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Aims: To assess the effects of COVID‐19 pandemic on clinical variables as part of the routine clinical monitoring of patients with chronic diseases in primary care. Design: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted in primary care centres of the Andalusian Health Service. Methods: Data were recorded before the pandemic (T1), during the declaration of the state of emergency (T2) and in the transition phase (T3). The Barthel index and the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) were used to analyse functional and cognitive changes at the three time points. HbA1c, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, BMI and lipid levels were assessed as clinical variables. Descriptive statistics and non‐parametric chi‐square test were used for analysis. STROBE checklist was used for the preparation of this paper. Results: A total fo148 patients with chronic conditions were included in the analysis. Data analysis revealed in T2 only significant reductions in BMI, total levels of cholesterol and HDL during the onset of the pandemic. Barthel Index, SPMSQ, blood pressure and triglycerides and LDL levels worsened in T2, and the negative effects were maintained in T3. Compared to pre‐pandemic values, HbA1c levels improved in T3, but HDL levels worsened. Conclusions: COVID‐19 has drastically disrupted several functional, cognitive and biological variables. These results may be useful in identifying clinical parameters that deserve closer attention in the case of a new health crisis. Further studies are needed to assess the potential impacts of each specific chronic condition. Impact: Cognitive and functional status, blood pressure and triglycerides and LDL levels worsen in short term, maintaining the negative effects in medium‐term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: This paper aims to examine the satisfaction and depressed mood experienced by nursing home workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic and associated variables. Specifically, to analyse the factors that may contribute to nursing home workers developing adaptive behaviours that promote satisfaction or, on the contrary, show characteristics associated with a negative mood. Background: Nursing homes have faced unprecedented pressures to provide appropriately skills to meet the demands of the coronavirus outbreak. Design: A cross‐sectional survey design using the STROBE checklist. Methods: Professionals working in nursing homes (n = 165) completed an online survey measuring sociodemographic and professional characteristics, burnout, resilience, experiential avoidance, satisfaction with life and depression. Data were collected online from April to July 2021, the time in which Spain was experiencing its fifth wave of COVID‐19. Two multiple linear regression models were performed to identify salient variables associated with depressive mood and satisfaction. Results: Resilience, personal accomplishment and satisfaction had a significant and negative relationship with depression and emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and experiential avoidance had a positive relationship with depression. However, emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and experiential avoidance had a negative and significant relationship with satisfaction and personal accomplishment, and resilience had a positive and significant relationship with satisfaction. In addition, it was found that accepting thoughts and emotions when they occur is beneficial for developing positive outcomes such as satisfaction. Conclusions: Experiential avoidance was an important predictor of the effects that the COVID‐19 pandemic can have on nursing home workers. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Interventions focusing on resources that represent personal strengths, such as acceptance, resilience and personal accomplishment, should be developed. No Patient or Public Contribution: The complex and unpredictable circumstances of COVID's strict confinement in the nursing home prohibited access to the centres for external personnel and family members. Contact with the professionals involved could not be made in person but exclusively through online systems. However, professionals related to the work environment have subsequently valued this research positively as it analyses 'How they felt during this complicated process'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objective: To describe the experiences of nursing students and their mental health as they entered employment during the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic (May–June 2020). Background: As other healthcare professionals, nursing students who worked during the first COVID‐19 wave suffered from dysfunctional mental health symptoms. Design: Sequential, mixed‐method, multicentre study. Methods: The study population comprised 92 students in the third and fourth year of the Nursing degree at three Spanish universities, who entered employment during the pandemic. Data were collected between May and June 2020. In the quantitative phase, data were collected using an online questionnaire containing both validated anxiety and stress scales. In the qualitative phase, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants. A descriptive analysis of the quantitative data and a reflexive thematic analysis of the qualitative data were carried out, and analyses were combined. COREQ checklist was used for reporting. Results: The combined quantitative and qualitative results were organised into five thematic areas: (1) Interruption of clinical placements, (2) Entering employment on a healthcare assistant contract, (3) Preventing contagion, (4) Adapting to the situation and managing emotions, and (5) Lessons learned. Conclusion: The students had a positive overall experience of entering employment, as they were able to develop their nursing skills. However, they had an emotional impact in form of stress caused by excessive responsibility, academic uncertainty, lack of personal protective equipment and training in its use, and the possibility of spreading disease to their family members. Relevance to Clinical Practice: In the current context, changes must be made in study programmes to instruct nursing students to be able to cope with extreme clinical situations, such as pandemics. The programmes should include a more extensive coverage of epidemics and pandemics and management of emotional aspects such as resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: To determine the prevalence and levels of anxiety and depression symptoms among nursing students during the coronavirus lockdown, and to examine factors associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression on this population. Background: Nursing students deal with diverse stressors during their university lives. Confinement measures during COVID‐19 outbreak may have influenced students' mental health and well‐being. Anxiety and depression are common among nursing students due to different factors. Evidence relating to anxiety and depression in nursing student population during SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic is limited. Design: A cross‐sectional descriptive co‐relational study during the lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak in Spain was conducted. Methods: An online questionnaire was developed by using google forms. Sociodemographic characteristics form, and the Spanish version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used. Spanish nursing students across the country were enrolled. Data collection was performed between 4 April 2020 and 21 April 2020. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine the association between sociodemographic variables, COVID‐19 and HADS scores. Results: 1319 participants were enrolled. The sample was formed by 87.1% female students with a mean age of 22 years (SD ± 5.677). We found a mean score of 8.47 ± 4.104 on Scale HADS‐Anxiety and 6.80 ± 2.988 on HADS‐Depression. 31.6% students presented abnormal scores of anxiety symptoms, and only 11.4% participants revealed abnormal scores on HADS‐Depression. Conclusions: The reported prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms on nursing students during the COVID‐19 lockdown is 56.4% and 38.2%, respectively. 43.6% of the sample scored normal anxiety levels, and 61.8% obtained normal depression levels. Higher anxiety and depression levels were statistically associated with being a first‐year student, being a smoker, feeling fear, feeling stress and having any close family member infected. Relevance to clinical practice: These data should be valuable for detection and for further treatment decision of this disorders at the initial stage and could be important to prevent further damages to mental health and promote physical, psychological and well‐being among this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the FreeStyle Libre device implantation in adult type 1 diabetics in a Health Area of Castilla La Mancha (Spain) during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Background: FreeStyle Libre is a so‐called mHealth device that supports health care. During COVID‐1 confinement, diabetic patients could have improved their glycaemic monitoring thanks to these devices, although health care in these patients may have been limited due to confinement. Methods: A 12‐month longitudinal study in which a total of 206 type I diabetics participated, belonging to a single health area. Sociodemographic and analytical data and the Self Care Inventory Revised questionnaire (SCI‐R) were collected. STROBE checklist was followed. Results: The analysis showed differences related to the use of the sensor. After the study period, patients obtained better levels of basal glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL. In addition, a significant increase in the total score of the SCI‐R questionnaire was observed after the use of the monitor (MD −7.77; 95% CI −10.43, −8.29). The same occurred with different SCI‐R items such as diet (MD ‐2.995; 95% CI −3.24, −2.57), glucose determination (MD −3.21; 95% CI −3.52, −2.91), medication administration (MD −2.58; 95% CI −2.53, −1.96) and hypoglycaemic episodes (MD −1.07; 95% CI −1.21, −0.93). In the analysis by groups, worse values of glycosylated haemoglobin and adherence to treatment (p <.05) were observed in overweight/obese subjects versus those with normal weight after one year of study. Conclusion: The use of flash monitoring is related to better adherence to most of the recommended habits in diabetes. Nevertheless, there seems to be no relationship with an improvement in physical exercise and preventive aspects of diabetes. A good nursing intervention to support physical exercise and the use of mHealth devices could improve the control of diabetic patients. Relevance to clinical practice: The use of this mHealth device has shown positive results and reduced complications. Despite less contact with healthcare facilities due to the pandemic, type 1 diabetic patients have improved their blood results and adherence after using the device for one year. Nursing staff should focus on promoting physical activity and routine disease care in type 1 diabetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To explore women's emotional responses throughout the process of terminating a pregnancy for medical reasons. Background: Making the choice to terminate a desired pregnancy for medical reasons has a negative impact on women's health, as it is a distressing process that involves making hard decisions and readjusting one's expectations of an idealised pregnancy. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted following the COREQ checklist. Fifteen semi‐structured interviews and two focus groups were conducted with women who had terminated their pregnancies for medical reasons, previous to and during the COVID‐19 lockdown. Subsequently, we analysed the content. Results: One main category, emotional journey during the process of terminating the pregnancy, and six subcategories were identified: (I) representation and desire to become a mother, (II) main concerns, (III) impact of the news, (IV) decision‐making, (V) emotional responses before termination for medical reasons and (VI) emotional responses after termination for medical reasons. All contributed to understanding the specificities of the different phases that make up the emotional journey of terminating a pregnancy for medical reasons. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that there are a number of predominant emotions that professionals need to be aware of in order to help women work through them and lessen the impact of pregnancy termination on their mental health. COVID‐19 had different connotations depending on the women's experiences. Relevance to clinical practice: Our results highlight how important the role of healthcare staff is in caring for these women and their partners, which involves recognising their emotions throughout the process. Our results also underline how useful it is to conduct qualitative studies in this context, since they constitute a set of activities and interventions that result in the administration of nursing care in itself. Patient or Public Contribution: The ultimate goal of the action research study is to design a positive mental health intervention. Participants will contribute to the design and final approval of the intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objetives: Explore nurses' experiences and perception of risk regarding the use of personal protective equipment during the first wave of the pandemic in Spain. Background: The contribution of our study is to use qualitative methods to understand nurses' experiences and perceptions of the risk of the contagion linked to the shortage of PPE during the first wave of the pandemic, whose explosive start strained health systems around the globe. Design: Qualitative descriptive design according to the Rapid Research Evaluation and Appraisal model. Methods: Semi‐structured videoconference interviews were conducted to explore the experiences of 29 nurses including staff nurses, nursing supervisors and nursing directors from hospital and community services of the Spanish health system. Interviews lasted 30–45 min and were conducted in May 2020. We carried out a thematic analysis using Dedoose. The COREQ checklist was used to report findings. Results: We identified the following themes and subthemes: 1. Experiences with personal protective equipment: scarcity, inequality, reutilization, self‐protection, delegation of responsibility, and gap between protocols and reality; 2. Perception of the risk of contagion: lack of credibility, lack of trust, lack of support, and meeting subjective needs. Conclusions: The scarcity of personal protective equipment and inequality in its distribution led nurses to take initiatives to feel more protected. Mid‐ranking supervisors were caught between the responsibility of monitoring and rationing personal protective equipment and providing the necessary protection to nurses. The disjuncture between protocols and the available supply of personal protective equipment caused confusion. Lack of credibility, lack of trust and lack of support from management influenced participants' perception of the risk of contagion. Mid‐ranking supervisors were often responsible for trying to alleviate fear among nursing staff. Relevance to clinical practice: Understanding the factors involved in risk perception can be helpful to decision‐makers who help protect nurses in clinical practice. These results can help administrators and policymakers because they point to the need for nurses to feel that their departments and centers look after their safety at work. Transparent communication and emotional support may contribute to their well‐being in the face of risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To elicit the experiences and perspectives of health professionals working on the frontline in the COVID‐19 pandemic. Background: Although some qualitative studies have been carried out in health professionals during COVID‐19 pandemic, to our knowledge, no study has used the Photovoice method. Design: A qualitative descriptive study using Photovoice was carried out between March and June 2020. Methods: A total of 20 health professionals were recruited from public and private healthcare services. The participants were invited to share photographs about their experiences while working during COVID‐19 pandemic. Following the Photovoice method, audio‐recorded interviews were conducted. The data were analysed using the 'SHOWED' mnemonic, with five questions answered about each photograph. The EQUATOR checklist has been used. Results/Findings: Three themes emerged: (1) Personal attitudes of health professionals; (2) Support from the community; and (3) Management of institutional resources. Despite the fact that health professionals in this study were exposed to major risks while caring for patients with COVID‐19' they felt a strong sense of responsibility towards the community. In order to handle these stressful situations, they used coping mechanisms, good humour and leisure, but also received support from the population, who saw them as highly skilled health professionals. Conclusion: These findings highlight the essential role of health professionals in the COVID‐19 pandemic and the tireless work they are carrying out to provided highly skilled care. Relevance to clinical practice: These findings could contribute to raise awareness on the needs of health professionals during the pandemic, allowing managers to plan strategies to ensure the safety, and well‐being of these professionals, as well as adopting similar strategies in their practice to create a space for critical reflection through participatory approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: We aimed to determine the impact of COVID‐19 related home confinement on the paediatric population by focusing on anxiety, behavioural disturbances and somatic symptoms. Background: To limit the spread of the COVID‐19 outbreak, governments have imposed nationwide lockdowns to prevent direct contact; this has affected everyday lives and activities such as attending school classes. Such isolation may have impacted children's anxiety levels. Design and Methods: We conducted a cross‐sectional observational study using a web‐based anonymous questionnaire from 22–26 April, 2020, among children (N = 2,292) in Spain. For children below 7 years of age, parents reported the children's behavioural, emotional and somatic symptoms and family environment data on a questionnaire designed by the researchers. Children over 7 years answered the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale either independently or with their parents' assistance. Results: Children over 7 years, boys in particular, scored high on the anxiety spectrum. Moreover, participants who knew someone who had suffered from COVID‐19 at home or whose parent was directly involved in the pandemic, obtained higher Total Anxiety scores. Significantly high values were found in all aspects of anxiety among those who feared infection or whose parents been unemployed. Of the children below 7 years, 56.3% had four or more anxiety‐related symptoms, the most frequent of which were tantrums, emotional changes, restlessness and fear of being alone. The number of symptoms reported was significant when someone in the family home had been infected with COVID‐19. Conclusions: The COVID‐19 home confinement had a significant impact on children, causing anxiety, behavioural problems and somatic manifestations. Relevance to clinical practice: Nurses play a key role in screening children who have experience confinement owing to the COVID‐19 pandemic in order to detect early anxiety symptoms using tele‐health. Suitable direct interventions can then be implemented or interdisciplinary manage could be started. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To evaluate compassion fatigue (CF), burnout (BO), compassion satisfaction (CS) and perceived stress in healthcare professionals during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) health crisis in Spain. Background: Spain has been one of the countries hardest hit by the health crisis caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic. Healthcare professionals have had to deal with traumatic and complex situations in the work context. In these particularly stressful situations, many professionals may develop CF or BO, which puts them at risk for mental health problems. Design: Cross‐sectional online survey. Methods: A total of 506 healthcare professionals (physicians and nurses) who were working in healthcare centres during the COVID‐19 pandemic participated. CF, CS and BO were assessed with the Professional Quality of Life Questionnaire, and perceived stress was measured with the Perceived Stress Scale‐14. Socio‐demographic and occupational variables were also analysed. Data were collected during the period of the highest incidence of cases and highest mortality rates due to COVID‐19 in Spain. This article adheres to the STROBE guidelines for the reporting of observational studies. Results: Physicians had higher CF and BO scores, while nurses had higher CS scores. Perceived stress scores were similar in both occupations. Professionals working in specific COVID‐19 units and in emergency departments had higher CF and BO scores, while levels of CS and perceived stress were similar regardless of the workplace. Relevance to clinical practice: Despite the health crisis situation and its implications for healthcare professionals, the levels of CF and BO have remained moderate/high. However, CS seems to be increasing, especially among nurses, possibly due to their motivation to relieve suffering and due to their perceived social recognition. It is necessary to implement interventions that help improve CS and prevent BO and CF among professionals in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]