Burnout amongst neurosurgical trainees in the UK and Ireland

Abstract Introduction Burnout is becoming an increasingly recognised phenomenon within the medical profession. This study aims to investigate the presence of burnout amongst neurosurgical trainees in the UK and Ireland as well as investigating potential exacerbating and protective factors. Method An online survey was sent to all neurosurgical trainees in the UK and Ireland via the British Neurosurgical Trainees’ Association (BNTA) mailing list. Responding participants anonymously completed the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) and answered questions about known risk factors for burnout including workplace environment, workplace bullying, time spent on leisure activities and sleep and reported likelihood of leaving neurosurgery. We also collated data on responders’ demographics. We compared CBI scores for participants with and without risk factors to determine correlation with CBI. Results There were 75 respondents (response rate 42%) from a range of ages and all training grades, 72% of whom were male. The median CBI score was 38.85 (IQR 17.76). Participants showed a higher degree of personal and workplace burnout (median CBIs of 47.02, IQR 25.00; and 49.14, IQR 19.64, respectively) compared with patient-related burnout (median CBI 18.67, IQR 25.00). Participants with the following self-reported risk factors were significantly more likely to have higher CBIs: workplace bullying (p = 0.01), getting on less well with colleagues (p < 0.05), working longer hours (p < 0.05) and insufficient sleep, exercise and leisure time (all p < 0.01). Those with higher CBI scores were more likely to consider leaving neurosurgical training (p = 0.01). Conclusion We identified a high burnout incidence in a cohort representative of UK neurosurgical trainees, although our results may have been skewed somewhat by selection bias. We determined potential risk factors for burnout related to specific workplace stressors and time for non-work activities. In the future, changes to training curricula should address these issues, aiming to improve training, enhance patient care and reduce attrition rates.

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Birth desires and intentions of women diagnosed with a meningioma

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/2014.11.jns14522 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 122 (5) ◽

pp. 1151-1156 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Michelle A. Owens ◽

Benjamin M. Craig ◽

Kathleen M. Egan ◽

Damon R. Reed

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

General Population ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Online Survey ◽

Common Factor ◽

Reproductive Decisions ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

Risk Factors For Recurrence ◽

The Impact

OBJECT To the authors' knowledge, no previous study has examined the impact of meningioma diagnosis on women's birth desires and intentions. In an exploratory study, the authors surveyed women affected by meningioma to determine their attitudes toward childbearing and the influences, including physician recommendations, on this major life decision and compared their responses to those of women in the general population. METHODS Meningioma survivors from the Meningioma Mommas online support group participated in an online survey that included questions on their birth desires and intentions, whether the risk of disease recurrence influenced their reproductive decisions, and risks communicated to them by their physicians. Using chi-square and rank-sum tests, the authors compared the survey participants' responses with those of the general population as assessed by the 2006–2010 National Survey of Family Growth. Logistic regression was used to adjust for differences in age, race, ethnicity, education, parity, pregnancy status, and infertility status in these populations. RESULTS Respondents with meningioma were more likely than those in the general population to report wanting a baby (70% vs 54%, respectively), intending to have a baby (27% vs 12%, respectively), and being very sure about this intention (10% vs 2%, respectively). More than half (32 of 61) of the women of childbearing age reported being advised by a physician about potential risk factors for recurrence of the meningioma, and pregnancy was the most commonly cited risk factor (26 of 61). The most common factor influencing birth desires and intentions was risk of the meningioma returning and requiring more treatment, which was reported by nearly two-thirds of the women in their childbearing years. CONCLUSIONS A majority of the meningioma survivors of childbearing age who completed the survey reported a desire for children, although concern about the risk of meningioma recurrence was an important factor for these women when making reproductive decisions. Physicians are in a position to educate their patients on potential risk factors for recurrence and to provide contact information for services such as counseling and family planning.

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The prevalence of hock lesions in UK dairy cattle and the significance of risk factors associated with the development of the condition

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1752756200029343 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 2009 ◽

pp. 95-95

Author(s):

S Potterton ◽

M Green ◽

J Harris ◽

K Millar ◽

H Whay ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Dairy Cattle ◽

Clinical Mastitis ◽

Related Factors ◽

Death Rates ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Cell Counts ◽

East Midlands ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

The Uk

The term hock lesion describes incidences of hair loss, thickened skin, wounds, scabs, and swellings occurring over the tarsal joint. Hock lesions in dairy cattle are a widespread problem around the world. In the UK, a recent study found approximately 99% of examined cows had at least some callused area over a hock (Haskell et al., 2006). The presence of hock lesions is correlated with injuries of the teat, carpal joints and skin, as well as increases in mobility score, high somatic cell counts, a greater incidence of clinical mastitis, and higher culling and annual death rates. Differences in the prevalence and severity of hock lesions according to the lying surface and cubicle design have been identified. Cow-related factors and management variables have also been postulated as possible risk factors. Recognition of the condition and practical solutions aimed at resolving it have however, been limited. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hock lesions in lactating cattle on dairy farms in the East Midlands of the UK, and the significance of potential risk factors in the development of the lesions.

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Depression-anxiety in Adult Population of Qatar during the First Year of COVID-19

10.29117/quarfe.2021.0177 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Salma Mawfek Khaled ◽

Iman Amro ◽

Lina Bader ◽

Tarek Bellaj ◽

Yousri Marzouki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Online Survey ◽

Adult Population ◽

First Year ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Never Married ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

History Of ◽

Adjusted Model ◽

Arabic Speaking

There is limited data from Arabic-speaking countries on risk factors for depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Country-specific data is necessary given differences in culture, demographics, and COVID-19 infection and mortality rates. This study intended to identify the factors associated with symptoms of depression-anxiety in the adult population of Qatar during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey in Qatar between July and December 2020 after Qatar’s first COVID-19 wave and before the beginning of the second wave. Depression-anxiety was defined as a cut-off of 20 or higher on the PHQ-ADS scale. Of 1138 participants, 71.05% were female, 69.0% Arabs, and 70.0% Non-Qataris. 77 % were < 40 years (the median age in Qatar is 32 years). In a fully-adjusted model, six variables were significantly associated with PHQ-ADS; Arab ethnicity (OR=1.67, p=0.026), never married (OR=1.69, p < 0.015), prior psychiatric history (OR=1.80, p=0.009), Social Media induced worries (OR=1.72, p=0.003), history of COVID-19 (OR=1.76, p=0.039), loneliness (OR=1.91, p < 0.001), and lower levels of religiosity (OR=0.96, p=0.039). The potential risk factors identified may assist with anxiety and depression prevention in future COVID-19 waves, similar national events and assist with early intervention to treat sufferers.

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Factors Associated with Depression and Anxiety in the Adult Population of Qatar in the First Year of the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from an Online Survey

10.21203/rs.3.rs-729213/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Salma M. Khaled ◽

Iman Amro ◽

Lina Bader ◽

Peter Woodruff ◽

Majid A Alabdulla ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Online Survey ◽

Adult Population ◽

Prior History ◽

First Year ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

History Of

Abstract Background: There is limited data from Arabic-speaking countries on risk factors for depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Country-specific data is necessary given differences in culture, demographics, COVID-19 infection and mortality rates.Aim: To identify factors associated with symptoms of depression-anxiety in the adult population of Qatar during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.Method: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey in Qatar between July and December 2020 after the first COVID-19 wave and before the beginning of the second wave. Depression-anxiety was defined as a cut-off of 20 or higher on the PHQ-ADS scale. Results: Of 1138 participants, 71.05% were female, 69.0% Arabs, and 70.0% Non-Qataris. 77% were < 40 years (the median age in Qatar is 32 years). In a fully-adjusted model, six variables were significantly associated with PHQ-ADS; Arab ethnicity (OR=1.67, p=0.026), never married (OR=2.04, p < 0.001 (versus married), prior history of psychiatric disorder (versus no history) (OR=1.76, p=0.039), increased worries due to social media use for COVID-related news/updates (OR=1.72, p=0.003), those with a history of COVID-19 (OR=1.76, p=0.039), loneliness (OR=1.91, p < 0.001), and lower levels of religiosity (OR=0.96, p=0.039). These associations also pertained in the reduced model, with exception of religiosity which was only marginally statistically significant (OR=0.97, p=0.055).Conclusions: The potential risk factors identified may assist with anxiety and depression prevention in future COVID-19 waves, and similar crises, and assist with early intervention to treat sufferers.

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Epidemiological survey on equine cheek tooth infundibular caries in the United Kingdom

Veterinary Record ◽

10.1136/vr.104319 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 181 (9) ◽

pp. 235-235 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Dewi Borkent ◽

Richard Reardon ◽

Padraic M Dixon

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Epidemiological Survey ◽

Multivariable Model ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

South West ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

The Uk ◽

South West England ◽

Experienced Personnel

Infundibular caries (IC) is an important equine dental disorder that can cause premature wear, fractures and apical infection of affected maxillary cheek teeth. No accurate prevalence values for IC are available for UK horses. The feeding of high levels of concentrates is believed to increase its prevalence, but no objective information is available on such possible environmental risk factors. The aims of the study were to document the prevalence of IC in UK horses, assess its distribution and severity between infundibulae and teeth in affected horses and examine for potential risk factors for its development. Using well-defined criteria for grading and recording IC, 25 experienced personnel across the UK completed a questionnaire on their patients. Frequency of IC occurrence was compared between individual teeth and infundibulae using McNemar’s tests. Potential risk factors for IC presence were examined using univariable logistic regression prior to building a multilevel multivariable model. Of 706 horses examined, 45.5 per cent had IC, which was most commonly present and most severe in the Triadan 09s (>10>08>06>07>11), with 13.4 per cent of all rostral and 10 per cent of all caudal infundibulae affected. The prevalence of IC was significantly associated with increasing age; the lowest IC prevalence was found in South West England.

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Risk factors for long COVID: analyses of 10 longitudinal studies and electronic health records in the UK

10.1101/2021.06.24.21259277 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ellen J. Thompson ◽

Dylan M. Williams ◽

Alex J. Walker ◽

Ruth E. Mitchell ◽

Claire L. Niedzwiedz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Minority Groups ◽

Linear Increase ◽

Symptom Duration ◽

Poor General Health ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

The Uk ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

The Impact

The impact of long COVID is increasingly recognised, but risk factors are poorly characterised. We analysed questionnaire data on symptom duration from 10 longitudinal study (LS) samples and electronic healthcare records (EHR) to investigate sociodemographic and health risk factors associated with long COVID, as part of the UK National Core Study for Longitudinal Health and Wellbeing. Methods Analysis was conducted on 6,899 adults self-reporting COVID-19 from 45,096 participants of the UK LS, and on 3,327 cases assigned a long COVID code in primary care EHR out of 1,199,812 adults diagnosed with acute COVID-19. In LS, we derived two outcomes: symptoms lasting 4+ weeks and symptoms lasting 12+ weeks. Associations of potential risk factors (age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic factors, smoking, general and mental health, overweight/obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, and asthma) with these two outcomes were assessed, using logistic regression, with meta-analyses of findings presented alongside equivalent results from EHR analyses. Results Functionally limiting long COVID for 12+ weeks affected between 1.2% (age 20), and 4.8% (age 63) of people reporting COVID-19 in LS. The proportion reporting symptoms overall for 12+ weeks ranged from 7.8 (mean age 28) to 17% (mean age 58) and for 4+ weeks 4.2% (age 20) to 33.1% (age 56). Age was associated with a linear increase in long COVID between age 20-70. Being female (LS: OR=1.49; 95%CI:1.24-1.79; EHR: OR=1.51 [1.41-1.61]), poor pre-pandemic mental health (LS: OR=1.46 [1.17-1.83]; EHR: OR=1.57 [1.47-1.68]) and poor general health (LS: OR=1.62 [1.25-2.09]; EHR: OR=1.26; [1.18-1.35]) were associated with higher risk of long COVID. Individuals with asthma also had higher risk (LS: OR=1.32 [1.07-1.62]; EHR: OR=1.56 [1.46-1.67]), as did those categorised as overweight or obese (LS: OR=1.25 [1.01-1.55]; EHR: OR=1.31 [1.21-1.42]) though associations for symptoms lasting 12+ weeks were less pronounced. Non-white ethnic minority groups had lower 4+ week symptom risk (LS: OR=0.32 [0.22-0.47]), a finding consistent in EHR. Associations were not observed for other risk factors. Few participants in the studies had been admitted to hospital (0.8-5.2%). Conclusions Long COVID is clearly distributed differentially according to several sociodemographic and pre-existing health factors. Establishing which of these risk factors are causal and predisposing is necessary to further inform strategies for preventing and treating long COVID.

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Surveillance of COVID-19 in the General Population Using an Online Questionnaire: Report From 18,161 Respondents in China

JMIR Public Health and Surveillance ◽

10.2196/18576 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. e18576 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Hongxing Luo ◽

Yongchan Lie ◽

Frits W Prinzen

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

General Population ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Online Survey ◽

Population Level ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Wuhan City ◽

Level Information ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

History Of

Background The recent outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become an international pandemic. So far, little is known about the role of an internet approach in COVID-19 participatory surveillance. Objective The aim of this study is to investigate whether an online survey can provide population-level information for observing prevalence trends during the early phase of an outbreak and identifying potential risk factors of COVID-19 infection. Methods A 10-item online questionnaire was developed according to medical guidelines and relevant publications. It was distributed between January 24 and February 17, 2020. The characteristics of respondents and temporal changes of various questionnaire-derived indicators were analyzed. Results A total of 18,161 questionnaires were returned, including 6.45% (n=1171) from Wuhan City. Geographical distributions of the respondents were consistent with the population per province (R2=0.61, P<.001). History of contact significantly decreased with time, both outside Wuhan City (R2=0.35, P=.002) and outside Hubei Province (R2=0.42, P<.001). The percentage of respondents reporting a fever peaked around February 8 (R2=0.57, P<.001) and increased with a history of contact in the areas outside Wuhan City (risk ratio 1.31, 95% CI 1.13-1.52, P<.001). Male sex, advanced age, and lung diseases were associated with a higher risk of fever in the general population with a history of contact. Conclusions This study shows the usefulness of an online questionnaire for the surveillance of outbreaks like COVID-19 by providing information about trends of the disease and aiding the identification of potential risk factors.

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Surveillance of COVID-19 in the General Population Using an Online Questionnaire: Report From 18,161 Respondents in China (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.18576 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hongxing Luo ◽

Yongchan Lie ◽

Frits W Prinzen

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

General Population ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Online Survey ◽

Population Level ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Wuhan City ◽

Level Information ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

History Of

BACKGROUND The recent outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become an international pandemic. So far, little is known about the role of an internet approach in COVID-19 surveillance. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to investigate whether an online survey can provide population-level information for observing prevalence trends during the early phase of an outbreak and identifying potential risk factors of COVID-19 infection. METHODS A 10-item online questionnaire was developed according to medical guidelines and relevant publications. It was distributed between January 24 and February 17, 2020. The characteristics of respondents and temporal changes of various questionnaire-derived indicators were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 18,161 questionnaires were returned, including 6.45% (n=1171) from Wuhan City. Geographical distributions of the respondents were consistent with the population per province (R2=0.61, P<.001). History of contact significantly decreased with time, both outside Wuhan City (R2=0.35, P=.002) and outside Hubei Province (R2=0.42, P<.001). The percentage of respondents reporting a fever peaked around February 8 (R2=0.57, P<.001) and increased with a history of contact in the areas outside Wuhan City (risk ratio 1.31, 95% CI 1.13-1.52, P<.001). Male sex, advanced age, and lung diseases were associated with a higher risk of fever in the general population with a history of contact. CONCLUSIONS This study shows the usefulness of an online questionnaire for the surveillance of outbreaks like COVID-19 by providing information about trends of the disease and aiding the identification of potential risk factors.

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Bilateral ocular toxoplasmosis in a returning traveller: age and route of infection as potential risk factors

BMJ Case Reports ◽

10.1136/bcr-2020-237068 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. e237068

Author(s):

Tim Seers ◽

Jayavani Myneni ◽

Nadia L Chaudhry ◽

Marta Ugarte

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Eye Disease ◽

Short History ◽

Route Of Infection ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

History Of ◽

The Uk ◽

Undercooked Meat ◽

Virulent Parasite

We report the case of a 69-year-old man, who presented in the UK with a short history of deteriorating vision and clinical features of bilateral atypical retinochoroiditis, after travelling to South America. Vitreous samples demonstrated Toxoplasma gondii DNA by PCR. Serology tests demonstrated recent acquired Toxoplasma gondii infection with IgM antibodies. He responded well to treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, azithromycin and oral steroids.This case is a reminder of the global importance of Toxoplasma related eye disease, and its uncommon bilateral severe presentation in a returning traveller, where the risk factors were age and the route of infection likely to be a virulent parasite oocyst from vegetables or water rather than undercooked meat or direct contact with cats.

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COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual cycle changes: A United Kingdom (UK) retrospective case-control study

10.1101/2021.11.23.21266709 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alexandra Alvergne ◽

Gabriella Kountourides ◽

Austin Argentieri ◽

Lisa Agyen ◽

Natalie Rogers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Online Survey ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Previous History ◽

Menstrual Bleeding ◽

White Background ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

The Uk

Objectives. Our objectives were (1) to evaluate the prevalence of menstrual changes following vaccination against COVID-19, (2) to test potential risk factors for any such changes, and (3) to identify patterns of symptoms in participants' written accounts. Design. A secondary analysis of a retrospective online survey titled The Covid-19 Pandemic and Women's Reproductive Health , conducted in March 2021 in the UK before widespread media attention regarding potential impacts of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on menstruation. Setting. Participants were recruited via a Facebook ad campaign in the UK. Participants. Eligibility criteria for survey completion were age greater than 18 years, having ever menstruated and currently living in the UK. In total, 26,710 people gave consent and completed the survey. For this analysis we selected 4,989 participants who were pre-menopausal and vaccinated. These participants were aged 28 to 43, predominantly from England (81%), of white background (95%) and not using hormonal contraception (58%). Main outcome measure. Reports of any menstrual changes (yes/no) following COVID-19 vaccination and words used to describe menstrual changes. Results. Among pre-menopausal vaccinated individuals (n=4,989), 80% did not report any menstrual cycle changes up to 4 months after their first COVID-19 vaccine injection. Current use of combined oral contraceptives was associated with lower odds of reporting any changes by 48% (OR = 0.52, 95CI = [0.34 to 0.78], P<0.001). Odds of reporting any menstrual changes were increased by 44% for current smokers (OR = 1.16, 95CI = [1.06 to 1.26], P<0.01) and by more than 50% for individuals with a positive COVID status [Long Covid (OR = 1.61, 95CI = [1.28 to 2.02], P<0.001), acute COVID (OR = 1.54, 95CI = [1.27 to 1.86], P<0.001)]. The effects remain after adjusting for self-reported magnitude of menstrual cycle changes over the year preceding the survey. Written accounts report diverse symptoms; the most common words include 'cramps', 'late', 'early', 'spotting', 'heavy' and 'irregular', with a low level of clustering among them. Conclusions. Following vaccination for COVID-19, menstrual disturbance occurred in 20% of individuals in a UK sample. Out of 33 variables investigated, smoking and a previous history of SARS-CoV-2 infection are found to be risk factors while using oestradiol-containing contraceptives was found to be a protective factor. Diverse experiences were reported, from menstrual bleeding cessation to heavy menstrual bleeding.

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