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Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize the way medicine is learned, taught, and practiced, and medical education must prepare learners for these inevitable changes. Academic medicine has, however, been slow to embrace recent AI advances. Since its launch in November 2022, ChatGPT has emerged as a fast and user-friendly large language model that can assist health care professionals, medical educators, students, trainees, and patients. While many studies focus on the technology's capabilities, potential, and risks, there is a gap in studying the perspective of end users., Objective: The aim of this study was to gauge the experiences and perspectives of graduating medical students on ChatGPT and AI in their training and future careers., Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey of recently graduated medical students was conducted in an international academic medical center between May 5, 2023, and June 13, 2023. Descriptive statistics were used to tabulate variable frequencies., Results: Of 325 applicants to the residency programs, 265 completed the survey (an 81.5% response rate). The vast majority of respondents denied using ChatGPT in medical school, with 20.4% (n=54) using it to help complete written assessments and only 9.4% using the technology in their clinical work (n=25). More students planned to use it during residency, primarily for exploring new medical topics and research (n=168, 63.4%) and exam preparation (n=151, 57%). Male students were significantly more likely to believe that AI will improve diagnostic accuracy (n=47, 51.7% vs n=69, 39.7%; P=.001), reduce medical error (n=53, 58.2% vs n=71, 40.8%; P=.002), and improve patient care (n=60, 65.9% vs n=95, 54.6%; P=.007). Previous experience with AI was significantly associated with positive AI perception in terms of improving patient care, decreasing medical errors and misdiagnoses, and increasing the accuracy of diagnoses (P=.001, P<.001, P=.008, respectively)., Conclusions: The surveyed medical students had minimal formal and informal experience with AI tools and limited perceptions of the potential uses of AI in health care but had overall positive views of ChatGPT and AI and were optimistic about the future of AI in medical education and health care. Structured curricula and formal policies and guidelines are needed to adequately prepare medical learners for the forthcoming integration of AI in medicine., (©Saif M I Alkhaaldi, Carl H Kassab, Zakia Dimassi, Leen Oyoun Alsoud, Maha Al Fahim, Cynthia Al Hageh, Halah Ibrahim. Originally published in JMIR Medical Education (https://mededu.jmir.org), 22.12.2023.)

Abstract Background As person centred care (PCC) is being implemented globally, higher educational institutions (HEI) have begun to play a crucial part in enabling this transition. In Sweden, however, the delivery of PCC is inconsistently implemented in medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy study programmes. This inconsistency is partly the result of a lack of a national strategy across HEI. Program directors are responsible for the PCC content of their programs, so their views influence how PCC is taught. Using interviews with programme directors in higher education, we aim to deepen the understanding of the preconditions needed to implement PCC by exploring discourses and identifying subject positions of how PCC is taught and learned. Methods We performed a discourse analysis based on interviews with program directors in the above-mentioned national study programmes. A discourse can be seen as a struggle over identity. The subject position – i.e., discourses designate positions for persons to occupy as subjects – guided our analysis and identification of the subject positions of the teacher and the student in teaching and learning PCC. Results This study unfolded in two main antagonistic aspects with respect to teaching and learning PCC, resulting in four subject positions for the teacher and four corresponding subject positions for the students. First, the teacher and student were given a subject position as change agents towards a more egalitarian healthcare and were assigned a subject position to cope with a practical reality they could not change. Second, the teacher and student were assigned a subject position that embodied profession-specific identities, navigating and valuing these boundaries. Simultaneously, both teachers and students assumed a subject position that required interprofessional interaction and co-creation for teaching and learning PCC. Conclusion This study demonstrates the discursive tension surrounding the implementation of PCC in HEI, and the findings can serve as a basis for creating future relevant and high-quality learning activities. The process of negotiating diverse and co-existing perspectives as well as building interprofessional trust when incorporating PCC into higher education is essential and requires further exploration.

Abstract Background Competence in delirium care begins with pre-registration education for health care professionals. Although a common complication for hospitalised patients, delirium is avoidable and reversible. Delirium requires early recognition in person-centred care. Students need to learn how to identify and effectively care for ‘at risk’ patients. Aim To identify and examine literature on how pre-registration health care professional students are prepared to recognise, assess, and deliver interventions to prevent delirium in practice, using digital/web based educational interventions. Method Mixed methods systematic review with narrative synthesis. A protocol was registered with PROSPERO. The review questions and search strategy were guided by the Population, Phenomena of Interest, Context (PICo) framework. The PRISMA framework guided the screening, data extraction and analysis. Database searches (MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO & Scopus) were undertaken in April 2023 for publications from 2012 to 2023. Covidence software [30] was used to extract and manage the data. Quality appraisal was guided by the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool (CCAT) [31]. Findings Ten papers were included: mixed methods (2), qualitative (1) and quantitative (7). Medical students were the most studied group (n = 5), followed by student nurses (n = 4) and mixed nursing and medical students (n = 1). Length of learning experience varied from 12 min virtual reality (VR) to a two-week ‘geriatrics’ elective. Learning was enhanced by player autonomy, engagement, safety, applicability, choices, multiple perspectives and moral reasoning opportunities. Discussion Digital programmes should be visually appealing, interactive with opportunities for practice and timely appropriate feedback.

Abstract Background Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) appear to be effective for improving the mental health of healthcare professionals (HCPs). However, the effectiveness of MBIs on extreme psychological trauma caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is largely unknown. The aim of this paper was to systematically review empirical studies of MBIs for HCPs carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic, to evaluate them and their effectiveness in different areas of mental health. Methods The electronic databases searched were Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and PsycINFO. The date when each database was last searched was September 15, 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomized controlled trials (NRCTs), and non-randomized non-controlled trials (NRNCTs) focused on MBIs for health care staff who were working in healthcare centers during the COVID-19 pandemic were included. All of them employed standardized measures of mental health. The review followed the best practices and reported using PRISMA guidelines. A data collection form, adapted from the Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions, was used to extract and synthesize the results. The methods used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies were the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and the ROBINS-I Tool. Results Twenty-eight studies were included in the systematic review. Overall, the methodological quality of the studies was moderate. The results showed the effectiveness of MBIs in improving levels of stress, mindfulness, and mental well-being. However, no conclusive results were found regarding the effectiveness of MBIs in improving the levels of burnout, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and resilience of HCPs. Conclusions The MBIs for HCPs carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic have mainly contributed to improving stress, mindfulness, and mental well-being at a time of serious health emergency. However, more robust studies at a methodological level would have been desirable. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42021267621

Abstract Background Virtual reality (VR) training can enhance health professionals’ learning. However, there are ambiguous findings on the effectiveness of VR as an educational tool in mental health. We therefore reviewed the existing literature on the effectiveness of VR training on health professionals’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes in assessing and treating patients with mental health disorders. Methods We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO (via Ovid), the Cochrane Library, ERIC, CINAHL (on EBSCOhost), Web of Science Core Collection, and the Scopus database for studies published from January 1985 to July 2023. We included all studies evaluating the effect of VR training interventions on attitudes, knowledge, and skills pertinent to the assessment and treatment of mental health disorders and published in English or Scandinavian languages. The quality of the evidence in randomized controlled trials was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0. For non-randomized studies, we assessed the quality of the studies with the ROBINS-I tool. Results Of 4170 unique records identified, eight studies were eligible. The four randomized controlled trials were assessed as having some concern or a high risk of overall bias. The four non-randomized studies were assessed as having a moderate to serious overall risk of bias. Of the eight included studies, four used a virtual standardized patient design to simulate training situations, two studies used interactive patient scenario training designs, while two studies used a virtual patient game design. The results suggest that VR training interventions can promote knowledge and skills acquisition. Conclusions The findings indicate that VR interventions can effectively train health care personnel to acquire knowledge and skills in the assessment and treatment of mental health disorders. However, study heterogeneity, prevalence of small sample sizes, and many studies with a high or serious risk of bias suggest an uncertain evidence base. Future research on the effectiveness of VR training should include assessment of immersive VR training designs and a focus on more robust studies with larger sample sizes. Trial registration This review was pre-registered in the Open Science Framework register with the ID-number Z8EDK.

Background The ongoing conflict in Syria has significantly affected the health care system, particularly in the realm of rheumatology. The purpose of this study is to assess the current state of rheumatic diseases in the northwestern region of Syria, where the health care infrastructure has been severely impacted.

Introduction: Conirmatory factor analysis (CFA) is a statistical technique to verify the factor structure of a set of observed variables. Objective: The study was conducted with an objective to study the psychometric properties of DASS 21 scale by Conirmatory factor analysis. Method: This study used a Multi Method Design (Multiple approach Design), one was a cross sectional study of 228 participants and the other was a Solomon 4 group Design with total 64 participants. Four groups of health care professionals viz Allopathic doctors, Physiotherapists, Nursing professionals and Community Health Oficers (CHOs) were chosen for the study. Convenience sampling was done at two stages. Results: Conirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate the construct validity of DASS 21 scale. The model was overidentiied as the estimated parameters were less than the number of observed variances and covariances. CMIN/DF (Chi square (minimum discrepancy function) /Degree of freedom) value was 2.021 which was < 5. Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) value (0.892) was near to .9. Root Mean square Residuals (RMR) and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) value were 0.031 and 0.063, respectively which were less than 0.08. Average variance extracted (AVE) for the three constructs were less than the squared interconstruct correlation. Conclusion: DASS-21 scale demonstrated a good convergent validity, but in this study, discriminant validity was found to be poor as determined by average variance extracted in comparison to squared Interconstruct correlation.

Introduction. Scientific reasoning for improving the organisation of cancer prevention and the providing onco-dermatological care to the population in the conditions of the public health system development. Materials and methods. The article includes the method of system approach as well as bibliosemantic, epidemiological, medical and statistical, sociological, expert assessment, content analysis, structural and logical analysis, modelling methods. Sources of information are the data from scientific literature, the Center for Medical Statistics of the Ministry of Health Care of Ukraine, the National Cancer Registry of Ukraine, the sociological research among various groups of participants in providing healthcare services and strategic documents of the national and international levels. Results. Unfavourable trends in skin malignancies spread, an increase in their contribution to the burden of the disease and the imperfection of the organisation of skin cancer prevention and the onco-dermatological care to the population were revealed. According to the principles of the state policy and the recommendations of the international organisations the directions of improving the preventive, therapeutic and diagnostic services were reasoned out on the basis of the data from the scientific literature, epidemiological research, spread, locational, gender and age peculiarities of skin cancer among the population, risk factors for their development, estimating the health care resource support, scale and results of the activities, studies of the patients, doctors and health care professionals' opinions. The modern functional-organisational model of the prevention system and control of skin cancer in the conditions of the public health system development with the definition of its principles, structures and functions was reasoned and worked out. Conclusions. The practical implementation of the measures for improving the prevention organisation and therapeutic and diagnostic work to fight skin cancer and the developed functional and organisational model of the system of prevention and control of onco-dermatological pathology in conditions of the public health development will effectively prevent onco-dermatological diseases, reduce the burden of skin cancer, improve people’s health and health care performance indicators and contribute to the health care sustainable development and the population’s well-being.

Introduction: Vaccine attitude can change disease progress, facilitate herald immunity among the community, and stop disease progression. According to the available data, there is no current curative treatment against the virus. The only way to stop the spread of infection is to develop the vaccine and accelerate the vaccine, as shown previously with the influenza pandemic. Objective: The study’s main goal was to investigate health care workers’ knowledge, attitude, and practice toward the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine in Dubai Health Authdority (DHA), United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: In April 2021, an anonymous cross-sectional comparative study measured the willingness and hesitancy to take the COVID-19 vaccine among health care providers in the primary health care sector at DHA. Results: In terms of COVID-19 vaccine knowledge, there was widespread agreement on the significance of the vaccine in preventing the transmission of illness (91.6%) and on the vaccine’s value for the public and community (95.6%). Furthermore, based on health care providers’ opinions, most individuals agreed to promote the COVID-19 vaccination in patients, family, and friends (92.7%), with just 6.9% doubtful. In actuality, 72.1 percent of those who got the vaccination received two doses, while 27.9% received just one dosage. In terms of vaccine type, Pfizer (72.7%), Sinopharm (23.8%), and AstraZeneca (3.6%) were the available vaccines during the study period. Discussion: The majority of participants agreed that the vaccine is essential for health care providers and the community (more than 90%), and they were willing to recommend it to their families (92.7%). They also agreed that the vaccine is necessary to prevent the spread of the disease (91 percent), boosting vaccine confidence. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccine was widely accepted by Dubai’s health care workers. Several factors were identified as significant determinants of vaccine acceptance. UAE health care authorities can use the study’s findings to develop public health policies and implement campaigns to address concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine and other emerging infectious diseases.

Abstract Background The global coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic put extreme pressure on healthcare systems worldwide, forcing a heavy workload on healthcare professionals. Frontline treatment and care for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 compelled healthcare professionals to rapidly adapt to new working conditions. This study explores the experiences of frontline healthcare professionals to learn more about how frontline work affects their learning and skills development but also interprofessional collaboration during a pandemic. Methods In-depth, one-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 healthcare professionals. A broad interdisciplinary group, the participants were employed in public hospitals in four of Denmark’s five regions. Using a reflexive methodology for the data analysis allowed reflexive interpretation when interpreting subjects and interpreting the interpretation. Results The study identified two empirical themes: into the unknown and in the same boat, which we critically interpreted using learning theory and theory on interprofessionalism. The study found that the healthcare professionals moved from being experts in their own fields to being novices in the frontline of the pandemic, and then back to being experts based on interprofessional collaboration that included shared reflection. Working in the frontline was imbued with a unique atmosphere in which workers were equals and functioned interdependently, the barriers normally obstructing interprofessional collaboration set aside to focus on combating the pandemic. Conclusions This study reveals new insights regarding knowledge on frontline healthcare professionals in terms of learning and developing new skills, as well as the importance of interprofessional collaboration. The insights contributed to the understanding of the importance of shared reflection and how the development of expertise was a socially embedded process where discussions were possible without fear of being ridiculed and healthcare professionals were willing to share their knowledge.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic exerted significant mental burden on healthcare workers (HCWs) operating in the frontline of the COVID-19 care as they experienced high levels of stress and burnout. The aim of this scoping review was to identify prevalence and factors associated with burnout among HCWs during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. A literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL. Studies were selected based on the following inclusion criteria: cross-sectional, longitudinal, case-control, or qualitative analyses, published in peer-reviewed journals, between January 1, 2020 and February 28, 2021. Studies carried out on other occupations than healthcare workers or related to other pandemics than COVID-19 were excluded. Following the abstract screen, from 141 original papers identified, 69 articles were eventually selected. A large variation in the reported burnout prevalence among HCWs (4.3–90.4%) was observed. The main factors associated with increase/ decrease of burnout included: demographic characteristics (age, gender, education level, financial situation, family status, occupation), psychological condition (psychiatric diseases, stress, anxiety, depression, coping style), social factors (stigmatisation, family life), work organization (workload, working conditions, availability of staff and materials, support at work), and factors related with COVID-19 (fear of COVID-19, traumatic events, contact with patients with COVID-19, having been infected with COVID-19, infection of a colleague or a relative with COVID-19, higher number of deaths observed by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic). The findings should be useful for policy makers and healthcare managers in developing programs preventing burnout during the current and future pandemics. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(1):21–58

Background: The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced. There are more than 4000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, of which at least 300 are known to be harmful. A 2015 survey in Italy revealed that 58% of cardiologists correctly indicated smoking as an addiction and 45% regularly advised their patients to stop smoking. Aims: The aim is to assess the knowledge of health care professionals (HCPs) related to tobacco cessation and its related activities. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, pilot survey on HCPs-30 doctors and 30 nurses was chosen by convenient sampling at a selected tertiary care hospital in New Delhi. Tool: A semi-structured questionnaire contains items to assess knowledge of HCPs regarding tobacco cessation and its activities. Results: 96.3% of doctors and 76% of nurses were 'asked' their patients about their history of tobacco use, respectively. 86.7% of doctors and 70.1% of nurses 'advice' patients to stop tobacco use. 63.3% of doctors and 54.1% of nurses were interested in participating in tobacco cessation training. Conclusion: Most of the HCPs had given brief interventions by 5 'A's method. More tobacco cessation training would be suggested by health-care workers.

This article reflects on how intersexuality is understood by health professionals, on the perspectives of activists and on how countries have dealt with these issues. It is perceived that intersex variations, which in most cases do not require medical intervention, have been delegated to the bosom of medicine, witnessing a process of medicalization of intersexuality and an attempt to normalize the bodies. The expectations related to sexual dimorphism influence the discourses of health professionals, medical practices and, consequently, the lives of people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background There is an increasing trend towards person-centred care (PCC) worldwide, suggesting that PCC should be mastered by future health care professionals. This study aims to explore programme directors’ views on facilitators and barriers to implementing PCC in four of the largest national study programmes in Sweden training future health care professionals. Methods A qualitative design was applied and interviews were conducted with 19 programme directors of Swedish national study programmes in medicine, nursing, occupational therapy and physiotherapy. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Themes were sorted according to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) in an abductive approach. COREQ guidelines were applied. Results The overarching theme, as interpreted from the programme directors’ experiences, was ‘Person-centred care is on the move at different paces.’ The theme relates to the domains identified by the CFIR as outer setting, innovation, inner setting and process. PCC was understood as something familiar but yet new, and the higher education institutions were in a state of understanding and adapting PCC to their own contexts. The movement in the outer setting consists of numerous stakeholders advocating for increased patient influence, which has stirred a movement in the inner setting where the higher educational institutions are trying to accommodate these new demands. Different meanings and values are ascribed to PCC, and the concept is thus also ‘on the move’, being adapted to traditions at each educational setting. Conclusion Implementation of PCC in Swedish higher education is ongoing but fragmented and driven by individuals with a specific interest. There is uncertainty and ambiguity around the meaning and value of PCC and how to implement it. More knowledge is needed about the core of PCC as a subject for teaching and learning and also didactic strategies suitable to support students in becoming person-centred practitioners.

The aim of this work is to analyze the available scientific information and summarize the main results of modern research on the symptoms and causes, clinical consequences and methods of prevention and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in medical staff. Materials and methods. An analysis of published full-text articles from PubMed, Web of Science, APA PsychNet, Google Scholar, Scopus databases was performed to systematize data on symptoms and causes, clinical consequences and methods of prevention and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in health care professionals. In addition, earlier publications of historical interest value were included in the analysis. Results. The analysis of the main symptoms and factors of post-traumatic stress disorder of medical workers was carried out. The analysis found that 15–43 % of physicians suffered from depression, anxiety, and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Its occurrence in health professionals was associated with a number of risk factors, which can be divided into labor, social and psychological. The labor factors were of the greatest importance in the syndrome occurrence. Despite the fact that there were a number of psychological and pharmacological care programs aimed at the prevention and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, none of them currently has evidence of its effectiveness. There are no clinical prediction methods that would identify health care workers at a high risk of post-traumatic stress disorder development. The risk of traumatic exposure was particularly pronounced among resident physicians, who usually lack training and practice compared with more experienced physicians. Conclusions. A funding is needed for methodologically based researches and effective measures, developed on this ground, to eliminate post-traumatic stress disorder in health care professionals. If the prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder could not be addressed at the state level, it would jeopardize the stability of the entire health care system functioning.

Objective: To examine the level of burnout syndrome, and to investigate the relationship between burnout, personality traits, coping strategies, and other related personal factors among mental health professionals working in a tertiary hospital. Materials and Methods: Online questionnaires were sent to 160 mental health professionals at Siriraj Hospital. The questionnaire comprised questions collecting demographic data, the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (Thai version), the Big Five Inventory, and the Coping Scale. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: A total of 121 (75.6%) responses were collected. Of the 121 participants, 41.3% reported high total burnout levels. However, no difference in total burnout was found between the different mental health professions. The group aged between 20-29 years demonstrated higher burnout than the others. Individuals with bachelor’s and master’s degrees showed greater burnout than those with lower than undergraduate degrees. Moreover, individuals who worked for less than five years had higher burnout than those in other groups. Furthermore, neuroticism and avoidance significantly predicted the burnout syndrome. Conclusion: In contrast to previous studies in Thailand, the results highlighted the risk factors for burnout syndrome in terms of personal, work-related, and client-related burnout. These results can strengthen awareness surrounding mental health conditions, for the effective provision of psychoeducation and psychological interventions.

Background: Global outbreak of deadly Corona virus disease has forced health care professionals of various disciplines in Hospital and community setting to use personal protective equipment (PPE) which consists of completely encapsulated suit, led the frontline health care professionals to face not only the physical discomfort but also other health consequences. Aims and Objectives: This study is conducted to assess the physical, physiological, and psychological health consequences faced by health care workers using Level III PPE when attending COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in the month of December 2020 and January 2021 amongst Medicos, Paramedicals, Nurses and other health care professionals in a tertiary care hospital attending COVID-19 duty using an online questionnaire which included sociodemographic profile, frequency of the duty, physical, physiological, psychological difficulties faced while using PPE, and the responses was recorded according to three-point Likert’s scale. Data were analyzed using suitable statistical methods with the help of SPSS V.23. Results: A total of227 front line warriors were included in the study with 157 (69%) males, 70 (31%) females among them 121 (53%) medicos, 68 (30%) nurses, 23 (10%) paramedicals, 15 (7%) others. Majority of them that is 186 were in 21–30 years age group, 31 in 31–40 years, 10 in >41 years. 124 (55%) used PPE for 4–6 h, 84 (37%) >6 h and 19 (8%) used for

There is a global movement for health and social care to be person-centred: supporting people’s active participation when making health decisions and considering their opinions, beliefs, and needs. The World Health Organization recommend the inclusion of person-centred care in health and social care provision. This research aimed to explore Australian health and social care profession students’ language around person-centred care. Final-year health and social care professions students, attending one of two Australian universities, participated in an online questionnaire. Responses were analysed and themed to an existing person-centred care framework, then a sentiment analysis was applied to each response. Of the responses collected from 90 students, 235 statements were linked to the four core values of the person-centred care framework: cultivating communication (44%); respectful and compassionate care (35%); engaging patients in managing their care (20%); and integration of care (

IntroductionCoronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) undoubtedly is having a sustained psychological impact on healthcare professionals, as such frontline workers are particularly at risk. Actions are needed to mitigate impacts of COVID-19 on mental health by protecting and promoting psychological wellbeing of healthcare workers during and after the outbreak. In light of the unprecedented public health crisis of COVID-19 pandemic, it is thereby crucial to acknowledge the psychological impact of this mounting threat.AimTo determine various healthcare professional’s views on the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and to present their concernsas well as assess their stress and burnout levels along with evaluation of awareness and measures of prevention utilized by them during the testing times.Subjects and methodsThe study utilised a survey form developed by researchers as data collection tool. Research was conducted on 242 health care professionals in the Indian population using online survey method. Appropriate statistical methods, chi-square analysis, Kruskal Walis test and Mann Whitney U test using SPSS version 21 were employed in analysis of the data. Finalised questionnaire was composed of three parts asking background information, questions about the stress caused by the COVID-19, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale; Evaluation of awareness and preventive measures against Covid-19 pandemic.ResultsDoctors were found to be most anxious of different HCW’s with higher anxiety in females and use of television as the most preferred source of information.ConclusionResults of the present study showed that although health care workers provide services to COVID-19 diagnosed patients, they are not protected against the risk of infection.Keywords COVID-19, Burn out, Anxiety, Health Care professionals, Stress

Background: The safety of medications is of utmost concern for public health. In developed countries, adverse drug reaction reporting systems are well established, but in low-income and middle-income countries such as Pakistan, these are under-developed and ignored. The objective of this qualitative survey was to explore the adverse drug reaction reporting practices by health care professionals of Karachi, Pakistan. Materials Methods: Fifteen health care professionals (HCPs), including physicians, nurses and pharmacists from public, semi-private and private tertiary care hospitals were selected using purposive and snowball sampling for semi-structured interviews. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and were analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Results: The results showed that almost all HCPs have a good understanding of ADR, but did not know the procedures of ADR reporting to the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). Usually, the ADR was manually reported, with few hospitals having an electronic ADR reporting system. Barriers to the ADR reporting included a large influx of illiterate patients, over-burdened staff, lack of financial and technological resources, and ineffective administration. Facilitator to ADR reporting was electronic ADR system. Conclusion: These findings would help the policymakers and health administrators to revise existing policies and devise new ones for the adoption of adverse drugs reporting (ADR) systems in hospitals.

Background: Social media presence among health care professionals is ubiquitous and largely beneficial for their personal and professional lives. New standards are forming in the context of e-professionalism, which are loosening the predefined older and offline terms. With these benefits also come dangers, with exposure to evaluation on all levels from peers, superiors, and the public, as witnessed in the #medbikini movement. Objective: The objectives of this study were to develop an improved coding scheme (SMePROF coding scheme) for the assessment of unprofessional behavior on Facebook of medical or dental students and faculty, compare reliability between coding schemes used in previous research and SMePROF coding scheme, compare gender-based differences for the assessment of the professional content on Facebook, validate the SMePROF coding scheme, and assess the level of and to characterize web-based professionalism on publicly available Facebook profiles of medical or dental students and faculty. Methods: A search was performed via a new Facebook account using a systematic probabilistic sample of students and faculty in the University of Zagreb School of Medicine and School of Dental Medicine. Each profile was subsequently assessed with regard to professionalism based on previously published criteria and compared using the SMePROF coding scheme developed for this study. Results: Intercoder reliability increased when the SMePROF coding scheme was used for the comparison of gender-based coding results. Results showed an increase in the gender-based agreement of the final codes for the category professionalism, from 85% in the first phase to 96.2% in the second phase. Final results of the second phase showed that there was almost no difference between female and male coders for coding potentially unprofessional content for students (7/240, 2.9% vs 5/203, 2.5%) or for coding unprofessional content for students (11/240, 4.6% vs 11/203, 5.4%). Comparison of definitive results between the first and second phases indicated an understanding of web-based professionalism, with unprofessional content being very low, both for students (9/222, 4.1% vs 12/206, 5.8%) and faculty (1/25, 4% vs 0/23, 0%). For assessment of the potentially unprofessional content, we observed a 4-fold decrease, using the SMePROF rubric, for students (26/222, 11.7% to 6/206, 2.9%) and a 5-fold decrease for faculty (6/25, 24% to 1/23, 4%). Conclusions: SMePROF coding scheme for assessing professionalism of health-care professionals on Facebook is a validated and more objective instrument. This research emphasizes the role that context plays in the perception of unprofessional and potentially unprofessional content and provides insight into the existence of different sets of rules for web-based and offline interaction that marks behavior as unprofessional. The level of e-professionalism on Facebook profiles of medical or dental students and faculty available for public viewing has shown a high level of understanding of e-professionalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim:Health care workers at the forefront of the Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have faced increased workload and intense stress. It is essential to understand the relationship between specific processes that have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the level of burnout of health workers. This study aims to determine health workers’ perceptions regarding changing processes and burnout levels during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:This study was carried out in a descriptive design. The research population consists of health workers who are actively working in Turkey. A web-based survey sampled 537 health workers who agreed to participate in the study. Research data was collected during dates between December 31, 2020, and January 10, 2021. This study measured health workers’ perceptions of burnout and their experiences and attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic.Results:According to the findings of the study, 52% of health workers reported burnout. As a result of the regression analysis, we found that increased workload in nurses (B=1.12, t=0.56, p

Background: COVID-19 pandemic is one of the rarest health crises the world has ever encountered. As mental health professionals; we need to consider the psychological impact of the pandemic. There are certain groups of people that are largely more vulnerable to pernicious effects on mental health including frontline healthcare workers. Hence, the current study was undertaken look into the minds of our covid warriors. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to assess psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic among health care professionals, with the primary objectives being to study: 1. Perceived stress regarding COVID-19 pandemic among health care professionals. 2. Stigma associated with the pandemic, faced by health care professionals in their surroundings as well as in the society. 3. Obsessive-Compulsive symptoms among the health care professionals. The secondary objective of the study is to compare between High and Low exposure groups on the basis of different variables. Materials and Methods: This study is an observational, cross-sectional study wherein the sample size is 410, taken by consequent sampling. Data was collected from health care professionals all over India, by manual or digital interview. Health care professionals of a tertiary care hospital were taken up for the study including doctors, nurses and other hospital staff. Results: On K10 scale, 369 (90%) of the subjects had scores below 25, meaning they reported to have no or mild perceived stress, whereas 41 of them (10%) had scores 25 or above, meaning to have moderate or severe perceived stress. Forty (9.8%) subjects reported to be experiencing panic symptoms at the time of the interview. One hundred twenty-eight (31.2%) admitted to have faced stigma from the society in at least one of the facets of the questionnaire based on SARI stigma scale. 39 people (9.5%) reported to be experiencing OC symptoms at the time of interview. Conclusion: With this research we conclude that owing to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the health care professionals are under a lot of stress, many of them have also experienced panic like symptoms. Large scale screenings should be carried out at regular intervals at hospitals to keep a check on the mental health of health care workers. Mental health should be given a priority by the government officials and sufficient awareness campaigns should be rolled out.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic caught the health care systems of all countries unprepared. For the further education of healthcare personnel in the Republic of Kosovo, it became necessary to implement a concept for practical training in hygienic working. A video-conference–based educational concept to bridge the physical distance between Germany and Kosovo enabled the rapid, theoretical and practical transfer of knowledge. Methods: Current evidence on COVID-19 and Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) were researched. Healthcare staff in Pristina were advised and trained in ten online sessions on hygienic working under pandemic conditions via the “Logitech Rally for DFNconf” video conferencing system. The seminars were interpreted consecutively (Albanian). The Situational Judgement Test (HygiKo-SJT) should describe changes in participants’ hygiene knowledge.Results: A total of 25 people were trained in hygiene-related knowledge in terms of basic and specific hygiene for COVID-19. The weekly training sessions made it possible to address questions and subsequently provide practical knowledge. The HygiKo-SJT did not show a generalizable, measurable improvement in hygiene competence. Conclusion: Participants benefited from the concept and rapid implementation of a live video-conference–based seminar on “Hygiene under Pandemic Conditions”. The positive experience in terms of guidance, advice and training provides the basis for implementing a dedicated “Hygiene” module in Kosovo

Objective: To document the practices of our healthcare professionals (HCPs) about oxygen (O2) therapy in patients admitted with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine, Sialkot Medical College, Sialkot, from Jul 2017 to Jan 2018. Methodology: 150 Health Care Professionals, working in emergency and intensive care units for more than 2 years, who administered supplemental oxygen to patients admitted with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, were included in the study. Results: Of the 150 Health Care Professionals, 88 were staff nurses and 62 were doctors. 82.7% of Health Care Professionals knew the importance of controlled 2 delivery in patients of An acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. But only 66.9% actually practiced according to their knowledge/consultants prescription. Conclusion: Despite adequate knowledge of Health Care Professionals regarding oxygen supplementation in Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, their practices need to be improved. The culture of giving high concentration oxygen to patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease should be discouraged. Appropriate local protocols should be devised, prominently displayed and rigorously followed.

Background: As we are witnessing the evolution of social media (SM) use worldwide among the general population, the popularity of SM has also been embraced by health care professionals (HCPs). In the context of SM evolution and exponential growth of users, this scoping review summarizes recent findings of the e-professionalism of HCPs.Objective: The purpose of this scoping review is to characterize the recent original peer-reviewed research studies published between November 1, 2014, to December 31, 2020, on e-professionalism of HCPs; to assess the quality of the methodologies and approaches used; to explore the impact of SM on e-professionalism of HCPs; to recognize the benefits and dangers of SM; and to provide insights to guide future research in this area.Methods: A search of the literature published from November 1, 2014, to December 31, 2020, was performed in January 2021 using 3 databases (PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus). The searches were conducted using the following defined search terms: "professionalism" AND "social media" OR "social networks" OR "Internet" OR "Facebook" OR "Twitter" OR "Instagram" OR "TikTok." The search strategy was limited to studies published in English. This scoping review follows the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines.Results: Of the 1632 retrieved papers, a total of 88 studies were finally included in this review. Overall, the quality of the studies was satisfactory. Participants in the reviewed studies were from diverse health care professions. Medical health professionals were involved in about three-quarters of the studies. Three key benefits of SM on e-professionalism of HCPs were identified: (1) professional networking and collaboration, (2) professional education and training, and (3) patient education and health promotion. For the selected studies, there were five recognized dangers of SM on e-professionalism of HCPs: (1) loosening accountability, (2) compromising confidentiality, (3) blurred professional boundaries, (4) depiction of unprofessional behavior, and (5) legal issues and disciplinary consequences. This scoping review also recognizes recommendations for changes in educational curricula regarding e-professionalism as opportunities for improvement and barriers that influence HCPs use of SM in the context of e-professionalism.Conclusions: Findings in the reviewed studies indicate the existence of both benefits and dangers of SM on e-professionalism of HCPs. Even though there are some barriers recognized, this review has highlighted existing recommendations for including e-professionalism in the educational curricula of HCPs. Based on all evidence provided, this review provided new insights and guides for future research on this area. There is a clear need for robust research to investigate new emerging SM platforms, the efficiency of guidelines and educational interventions, and the specifics of each profession regarding their SM potential and use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In February 2020 the first COVID-19 case was reported in Italy and afterwards the virus started spreading rapidly, increasing dramatically the number of infected subjects. To face the pandemic outbreak, hospitals converted wards to assure COVID-19 patients’ care and adopted measures to reduce virus diffusion. The aim of this study was to determine how many physiotherapists, in the Lombardy region, worked during pandemic, whether they continued their usual practice or were employed in COVID-19 wards and in which tasks they were involved. The survey was submitted online by the national professional order. The response rate was 11.79%. During the pandemic, 648 (53.9%) respondents interrupted their services. Less than 20% of the physiotherapists that continued working were assigned to COVID-19 wards with the role of physiotherapist. Only a small proportion of respondents had advanced skills in respiratory physiotherapy. Moreover, this study showed a limited involvement of physiotherapists inside the very acute and intense settings. In conclusion, this work revealed that, during COVID-19 pandemic, in the Lombardy region a small percentage of physiotherapists was employed in COVID-19 wards, mainly in post-acute context. Even though the response rate of this survey was very low, this study highlights the need to define and underline the role of physiotherapy in acute setting during emergency.

Abstract Background Schistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), being regarded as a neglected tropical disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Praziquantel is the conventional treatment recommended for schistosomiasis in mainstream healthcare systems. In many poor settings, while many people reportedly use both traditional medicine and public sector mainstream healthcare systems, little is known if those infected with schistosomiasis use both African traditional and prescribed antischistosomal medicines. This review aims to map evidence of the concomitant management of schistosomiasis by traditional health practitioners (THPs) and health care professionals (HCPs) in communities with a high prevalence schistosomiasis infection in LMICs. Methods/design Guided by Arksey and O’Malley scoping review framework and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), we will map the evidence from relevant studies dating from 2007 to 2019 published in LMICs. An electronic keyword search of the following databases will be conducted: PubMed, Cochrane Library, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and MEDLINE via EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, and WILEY online Library. Peer-reviewed articles, gray literature sources, and reference lists will be included to identify eligible studies. Following title screening, two reviewers will independently screen the abstracts and full texts. Any study that focuses on managing schistosomiasis will be included. The data will be analyzed using thematic analysis with the help of NVIVO software version 12, with the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT) being used to assess the quality of the included studies. Discussion This review will map the evidence in the literature of the concomitant management of schistosomiasis by THPs and HCPs in communities with a high prevalent infection in LMICs. The review findings will be important for policy makers across the healthcare continuum and be used to inform stakeholders’ consensus process to explore the development of a generic set of patient-centered quality indicators that are applicable to multiple care settings. It will also identify research gaps in schistosomiasis management in LMICs and provide direction for future research. The results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication and presented in relevant conferences. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42017078198

Abstract Background In 1997 the “Wessex Research Network (WReN) Spider” was developed and validated to assess the research experience of general practice based researchers. This bibliometric study traces the use and development of this instrument over 15 years. Methods We performed a bibliographic search to identify all the citations of the original article since 2002. Results Thirty one relevant papers were found. Publications were classified according to whether they used (N = 18) or cited (N = 13) the WReN Spider. The majority of these papers came from Australia (N = 18) and 10 papers focussed on the research training of Allied Health Professionals. The WReN Spider was used in 12 studies to assess baseline experience before a training intervention or to compare before and after training scores. The WReN Spider was often (N = 9) modified to additionally assess interest, confidence or interest in up-skilling in each of its 10 limbs. It was also often (N = 14) used in tandem with open ended questions to gain a more detailed understanding of people’s research skills, or with additional questions focussing on the research context, culture and team. None of the papers confirmed the validation of the WReN Spider, although it was applied in contexts that differed from the one in which it was developed. Conclusions The WReN Spider continues to be used to measure the research experience of health care practitioners, but it is frequently enhanced with other questions to look at the wider issues of research success, including collaborators, resource and environment.

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to assess workplace stress and associated factors among health care professionals working in public health care facilities in Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia, 2017. Results Out of the expected 294 study participants, 253 respondents had participated in the study making the response rate 86.1%. In this study the prevalence of workplace stress was found to be 48.6%. Educational status (AOR: 3.227, 95% CI [(1.358, 7.673) and working experience (AOR: 2.11,95, 95% CI [1.046, 4.260]) were the factors associated with workplace stress. The current study concluded that the prevalence of workplace stress was high among the study participants. Therefore, this study recommended that the health care facilities should work to identify other sources of workplace stress and further large-scale researches need to be done.

Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitude of health care professionals regarding persons with disabilities. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Children Hospital Complex Lahore, from Jun to Oct 2016. Patients and Methods: This study was designed to assess outcomes of knowledge and attitude of health care professionals regarding persons with disabilities among 85 health care professionals including doctors, nurses and allied health professionals of different hospitals of Lahore. A SAQ-K questionnaire regarding knowledge and ATDP-O for attitude was administered to all of them in a private and confidential setting. Data was entered and analyzed in SPSS version 21.0. Mean ± SD was calculated for SAQ-K, ATDP-O and analyzed using independent t-test and ANOVA. A p-value of

Aim To investigate existence of scientific support for linking differences in the experience of pain to ethnicity. Methods The study was designed as a systematic literature review of qualitative and quantitative studies. The inclusion criteria were scientific studies published in scientific journals and written in English. Studies that described children’s experiences and animals were excluded. There were 10 studies, one qualitative and nine quantitative. Results The result was divided into two main sections. The first section presents the results of investigated material regarding different ethnic groups, the groups’ different experiences with regard to pain and its treatment focusing entirely on the patients’ perspective. Several studies have revealed major differences in the way individuals perceive their pain, using various pain evaluation tools. The second section explained different coping strategies depending on ethnicity and showed that different ethnic groups handle their pain in different ways. Conclusion Healthcare professionals have a duty to pay attention to and understand the patients’ experience of their disease and suffering and, as far as possible, mitigate this using appropriate measures. For this purpose, ethnic, cultural and religious differences between different patients need to be understood. It is necessary to continue to study ethnic differences in reporting and predicting pain and its consequences, including the assessment of variables associated with pain, as well as examining the use of prayer as a form of dealing with pain, with an evaluation of various effects of such different influences.

Abstract Objectives The main aim of this study was to assess the level of job satisfaction and associated factors among healthcare professionals working at University of Gondar Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among 416 healthcare professionals from March 27, 2017 to April 25, 2017. Simple random sampling technique was employed and data were collected with a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi-Info version 7, and analyzed using SPSS 20 softwares. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed. Results A total of 383 participants were involved in the study. The overall level of job satisfaction among health care professionals was 54% [95% CI (49.3–58.8)]. Marital status [AOR = 1.79 (1.140, 2.797)], salary [AOR = 2.75 (1.269, 5.958)], leadership style [AOR = 2.19 (1.31–3.65)], and supportive supervision [AOR = 2.05 (1.27–3.32)] were found significant determinants of job satisfaction. The overall level of job satisfaction among health care professionals at the University of Gondar Referral Hospital was low. Therefore, health service managers should focus their leadership style and provide supportive supervision in the hospital to improve the level of job satisfaction of health care professionals.

A pandemic of an intense respiratory condition brought about by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which started first in Wuhan, China, presently known as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), started in December 2019 has pulled in an exceptional measure of consideration around the world. A far-reaching knowledge on the prevention strategies is rudimentary for Health Care Providers (HCPs) when trying to ensure themselves, patients, associates and the overall population from this transmission of disease. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - which includes masks, coverall, aprons, and other additional outfits are one of the important prevention strategy and control for all healthcare staff including attendants. Understanding the usage of PPE will help HCPs to properly utilise PPE thereby, lessening redundant expense. A convenient comprehension on ideal utilisation of PPE and executing compelling preventive measures are critical for a good control of the disease and can assist clinicians with mitigating further transmission by taking appropriate measures.

Abstract Background Results from a previous study showed that 40 to 60% of the price of off-patent medicines in Vietnam was typically spent to induce prescribers to use the medicines, and to persuade procurement officers within hospitals to buy them. In this article we examine how and why inducements were paid by the pharmaceutical industry to health care providers in Vietnam. Methods We use a theoretically informed analysis to understand pharmaceutical companies’ account of giving inducements and prescribers’ account of taking them, elicited through in-depth interviews. Results Analysis of the emergent concepts derived from our qualitative data led to viewing the constructs from the theoretical framework of opportunities; pressures; and rationalization within a hierarchy of systemic factors and individual factors. Economic survival pressures in an imperfectly competitive market reportedly encouraged pharmaceutical companies and prescribers to be linked financially. Although individual factors such as professional ethics and personal values influenced doctors’ responses to corrupt practices, entrenched systemic issues, including lack of transparency, accountability, poor enforcement of legislation and prevalence of corruption emerged as important factors supporting corrupt practice or even making it very difficult for individuals to opt out of corrupt practices. Conclusions Our theoretically informed analysis of inducements provides an in-depth understanding of an angle of corruption in Vietnam’s health sector, showing the need for multifaceted strategies in the fight against corruption in the health sector. Remedial strategies need to address both systemic and individual factors including interventions to relieve dependencies for survival of health care services on the corrupt system.

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has taken the world by storm and has made each and every government to introspect about their preparedness and the response action plan. Amidst all the unknown epidemiological attributes of the novel virus, the health care professionals have been at the forefront dealing with infectious cases to save their lives by compromising their own safety. In order to ensure that health professionals actively participate in the process of health care, it is their right to have access to all standard preventive & protective measures. To conclude, in the ongoing outbreak of Coronavirus disease, the efforts of the health care professionals will be the real factor in improving the survival chances of thousands of the affected patients. However, considering the fact that they are working in high-risk settings, it is the responsibility of the health administrators to safeguard the health and wellbeing of health professionals.

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the living conditions of many people. Many people felt significantly constrained. However, for individuals who are both parents and healthcare professionals, the situation seems more troubling in other ways. (2) Objectives: Based on this, we planned a study evaluating demographic characteristics, COVID-19-related anxiety levels, and parenting-related stress levels of the health care professionals who were working in the University Hospital. We also evaluated the parameters that affect COVID-19-related anxiety and parenting stress. (3) Methods: The level of COVID-19-related anxiety is assessed by the coronavirus anxiety scale. The parenting stress index-short form is used for evaluation of parenting stress. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 22. (4) Results: Female gender, working as a nurse, a history of COVID-19, and having a child attending daycare were parameters that increased the level of COVID-19-related anxiety. Occupation, being a parent of a schoolchild and/or primary school child, being a parent of a child receiving face-to-face education, and having more than two children were found to be risk factors for parenting stress. Clinically significant parenting stress was found to increase threefold in healthcare workers with more than two children (R2 = 0.101, p = 0.039). (5) Conclusions: Healthcare professionals, who are also parents, play a huge role both at home and in the hospital in the pandemic. Therefore, it is inevitable that their stress and anxiety levels increase. It is important to determine the factors that cause stress and anxiety and to take measures in this direction to get through this process well.

Abstract Background Medical education is a cornerstone in the global combat against diseases such as diabetes and obesity which together affect more than 500 million humans. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are educational tools for institutions to teach and share their research worldwide. Currently, millions of people have participated in evidence-based MOOCs, however educational and professional benefit(s) for course participants of such initiatives have not been addressed sufficiently. We therefore investigated if participation in a 6 week open online course in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and obesity had any impact on the knowledge, skills, and career of health care professionals contrasting participants from developing countries versus developed countries. Methods 52.006 participants signed up and 29.469 participants were active in one of the three sessions (2014–2015) of Diabetes - a Global Challenge. Using an online based questionnaire (nine sections) software (Survey Monkey), email invitations were send out using a Coursera based database to the 29.469 course participants. Responses were analyzed and stratified, according to the United Nations stratification method, by developing and developed countries. Results 1.303 (4.4%) of the 29.469 completed the questionnaire. 845 of the 1303 were defined as health care professionals, including medical doctors (34%), researchers (15%), nurses (11%) and medical students (8%). Over 80% of the health care participants report educational benefits, improved knowledge about the prevention and treatment therapies of diabetes and furthermore improved professional life and practice. Over 40% reported that their professional network expanded after course participation. Study participants who did not complete all modules of the course reported similar impact as the ones that completed the entire course(P = 0.9). Participants from developing countries gained more impact on their clinical practice (94%) compared to health care professionals from developed regions (88%) (Mean of differences = 6%, P = 0.03. Conclusions Based on self-reports from course participants, MOOC based medical education seems promising with respect to providing accessible and free research-based education to health professionals in both developing and developed countries. Course participants from developing countries report more benefits from course participation than their counterparts in the developed world.

Introduction. the situation of divorced men who live separetely children is difficult in hungary, as well as in many other countries. the effects of divorce on all family members is considerable, therefore, the topic seems worth investigating.Aim. the aim of our study was to examine the situation, difficulties and problems of divorced hungarian fathers who live separately from their children, and their need for professional help.Material and methods. the research was conducted among men of legal age who had undergone divorce for the first time,had at least one child together with their ex-wife, and the divorce had taken place in the last 1 to 5 years. A self-made questionnaire composed of four parts (6 open and 60 closed questions) was presented to the participants. the questionnaire wasavailable online between 21/11/2015 and 20/01/2016. 100 fathers who filled in the questionnaire correctly were included inthe study.Results. only 18.0% of the fathers had not noticed any physical, mental or behavioural symptoms after divorce. 49.0% of themnoticed all three types of symptoms. several fathers’ work performance declined. one third (32.0%) of the fathers had suchserious symptoms that they decided to consult a medical specialist. 80.0% of the fathers were not satisfied with financial supportoffered to them, 76.0% of them were not satisfied with the social allowances available to them, and 74.0% were not satisfiedwith the psychological and psychiatric support they are offered.Conclusions. Fathers are not prepared to face the divorce. physicians should be increasingly aware that divorce can be thesource of physical symptoms. Fathers feel the lack of financial, social and psychological support, as well as of legal support. theywould like to be involved in the family care of the hungarian health visitors’ network after divorce.

Background Benzodiazepines (BZDs) and z-drugs are effective drugs, but they are prescribed excessively worldwide. International guidelines recommend a maximum treatment duration of 4 weeks. Although these drugs are effective in the short-term, long-term BZD therapy is associated with considerable adverse effects, the development of tolerance and, finally, addiction. However, there are different interventions in terms of patient-centered care that aim to reduce the use of BZDs and z-drugs as well as assist health care professionals (HCPs) in preventing the inappropriate prescription of BZDs. Aim The aim of this systematic review was to identify interventions that promote patient-centered treatments for inappropriate BZD and z-drug use and to analyze their effectiveness in reducing the inappropriate use of these drugs. Methods To identify relevant studies, the PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Psyndex, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. Studies with controlled designs focusing on adult patients were included. Trials with chronically or mentally ill patients were excluded if long-term BZD and z-drug use was indicated. Study extraction was performed based on the Cochrane Form for study extraction. To assess the quality of the studies, we used a tool based on the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing the risk of bias in randomized trials. Results We identified 7,068 studies and selected 20 for systematic review. Nine interventions focused on patients, nine on HCPs, and two on both patients and HCPs. Intervention types ranged from simple to multifaceted. Patient-centered interventions that provided patient information effectively increased the appropriate use of BZDs. The educational approaches for HCPs that aimed to achieve appropriate prescription reported inconsistent results. The methods that combined informing patients and HCPs led to a significant reduction in BZD use. Conclusions This is the first review of studies focused on patient-centered approaches to reducing the inappropriate prescription and use of BZDs and z-drugs. The patient-centered dimension of patient information was responsible for a decrease in BZD and z-drug consumption. Further, in some studies, the patient-centered dimensions responsible for reducing the prescription and use of BZDs and z-drugs were the clinician’s essential characteristics and clinician-patient communication.

Background: Overweight is increasing in developing countries even as underweight remains highly prevalent in some communities, leading to a double burden of malnutrition. This study explored physicians' perceptions about emergence of overweight and its clinical management in a socioeconomically developing region of India, where underweight constitutes to be a major health problem among children and adolescents. Objective:This study aimed to explore how physicians in the Vijayapura city, India are understanding and managing the emerging double burden of underweight and overweight in adolescents. Material and Methods: A semi structured questionnaire was developed consisting of 35 close-ended questions about causes of obesity, gender differences, and treatment practices and three open-ended questions about the perceived main reasons for obesity .One question ranked various reasons for emergence of adolescent obesity. Twenty- ve physicians participated in the survey. Results: Physicians treated more adolescents for underweight than overweight; however, most said overweight had increased over the past 5 years (72%) while underweight had been steady or decreased (80%). Most desired more training on treating patients for overweight (92%) and under-nutrition (60%). Most agreed that urban dwelling (72%), high socioeconomic status (72%), male gender (84%) and parental obesity (80%) were risk factors for obesity. Almost all discussed eating habits (100%) and activity levels (80%), and two-thirds ranked environmental factors, like urbanization, globalization, and technology, as most inuential. Conclusion: Physicians indicated that while the predominant problem among adolescents in this part of India is underweight, overweight is increasing due to various environmental, socioeconomic, cultural, and behavioral factors.

The Caesarean section rate in urban Vietnam is 43% in 2014, which is more than twice the recommended rate (10%−15%) by the World Health Organization. This qualitative study aims to identify the perceptions of pregnant mothers and health care professionals on the medical and social factors related to the increased Caesarean section rate in Vietnam. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted among pregnant mothers and healthcare professionals at two public hospitals in Nha Trang city. A content analysis was adopted in order to identify social and medical factors. As a result, 29 pregnant women and 19 health care professionals were invited to participate in the qualitative interviews. Private interviews were conducted with 10 women who wished to have a Caesarean section, and the others participated in focus group interviews. The main themes of the social factors were ‘request for Caesarean section,’ ‘mental strain of obstetricians,’ and ‘decision-making process.’ To conclude, this qualitative study suggests that there were unnecessary caesarean sections without a clear medical indication, which were requested by women and family members. Psychological fear occurred among women and family, and doctors were the main determinants for driving the requests for Caesarean section, which implies that education and emotional encouragement is necessary by midwives. In addition, a multi-faced approach including a mandatory reporting system in clinical fields and involving family members in antenatal education is important.

The current article is an integrative and analytical literature review on the concept and meaning of empathy in health and social care professionals. Empathy, i.e., the ability to understand the personal experience of the patient without bonding with them, constitutes an important communication skill for a health professional, one that includes three dimensions: the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral. It has been proven that health professionals with high levels of empathy operate more efficiently as to the fulfillment of their role in eliciting therapeutic change. The empathetic professional comprehends the needs of the health care users, as the latter feel safe to express the thoughts and problems that concern them. Although the importance of empathy is undeniable, a significantly high percentage of health professionals seem to find it difficult to adopt a model of empathetic communication in their everyday practice. Some of the factors that negatively influence the development of empathy are the high number of patients that professionals have to manage, the lack of adequate time, the focus on therapy within the existing academic culture, but also the lack of education in empathy. Developing empathetic skills should not only be the underlying objective in the teaching process of health and social care undergraduate students, but also the subject of the lifelong and continuous education of professionals.

Background: For optimum delivery of service, an establishment needs to ensure a safe and secure environment. In 2011, the South African government promulgated the National Core Standards for Health Establishments for safety and security for all employees in all establishments. Little is known about whether these standards are being complied to. Aim and setting: To assess the perceptions of health care professionals (HCPs) on safety and security at Odi District Hospital. Methodology: A sample of 181 out of a total of 341 HCPs was drawn through a systematic sampling method from each HCP category. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The SPSS® statistical software version 22 was used for data analysis. The level of statistical significance was set at < 0.05. Results: There were more female respondents than male respondents (136; 75.10%). The dominant age group was 28–47 years (114; 57.46%). Perceptions on security personnel, their efficiency and the security system were significantly affirmed (p = 0.0001). The hospital infrastructure, surroundings and plan in emergencies were perceived to be safe (p < 0.0001). The hospital lighting system was perceived as inadequate (p = 0.0041). Only 36 (20.2%) HCPs perceived that hospital authorities were concerned about employees’ safety (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: HCPs had positive perceptions regarding the hospital’s security system. Except for the negative perceptions of the lighting system and the perceived lack of hospital authorities’ concern for staff safety, perceptions of the HCPs on the hospital working environment were positive. The hospital authorities need to establish the basis of negative perceptions and enforce remedial measures to redress them.