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Introduction and Objective Health care professionals (HPs) have been at the forefront facing the pressures and uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic, and thus have a higher psychological vulnerability. The incidence of psychological distress, which can negatively affect an HP's work efficiency and long-term well-being, has not been studied in depth in India. Materials and Methods A multicentric study was conducted using the digital means of communication across Max Healthcare between June and August 2020. HPs in the department of oncology, including doctors, nurses, and other support staff, were invited to voluntarily participate in the self-administered online survey. A total of 87 HPs in oncology (41 doctors, 28 nurses, and 18 in other fronts) were assessed using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Outcome of interest was psychological distress (defined as a GHQ-12 score >15). Results The overall incidence of psychological distress among HPs in oncology during the COVID-19 pandemic was 17.20%. Significantly higher levels of psychological distress were observed among HPs with a history of psychiatric illness (p = 0.003), and among HPs with a work experience of less than 10 years (p = 0.017). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the psychological well-being of HPs in India. This study implicated the recognition of the psychological well-being of HPs in oncology as an unmet need during the COVID-19 pandemic, further recommending efforts toward increasing accessibility of mental health services for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Preterm neonates require Non-invasive Respiratory Support (NiRS) because of underdeveloped lungs to administer pressurized oxygen for a long duration. The interface used to deliver NiRS can cause pressure injury at the nasal surface, septum, and bridge. Preterm neonates are more vulnerable to such injuries due to immature skin and septum. It is the responsibility of Health Care Professionals (HCPs) to prevent nasal injury through the implementation of evidence-based practices and innovative techniques to secure nasal interfaces. Objectives: (1) To find out the barriers and facilitators related to nasal injury among preterm neonates in selected neonatal units of a Tertiary Care Centre, in North India. (2) To seek the remedial measures suggested by HCPs to prevent nasal injury. Methodology: After obtaining permission from the head of the department of neonatology, covert participatory observations related to existing practices were made using an observation checklist. Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted with HCPs (Nursing Officers-43 and Physicians-10) and audio-recorded. Out of the total of eight FGDs, three were conducted with physicians in a group of 2–4 members and the remaining five with nursing officers in a group of 8–9 members, each of 15–20 min duration. FGD guide was used as a tool to guide the discussion. The qualitative data were analyzed by using Van Manen's approach. Result: The barriers identified were related to supplies, staff, and administration. Supplies include limited hospital supply of RAM cannula, reuse of hard ethylene oxide sterilized RAM cannula, lack of adequate size head caps; staff includes lack of awareness regarding the implications and effect of nasal injury among healthcare professionals, variable documentation of nasal injury; administration: no standard guidelines and lack of regular audits to prevent nasal injury. The facilitator suggested were motivated healthcare professionals. Suggested remedial measures were the availability of appropriate size RAM cannula, stockinette head caps, self-motivation, frequent inspection and early identification of nasal injury, staff education, and standard protocol of measures for nasal injury prevention. Conclusion: There are concrete barriers and limited facilitators. There is a need to incorporate the suggested remedial measures to address barriers to preventing nasal injury among preterm neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are one of the main causes of morbidity among healthcare professionals. It has various secondary consequences on productivity by diminishing the quantity and quality of work completed by the affected personnel, in addition to having a primary impact on the individual with pain and discomfort. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to determine the overall prevalence rate of WRMSD among dentists, physiotherapists, and surgeons and also identify the commonly affected regions of the body about specific health care professions among each of the three professions, as recorded by the cross-sectional studies performed in various countries and regions of the world. METHODS: A systematic search strategy was framed following the PRISMA guidelines based on the present inclusion and exclusion criteria. A critical search of articles was conducted during June 2020 in CINAHL (DOAJ), PubMed, Google Scholar Scopus, PEDro databases and SAGE journals. RESULTS: Out of the 42 articles that met the eligibility criteria, there were 39 cross-sectional studies, 2 pilot cross-sectional surveys and 1 prospective cohort study with one-year follow-up. All studies included in this review used various survey tools for recording the demographic details and measuring the prevalence of WRMSDs and other outcome factors. CONCLUSION: We conclude that all three health care professionals (dentists, physiotherapists and surgeons) are highly prone to develop WRMSDs with surgeons and dentists being more vulnerable when compared to physiotherapists. The lower back and neck are identified as the two most commonly affected regions among all three professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: SARS‑CoV‑19 or popularly known as COVID‑19 is recognized as a global public health emergency and a pandemic necessitating readiness of the health system and its operational work force to address the unprecedent challenge. Objective: To assess perceived stress and coping methods using novel brief COPE‑4 factor structure and narrate thematic testimonials among health care professionals involved in COVID care in India. Settings and Designs: Health care settings and multi‑state cross‑sectional study. Methods and Material: A cross sectional mixed‑methods study, with multi‑modal aids was undertaken during April‑May, 2020 using a novel brief COPE‑4 Factor structure. Oral informed consent was obtained to document narrative testimonials verbatim from interviews among doctors, nurse practitioners. Statistical Analysis Used: The web‑survey data from Google forms analyzed using STATA (Ver 12.0) statistical package. The interview content was subjected to manual inductive thematic coding, grouped into piles to identify broad themes as main categories. Results: Among total 218 respondents, 75 (34.4%) were female and 143 (65.6%) male, mean age of 34.71 (SD = 8.9) years. Majority of the respondents were medical post‑graduates on duty (38%) followed by nurses (25%) and public health professionals (14%). Slightly higher levels of stress seen among respondents involved in COVID‑19 duty, compared to those not involved (p < 0.001) and positive thinking is the major coping method adopted. Conclusions: Appraising the coping mechanisms of health care professionals reveals positive outlook amidst medium levels of perceived stress while providing COVID‑19 pandemic related health care services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India intends to start its 1st dose of vaccination against Covid‑19 on January 16th, 2021 prioritizing its frontline health care professionals with either of the two vaccines—Covaxin or Covishield. Whenever a new vaccine is launched, it is marred with controversy and myths. To understand the doubts and concerns better, this study was conducted on health care professionals working in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: Willing respondents, who are working in the institute, were administered the questionnaire asking their views on knowledge, beliefs, and reasons for hesitancy regarding Covid‑19 immunization. A Likert scale was used to quantify the responses regarding participants’ knowledge, beliefs, and hesitancies regarding immunization with the available vaccines. Data were analyzed using MS office Excel sheets and JASP software was used to analyze the data thus obtained. Results: Out of 122 complete responses, we had 73 (60%) doctors, while 30 (24%) were nursing staff, the rest comprised of other health care workers, such as housekeeping staff, janitorial, etc., 66 (54%) respondents were unaware, while 25 (20%) respondents had hesitancy and 23 (18%) were having extremely negative views regarding vaccination. Some of the variables, such as age, role, marital status, gender, etc., were found to be possibly associated with these scores. Conclusion: Issues like concerns over vaccine safety, efficacy, reliability, etc., are deterrents for individuals and whole programme and vaccination drive across the nation. Time and again it has been seen that despite the vaccines’ contribution in breaking the transmission, concerns are making people either hesitant or unmotivated to get the vaccines. More dialogues from the authorities regarding the issues of concern may pave the way for more motivation to accept vaccination and increase the vaccination coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotional intelligence (EI) is possibly one of the most studied psychological factors of the twenty-first century. EI is very much relevant in service industry particularly in management, academics, life sciences or psychology. The purpose of the empirical study is to test the relationship between the defined constructs of EI and job satisfaction (JS) amongst health care professionals of Delhi NCR region of India. It further tried to understand whether gender moderates the EI and JS relationship. Structured survey was used to solicit response from 260 health care professionals comprising doctors and nurses belonging to different hospitals of Delhi NCR region. Standardised instruments were used to assess the data. Linear and moderated regression were used to test hypotheses developed. The findings suggest that EI constructs significantly impact the level of JS among health care professionals. The result of moderated regression suggested that the relationship of EI and JS is significantly moderated by gender. The construct of EI is relevant in providing high quality health care service delivery to the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthcare Sector Is One Of The Significant Sectors That Played Major Role In Coiv-19 Pandemic Situation In Indian. Healthcare Sector In India Is Experiencing Many Challenges Due To The Lock Down And Curfews At Many Places Of India. The Research Study Was Commenced Only Among Women Employees Of Jan Aushadhi Store Chennai City. The Study Conclusions Arrived On The Basis Of Data Received From Women Employees At Jan Aushadhi Store. To Collect The Data From The Women In Jan Aushadhi Store A Questionnaire Was Prepared. The Study Findings Clear That Women Employee Working In Jan Aushadhi Store Play A Crucial Role To Complete Their Day To Day Activity In Both Work And House. Apart From The Two Women Working In Jan Aushadhi Store Have Multifaceted Role To Manage Society, Friends And Etc. The Study Findings Clear That There Is A Need For Jan Aushadhi Store Management To Focus On Aspects Life Awards And Rewards For The Welfare Of Jan Aushadhi Store Women Employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With 3.95 lakhs of active COVID-19 cases in India and Tamilnadu being the second largest hub of COVID-19, the health and social impact on the public, especially the health care warriors would be considerable. Objective: To evaluate and compare the levels of knowledge, preventive behavior and risk perception of South Indian Health Care Professional(HCP) Students regarding COVID-19.Material And Methods: An institution based cross sectional questionnaire survey was conducted in a tertiary care centre and teaching hospital in May-June 2020 amongst 873 students pursuing various HCP courses. The questionnaire comprised four sections - demographic details, COVID-19 related knowledge, preventive behavior and risk perception. Result: Females volunteered to complete the survey (n= 623; 71.4%) more than males (n= 250; 28.6%). Most participants had received awareness about COVID-19 (n=860; 98.5%) from many resources of information. While females (97.50 ± 8.94) had significantly higher scores on items for preventive behavior than males (94.7±15.55; p=0.006), the scores were similar for knowledge and risk perception. There was a statistically significant difference in risk perception among various courses with students pursuing Pharmacy having higher risk perception. Items regarding use of masks in general and hospital set ups and availability of antivirals for COVID-19 received many incorrect responses. Conclusion: HCP students presented with high levels of COVID-19 related knowledge and preventive behavior, but moderate risk perception. Continuing educational programs and preventive behavioral training are the need of the hour to strengthen the knowledge and alleviate anxiety of HCP students towards the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 presents an important and urgent threat to global health. 190 countries with more than 300 000 confirmed cases and 14 510 deaths1. This critical situation, health care workers on the front line who are directly involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with COVID-19 are at risk of developing psychological distress and other mental health symptoms and transmission between people through close contact and droplets2-3. Method: Descriptive correlation survey design was to assess psychological impacts, hand hygiene practices & and its correlates in view of covid-19. Probability Stratified cluster staging sampling techniques were used to select 320 health care professionals. Result: The findings revealed that the effect of noval coronavirus covid-19 among health care professionals 43.8% had mild fear, 45.9% moderate fear, and 10.3% a severe fear, and their mean value (14.58), S.D (6.96) and the variance was 48.54. Level of mild perceived stress was 46.87%, moderate perceived stress was 44.06% and 9.06% had severe perceived stress their mean value (14.417), S.D (7.09) and variance was (50.38).Researcher is also assessing the level of practice was 94.37% had good practice, 5.62% had weak practice their mean value (18.22), S.D (3.15) and variance was (9.92) regarding the prevention of novel coronavirus covid -19 among Health care professionals. The correlation between fear and perceived stress was intermediate correlation, fear and practice had weak positive correlation and in between perceived stress and practice was showing weak positive but nearly close to no correlation. Fear was significantly associated with workplace was, perceived stress was significantly associated with Gender, No. of family members was statistically significant at P<0.05. Conclusion: Novel coronavirus covid-19 was affecting their psychological factors among health care professionals those are working in hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India is considered the epicenter of the global antimicrobial resistance crisis, with unprecedented antimicrobial consumption, production, and "misuse." But the story of resistance in India is complicated—emerging from intersections of industrial pharmaceutical development, rationing/purchasing of health care, policy infrastructure, and dynamics of disadvantage. What looks like rampant, escalating antimicrobial misuse and a need for tighter controls over drugs and "prescribers," emerges as a complex social problem. These dimensions reach the bedside, although variously, with doctors in India dealing with precarious infectious disease landscapes, threats of multidrug-resistant organisms, and (pan) national imperatives for "more judicious" practices. Drawing on 24 semi-structured interviews with doctors in Hyderabad, we explore their perspectives on resistance (literal and figurative) in everyday practice, and how practices articulate intersections of power, influence, and governance. This offers broader context to reframe resistance in India as multifactorial, enacted through cultural/local practices, and irreducible to singular problems of control or regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to educate the adults with diabetes mellitus on low carbohydrate diet and to evaluate the impact of home based education on lifestyle changes. With single blindered randomized controlled trial and self structured interview questionnaire the data was collected among 400 (200 study +200 control) diabetic subjects in Maraimalai Nagar and 9 villages around Kancheepuram district. After the baseline screening the study group subjects were educated with low caloric diet menu plan according to BMI, and a booklet on all aspects of managing diabetes mellitus was also issued to them. Nutritional counseling was given every 15 days for 3 months. The post test revealed an absolute reduction in history of smoking (p<0.001), history of drinking (P<0.001) and history of eating out side food (p<0.03) compared to control group. Eating rice for breakfast was reduced and eating chapatti was increased among the intervention group with (p<0.001). Overall the finding of the study concludes there are significant changes on life style practice after individual video teaching and dietary counseling among the intervention group. The study suggested that nutritional counseling and healthy life style factors must be taught by all health care professionals to increase awareness and to control diabetes mellitus among Indian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury, one of the most toxic heavy metals, is ubiquitous in environment. The adverse health impact of mercury on living organisms is well known. The health care facilities are one of the important sources of mercury release into the atmosphere as mercury items are extensively used in hospitals. To assess the awareness about mercury toxicity and the knowledge of proper handling and disposal of mercury-containing items in health care set–up, a questionnaire-based survey was carried out amongst doctors (n = 835), nurses (n = 610) and technicians (n = 393) in government hospitals, corporate hospitals and primary health care centres in the Indian states of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The study was conducted using a tool-containing pretested structured multiple-choice questionnaire. Analysis of the results using STATA 11.1 software highlighted that overall awareness was more in corporate sector. However, percentage range of knowledge of respondents irrespective of health care sector was only between 20 and 40%. Despite the commitment of various hospitals to be mercury free, mercury containing-thermometer/sphygmomanometer are still preferred by health professionals. The likely reasons are availability, affordability, accuracy and convenience in use. There is an urgent need for source reduction, recycling and waste minimization. Emphasis must be laid on mercury alternative products, education and training of health personnel and public at large, about correct handling and proper clean up of spills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Work‑related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are responsible for morbidity in many working populations. Apart from lowering the quality of workers' life and reducing the productivity, WMSDs are the most expensive form of work disability, attributing to about 40% of all costs toward the treatment of work‑related injuries. WMSDs are considered to be multifactorials that are caused due to the interactions between various risk factors, which result in conditions that vary across different occupations. Although health care profession is known to be at a high risk for WMSDs, it is one of the least‑studied occupations. Most of the previous studies on WMSDs among health care workers were limited to any one of the professional groups such as nurses, physical therapists, dentists, and others. Hence this study was aimed at looking into the WMSDs affecting five different health care professionals working in a tertiary care hospital. It compared the prevalence and distribution of WMSDs among the five groups, evaluated the multiple risk factors that contribute to the development of WMSDs, and identified the high‑risk group. Materials and Methods: It was a cross‑sectional study conducted among dentists, laboratory technicians, nurses, physicians, and physiotherapists of various clinical departments in a tertiary care hospital in Chennai, India, from January to June 2013. Face‑to‑face interviews as well as observational analysis of various tasks were employed. Different combinations of validated and standardized questionnaires were used for collecting different types of data. Results: A high proportion of health care professionals reported WMSDs at one or the other body region, lower back being the most commonly affected area. Working in the same position for long periods, working in awkward or cramped positions and handling an excessive number of patients or samples in one day were found to be the most commonly reported job risk factor that contributed to the development of WMSDs, in this study. Conclusion: Among all the health care professionals assessed in this study, nurses were found to be at the highest risk, whereas physicians were at the lowest risk. A longitudinal study using quantitative analytical tools may give a more accurate estimate of WMSDs and job risk factors, which would pave way for making more precise recommendations to eliminate the risk factors and thereby prevent WMSDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detailing in pharmaceutical industry is defined as the process of communicating the pharmaceutical product message to health care professionals (HCPs, primarily clinicians). In reality, for pharma representative, actual detailing lasts for only few minutes, but the preparation and waiting time is very long. As a result, there is an increasing trend of using interactive e-detailing, video e-detailing and other physicians’ online forums. E-detailing is one of such selling process recently adopted by pharmaceutical companies in India for communicating product messages to the HCPs. As this is a new way of communication, not much is known about the views of physicians about E-detailing. In this backdrop, the purpose of this study is to analyze the scope and acceptability of e-detailing concepts recently started by domestic as well as multinational pharmaceutical companies in India. The objective of the article is to understand the role of different demographic, social, and behavioral variables behind acceptability of e-detailing by physicians of India. The result from ordered probit estimation reveals that the professional service representative (PSR) visit, invitation, and detailing type have a positive impact on the probability of acceptance of e-detailing. Moreover, it can be seen that marginal increase in the PSR visit, invitation, and detailing type increases the probabilities of e-detailing acceptability among physicians. One can see that, in India, physicians consider e-detailing as more of complimentary in nature to ensure a holistic effect of pharmaceutical marketing communication. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aims: This study aimed to investigate how the psychological health of health care professionals (HCP) on COVID duty was different from those who were not directly in contact. Methodology: Of 473 (76%) randomly selected respondents (doctors and nurses) to a WhatsApp request message, 450 subjects' data were finally analyzed. Result: The prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression among HCP was 33.8, 38.9 and 43.6%, respectively. Compared with nonexposed professionals, COVID-19-exposed professionals had roughly double the score of these morbidities (t = 6.3, p < 0.001; t = 6.9, p < 0.001; t = 6.0, p < 0.001). Most worry (71.11%) was about the health of their family, followed by themselves (35.55%). Conclusion: The level of exposure, feelings of uncertainty and fear of infection emerged in our study as possible risk factors for psychological morbidities among HCP.

Introduction: People living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) experience stigma and discrimination throughout their life. The consequences of stigma and discrimination are severe when enacted by healthcare providers (HCPs), and result in a delay in or poor adherence to treatment. Studies have demonstrated the presence of stigmatising behaviours among HCPs, yet only a few have presented the impact of interventions on the knowledge and attitude of practising (clinicians and nurses) and future (students) HCPs., Objectives: To evaluate knowledge, attitudes and infection risk perceptions related to HIV/AIDS among practising and future HCPs in central India. In addition, the impact of the 'HIV-related stigma-reduction workshop' using a pre-intervention and post-intervention study design was evaluated., Settings and Participants: The study was conducted in 2016 at two tertiary-care hospitals and three healthcare colleges in central India. Overall, 650 HCPs (75 clinicians and 211 nurses) and students (205 medical, 123 nursing and 36 Diploma in Medical and Laboratory Technology (DMLT)) voluntarily participated in the study., Intervention: The educational intervention comprised of training in epidemiology, the transmission and treatment of the HIV infection, the rights of PLWHA, the duties of HCPs and the use of standard precautions., Results: At pre-intervention, DMLT students had the lowest and clinicians the highest knowledge scores (24% and 45%, respectively). The stigmatised attitude was reflected in all groups, the lowest among clinicians (21%) and the highest among DMLT students (34%). Improvement in the post-intervention knowledge scores was the highest in medical students (36%) and the lowest among clinicians (16%). The participants' attitudes improved between 3% and 17% across all groups., Conclusions: Significant post-intervention improvements were seen in both knowledge and attitudes in all groups. Students had a higher tendency to improve than HCPs. Further long-term studies are needed to evaluate the sustainability of the improvements in knowledge and attitudes of the participants., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.)