scholarly journals ‘Overnight, things changed. Suddenly, we were in it’: a qualitative study exploring how surgical teams mitigated risks of COVID-19

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e046662
Author(s):  
Daisy Elliott ◽  
Cynthia Ochieng ◽  
Marcus Jepson ◽  
Natalie S Blencowe ◽  
Kerry NL Avery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Practice ◽  
Surgical Practice ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Integral Role ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Surgical Teams ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Nursing Roles ◽  
Global Evidence

ObjectivesCOVID-19 presents a risk of infection and transmission for operating theatre teams. Guidelines to protect patients and staff emerged and changed rapidly based on expert opinion and limited evidence. This paper presents the experiences and innovations developed by international surgical teams during the early stages of the pandemic to attempt to mitigate risk.DesignIn-depth, semistructured interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically using methods of constant comparison.Participants43 participants, including surgeons from a range of specialties (primarily general surgery, otolaryngology, neurosurgery, cardiothoracic and ophthalmology), anaesthetists and those in nursing roles.SettingThe UK, Italy, Spain, the USA, China and New Zealand between March and May 2020.ResultsSurgical teams sought to mitigate COVID-19 risks by modifying their current practice with an abundance of strategies and innovations. Communication and teamwork played an integral role in how teams adapted, although participants reflected on the challenges of having to improvise in real time. Uncertainties remained about optimal surgical practice and there were significant tensions where teams were forced to balance what was best for patients while contemplating their own safety.ConclusionsThe perceptions of risks during a pandemic such as COVID-19 can be complex and context dependent. Management of these risks in surgery must be driven by evidence‐based practice resulting from a pragmatic and novel approach to collation of global evidence. The context of surgery has changed dramatically, and surgical teams have developed a plethora of innovations. There is an urgent need for high-quality evidence to inform surgical practice that optimises the safety of both patients and healthcare professionals as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds.

scholarly journals Long COVID and the role of physical activity: a qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e047632
Author(s):  
Helen Humphreys ◽  
Laura Kilby ◽  
Nik Kudiersky ◽  
Robert Copeland
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Insight Into

ObjectivesTo explore the lived experience of long COVID with particular focus on the role of physical activity.DesignQualitative study using semistructured interviews.Participants18 people living with long COVID (9 men, 9 women; aged between 18–74 years; 10 white British, 3 white Other, 3 Asian, 1 black, 1 mixed ethnicity) recruited via a UK-based research interest database for people with long COVID.SettingTelephone interviews with 17 participants living in the UK and 1 participant living in the USA.ResultsFour themes were generated. Theme 1 describes how participants struggled with drastically reduced physical function, compounded by the cognitive and psychological effects of long COVID. Theme 2 highlights challenges associated with finding and interpreting advice about physical activity that was appropriately tailored. Theme 3 describes individual approaches to managing symptoms including fatigue and ‘brain fog’ while trying to resume and maintain activities of daily living and other forms of exercise. Theme 4 illustrates the battle with self-concept to accept reduced function (even temporarily) and the fear of permanent reduction in physical and cognitive ability.ConclusionsThis study provides insight into the challenges of managing physical activity alongside the extended symptoms associated with long COVID. Findings highlight the need for greater clarity and tailoring of physical activity-related advice for people with long COVID and improved support to resume activities important to individual well-being.

scholarly journals Setting the Standard – UK Neurosurgical Acoustic Neuroma Practice

2006 ◽  
Vol 88 (5) ◽  
pp. 486-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
JR Goodden ◽  
R Tranter ◽  
C Hardwidge
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Current Practice ◽  
Clinical Effectiveness ◽  
Nerve Monitoring ◽  
Surgical Practice ◽  
Acoustic Neuromas ◽  
Facial Nerve Monitoring ◽  
Surgical Expertise ◽  
Unfit Patients ◽  
The Uk

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to determine how current practice in the UK and Ireland complies with the Clinical Effectiveness Guidelines for the Management of Acoustic Neuromas. MATERIALS AND METHODS A survey of units and consultants using a standardised questionnaire was carried out. RESULTS Fifty-six neurosurgeons treat acoustic neuromas in 33 out of 34 units. In 27 units, one or two surgeons specialise in this area. Caseload per annum per surgeon ranged from 2 to 30, median 15. Forty-one neurosurgeons (75%) work with an ENT surgeon. All surgeons use facial nerve monitoring during surgery. All neurosurgeons informed patients about stereotactic radiosurgery, tending to recommend it for medically unfit patients, and those with small tumours. CONCLUSIONS Overall, 26 units (79%) and 40 surgeons (73%) met the criteria for good surgical practice. The main reasons for non-compliance were a lack of teamwork with ENT, and insufficient caseload to maintain surgical expertise.

An early mainstream economist from Hungary: István Varga (1897–1962)

2003 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Majoros
Keyword(s):  
Austrian Economic ◽  
National Income ◽  
Anglo Saxon ◽  
Turbulent Times ◽  
The Usa ◽  
New Ideas ◽  
Modern Economic ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Economic Thinking ◽  
Lasting Influence

The study introduces a Hungarian economic thinker, István Varga*, whose valuable activity has remained unexplored up to now. He became an economic thinker during the 1920s, in a country that had not long before become independent of Austria. The role played by Austria in the modern economic thinking of that time was a form of competition with the thought adhered to by the UK and the USA. Hungarian economists mainly interpreted and commented on German and Austrian theories, reasons for this being that, for example, the majority of Hungarian economists had studied at German and Austrian universities, while at Hungarian universities principally German and Austrian economic theories were taught. István Varga was familiar not only with contemporary German economics but with the new ideas of Anglo-Saxon economics as well — and he introduced these ideas into Hungarian economic thinking. He lived and worked in turbulent times, and historians have only been able to appreciate his activity in a limited manner. The work of this excellent economist has all but been forgotten, although he was of international stature. After a brief summary of Varga’s profile the study will demonstrate the lasting influence he has had in four areas — namely, business cycle research and national income estimations, the 1946 Hungarian stabilisation program, corporate profit, and consumption economics — and will go on to summarise his most important achievements.

Neurosurgical activity during COVID-19 pandemic: an experts' opinion from China, South Korea, Italy, the USA, Colombia, and the UK

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco M. Fontanella ◽  
Giorgio Saraceno ◽  
Ting Lei ◽  
Joshua B. Bederson ◽  
Namkyu You ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Uk

Benchmarking Risk Analysis Practice in the International Water Sector

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
B.H. MacGillivray ◽  
P.D. Hamilton ◽  
S.E. Hrudey ◽  
L. Reekie ◽  
S.J.T Pollard
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Risk Analysis ◽  
Water Utilities ◽  
Water Sector ◽  
Water Utility ◽  
Analysis Techniques ◽  
The Usa ◽  
International Water ◽  
Practical Guidance ◽  
The Uk

Risk analysis in the water utility sector is fast becoming explicit. Here, we describe application of a capability model to benchmark the risk analysis maturity of a sub-sample of eight water utilities from the USA, the UK and Australia. Our analysis codifies risk analysis practice and offers practical guidance as to how utilities may more effectively employ their portfolio of risk analysis techniques for optimal, credible, and defensible decision making.

Intact cord stabilisation and delivery room strategies: current practice in the UK

2020 ◽  
pp. fetalneonatal-2020-321153
Author(s):  
Anne Elizabeth Bean ◽  
Laura Myers ◽  
Catherine Smith ◽  
Tamanna Williams
Keyword(s):  
Current Practice ◽  
Delivery Room ◽  
The Uk
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