The Impact of COVID-19 and Lockdown on Plastic Surgery Training and Practice in India

Abstract Background A nationwide lockdown due to the outbreak of COVID-19 has posed unforeseen challenges. Lockdown, physical distancing, and restrictions on medical practice have affected the training of residents and the professional and personal life of plastic surgeons. An online survey was conducted to assess this impact. Methods A questionnaire was circulated on Whatsapp groups from 15 to 21 of May and snowball sampling was done. The survey was designed to have a separate set of questions for residents and practitioners. The obtained results were analyzed, according to SPSS software version 25. Results A total of 206 responses were obtained (107 residents and 96 consultants) from across the country. The average age of consultants was 38.10 years, with mean experience of 4 years (range 0.5–33 years). As much as 56.3% of practitioners and 87.8% of residents were working in hospitals treating COVID-19. Average fall in number of OPD cases and elective surgeries was 75%. This led to financial strain on 86.5% of consultants and adversely affected training of 86% residents. As much as 86.9% of residents and 67.7% of consultants hoped that the online teaching pattern continued after the pandemic. Conclusion Universities need to recognize the loss in training for residents due to the pandemic and formulate plans to overcome it. Institutions and associations conducting webinars can streamline and archive them for future use.

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The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown Measures on Quality of Life among Italian General Population

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10020289 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 289 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Maria Stella Epifanio ◽

Federica Andrei ◽

Giacomo Mancini ◽

Francesca Agostini ◽

Marco Andrea Piombo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Online Survey ◽

Physical Space ◽

Sampling Strategy ◽

World Health ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

World Health Organization Quality ◽

The World ◽

The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic that has hit the world in the year 2020 has put a strain on our ability to cope with events and revolutionized our daily habits. On 9 March, Italy was forced to lockdown to prevent the spread of the infection, with measures including the mandatory closure of schools and nonessential activities, travel restrictions, and the obligation to spend entire weeks in the same physical space. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures on quality of life (QoL) in a large Italian sample, in order to investigate possible differences in QoL levels related to both demographic and pandemic-specific variables. A total of 2251 Italian adults (1665 women, mainly young and middle adults) were recruited via a snowball sampling strategy. Participants were requested to answer to an online survey, which included demographic and COVID-related information items, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). The results showed statistically significant differences in QoL depending on a number of variables, including sex, area of residence in Italy, and being diagnosed with a medical/psychiatric condition. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess QoL during COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, therefore the present findings can offer guidelines regarding which social groups are more vulnerable of a decline in QoL and would benefit of psychological interventions.

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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Head and Neck Surgery Training: A Brazilian National Survey

International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1730019 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ana Kober Leite ◽

Leandro Luongo Matos ◽

Claudio R. Cernea ◽

Luiz Paulo Kowalski

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck ◽

Surgical Training ◽

Online Survey ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Neck Surgery ◽

Head And Neck Surgery ◽

Educational Activities ◽

Residency Programs ◽

Surgery Training ◽

The Impact

Abstract Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has had a high impact on surgical training around the world due to required measures regarding the suspension of elective procedures and the dismissal of nonessential personnel. Objectives To understand the impact the pandemic had on head and neck surgery training in Brazil. Methods We conducted a 29-question online survey with head and neck surgery residents in Brazil, assessing the impact the pandemic had on their training. Results Forty-six residents responded to the survey, and 91.3% of them reported that their residency was affected by the pandemic, but most residents were not assigned to work directly with patients infected with the new coronavirus (71.4%). All residents reported decrease in clinic visits and in surgical procedures, mostly an important reduction of ∼ 75%. A total of 56.5% of the residents described that the pandemic has had a negative impact on their mental, health and only 4 (8.7%) do not have any symptoms of burnout. The majority (78.3%) of the residents reported that educational activities were successfully adapted to online platforms, and 37% were personally infected with the virus. Conclusion Most surgical residencies were greatly affected by the pandemic, and residents had an important decrease in surgical training. Educational activities were successfully adapted to online modalities, but the residency programs should search for ways of trying to compensate for the loss of practical activities.

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The Work-Life Balancing Act

International Journal of Human Capital and Information Technology Professionals ◽

10.4018/ijhcitp.2021070101 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 1-20

Author(s):

Dhruva Pathak ◽

Vijayakumar Bharathi S. ◽

Padma Mala E.

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Work Productivity ◽

Well Being ◽

Personal Life ◽

Future Research ◽

New Ways Of Working ◽

Professional Attitude ◽

Work From Home ◽

The Impact

The study investigated the impact of mandatory work from home due COVID-19 on personal and professional lives of people with different demographics. Statistical analysis of an online survey data (N=237) reveals that the impact on personal life dimensions—healthy lifestyle, family bonding, and physical stress—does not differ across people within different demographics. However, impact on emotional well-being is sensitive to gender and industry groups. Family size is also an important demographic factor impacted upon personal life dimensions. Professional dimensions related to work productivity and adopting new ways of working does not differ across demographics except for occupational role. Dimensions related to new skill development and change in professional attitude does differ across occupational roles. The study concludes by stating future research directions for mandatory work from home situation, and prescription to post-COVID-19 strategies for organizations.

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The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Among Pakistani Adults in Lahore

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.578366 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Saima Majeed ◽

Elizabeth Maria Schwaiger ◽

Abia Nazim ◽

Ivan Suneel Samuel

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Family System ◽

Nuclear Family ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

The Novel ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Measurement Tools ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Restrictive Measures ◽

The Impact

Background: In the wake of the worldwide spread of the novel coronavirus and the resultant restrictive measures, mental health has become a crucial issue. Physical health is not the only aspect of humans that is at risk. Globally, the rates and severity of mental illness are being significantly impacted by this pandemic. Two scales have been validated to measure the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the levels of anxiety and obsessional thinking in clinical and non-clinical populations. The present study was designed to investigate the levels of anxiety and obsessions related to COVID-19 in the general public of Lahore, Pakistan.Materials and Methods: Data were collected via snowball sampling from May 9 to May 19. An online survey consisting of a demographic profile and two scales, Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) and Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS), was sent through email, WhatsApp, and Facebook groups to adults (18 years and above) of Lahore, Pakistan.Results: A total of 240 individuals (20% men and 80% women) recorded their responses. The majority belonged to a nuclear family system (60%), and their education level ranged from high school to Ph.D. The cut-off score for probable dysfunctional coronavirus anxiety and obsession levels was not met within this sample (CAS, M = 3.24, SD = 4.21; OCS, M = 4.14, SD = 3.15), suggesting that the general population of Lahore, Pakistan is not suffering from dysfunctional anxiety or obsessions related to COVID-19. Forty-seven participants' score on OCS and 35 participants' scores on CAS were above the cut-off, i.e., ≥7 and ≥9, respectively. The results of the correlation analysis showed a significant positive relationship (**p < 0.619) between anxiety and obsessions related to COVID-19.Conclusion: One important, yet surprising, conclusion of this study is that the average adult in Lahore does not show much anxiety or obsessions related to COVID-19. Other studies around the world using these measurement tools have indicated significantly high levels of both anxiety and obsessions related to COVID-19. These findings may demonstrate the resilience of Pakistanis or perhaps the lack of understanding of the seriousness of the situation.

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Challenges and Opportunities: Experiences of Mathematics Lecturers Engaged in Emergency Remote Teaching during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mathematics ◽

10.3390/math9182303 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (18) ◽

pp. 2303

Author(s):

Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn ◽

Olivia Fitzmaurice

Keyword(s):

Working Conditions ◽

Online Teaching ◽

Online Survey ◽

Prior Experience ◽

Teaching Mathematics ◽

Experience Teaching ◽

Challenges And Opportunities ◽

Teaching Of Mathematics ◽

Nature Of Mathematics ◽

The Impact

In this paper, we consider the experiences of mathematics lecturers in higher education and how they moved to emergency remote teaching during the initial university closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey was conducted in May–June 2020 which received 257 replies from respondents based in 29 countries. We report on the particular challenges mathematics lecturers perceive there to be around teaching mathematics remotely, as well as any advantages or disadvantages of teaching mathematics online that they report. Over 90% of respondents had little or no prior experience teaching mathematics online, and, initially, 72% found it stressful and 88% thought it time-consuming. 88% felt there was a difference between teaching mathematics in this way compared with other disciplines. Four main types of challenges were associated with emergency remote teaching of mathematics: technical challenges; student challenges; teaching challenges; and the nature of mathematics. Respondents identified flexibility as the main advantage of online teaching, with lack of interaction featuring strongly as a disadvantage. We also consider respondents’ personal circumstances during this time, in terms of working conditions and caring responsibilities and conclude by summarizing the impact they perceive this experience may have upon their future teaching. Forty-six percent% of respondents self-identified as having caring responsibilities, and 61% felt the experience would affect their future teaching.

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Factors associated with violence against women following the COVID-19 lockdown in France: Results from a prospective online survey

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0257193 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (9) ◽

pp. e0257193

Author(s):

William Peraud ◽

Bruno Quintard ◽

Aymery Constant

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Violence Against Women ◽

Online Survey ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Prospective Survey ◽

Social Media Networks ◽

History Of ◽

The Impact ◽

Unwanted Sexual Contact ◽

Insomnia Symptoms

Background The aim of this research was to investigate the impact of the first COVID-19 lockdown (March 17th—May 11th 2020) on violence against women in France. Methods A prospective survey was conducted online between April 2th 2020 and July 5th 2020. Female respondents were recruited from social media networks using the snowball sampling method. Data were collected three times: during (2–19 April) and at the end (11–25 May) of the first lockdown, and following the first lockdown (20 June– 05 July). Sociodemographic variables, lockdown living conditions, financial impact of COVID, and history of psychiatric disorder were evaluated, together with changes in psychological distress over the lockdown period, and the risk of being assaulted post lockdown. Results Psychological distress was elevated and remained stable for most of the 1538 female respondents during lockdown. More than 7% of women were affected by physical or sexual violence post lockdown. Unwanted sexual contact accounted for the majority of abuse, but physical and sexual assault were also prevalent. The risk of being abused was higher for participants who had changed anxiety/insomnia symptoms over the lockdown period, and a history of abuse. Discussion Women who experienced changes in anxiety/insomnia symptoms during the COVID-19 lockdown were at higher risk than others of being assaulted post lockdown, especially when they were already socially vulnerable. While social and psychological factors accounting for these changes warrant further investigation, communication and preventive measures during pandemics should include initiatives tailored to women more vulnerable to violence.

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Online Education in the Post COVID-19 Era: Students’ Perception and Learning Experience

Education Sciences ◽

10.3390/educsci11100633 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 633

Author(s):

Nastaran Peimani ◽

Hesam Kamalipour

Keyword(s):

Online Learning ◽

Online Education ◽

Urban Design ◽

Digital Technology ◽

Design Education ◽

Online Teaching ◽

Online Survey ◽

Learning Experience ◽

Blended Online Learning ◽

The Impact

Students’ learning experiences and perceptions are markedly influenced by the use of digital technology during the COVID-19 pandemic. Exploring students’ perception of blended online learning, amid the adaptations of the higher education sector in the wake of uncertainty, has become more critical than ever. This paper reflects on the experience of learning and teaching the Research Methods and Techniques subject in the postgraduate programme of MA Urban Design at Cardiff University during COVID-19 in the UK. To do so, we designed and carried out an online survey to explore students’ perception of online teaching and learning activities, feedback and assessment, and digital platforms based on their experience during the subject delivery period in the 2020–2021 academic year. One of the significant findings of this paper was that students agreed with the impact of eye contact on their virtual learning experience but as long as this was aligned with their rights to see others, including their peers and instructors, rather than reciprocal rights to be seen. In addition, students felt that facilitating synchronous communication through effective interaction among diverse peers has been quite challenging in small-group online reading seminars. The majority of respondents also reported that attending live online lectures was more helpful than watching pre-recorded lectures. Online formative feedback and synchronous interim reviews also allowed students to reflect on their progress and develop their projects further before their summative assessment. The outcomes of this paper can effectively assist educators who consider delivering programmes, adopting a blended online learning environment design model, in the post COVID-19 era. The findings of this study can also provide guidance for further developments and improvements in using digital technology and blended online learning in urban design education and pedagogy.

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Effectiveness of Online Teaching During COVID-19 Pandemic for West Midlands Urology Trainees

Journal of Endoluminal Endourology ◽

10.22374/jeleu.v3i4.110 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. e25-e31

Author(s):

Anton Wong

Keyword(s):

Online Teaching ◽

Online Survey ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Postgraduate Education ◽

Learning Approach ◽

The West ◽

Face To Face ◽

West Midlands ◽

Virtual Presence ◽

The Impact

Background and Objective Urology trainees in the West Midlands are provided with protected compulsory teaching sessions by the deanery. These teaching sessions are usually held in a regional centre, on a face-to-face basis. However, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound impact not only on individuals, the healthcare system, but has affected medical education for trainees. All regional teaching sessions have been moved online for the safety of individuals and to comply with social distancing guidelines. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of online teaching during the pandemic. Material and Methods An online survey was sent out to all urology trainees in the West Midlands. The questionnaire, comprised of a mixture of open, closed and Likert-10-point scale questions was used to compare online teaching against face-to-face teaching. An independent t-test was carried out as the data was presumed to follow a normal distribution. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results 70% of trainees responded and participated in the survey. Attendance rates were higher when teaching was online compared to face-to-face sessions. 100% of trainees were able to attend at least 80% of online teaching sessions whilst 89% were able to attend face-to-face sessions. However, the quality of teaching were not statistically significant between face-to-face and online teaching sessions (mean = 7.95 and 8.11 respectively, p= 0.316). The study found that trainees benefited from the accessibility of online teaching sessions but lost out on social networking and interactivity of face-to-face sessions. Most participants recommended a hybrid or blended learning approach once the pandemic is over. Conclusion The impact of COVID-19 has almost forced all undergraduate and postgraduate education to have a form of virtual presence. All teaching sessions will remain online for the foreseeable future. Our study found no difference between the qualities of teaching for both approaches. However, benefits and drawbacks of online teaching have been identified. Hence, we recommend a mixed learning approach of face-to-face and online teaching for the future.

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Effect of Change Agent’s Leadership style on Successful ERP Implementation and Firm Performance Empirical Evidence

International Journal of Information System Modeling and Design ◽

10.4018/ijismd.288555 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 0-0

Keyword(s):

Firm Performance ◽

Organizational Performance ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

Leadership Style ◽

Online Survey ◽

Survey Method ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Erp Implementation ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

The study aims to measure Change Agent’s Leadership style on successful ERP Implementation and Organizational Performance. The data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire from 290 employees working in 14 knowledge-based companies in United Arab Emirates with a response rate of 69.04%. The study uses cross sectional research design with snowball sampling method and data were collected using online survey method. Some of the findings include, all the three leadership styles (transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire) significantly contribute to ERP implementation success and in turn impacts Firm Performance. Transformational leadership style of change agent is found to have highest impact on Firm Performance with ERP implementation acting as a partial mediator. Present study opened the doors by linking leadership style with ERP implementation towards multidimensionality of change agent’s reach not being limited to some aspects. Practitioners can use the insights in understanding the impact of change agent’s deployment in organization.

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Concerns, Perceived Impact, Preparedness in Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic and Health Outcomes among Italian Physicians: A Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Primary Care & Community Health ◽

10.1177/21501327211000245 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 215013272110002

Author(s):

Igor Portoghese ◽

Federico Meloni ◽

Maura Galletta ◽

Ilenia Piras ◽

Ernesto D’Aloja ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Job Stress ◽

Online Survey ◽

Well Being ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Perceived Impact ◽

Job Role ◽

The Impact

Background: Health care workers (HCWs) are among the professionals at serious risk for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their mental health. In this sense, the next public health challenge globally will be to preserving healthy HCWs during this pandemic. Aim: The present study has the aim of investigating the relationship among concerns, perceived impact, preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic and the mental health of Italian physicians. Methods: From March 29th to April 15th 2020, we conducted an online survey using snowball sampling techniques through Limesurvey platform. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple binary logistic regressions. Results: Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for perceived job stress were concerns about catching COVID-19 (OR = 3.18 [95% CI = 2.00-5.05] P < .001), perceived impact on job demands (OR = 1.63 [95% CI = 1.05-2.52] P < .05), perceived impact on job role (OR = 2.50 [95% CI = 1.60-3.90] P < .001), and non-working concerns (OR = 1.86 [95% CI = 1.15-3.03] P < .05). With respect to the risk factors for rumination about the pandemic emerged concerns about catching COVID-19 (OR 1.74, [95% CI = 1.12-2.71] P < .05), perceived impact on job role (OR = 1.68 [95% CI = 1.12-2.52] P < .05), and impact on personal life (OR = 2.04 [95% CI = 1.08-3.86] P < .05). Finally, the risk factors for crying at work were perceived impact on job role (OR = 2.47, [95% CI = 1.20-5.09] P < .05), rumination about the pandemic (OR = 3.027 [95% CI = 1.27-7.19] P < .01), watching colleagues crying at work (OR = 3.82 [95% CI = 1.88-7.77] P < .01), and perceived job stress (OR = 3.53 [95% CI = 1.24-10.07] P < .05). Conclusion: In general, our results highlighted that being concerned about being infected/infecting other people, carrying out new and unusual tasks, and witnessing colleagues crying at work were important risk factors for physicians’ well-being. Additional data are necessary to advance understanding of these risk factors in a long-term perspective.

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