scholarly journals An International Commentary on Dysphagia and Dysphonia During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dysphagia ◽  
2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Miles ◽  
Jackie McRae ◽  
Gemma Clunie ◽  
Patricia Gillivan-Murphy ◽  
Yoko Inamoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
International Expert ◽  
Travel Restrictions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

AbstractCOVID-19 has had an impact globally with millions infected, high mortality, significant economic ramifications, travel restrictions, national lockdowns, overloaded healthcare systems, effects on healthcare workers’ health and well-being, and large amounts of funding diverted into rapid vaccine development and implementation. Patients with COVID-19, especially those who become severely ill, have frequently developed dysphagia and dysphonia. Health professionals working in the field have needed to learn about this new disease while managing these patients with enhanced personal protective equipment. Emerging research suggests differences in the clinical symptoms and journey to recovery for patients with COVID-19 in comparison to other intensive care populations. New insights from outpatient clinics also suggest distinct presentations of dysphagia and dysphonia in people after COVID-19 who were not hospitalized or severely ill. This international expert panel provides commentary on the impact of the pandemic on speech pathologists and our current understanding of dysphagia and dysphonia in patients with COVID-19, from acute illness to long-term recovery. This narrative review provides a unique, comprehensive critical appraisal of published peer-reviewed primary data as well as emerging previously unpublished, original primary data from across the globe, including clinical symptoms, trajectory, and prognosis. We conclude with our international expert opinion on what we have learnt and where we need to go next as this pandemic continues across the globe.

Grief in Medical Students: The Short and Long-Term Impacts on Health and Well-Being

2021 ◽  
pp. 104990912110117
Author(s):  
Meghan J. Price ◽  
Lucas P. Wachsmuth ◽  
Kortni A. Ferguson ◽  
Gregg A. Robbins-Welty ◽  
Paul A. Riordan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental And Physical Health ◽  
Health And Well Being

Context: Healthcare workers often experience grief stemming from the loss of patients under their care. The impact of personal grief on healthcare workers’ wellbeing is less well described, particularly for trainees. To better characterize the prevalence and impact of personal grief on the mental and physical health of medical students, we conducted a survey of medical students at our institution. Methods: An electronic Qualtrics survey was distributed to all currently enrolled medical students at our institution. After an initial question screening for loss before or during medical school, our survey assessed (1) basic demographic data; (2) relationship to the deceased; (3) impact of the loss on trainee health; and (4) utilization of institutional supports for grief. Results: A total of 344 (68.8%) students responded to our survey. Two hundred and 25 (65.4%) students had experienced personal loss prior to or during medical school. 53.7% experienced more than 1 loss, with most of these losses (62.5%) occurring more than 2 years prior to the survey date. Up to 40% of respondents reported at least 1 psychologically distressing symptom that persisted beyond 1 year. Most students (93.8%) relied on family members for support; however, 23.2% of students indicated they would use institutional resources if available. Conclusion: Most medical students have experienced bereavement before or during medical school, which has had significant impact on their well-being. While medical students did not typically utilize institutionally based resources, many students expressed interest in such resources.

The Impact of Covid-19 on the Play of 3- to 10-year-old Children

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cara DiYanni
Keyword(s):  
Screen Time ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Free Play ◽  
Outdoor Play ◽  
Short Term ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

This study explored the impact of COVID-19 on the play of 3- to 10-year-old children. A survey of 67 parents of 79 children and interviews with 37 of those children revealed a few prominent trends in how the pandemic has affected play. First, children’s outdoor play increased in frequency from before the pandemic to the time spent in quarantine, and levels of outdoor play remained significantly higher in the fall months following quarantine. Similarly, the amount of unstructured, free play that children engaged in increased during quarantine, and remained significantly more common after quarantine than it was before the pandemic. Finally, screen time levels skyrocketed during quarantine, and remained higher in the fall months than they were pre-pandemic. These findings have implications for both parents and teachers in terms of assessing the impact of COVID-19 – both short-term and long-term – on the health and well-being of their children.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Play of 3- to 10-year-old Children

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cara DiYanni
Keyword(s):  
Screen Time ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Free Play ◽  
Outdoor Play ◽  
Short Term ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

This study explored the impact of COVID-19 on the play of 3- to 10-year-old children. A survey of 67 parents of 79 children and interviews with 37 of those children revealed a few prominent trends in how the pandemic has affected play. First, children’s outdoor play increased in frequency from before the pandemic to the time spent in quarantine, and levels of outdoor play remained significantly higher in the fall months following quarantine. Similarly, the amount of unstructured, free play that children engaged in increased during quarantine, and remained significantly more common after quarantine than it was before the pandemic. Finally, screen time levels skyrocketed during quarantine, and remained higher in the fall months than they were pre-pandemic. These findings have implications for both parents and teachers in terms of assessing the impact of COVID-19 – both short-term and long-term – on the health and well-being of their children.

scholarly journals The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and well-being of people living with a long-term physical health condition: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Fisher ◽  
A. Roberts ◽  
A. R. McKinlay ◽  
D. Fancourt ◽  
A. Burton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Being There ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions caused major global disruption. Individuals with long-term physical health conditions (LTCs) are at higher risk of severe illness and often subject to the strictest pandemic guidance, so may be disproportionally affected. The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore how living with a LTC during the COVID-19 pandemic affected people’s mental health and wellbeing. Methods Participants were people living with LTCs who participated in telephone/video call interviews based on a semi-structured topic guide. Key themes and subthemes were determined using deductive and inductive thematic analysis. Results The sample included 32 participants with LTCs (most commonly cancer, respiratory conditions or cardiovascular diseases), mean age 57 (SD 13) years, 66% female and 72% white British. There were four overarching themes specific to living with a LTC. These were 1) high levels of fear and anxiety related to perceived consequences of catching COVID-19, 2) impact of shielding/isolation on mental health and wellbeing, 3) experience of healthcare during the pandemic and 4) anxiety created by uncertainty about the future. Fourteen subthemes were identified, including concerns about accessing essential supplies and the importance of social support. Individuals who lived alone and were advised to shield could be profoundly negatively affected. Conclusions This study found that there were a number of aspects of living with a LTC during the pandemic that had a significant impact on mental health and well-being. There should be focus on how best to provide practical and social support to people with LTCs during a pandemic, particularly if they have to shield or isolate.

scholarly journals Social Isolation and Sleep: Manifestation During COVID-19 Quarantines

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
June J. Pilcher ◽  
Logan L. Dorsey ◽  
Samantha M. Galloway ◽  
Dylan N. Erikson
Keyword(s):  
Social Isolation ◽  
Recent Literature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Organizations ◽  
Sleep Habits ◽  
The Past ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

Although researchers have investigated the impact of social isolation on well-being, the recent quarantines due to COVID-19 resulted in a social isolation environment that was unique to any examined in the past. Because sleep is one of the endogenous drives that impacts short and long-term health and well-being, it is important to consider how social isolation during the COVID-19 government-mandated quarantines affected sleep and sleep habits. A number of researchers have addressed this question during the last 2 years by examining several concepts related to possible changes in sleep during the quarantines. To best understand these recent results, the current mini review provides a background on the pre-pandemic literature on the effects of social isolation and loneliness with a focus on sleep and then summarizes the recent literature on sleep and sleep habits. In general, sleep was negatively impacted for many people during the pandemics but not all. One group that seemed to benefit from the pandemic in terms of sleep patterns, were younger people who could more easily adapt their sleep times to match their internal chronobiology. Given the potential broad impact of sleep on health and well-being, better understanding how social isolation impacts sleep is an important consideration for individuals, work organizations, and governments.

scholarly journals The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and well-being of people living with a long-term physical health condition: a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Fisher ◽  
A Roberts ◽  
A.R. McKinlay ◽  
D Fancourt ◽  
A Burton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Being There ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions caused major global disruption. Individuals with long-term physical health conditions (LTCs) are at higher risk of severe illness and often subject to the strictest pandemic guidance, so may be disproportionally affected. The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore how living with a LTC during the COVID-19 pandemic affected people’s mental health and wellbeing.Sample and methods32 participants, mean age 57 (SD 13) years, 66% female and 72% white British, who reported having LTCS (most commonly cancer, respiratory conditions or cardiovascular diseases), participated in telephone/video call interviews based on a semi-structured topic guide. Key themes and subthemes were determined using deductive and inductive thematic analysis.ResultsThere were four overarching themes specific to living with a LTC. These were 1) high levels of fear and anxiety related to perceived consequences of catching COVID-19, 2) impact of shielding/isolation on mental health and wellbeing, 3) experience of healthcare during the pandemic and 4) anxiety created by uncertainty about the future. Fourteen subthemes were identified, including concerns about accessing essential supplies and the importance of social support. Individuals who lived alone and were advised to shield could be profoundly negatively affected.ConclusionsThis study found that there were a number of aspects of living with a LTC during the pandemic that had a significant impact on mental health and well-being. There should be focus on how best to provide practical and social support to people with LTCs during a pandemic, particularly if they have to shield or isolate.

scholarly journals PREVALENCE AND PREDICTORS OF STRESS AMONG COVID 19 HEALTH WORKERS IN KABWE DISTRICT: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah L. Mukwasa ◽  
Emmy Nkhama ◽  
Mowa Zambwe ◽  
Richard Mutemwa ◽  
Peter J. Chipimo
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Depth Interviews

This study aimed at determining the magnitude of stress among COVID 19 health workers in Kabwe district. METHODS The study was a cross-sectional study which recruited 138 health care workers managing COVID 19 cases in Kabwe. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 16 while qualitative data was analyzed using Nvivo8. RESULTS The study obtained 100% responses from the respondents and the prevalence of stress among the respondents was 73%. The nurses were more perceived to experience stress compared to the pharmacy personnel (28% vs. 3%). Similarly, women displayed a higher likelihood of experiencing stress compared to men. Lack of support, increased workload and fear were among the factors leading to stress. CONCLUSION The study went out to determine stress among healthcare workers in Kabwe district. It was established that nurses were more vulnerable than groups. And women were found to be more stressed than men. It is therefore recommended that effective and meaningful interventions be put in place to mitigate the impact of long-term psychological distress and physical well-being in healthcare workers during the COVID 19 pandemic and future outbreaks.

scholarly journals Detrimental changes to the health and well-being of healthcare workers in an Australian COVID-19 hospital

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne M Stubbs ◽  
Helen M Achat ◽  
Suzanne Schindeler
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Distress Scale ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Background Most studies examining the psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers (HCWs) have assessed well-being during the initial stages or the peak of the first wave of the pandemic. We aimed to measure the impact of COVID-19 and potential changes over time in its impact, on the health and well-being of HCWs in an Australian COVID-19 hospital. Methods An online questionnaire assessed current and retrospective physical and mental health; psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale); lifestyle behaviours; and demographics, providing measures of health and wellbeing at three phases of the pandemic. Targeted staff were invited to participate via email and in-person. Additional promotional activities were directed to all staff. Changes in general health, mental health and psychological distress were examined using McNemar’s Chi-square. Associations between other categorical variables were tested using Chi-Square or non-parametric equivalents as appropriate. Logistic regression explored risk factors for current distress. Results Four hundred thirty-three eligible HCWs answered all (74 %) or part of the questionnaire. Current self-rated health and mental health were significantly better than during the height of the pandemic, but had not returned to pre-pandemic levels. Psychological distress was significantly more common during the height of the pandemic (34.2 %) than currently (22.4 %), and during the height of the pandemic distress was significantly more common among younger than older HCWs. Females were significantly more likely to be distressed that males currently, but not during the height of the pandemic. High distress during the height of the pandemic was more likely to be maintained by HCWs who were less physically active than usual during the height of the pandemic (OR = 5.5); had low self-rated mental health before the pandemic (OR = 4.8); and who had 10 or more years of professional experience (OR = 3.9). Conclusions The adverse effects of the pandemic on HCWs have lessened with the easing of pandemic demands, but health and well-being have not reverted to pre-pandemic levels. This indicates continued exposure to elevated levels of stress and/or a sustained effect of earlier exposure. Initiatives that provide ongoing support beyond the pandemic are needed to ensure that HCWs remain physically and mentally healthy and are able to continue their invaluable work.

Maternal Obesity and Breastfeeding A Review of the Evidence and Implications for Practice

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 11-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Hesch Anstey ◽  
Cecilia Jevitt
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Obesity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Breastfeeding Duration ◽  
Breastfeeding Initiation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Maternal Bmi ◽  
The U.S

A myriad of factors influence the sub-optimal breastfeeding rates in the U.S. Among these factors is maternal obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2), which has been found to negatively impact breastfeeding initiation and duration for some women. Obesity increases women’s risk for various complications throughout the perinatal period, which may impact breastfeeding and the long-term health and well-being of women and their children. However, adequate lactation support that upholds a respectful consciousness regarding the potential breastfeeding challenges of women with obesity can assist these women to successfully meet their breastfeeding goals. This review summarizes the literature on the impact of maternal BMI on breastfeeding duration, and maternal and infant risk factors that may complicate lactation for women with obesity. Recommendations for assessing and supporting the needs of mothers with obesity to best achieve their breastfeeding goals are provided.

scholarly journals Weight discrimination: Are colleges preparing their graduates for successful employment and careers?

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-29
Author(s):  
Oliver W. A. Wilson ◽  
Melissa Bopp
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Societal Implications ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviors ◽  
Weight Discrimination ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

Background: Colleges are uniquely positioned to influence both the short and long-term health and well-being of students through implementation of interventions to prevent and/or treat obesity among students; and have a vested interest given obesity has the potential to impact students' matriculation, graduation, and career prospects.Aim: To illustrate the essential roles of colleges to influence obesity prevention and treatment given the potential to influence the students' matriculation, graduation, and career prospects.Methods: The discussion begins with an overview of the prevalence and societal implications of obesity. Next the implications for higher education with respect to matriculation and graduation, the influence of higher education on lifestyle behaviors, and the influence of obesity on academic performance. This is followed by the influence of obesity on students' post-higher education lives, including potential discrimination when seeking employment, and the impact that the nature of the jobs that graduates attain may have on their health and well-being.Results: There exists a great need to reduce the prevalence of obesity and colleges are well positioned to provide leadership and direction.Conclusions: Implications for colleges are set forth, with ways in which they can play a role in promoting student health detailed.

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