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Mental health care for medical staff and affiliated healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.European Heart Journal. Acute... Apr 2020The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented challenge for society. Supporting the mental health of medical staff and affiliated healthcare workers (staff) is a critical... (Review)
Review
The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented challenge for society. Supporting the mental health of medical staff and affiliated healthcare workers (staff) is a critical part of the public health response. This paper details the effects on staff and addresses some of the organisational, team and individual considerations for supporting staff (pragmatically) during this pandemic. Leaders at all levels of health care organisations will find this a valuable resource.
Topics: Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Communication; Coronavirus Infections; Crisis Intervention; Critical Care; Delivery of Health Care; Empowerment; Health Personnel; Humanism; Humans; Infection Control; Interpersonal Relations; Leadership; Medical Staff; Mental Health; Pandemics; Physicians; Pneumonia, Viral; SARS-CoV-2; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute
PubMed: 32342698
DOI: 10.1177/2048872620922795 -
Revista Da Associacao Medica Brasileira... Nov 2019Burnout syndrome can be seen among health professionals at every stage of their careers. The incidence of burnout syndrome among health care professionals has increased...
OBJECTIVES
Burnout syndrome can be seen among health professionals at every stage of their careers. The incidence of burnout syndrome among health care professionals has increased in recent years and varies between countries and depending on different areas of specialization and work units. It is known that burnout syndrome significantly affects the work and social life of individuals. We aimed to investigate the effect of burnout syndrome on trauma and infection.
METHODS
The study was conducted in the Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Faculty of Medicine, Training and Research Hospital. All health professionals working at the hospital were included in the study. The Maslach Burnout Inventory was applied to the participants, who were asked about infective disease and trauma history over the past year.
RESULTS
The total burnout rate was 77.8% among participants. We found that the rate of trauma and infective disease history was significantly high in employees who had burnout syndrome (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Burnout syndrome is a common and important problem among health professionals that also has adverse effects on people's daily life, especially increasing the incidence of infection and trauma.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Burnout, Psychological; Female; Health Personnel; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Socioeconomic Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Turkey; Young Adult
PubMed: 31800896
DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.65.11.1356 -
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity Aug 2020COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to significantly affect the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs), who stand in the frontline of this crisis. It is, therefore,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to significantly affect the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs), who stand in the frontline of this crisis. It is, therefore, an immediate priority to monitor rates of mood, sleep and other mental health issues in order to understand mediating factors and inform tailored interventions. The aim of this review is to synthesize and analyze existing evidence on the prevalence of depression, anxiety and insomnia among HCWs during the Covid-19 outbreak.
METHODS
A systematic search of literature databases was conducted up to April 17th, 2020. Two reviewers independently assessed full-text articles according to predefined criteria. Risk of bias for each individual study was assessed and data pooled using random-effects meta-analyses to estimate the prevalence of specific mental health problems. The review protocol is registered in PROSPERO and is available online.
FINDINGS
Thirteen studies were included in the analysis with a combined total of 33,062 participants. Anxiety was assessed in 12 studies, with a pooled prevalence of 23·2% and depression in 10 studies, with a prevalence rate of 22·8%. A subgroup analysis revealed gender and occupational differences with female HCPs and nurses exhibiting higher rates of affective symptoms compared to male and medical staff respectively. Finally, insomnia prevalence was estimated at 38·9% across 5 studies.
INTERPRETATION
Early evidence suggests that a considerable proportion of HCWs experience mood and sleep disturbances during this outbreak, stressing the need to establish ways to mitigate mental health risks and adjust interventions under pandemic conditions.
Topics: Anxiety; Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections; Depression; Health Personnel; Humans; Nurses; Pandemics; Physicians; Pneumonia, Viral; Prevalence; SARS-CoV-2; Sex Distribution; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
PubMed: 32437915
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.05.026 -
PloS One 2020Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adolescents have specific health care needs and are susceptible to health care disparities. Lack of skills and knowledge...
OBJECTIVES
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adolescents have specific health care needs and are susceptible to health care disparities. Lack of skills and knowledge on the part of health care providers have a negative effect on their access to care and health outcomes. This study 1) explores the knowledge and attitudes of medical students regarding LGBT people, and 2) assesses the impact of a one-hour lecture targeting adolescent LGBT health needs.
METHODS
Fourth-year medical students attended a compulsory one-hour lecture on sexual orientation and gender identity development in adolescence, highlighting health issues. We created a questionnaire with items to elicit students' knowledge and attitudes about LGBT health issues. Students were invited to complete this questionnaire online anonymously one week before the lecture and one month after the lecture.
RESULTS
Out of a total of 157 students, 107 (68.2%) responded to the pre-intervention questionnaire and 96 (61.1%) to the post-intervention questionnaire. A significant proportion-13.7% of all respondents-identified as LGBT or questioning. Our results show that most medical students already show favorable attitudes towards LGBT people and a certain degree of knowledge of LGBT health needs. They demonstrated a large and significant increase in knowledge of LGBT health issues one month after the lecture.
DISCUSSION
A single one-hour lecture on sexual orientation and LGBT health issues may increase knowledge among medical students. Medical students and professionals should receive such training to increase their knowledge about LGBT patients as it, together with favorable attitudes, has the potential to improve health outcomes among this vulnerable population.
Topics: Attitude of Health Personnel; Curriculum; Education, Medical, Undergraduate; Female; Gender Identity; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Personnel; Healthcare Disparities; Humans; Knowledge; Male; Sexual Behavior; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Students, Medical; Surveys and Questionnaires; Switzerland; Transgender Persons; Young Adult
PubMed: 32609754
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234743 -
PloS One 2021Effective teamwork is critical for safe, high-quality care in the operating room (OR); however, teamwork interventions have not consistently resulted in the expected...
BACKGROUND
Effective teamwork is critical for safe, high-quality care in the operating room (OR); however, teamwork interventions have not consistently resulted in the expected gains for patient safety or surgical culture. In order to optimize OR teamwork in a targeted and evidence-based manner, it is first necessary to conduct a comprehensive, theory-informed assessment of barriers and enablers from an interprofessional perspective.
METHODS
This qualitative study was informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Volunteer, purposive and snowball sampling were conducted primarily across four sites in Ontario, Canada and continued until saturation was reached. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and de-identified. Directed content analysis was conducted in duplicate using the TDF as the initial coding framework. Codes were then refined whereby similar codes were grouped into larger categories of meaning within each TDF domain, resulting in a list of domain-specific barriers and enablers.
RESULTS
A total of 66 OR healthcare professionals participated in the study (19 Registered Nurses, two Registered Practical Nurses, 17 anaesthesiologists, 26 surgeons, two perfusionists). The most frequently identified teamwork enablers included people management, shared definition of teamwork, communication strategies, positive emotions, familiarity with team members, and alignment of teamwork with professional role. The most frequently identified teamwork barriers included others' personalities, gender, hierarchies, resource issues, lack of knowledge of best practices for teamwork, negative emotions, conflicting norms and perceptions across professions, being unfamiliar with team members, and on-call/night shifts.
CONCLUSIONS
We identified key factors influencing OR teamwork from an interprofessional perspective using a theoretically informed and systematic approach. Our findings reveal important targets for future interventions and may ultimately increase their effectiveness. Specifically, achieving optimal teamwork in the OR may require a multi-level intervention that addresses individual, team and systems-level factors with particular attention to complex social and professional hierarchies.
Topics: Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Communication; Cooperative Behavior; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Personnel; Humans; Interprofessional Relations; Male; Models, Theoretical; Operating Rooms; Patient Care Team; Patient Safety; Professional Role; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 33886580
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249576 -
The Lancet. Global Health May 2023
Topics: Humans; Health Personnel; Community Health Workers
PubMed: 37061296
DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00172-9 -
Chest Jul 2022
Topics: Delivery of Health Care; Equipment Design; Health Personnel; Humans; Materials Testing; Occupational Exposure; Respiratory Protective Devices; Ventilators, Mechanical
PubMed: 35809934
DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2022.02.043 -
Infectious Disease Clinics of North... Sep 2021An effective occupational health program is a key aspect of preventing exposure to infectious agents and subsequent infection, as well as evaluation and management of... (Review)
Review
An effective occupational health program is a key aspect of preventing exposure to infectious agents and subsequent infection, as well as evaluation and management of postexposure prophylaxis and infections in health care personnel (HCP) by educating HCP regarding proper handling of sharps, early identification and isolation of potentially infectious patients, implementation of standard and transmission-based precautions, and offering counseling of HCP regarding nonroutine prophylaxis. Occupational health services (OHS) must also apply standardized processes for determining when exposures have occurred and providing appropriate management, and provide immediate availability of a medical evaluation following a nonprotected exposure to an infectious disease.
Topics: Delivery of Health Care; Health Personnel; Humans; Immunization; Infection Control; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional; Occupational Health; Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis; Vaccines
PubMed: 34362540
DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2021.04.008 -
Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection... Nov 2021Studies have shown that a ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) bundle significantly decreases VAP rates. In this study, we evaluated existing knowledge, practices, and...
Studies have shown that a ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) bundle significantly decreases VAP rates. In this study, we evaluated existing knowledge, practices, and adherence of nurses and infection control preventionists (ICP) to the VAP bundles of care in the intensive care unit (ICU) by using qualitative and quantitative tools. Of 60 participants (56 nurses and 4 ICPs), mean knowledge score regarding specific evidence-based VAP guidelines was 5 (range 3-8) out of 10 points. Self-reported adherence to the VAP bundle ranged from 38.5 to 100%, with perfect compliance to head of bed elevation, and poorest compliance with readiness to extubate. Overall VAP median bundle compliance was 84.6%. Knowledge regarding specific components of VAP prevention is lacking. Formal training and interactive educational sessions should be performed regularly to assess the competency of key personnel regarding the VAP bundle, especially in the context of rapid nurse turnover. Incentives for retention of nurses should also be considered, so that knowledge of hospital specific initiatives such as the VAP bundles of care can be cultivated over time.
Topics: Adult; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Personnel; Health Plan Implementation; Hospitals, Private; Humans; Infection Control; Intensive Care Units; Male; Middle Aged; Nurses; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated; Ventilators, Mechanical
PubMed: 34772458
DOI: 10.1186/s13756-021-01027-1 -
Environmental Research Jul 2021Heat waves and Covid-19 overlap, as this pandemic continues into summer 2021. Using a narrative review, we identified overlapping risk groups and propose coping... (Review)
Review
Heat waves and Covid-19 overlap, as this pandemic continues into summer 2021. Using a narrative review, we identified overlapping risk groups and propose coping strategies. The high-risk groups for heat-related health problems as well as for high-risk COVID-19 groups overlap considerably (elderly with pre-existing health conditions). Health care facilities will again be challenged by Covid-19 during heat waves. Health care personnel are also at risk of developing heat related health problems during hot periods due to the use of personal protective equipment to shield themselves from SARS-CoV-2 and must therefore be protected from excessive heat periods. Some existing recommendations for heat health protection contradict recommendations for COVID-19 protection. This paper provides a preliminary overview of possible strategies and interventions to tackle these ambiguities. The existing recommendations for protection against heat-related illnesses need revisions to determine whether they include essential aspects of infection control and occupational safety and how they may be supplemented.
Topics: Aged; COVID-19; Delivery of Health Care; Health Personnel; Hot Temperature; Humans; Pandemics; Personal Protective Equipment; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33857461
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111153