have focused their efforts mainly on awareness-building activities regarding the community transmission of COVID-19, and the mass production of alcohol-based hand-sanitizer. Several resources are globally available for pharmacists to improve their competency and self-protection from COVID-19. Frontline pharmacists are enthusiastically contributing in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 from a community-to-clinical level worldwide. Their active participation as a member of the frontline healthcare team is crucial in order to address and overcome the challenges </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">that </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">this pandemic has created, and to tackle this global healthcare crisis efficiently.
