scholarly journals Political views of doctors in the UK: a cross-sectional study

2018 ◽  
Vol 72 (10) ◽  
pp. 880-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate L Mandeville ◽  
Rose-Marie Satherley ◽  
Jennifer A Hall ◽  
Shailen Sutaria ◽  
Chris Willott ◽  
...  

BackgroundLittle is known about the political views of doctors in the UK despite doctors' importance in the functioning of the National Health Service (NHS).MethodsThis is a survey-based, cross-sectional study in which we asked questions about voting behaviour in 2015 and 2017 UK general elections and 2016 referendum on leaving the European Union (EU) (Brexit), and questions relating to recent health policies.Results1172 doctors (45.1% women) from 1295 responded to an online survey. 60.5% described their political views as ‘left-wing’ and 62.2% described themselves as ‘liberal’. 79.4% of respondents voted to remain in the EU in the 2016 referendum compared with 48.1% of voters as a whole (χ2=819.8, p<0.001). 98.6% of respondents agreed that EU nationals working in the NHS should be able to remain in the UK after Brexit. The median score for the impact of Brexit on the NHS on a scale of 0 (worst impact) to 10 (best impact) was 2 (IQR=1–4). Most respondents agreed with the introduction of minimum alcohol pricing in the UK (73.9%), charging patients who are not eligible for NHS treatment for non-urgent care (70.6%) and protecting a portion of national spending for the NHS (87.1%). 65.8% thought there was too much use of NHS-funded private sector provision in their medical practice. Specialty, income and grade were associated with divergent opinions.ConclusionsUK doctors are left-leaning and liberal in general, which is reflected in their opinions on topical health policy issues. Doctors in the UK voted differently from the general electorate in recent polls.

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. e027525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Booth ◽  
Ian P Albery ◽  
Sharon Cox ◽  
Daniel Frings

ObjectivesThis study explored the potential for e-cigarette advertisements to (1) enhance attitudes towards cigarettes and/or (2) reduce barriers to e-cigarettes uptake. The study tested whether exposure to an online electronic cigarette advertisement changed attitudes towards cigarettes and e-cigarettes in smokers, non-smokers, e-cigarette users and dual users (smokers who also use e-cigarettes).DesignCross-sectional studySettingOnline surveyParticipantsAdults (n=964) aged 18 to 65 years old (M=36 years, SD=11.6) from the UK and USA. Participants were grouped into current non-smokers, e-cigarette users, dual users and smokers.InterventionsParticipants viewed 1 of 15 randomly assigned online e-cigarette advertisements.Primary measuresThree single seven-point Likert scales measuring health, desirability, social acceptability were completed pre and post advertisement exposure.ResultsPost exposure all smoking groups showed a decrease or no change in how socially acceptable or desirable they rated cigarettes. Paradoxically, dual users rated cigarettes as being significantly healthier after viewing the advertisement (p=0.01) while all other smoking group ratings remained the same. There was an increase or no change in how all smoking groups perceived the healthiness and desirability of e-cigarettesConclusionsWe observed no evidence that exposure to an e-cigarette advertisement renormalises or encourages smoking in smokers, non-smokers or e-cigarette users. However, there is some indication that viewing an e-cigarette advertisement may increase duals users’ perceptions of the health of smoking.


2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (230) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj Humagain ◽  
Rashmi Humagain ◽  
Dinesh Rokaya

Introduction: Currently, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become pandemic and spread globally. In Nepal, the number of COVID-19 is increasing day-by-day. This research was done to find out the impact of COVID-19 on dentists, patients, and dental practice in Nepal. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study conducted using an online survey from May 10 to17, 2020. A questionnaire was designed and uploaded in Freeonlinesurveys.com. Following ethical approval, the questionnaire was distributed among 500 dentists, and 406 dentists participated in the study. The survey link was dispersed to the Nepali dentists through social media and e-mail, and the results of the responses were received online. The questionnaire consisted of a total of 34 closed-ended questions containing three parts; demographic details, knowledge of dentists on COVID-19, and the impact of COVID-19 on dentists, patients, and dental treatments. Results: It showed that majority of the participants were females 243 (60%) of the age group 25-29 years with the clinic as the workplace. Patients receive dental treatments only from 40 (10%) of the dentist. A high number of dentists: 284 (70%) were severely affected by the financial burden and were not receiving a salary during this lockdown. About 349(86%) of the dentist think they should do regular dental treatments, but only 101 (25%) think the dentist should do only dental emergency treatments for COVID-19 infected cases. Conclusions: Dentists, patients, and dental practice are severely affected by the COVID-19.The majority of the dentists have faced financial burdens. The dental treatments should be done with high standards of care and infection control following proper recommendations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-292
Author(s):  
Syeed Mehbub Ul Kadir ◽  
Muhammad Moniruzzaman ◽  
Siddiqur Rahman ◽  
Khairun Nasa ◽  
Tanvir Ahmed ◽  
...  

To assess the interference of patient care due to COVID 19 related restrictions and to formulate the future guidelines.This cross-sectional online survey-based study was carried out among the ophthalmologist of Bangladesh in the early lock down period (01 April to 30 April) 2020. Total 93 ophthalmologists responded to the study. Most of the ophthalmologist were seeing the patients with red eye (40.9%), ocular trauma (40.9%), acute infections and inflammations (35.5%), and vision loss (31.2%). 80.6% responder informed that they wear Mask, gloves, and head cap during patient evaluation. 51.6% used Personal protection equipment. 55.9% used a breath shield with the slit lamp settings. 60.4% maintained hand wash, and disinfectant facilities for the patients. 85.7% ophthalmologist had ensured for wearing the mask to all patients before entering the examination and consultancy room. 86% ophthalmologist of our study had performed their surgeries for ophthalmic emergency.Wearing mask is an important tool to prevent transmission of COVID-19 for both patients and ophthalmologists in working place. Maintaining normal ophthalmic practice and surgery are challenging during COVID-19 pandemic.


2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kausik Chaudhuri ◽  
Anindita Chakrabarti ◽  
Joht Singh Chandan ◽  
Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay

Abstract Background The approved COVID-19 vaccines have shown great promise in reducing disease transmission and severity of outcomes. However, the success of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is dependent on public acceptance and willingness to be vaccinated. In this study, we aim to examine how the attitude towards public sector officials and the government impact vaccine willingness. The secondary aim is to understand the impact of ethnicity on vaccine-willingness after we explicitly account for trust in public institutions. Methods This cross-sectional study used data from a UK population based longitudinal household survey (Understanding Society COVID-19 study, Understanding Society: the UK Household Longitudinal Study) between April 2020-January 2021. Data from 22,421 participants in Waves 6 and 7 of the study were included after excluding missing data. Demographic details in addition to previous survey responses relating to public sector/governmental trust were included as covariates in the main analysis. A logit model was produced to describe the association between public sector/governmental mistrust and the willingness for vaccination with interaction terms included to account for ethnicity/socio-economic status. Results In support of existing literature, we identified those from BAME groups were more likely to be unwilling to take the COVID-19 vaccine. We found that positive opinions towards public sector officials (OR 2.680: 95% CI 1.888 – 3.805) and the UK government (OR 3.400; 95% CI 2.454—4.712) led to substantive increase in vaccine willingness. Most notably we identified this effect to vary across ethnicity and socio-economic status with those from South Asian background (OR 4.513; 95% CI 1.012—20.123) and possessing a negative attitude towards public officials and the government being the most unwilling to be vaccinated. Conclusions These findings suggests that trust in public sector officials play a key factor in the low vaccination rates particularly seen in at-risk groups. Given the additional morbidity/mortality risk posed by COVID-19 to those from lower socio-economic or ethnic minority backgrounds, there needs to be urgent public health action to review how to tailor health promotion advice given to these groups and examine methods to improve trust in public sector officials and the government.


2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon M Collin ◽  
◽  
Esther Crawley ◽  
Margaret T May ◽  
Jonathan AC Sterne ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
E T Goh ◽  
M Denning ◽  
S Purkayastha ◽  
J Kinross

Abstract Introduction The Covid-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented pressures on healthcare systems globally, impacting working conditions, safety attitudes and the psychological well-being of healthcare workers. This cross-sectional study explores the prevalence and predictors of anxiety/depression amongst healthcare workers in the UK, Singapore, and Poland. Method From 22 March to 18 June 2020, healthcare workers from the UK, Singapore and Poland were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire on psychological well-being. Anxiety and depression were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Other components of the questionnaire include demographic information, Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ) measuring safety culture and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) to measure burnout. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine predictors of anxiety and depression. Results Of 3537 healthcare workers who participated in the study, 701 (20%) screened positive for anxiety and 389 (11%) for depression. Significant predictors of depression and anxiety include low SAQ score, nursing role, redeployment, burnout, and depression. There was significant overlap between anxiety and depression. The doctor role was protective. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate a significant burden of anxiety and depression amongst healthcare workers during Covid-19. These findings highlight the impact of Covid-19 on psychological well-being and suggests which groups would benefit from targeted support.


Author(s):  
Kabir P. Sadarangani ◽  
Gabriela F. De Roia ◽  
Pablo Lobo ◽  
Robinson Chavez ◽  
Jacob Meyer ◽  
...  

The worldwide prevalence of insufficient physical activity (PA) and prolonged sedentary behavior (SB) were high before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Measures that were taken by governments (such as home confinement) to control the spread of COVID-19 may have affected levels of PA and SB. This cross-sectional study among South American adults during the first months of COVID-19 aims to (i) compare sitting time (ST), screen exposure, moderate PA (MPA), vigorous PA (VPA), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) before and during lockdown to sociodemographic correlates and (ii) to assess the impact of lockdown on combinations of groups reporting meeting/not-meeting PA recommendations and engaging/not-engaging excessive ST (≥7 h/day). Bivariate associations, effect sizes, and multivariable linear regressions were used. Adults from Argentina (n = 575) and Chile (n = 730) completed an online survey with questions regarding demographics, lifestyle factors, and chronic diseases. Mean reductions of 42.7 and 22.0 min./day were shown in MPA and VPA, respectively; while increases of 212.4 and 164.3 min./day were observed in screen and ST, respectively. Those who met PA recommendations and spent <7 h/day of ST experienced greatest changes, reporting greater than 3 h/day higher ST and more than 1.5 h/day lower MVPA. Findings from the present study suggest that efforts to promote PA to South American adults during and after COVID-19 restrictions are needed.


Author(s):  
Prankit Siripichitsupapol ◽  

Cyberbullying, a form of bullying with the use of digital technologies, has become increasingly common among teenagers. It can take place on social media, messaging platforms, gaming platforms, and previous studies provide several lines of evidence that no relationship is found between cyberbullying and the influences of introversion and extraversion. To further investigate the impact of cyberbullying, this research was conducted with the aim of finding relationship between introversion, extraversion and cyberbullying among teenagers in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey questionnaire that contained questions for assessing both the cyberbullying behavior and the personality of participants. Eysenck’s Personality Inventory (EPI)1 was used in this survey to assess the type of personality in teenagers. The results showed that there was no correlation between cyberbullying and personality.


2018 ◽  
Vol 112 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mursheda Begum ◽  
Grant Lewison ◽  
Mark Lawler ◽  
Richard Sullivan

Summary Objective The UK’s impending departure (‘Brexit’) from the European Union may lead to restrictions on the immigration of scientists and medical personnel to the UK. We examined how many senior scientists and clinicians were from other countries, particularly from Europe, in two time periods. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting United Kingdom. Participants Individuals who had been elected as Fellows of the Royal Society or of the Academy of Medical Sciences, and UK medical doctors currently practising and listed in the Medical Register for 2015. Main outcome measures Percentages of Fellows of the Royal Society, Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences and UK medical doctors by nationality (UK and Irish: UKI, European: EUR and rest of world: RoW) over time. Fellows of the Royal Society and the Academy of Medical Sciences proportions were assessed for two time periods, and doctors over decades of qualification (<1960s to 2010s). Results Percentages of European Fellows of the Royal Society increased from 0.8% (1952–1992) (the year the UK signed the Maastricht treaty) to 4.3% (1993–2015). For Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences, percentages increased from 2.6% (pre-1992) to 8.9% (post-1992) (for both, p < 0.001). In the 1970s, only 6% of doctors were trained in the EU; the proportion increased to 11% in the last two decades (also p < 0.001). Europeans replaced South Asians as the main immigrant group. Among these, doctors from the Czech Republic, Greece, Poland and Romania made the largest contribution. Conclusions Any post-Brexit restriction on the ability of the UK to attract European researchers and medical doctors may have serious implications for the UK’s science leadership globally and healthcare provision locally.


Author(s):  
Raluca Iurcov ◽  
Lavinia-Maria Pop ◽  
Magdalena Iorga

During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, dental faculties had to rethink their way of teaching and interacting with students and of delivering solid theoretical knowledge and practical skills to students. Background: The purpose of the study was to assess dentistry students’ opinions about the online activity, together with a self-evaluation of their mental and physical health, during the first wave of the pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey. Three hundred and three students, enrolled across all six years of study, were included in the research. Socio-demographic and academic data were collected, along with a self-evaluation of physical and mental status. Some items investigated students’ opinions about distance learning and the impact of that online activity on their achievement. The answers were rated using a five-item Likert-like scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS (v.24). Results: statistical analyses showed that more than 20% of the students strongly agreed with the statement that they felt more anxious and depressed during the first months of the pandemic, and more than 30% were totally satisfied with their relationships with their family members. One-fifth of the respondents declared that they were totally dissatisfied with the relationships with their colleagues and friends. Overall, 50.60% of the students attended the courses/labs in their entirety when they were connected online. Two-thirds of the respondents considered that their practical training was affected due to the online activity, and that not all of the subjects could be taught online. More than half of the respondents agreed that the most objective evaluation method is that of the multiple-choice exams administered at school, and considered that exclusively utilizing online assessments of students encourages unethical behaviors. Age, involvement in online activity, and active participation using video cameras were strongly correlated with satisfaction with academic results. Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that online activity was a good alternative for dentistry students during the pandemic restrictions. The positive aspects, together with the negative consequences, of distance learning should also be taken into consideration by university teachers and academic institutions to improve teaching experiences and to ensure a solid professional formation for dentistry students.


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