Opioid-Abusing Health Care Professionals: Options for Treatment and Returning to Work After Treatment

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an urgent requirement for novel diagnostic tests that determine infection with SARS-CoV-2 and the development of an immune response against it. The perspective of end users on the characteristics and clinical use of these assays has not been previously considered.Methods: We surveyed 17,186 health care professions (HCPs) in 29 countries to gauge opinion on the design, use, diagnostic impact and diagnostic accuracy of COVID-19 tests. Results were correlated with national statistics on the burden of disease and testing in individual countries.Results: HCPs overwhelmingly recognized the importance of COVID-19 tests but 37.1% were unsure of the appropriate timing of investigations relative to disease symptoms. Confidence in the diagnostic accuracy of assays varied inversely with COVID-19-related mortality in individual countries but had no relationship with the total number of tests performed. There was global consensus that the most important impact of positive antigen and antibody testing was confidence in returning to work following recovery. Saliva was the preferred sampling fluid for COVID-19 diagnostic tests in all groups surveyed.Conclusions: HCP input can ensure novel assays are fit for purpose in varied global health care settings, but HCPs may require support to effectively use novel diagnostics thus minimizing waste when supplies are limited.

Download Full-text

Call Me….Maybe? 5 Suggestions to Improve Communication With Other Health Care Professionals

Blog post Digital Object Group ◽

10.1044/call-me-maybe-5-suggestions-to-improve-communication-with-other-health-care-professionals ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Professionals

Download Full-text

Improving Communication Skills in Health Care

Perspectives on Communication Disorders and Sciences in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations ◽

10.1044/cds20.3.109 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 109-117

Author(s):

Lynda Katz Wilner ◽

Marjorie Feinstein-Whittaker

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Patient Satisfaction ◽

Communication Skills ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Skills Training ◽

International Medical Graduate ◽

Medical Graduate ◽

Health Care Environment ◽

Medical Interpreters ◽

Accent Modification

Hospital reimbursements are linked to patient satisfaction surveys, which are directly related to interpersonal communication between provider and patient. In today’s health care environment, interactions are challenged by diversity — Limited English proficient (LEP) patients, medical interpreters, International Medical Graduate (IMG) physicians, nurses, and support staff. Accent modification training for health care professionals can improve patient satisfaction and reduce adverse events. Surveys were conducted with medical interpreters and trainers of medical interpreting programs to determine the existence and support for communication skills training, particularly accent modification, for interpreters and non-native English speaking medical professionals. Results of preliminary surveys suggest the need for these comprehensive services. 60.8% believed a heavy accent, poor diction, or a different dialect contributed to medical errors or miscommunication by a moderate to significant degree. Communication programs should also include cultural competency training to optimize patient care outcomes. Examples of strategies for training are included.

Download Full-text

The Preschool Stuttering Screen for Health Care Professionals

Perspectives on Fluency and Fluency Disorders ◽

10.1044/ffd21.2.59 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 59-62

Author(s):

Joseph Donaher ◽

Christina Deery ◽

Sarah Vogel

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Health Care ◽

Differential Diagnosis ◽

Preschool Children ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Developmental Profile

Healthcare professionals require a thorough understanding of stuttering since they frequently play an important role in the identification and differential diagnosis of stuttering for preschool children. This paper introduces The Preschool Stuttering Screen for Healthcare Professionals (PSSHP) which highlights risk factors identified in the literature as being associated with persistent stuttering. By integrating the results of the checklist with a child’s developmental profile, healthcare professionals can make better-informed, evidence-based decisions for their patients.

Download Full-text

Percutaneous Tracheostomy: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Perspectives on Voice and Voice Disorders ◽

10.1044/vvd18.2.87 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 87-98 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Vinciya Pandian ◽

Thai Tran Nguyen ◽

Marek Mirski ◽

Nasir Islam Bhatti

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Quality Assurance ◽

Data Collection ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Multidisciplinary Approach ◽

Percutaneous Tracheostomy ◽

Johns Hopkins Hospital ◽

Prospective Data ◽

Comprehensive Service ◽

Over Time

Abstract The techniques of performing a tracheostomy has transformed over time. Percutaneous tracheostomy is gaining popularity over open tracheostomy given its advantages and as a result the number of bedside tracheostomies has increased necessitating the need for a Percutaneous Tracheostomy Program. The Percutaneous Tracheostomy Program at the Johns Hopkins Hospital is a comprehensive service that provides care to patients before, during, and after a tracheostomy with a multidisciplinary approach aimed at decreasing complications. Education is provided to patients, families, and health-care professionals who are involved in the management of a tracheostomy. Ongoing prospective data collection serves as a tool for Quality Assurance.

Download Full-text