The health and well-being of Australia’s future medical doctors: protocol for a 5-year observational cohort study of medical trainees

IntroductionClinical training in the undergraduate medical course places multiple stressors on trainees, which have been held to lead to heightened distress, depression, suicide, substance misuse/abuse and poor mental health outcomes. To date, evidence for morbidity in trainees is largely derived from cross-sectional survey-based research. This limits the accuracy of estimates and the extent to which predispositional vulnerabilities (biological and/or psychological), contextual triggers and longer-term consequences can be validly identified. Longitudinal clinical assessments embedded within a biopsychosocial framework are needed before effective preventative and treatment strategies can be put in place.Methods and analysisThis study is an observational longitudinal cohort study of 330 students enrolled in the undergraduate medicine course at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Australia. Students will be recruited in their fourth year of study and undergo annual assessments for 4 consecutive years as they progress through increasingly demanding clinical training, including internship. Assessments will include clinical interviews for psychiatric morbidity, and self-report questionnaires to obtain health, psychosocial, performance and functioning information. Objective measures of cognitive performance, sleep/activity patterns as well as autonomic and immune function (via peripheral blood samples) will be obtained. These data will be used to determine the prevalence, incidence and severity of mental disorder, elucidate contextual and biological triggers and mechanisms underpinning psychopathology and examine the impact of psychopathology on performance and professional functioning.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval has been granted by the UNSW human research ethics committee (reference HC16340). The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, and distributed to key stakeholders within the medical education sector. The outcomes will also inform targeted preventative and treatment strategies to enhance stress resilience in trainee doctors.

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The impact of COVID‐19 on work, training and well‐being experiences of nursing associates in England: A cross‐sectional survey

Nursing Open ◽

10.1002/nop2.928 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rachel King ◽

Tony Ryan ◽

Michaela Senek ◽

Emily Wood ◽

Bethany Taylor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Work Training ◽

The Impact

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Objectively Measured Sedentary Behavior, Obesity, and Psychological Well-Being: A Cross-Sectional Study of Japanese Schoolchildren

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2016-0374 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 270-274 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Kaori Ishii ◽

Ai Shibata ◽

Minoru Adachi ◽

Yoshiyuki Mano ◽

Koichiro Oka

Keyword(s):

Psychological Health ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Emotional Problems ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Sedentary Behaviors ◽

Japanese Children ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Psychological Well Being

Background:Sedentary behaviors (SB) are associated with health indicators; however, there are currently very few studies that have examined these associations, especially in conjunction with psychological factors, in children. The current study examined the independent relationship between objectively assessed SB, and indicators of obesity and psychological well-being, among Japanese children.Methods:A total of 967 elementary-school children completed a cross-sectional survey. SB was measured with accelerometers for 7 consecutive days. Psychological well-being data (eg, anxiety and behavior problems) were collected via a self-report questionnaire. To determine the relationship of SB with degree of obesity and psychological well-being, linear regression analyses were conducted to relate the indicators of obesity and psychological well-being on SB, adjusted by gender, grade, percentage of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day, duration spent wearing the accelerometer, and degree of obesity.Results:SB was significantly related to behavioral/emotional problems (β = .280, P = .010, R2 = .015). There was a statistically significant relationship between SB and anxiety (β = .206, P = .059, R2 = .007). No significant association with degree of obesity was found.Conclusions:Excess SB relates higher levels of behavioral/emotional problems and anxiety. These results can inspire the development of interventions that promote well-being and enhance psychological health, by focusing on SB in Japanese children.

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Exploring the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical education: an international cross-sectional study of medical learners

Canadian Medical Education Journal ◽

10.36834/cmej.71149 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Allison Brown ◽

Aliya Kassam ◽

Mike Paget ◽

Kenneth Blades ◽

Megan Mercia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Medical Training ◽

Well Being ◽

World Health ◽

Future Research ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The World ◽

Geographic Regions ◽

The Impact

Background: The evidence surrounding the impact of COVID-19 on medical learners remains anecdotal and highly speculative despite the anticipated impact and potential consequences of the current pandemic on medical training. The purpose of this study was to explore the extent that COVID-19 initially impacted medical learners around the world and examine global trends and patterns across geographic regions and levels of training. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of medical learners was conducted between March 25–June 14, 2020, shortly after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Results: 6492 learners completed the survey from 140 countries. Most medical schools removed learners from the clinical environment and adopted online learning, but students reported concerns about the quality of their learning, training progression, and milestone fulfillment. Residents reported they could be better utilized and expressed concerns about their career timeline. Trainees generally felt under-utilized and wanted to be engaged clinically in meaningful ways; however, some felt that contributing to healthcare during a pandemic was beyond the scope of a learner. Significant differences were detected between levels of training and geographic regions for satisfaction with organizational responses as well as the impact of COVID-19 learner wellness and state-trait anxiety. Conclusions: The disruption to the status quo of medical education is perceived by learners across all levels and geographic regions to have negatively affected their training and well-being, particularly amongst postgraduate trainees. These results provide initial empirical insights into the areas that warrant future research as well as consideration for current and future policy planning.

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The Role of Helplessness in the Appraisal of Illness Uncertainty in Women With Fibromyalgia

Nursing Science Quarterly ◽

10.1177/0894318420943151 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 346-352

Author(s):

Melody D. Reibel ◽

Marianne H. Hutti

Keyword(s):

Survey Design ◽

Well Being ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Illness Uncertainty ◽

High Level ◽

The Impact

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder characterized by uncertainty in etiology, symptomatology, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome. The high level of illness uncertainty that results from fibromyalgia is a risk factor for maladjustment to illness. A cross-sectional survey design was used to examine the relationships among illness uncertainty, helplessness, and subjective well-being in 138 women with fibromyalgia. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine a predictive model for mediation. We found illness uncertainty is negatively associated with subjective well-being and that helplessness strongly influences the impact of illness uncertainty on subjective well-being in women with fibromyalgia.

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Mobile Health Program to Reduce Psychological Treatment Gap in Mental Healthcare in Alberta Through Daily Supportive Text Messages – Cross-sectional Survey Evaluating Text4Mood

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.1970 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S139-S139 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

V. Agyapong ◽

K. Mrklas ◽

M. Juhás ◽

J. Omeje ◽

A. Ohinmaa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Response Rate ◽

Psychological Treatment ◽

Mental Healthcare ◽

Well Being ◽

Text Messages ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Treatment Gap ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

BackgroundTo complement the oversubscribed counselling services in Alberta, the Text4Mood program which delivers daily supportive text messages to subscribers was launched on the 18th of January, 2016. This report presents an evaluation of self-reports of the impact of the program on the mental wellbeing of subscribers.MethodsAn online link to a survey questionnaire was created by an expert group and delivered via text messages to mobile phones of all 4111 active subscribers of the Text4Mood program as of April 11, 2016.ResultsOverall, 894 subscribers answered the survey (overall response rate 21.7%). The response rate for individual questions varied and is reported alongside the results. Most respondents were female (83%, n = 668), Caucasian (83%, n = 679), and diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder (38%, n = 307), including Depression (25.4%, n = 227) and Anxiety (20%, n = 177). Overall, 52% (n = 461) signed up for Text4Mood to help elevate their mood and 24.5% (n = 219) signed up to help them worry less. Most respondents felt the text messages made them more hopeful about managing issues in their lives (81.7%, n = 588), feel in charge of managing depression and anxiety (76.7%, n = 552), and feel connected to a support system (75.2%, n = 542). The majority of respondents felt Text4Mood improved their overall mental well-being (83.1%, n = 598).ConclusionSupportive text messages are a feasible and acceptable way of delivering adjunctive psychological interventions. Given that text messages are affordable, readily available, and can be delivered to thousands of people simultaneously, they present an opportunity to help close the psychological treatment gap for mental health patients.

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Malaria Prevalence Investigation among Pregnant Women in Relation to Their Social Well Being: A Case Study of Lugbe and Gosa, Abuja, Nigeria

International Journal of Pathogen Research ◽

10.9734/ijpr/2020/v4i230107 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 7-15

Author(s):

Onyemaechi Ngozi Edith ◽

Malann Yoila David

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Well Being ◽

Malaria Prevalence ◽

Living Conditions ◽

High Rate ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Smear Preparation ◽

Study Results ◽

The Impact

Aim: This research aim was to investigate the impact of living conditions (Socio demographic characteristics) of pregnant women on their malarial status. Study Design: In order to achieve the objectives of the study, Cross sectional survey was used. This is because only a subsect of the population was used. Descriptive designs was utilised in the Questionnaire aspect of the study. Place and Duration of Study: The Presidential Malarial initiative PMI/USAID - funded Insectary Laboratory at Nasarawa State University, Keffi/six (6) Months. Methodology: Blood samples were collected from the participating pregnant women by pricking their thumb and the blood droplet was examined using a direct thin and thick blood smear preparation stained with giemsa for the presence of the ring form stages of the parasites in the blood of the individuals in the laboratory. Qualitative data were sourced through Questionnaire administration to 589 pregnant women in Antenatal care clinics (ANC) in the area and their malaria status was also determined. Results: Study results showed a high prevalence rate of malaria in pregnancy (70.5%), the greater number of occurrences being in Lugbe (42.3%) than in Gosa (28.2%). Those living in houses built with wood recorded more positive cases of malaria and are at greater risk of infection (odds = 1.866%). Conclusion: This study has shown an increased rate of malaria infection amongst pregnant women living in wood and mud houses. The result also shows high rate of malaria occurrences due to low living conditions amongst pregnant women domiciled in this area of study. Hence, pregnant women should as a routine be placed on malaria prophylaxis and periodically checked as they can be asymptomatic, only exhibiting symptoms when its already late.

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De impact van de coronacrisis op het subjectief welbevinden van (internationale) studenten in Nederland

Mens en maatschappij ◽

10.5117/mem2021.3.004.vanm ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 96 (3) ◽

pp. 357-383

Author(s):

Christof Van Mol ◽

Sabien Dekkers ◽

Ellen Verbakel

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

International Students ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Social Contact ◽

Well Being ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Education Students ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

Abstract The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on subjective well-being of (international) higher education students in the Netherlands In this paper we investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on subjective well-being of higher education students in the Netherlands. More specifically, we compare international students and Dutch students, based on the Dutch data of the COVID-19 International Student Well-Being Study, a cross-sectional survey conducted between May-July 2020 among higher education students across the Netherlands (N = 10.491). Based on the sociological literature on the relationship between social capital and subjective well-being, we investigate in particular whether changes in social contact during the first lockdown can explain differences in subjective well-being between international and Dutch students. Our results suggest that although international students report lower levels of subjective well-being compared to Dutch students, these differences cannot be directly explained by (changes) in social contact during the lockdown.

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Associations between Australian clinical medical practitioner exposure to workplace aggression and workforce participation intentions

Australian Health Review ◽

10.1071/ah14246 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 36 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Danny J. Hills

Keyword(s):

Patient Care ◽

Medical Practitioner ◽

Well Being ◽

Workplace Aggression ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Workforce Participation ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical Practitioners ◽

The Impact ◽

Clinical Workload

Objective The aim of the present study was to determine the association between clinician exposure to workplace aggression from any source in the previous 12 months and workforce participation intentions. Methods A cross-sectional survey, in the third wave of the Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life (MABEL) study, was conducted between March 2010 and June 2011. Respondents were a representative sample of 9449 Australian general practitioners (GPs) and GP registrars (n = 3515), specialists (n = 3875), hospital non-specialists (n = 1171) and specialists in training (n = 888). Associations between aggression exposure and workforce participation intentions were determined using logistic regression modelling. Results In adjusted models, aggression exposure was positively associated with a greater likelihood of intending to reduce clinical workload in the next 5 years (odds ratio (OR) = 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.29) and intending to leave patient care within 5 years (OR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.07–1.35). When also accounting for well being factors, aggression exposure remained positively associated with intending to leave patient care within 5 years (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.00–1.27). Conclusions Exposure to workplace aggression presents a risk to the retention of medical practitioners in clinical practice and a potential risk to community access to quality medical care. More concerted efforts in preventing and minimising workplace aggression in clinical medical practice are required. What is known about the topic? Very few studies have addressed the impact of workplace aggression on workforce participation intentions of medical practitioners. What does this paper add? This paper provides evidence that exposure to workplace aggression from any source is associated with intentions to reduce clinical workload or leave patient care. What are the implications for practitioners? There is a need to prevent or minimise the risk of exposure to workplace aggression from any source because the impacts may extend beyond the known psychological or physical effects to practitioner decisions about ongoing participation in the provision of clinical services.

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Job Demands and Exhaustion in Firefighters: The Moderating Role of Work Meaning. A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18189819 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (18) ◽

pp. 9819

Author(s):

Andra Cătălina Roșca ◽

Alexandru Mateizer ◽

Cristina-Ioana Dan ◽

Evangelia Demerouti

Keyword(s):

Emotional Exhaustion ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Job Demands ◽

Well Being ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Work Meaning ◽

The Impact

Emotional exhaustion and other symptoms of burnout are often found among emergency services professions, such as firefighting. Given the social importance of this activity and the high responsibility it requires, prevention and alleviation of burnout symptoms become primary concerns in ensuring the well-being of firefighters. Although work meaning is one of the factors associated with a lower risk of developing burnout, its protective role has not been studied in firefighters. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the buffering role of work meaning in the health-impairment process of the Job Demands-Resources model, targeting the relationship between job demands and related emotional exhaustion. A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from a sample consisting of Romanian firefighters (n = 1096). Structural equation modeling indicated a positive link between job demands and exhaustion. In addition, deriving personal meaning from work was associated with lower levels of exhaustion in firefighters. A small but significant interaction effect between work meaning and job demands showed that higher levels of work meaning attenuated the positive relationship between job demands and exhaustion. In conclusion, our findings suggest that work meaning has a buffering effect on the impact of various job demands on job-related exhaustion. Nevertheless, the small effect sizes warrant further research on this topic.

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Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of nursing students in Japan: protocol for a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055916 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. e055916

Author(s):

Jun Kako ◽

Yoshiyasu Ito ◽

Kohei Kajiwara ◽

Yasutaka Kimura ◽

Takahiro Kakeda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Nursing Students ◽

Large Scale ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Self Report ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic is spreading globally with a high risk of mortality. It is also significantly affecting mental health. For nursing students, the impact of COVID-19 on mental health is predicted to be significant; however, sufficient data have not been obtained. Therefore, this study will aim to assess the mental health of nursing students and evaluate the related factors.Methods and analysisThis proposed study is a cross-sectional survey using a self-report questionnaire. An online questionnaire will be distributed among all nursing students of eight universities in Japan. The survey questionnaire will consist of questions related to demography, life satisfaction, fear of COVID-19, mental health and physical activities. The target sample size is 1300 nursing students. We will calculate descriptive statistics for each measurement item and perform univariate and logistic regression analyses to evaluate the potential risk factors for anxiety, depression and insomnia symptoms in nursing students. The strength of association will be assessed using the OR and its 95% CIs. Statistical significance will be set at a p<0.05.Ethics and disseminationThe protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the University of Hyogo on 22 March 2021 (ID: 2020F29). In addition, all of the participating facilities required ethical approval from their local IRBs. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. We believe that the proposed large-scale investigation of the mental health of nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic and the relationship between mental health and fear of COVID-19 are novel and will be a strength of this study.

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