scholarly journals Impact of a natural disaster on access to care and biopsychosocial outcomes among Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Rodriguez-Rabassa ◽  
Ruthmarie Hernandez ◽  
Zindie Rodriguez ◽  
Claudia B. Colon-Echevarria ◽  
Lizette Maldonado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Barriers To Care ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact

AbstractCancer is the leading cause of death in Puerto Rico (PR). Hurricane Maria (HM) and its aftermath lead to widespread devastation in the island, including the collapse of the healthcare system. Medically fragile populations, such as cancer survivors, were significantly affected. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of HM on barriers to care, emotional distress, and inflammatory biomarkers among cancer survivors in PR. This exploratory longitudinal study was conducted in health care facilities and community support groups from PR. Cancer survivors (n=50) and non-cancer participants (n=50) completed psychosocial questionnaires and provided blood samples that were used to assess inflammatory cytokines levels. Data were analyzed through descriptive, frequencies, correlational, and linear regression analyses. Cancer survivors that were affected by HM reported increased barriers in accessing medical care, which were directly associated with anxiety, perceived stress, and post-traumatic symptomatology. Moreover, being a cancer survivor, along with closeness in time from HM predicted more barriers to receiving health care. Several inflammatory cytokines, such as CD31, BDNF, TFF3, Serpin E-1, Vitamin D BP, VCAM-1, Osteopontin, Chitinase 3 like 1, MMP-9 and MIF were significantly upregulated in cancer survivors while BDNF, MMP9 and Osteopontin had significant positive correlations with barriers to care. HM significantly impacted Puerto Ricans psychosocial well-being. Cancer survivors had significant barriers to care and showed increased serum inflammatory cytokines, but didn’t show differences in anxiety, stress and post-traumatic symptoms compared to non-cancer participants.

Assessing the impact of an online survivorship program.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. e285-e285
Author(s):  
Helayne Waldman ◽  
Shani Fox
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Survivorship Care Plan ◽  
Institute Of Medicine ◽  
Plan Implementation ◽  
Knowledge And Attitude ◽  
The Impact

e285 Background: In the report From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition (2006), the Institute of Medicine identified follow-up of cancer survivors as a missing link in cancer care and made recommendations to the medical establishment to fill that gap. So far, studies of recommendation effectiveness have revolved around survivorship care plan implementation. However, a 2013 study indicated that use of SCPs is still more the exception than the rule. Methods: We have created a unique online program that is intended to address two key mandates of the IOM report: 1) Educationfor theprevention of recurrent and new cancers, and 2) Self-carestrategiesto help deal with consequences of cancer and its treatment i.e. lymphedema, fatigue; [and] psychological distress. Dr. Helayne Waldman and Dr. Shani Foxhave fashioned an online, real time, 12 week education and support program for cancer survivors, the first of its type in the U.S. The focus of the content is on maintaining wellness after treatment and includes topics such as physical activity, dietary guidelines, inflammation control and stress management. The program also contains a coaching component, where participants track their activities and share information via live discussion and interactive blogs. Results: We have established a framework for gathering, analyzing and reporting our data. Our target sample size is 40-50 participants. At the program’s outset we will administer a 20 question self-assessment to test participants’ knowledge of self-care practices and attitudes about their current state of wellness. At the program’s end in December we'll readminister in order to measure the change in both knowledge and attitude. We’ll then conduct an analysis of the data, and will report our findings at the ASCO meeting in January. Conclusions: We believe that education and support for survivors is critical to their physical and emotional well-being. Unfortunately, there is currently no program available to do this in a live, interactive format from the comfort of one’s home. We believe PCPs, hospital support groups and other non-profits will find this type of program to be an invaluable resource in serving to educate and manage the concerns of cancer survivors and to move closer to realizing the promise of the IOM report.

scholarly journals Impact of Community Collaboration in the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Cielito Caneja
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Public Relations ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Phone Calls

Background: SARS-COV-2 the cause of COVID-19 has sparked a global pandemic with devastating consequences on health, wellbeing, and the economy. Healthcare workers from the frontline of defence, yet, the pandemic affects not only healthcare workers but also their families. There is growing awareness of the benefits of COVID-19 support groups, for professionals and for the wider community. Migrant professionals make up a significant proportion of the human resources in delivering health care globally, as in the UK. Therefore any such initiative, should be culturally tailored to address their needs. Aim: To outline the development of a community support initiative, in the form of a non-profit organisation, for migrant minority Filipino healthcare professionals and their communities. Method: A mixed-method study with retrospective data collection.  A dedicated helpline was set up during the pandemic. A Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) method was adopted. The cohort was divided into two groups, health care professionals and non-healthcare group, with interventions delivered by four divisions, which were health care, non-healthcare, information governance and public relations - social media divisions. Interactive focus group and webinars were facilitated and data collected via Emotions Behind the Mask questionnaire. Results: PDSA outcomes, the dedicated helpline responded to 40 phone calls in 6 weeks, calls were linked to basic needs of daily living or work-related issues. In 5 months, the organisations collaborated with 25 local, national, and international organisations delivering community and professional support. The online platform audience reached an audience of 27,795. Conclusion: The combined professional healthcare and community support initiative demonstrated an impact on healthcare staff with possible benefits in workforce retention. Further studies are required in a larger population exploring mental health and well-being specific to minority ethnic groups.

scholarly journals Exchange of experience in the field of medical services as a form of international cooperation between Ukraine and Poland

2021 ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Viktoriia Adamyk ◽  
Khrystyna Shcherbiak
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Technical Equipment ◽  
Bilateral Relations ◽  
The Impact

Introduction. The development of bilateral relations in the context of globalization and European integration involves expanding the range of forms of cooperation, as well as those areas covered by cooperation. The implementation of medical reform in Ukraine necessitates the intensification of the exchange of experience in the medical field with other countries, including Poland. The rapid processes of digitalization against the background of the Kovid-19 pandemic determine the modernization of communication tools and cooperation in the field of health services.The purpose of the article is to study the state and prospects of exchange of experience in the field of medical services between Ukraine and Poland.Research methods. To achieve the goal set in the article, general scientific and special methods were used, namely: analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, abstraction and concretization, systematization, as well as elements of comparative analysis. The methodological basis for the study are national and international regulations of Ukraine and Poland, which regulate the functioning of health care and bilateral relations in the field of medical services, scientific works of domestic and foreign researchers, statistical reports and more.Results. The exchange of experience in the provision of medical services between Ukraine and Poland is carried out in a slightly different state of health care and taking into account Ukraine’s integration intentions using tools such as conferences, seminars, webinars, academic mobility of scientists and students, bilateral agreements between medical institutions with the support of local governments and self-government, etc. Digitalization, on the one hand, expands opportunities for collaboration, and on the other - necessitates the need to improve the quality of technical equipment of hospitals and makes new demands on human capital. Improving the exchange of experience in the field of  medical services is enhanced by receiving technical assistance from Polish partners, including under the auspices of international institutions, such as the EU, WHO, UNICEF, etc. Perspective areas are the introduction of the eHealth system in Ukraine, as well as the involvement of Polish specialists to modernize the management system in domestic health care facilities. The article details the recommendations for intensifying the exchange of experience between Ukraine and Poland in areas and tools.Perspectives. Future research is important to focus on an interdisciplinary analysis of the consequences of health care reform in Ukraine and Poland in the context of the impact on the well-being of citizens.

scholarly journals Environmental qualities and patient well-being in hospital settings

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Kathrine Frandsen
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Building Research Institute ◽  
Physical Environments ◽  
Review Team ◽  
To Come ◽  
Staff Wellbeing ◽  
Architecture And Design ◽  
The Impact

Within the last decades the impacts of the physical environments of hospitals on healing and health-care outcomes have been subject to ample research. The amount of documentation linking the design of physical environments to patient and staff outcomes is increasing. A Danish research project undertaken by Architecture and Design and the Danish Building Research Institute (Aalborg University) set out in 2008 to review research on the impact of the environmental qualities of health-care facilities on patients and staff. The objective of the review team was to develop a tool that would allow an overview of this research, needed by construction clients and decision-makers in Denmark responsible for large investments in future hospitals and healthcare environments in the decade to come. The present paper offers an overview of the findings of the review team. Its point of departure is the categorisation developed during the study, which facilitated the sorting and communication of the findings. In this categorisation, research findings are grouped according to their focus on specific spatial qualities – such as light and acoustics – and not according to the different diagnoses, which may be linked to such spatial qualities, like stress and depression. In other words, the application of this categorisation foregrounds the importance and the convenience of looking at spatial qualities of the physical environment, when addressing issues related to patient or staff wellbeing.

scholarly journals IMPACT OF COLOUR ON DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND STRESS LEVELS OF PHYSICALLY DISABLED PATIENTS IN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A .A. Hettiarachchi ◽  
◽  
D.R. Perera ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Physically Disabled ◽  
Green Colour ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Disabled Patients ◽  
The Impact

Physically disabled community in Sri Lanka is not receiving sufficient attention with reference to the conduciveness of their living environments. The patients who are harrowed with mobility impairments should be supported to overcome challenges which hinder the smooth functioning of day today physical activities while maintaining their psychological health by incorporating disabled-friendly, optimum healing design interventions. In view of this, an attempt was made to determine the impact of interior colours to reduce depression, anxiety and stress levels of disabled individuals. The investigation was executed with reference to wall colour of patient’s (n=15) bedrooms of a selected rehabilitation centre, at Ragama. The impact of three selected hues (blue, yellow and green) were tested by installing colour panels on the sidewall of the beds, allowing the participants to be exposed to each colour for three consecutive days. Depression, anxiety and stress levels of participants were measured using DASS-21. Impact of green colour was found to be more favourable to reduce depression, anxiety and stress levels of participants over blue and yellow. It is recommended to extend this study further to test different hues, shades and intensities of green colour with long-term exposure, to enhance psychological health and well-being of disabled patients in health care facilities.

scholarly journals Culture, health and well-being sit in places. Impact of COVID-19 on the African Society: geo-anthropological perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-103
Author(s):  
Nicoletta Varani ◽  
Anna Siri ◽  
Enrico Bernardini
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
World Health ◽  
Critical Element ◽  
African Continent ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Through an interdisciplinary contribution, the authors intend to propose an updated framework of the progress of the COVID-19 pandemic on the African continent and some critical reflections on various geopolitical and geo-anthropological aspects concerning the new vulnerabilities associated with the pandemic crisis in Africa and the importance of culture and its effects on well-being and health. The pandemic seems to have hit the African continent much less severely than the rest of the world, with a mortality index (2,4%) lower than the global one (3,5%). The spread of the virus in this geographical area is largely underestimated because health care facilities do not have the tracking power that rich countries have, several factors show how Africa is managing to counter the impact of the pandemic. One reason could be the intervention of the immune capacity of a population exposed in the recent past to numerous other infections that could have stimulated greater protection, both in terms of innate and acquired immunity. The dispersion of the rural population, which represents the majority of the African population (43%), could act as a geographical barrier to the virus. It is a complex picture where there are feelings of distrust between the institutions and the population on the management of the pandemic and the circulation of an excessive amount of data that creates confusion. In the African context, the need to understand the relationship between culture and health becomes fundamental. If the role of cultural values is underestimated, the positive potential of culture as a critical element for maintaining and improving health is negated. According to the World Health Organization, traditional medicine is the cornerstone of health care or its complement in the countries where community membership is most deeply rooted. In Africa, the World Health Organisation estimates that 85% of the population uses it because it is more widespread and accessible than traditional healing systems. Only one form of contagion travels faster than a virus. And that’s fear. Dan Brown

scholarly journals Family Physicians’ Standpoint and Mental Health Assessment in the Light of COVID-19 Pandemic—A Nationwide Survey Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2093
Author(s):  
Tina Vilovic ◽  
Josko Bozic ◽  
Marino Vilovic ◽  
Doris Rusic ◽  
Sanja Zuzic Furlan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Family Physicians ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
The Impact

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, family physicians (FPs) are the backbone of the healthcare system with considerable impact on the general population, and their well-being is of great importance. The aim of this investigation was to assess FPs mental health, as well as knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) regarding the pandemic, and opinions on non-communicable disease (NCD) health care provided to patients. A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 613 FPs. Anxiety and depression levels were estimated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, subjective perceived stress with the Perceived Stress Scale, while trauma-related symptoms were assessed using the Impact on Event Scale-COVID19. KAPs toward the pandemic and opinions regarding NCD patients were evaluated with questionnaires accordingly. Results have shown that age (β = −0.02, p = 0.013) and personal risk of COVID‑19 (β = 1.05, p < 0.001) were significant independent correlates of the knowledge score. A total of 87.7% FPs expressed moderate/high perceived stress, 45.2% moderate/severe trauma-related symptoms, 60.4% borderline/abnormal anxiety levels, and 52.4% borderline/abnormal depression levels. Knowledge score was an independent predictor of perceived stress (β = −0.33, p = 0.023) and anxiety (β = −0.31, p = 0.006) levels. Limited accessibility to healthcare services and decreased number of newly-diagnosed NCD cases were mostly agreed on. The pandemic puts a considerable strain on FPs mental health, as well as on public health measures, due to the decreased overall quality of NCD patient health care. Educational programs may bridge the gaps between FPs’ knowledge. Thus lowering anxiety and improving patient care.

scholarly journals Validation of questionnaire-reported chest wall abnormalities with a telephone interview in Swiss childhood cancer survivors

BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahel Kasteler ◽  
Christa Lichtensteiger ◽  
Christina Schindera ◽  
Marc Ansari ◽  
Claudia E. Kuehni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Chest Wall ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Childhood Cancer Survivors ◽  
Thoracic Wall ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Chest wall abnormalities are a poorly studied complication after treatment for childhood cancer. Chest wall abnormalities are not well-described in the literature, and little is known on the impact on daily life of survivors. Methods We investigated prevalence and risk factors of chest wall abnormalities in childhood cancer survivors in a nationwide, population-based cohort study (Swiss Childhood Cancer Survivor Study) with a questionnaire survey. We then interviewed a nested sample of survivors to validate types of chest wall abnormalities and understand their impact on the daily life of survivors. Results Forty-eight of 2382 (95%CI 2–3%) survivors reported a chest wall abnormality. Risk factors were older age at cancer diagnosis (16–20 years; OR 2.5, 95%CI 1.0–6.1), lymphoma (OR 3.8, 95%CI 1.2–11.4), and central nervous system tumors (OR 9.5, 95%CI 3.0–30.1) as underlying disease, and treatment with thoracic radiotherapy (OR 2.0, 95%CI 1.0–4.2), surgery to the chest (OR 4.5, 95%CI 1.8–11.5), or chemotherapy (OR 2.9, 95%CI 1.0–8.1). The nature of the chest wall abnormalities varied and included thoracic wall deformities (30%), deformations of the spine (5%) or both (55%), and scars (10%). Chest wall abnormalities affected daily life in two thirds (13/20) of those who reported these problems and necessitated medical attention for 15 (75%) survivors. Conclusion It is important that, during follow-up care, physicians pay attention to chest wall abnormalities, which are rare late effects of cancer treatment, but can considerably affect the well-being of cancer survivors.

Assessing the Preparedness of Healthcare Facilities for Disasters and Emergencies in Damghan, Iran

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Behrad Pourmohammadi ◽  
Ahad Heydari ◽  
Farin Fatemi ◽  
Ali Modarresi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives: Iran is exposed to a wide range of natural and man-made hazards. Health-care facilities can play a significant role in providing life-saving measures in the minutes and hours immediately following the impact or exposure. The aim of this study was to determine the preparedness of health-care facilities in disasters and emergencies. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Damghan, Semnan Province, in 2019. The samples consisted of all the 11 health-care facilities located in Damghan County. A developed checklist was used to collect the data, including 272 questions in 4 sections: understanding threatening hazards, functional, structural, and nonstructural vulnerability of health-care facilities. The data were analyzed using SPSS 21. Results: The results revealed that the health-care facilities were exposed to 22 different natural and man-made hazards throughout the county. The total level of preparedness of the health-care centers under assessment was 45.8%. The average functional, structural, and nonstructural vulnerability was assessed at 49.3%, 31.6%, and 56.4%, respectively. Conclusions: Conducting mitigation measures is necessary for promoting the functional and structural preparedness. Disaster educational programs and exercises are recommended among the health staff in health-care facilities.

scholarly journals N-CDAD in Canada: Results of the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program 1997 N-CDAD Prevalence Surveillance Project

2001 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meaghen Hyland ◽  
Marianna Ofner-Agostini ◽  
Mark Miller ◽  
Shirley Paton ◽  
Marie Gourdeau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Nosocomial Infection ◽  
Toxin Production ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Case Definitions ◽  
Infection Surveillance ◽  
Positive Stool ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND:A 1996 preproject survey among Canadian Hospital Epidemiology Committee (CHEC) sites revealed variations in the prevention, detection, management and surveillance ofClostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). Facilities wanted to establish national rates of nosocomially acquired CDAD (N-CDAD) to understand the impact of control or prevention measures, and the burden of N-CDAD on health care resources. The CHEC, in collaboration with the Laboratory Centre for Disease Control (Health Canada) and under the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program, undertook a prevalence surveillance project among selected hospitals throughout Canada.OBJECTIVE:To establish national prevalence rates of N-CDAD.METHODS:For six weeks in 1997, selected CHEC sites tested all diarrheal stools from inpatients for eitherC difficiletoxin orC difficilebacteria with evidence of toxin production. Questionnaires were completed for patients with positive stool assays who met the case definitions.RESULTS:Nineteen health care facilities in eight provinces participated in the project. The overall prevalence of N-CDAD was 13.0% (95% CI 9.5% to 16.5%). The mean number of N-CDAD cases were 66.3 cases/100,000 patient days (95% CI

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