scholarly journals Experiences of Healthcare Workers of Hospitalised Individuals with covid-19 in Kano, Nigeria: A Qualitative Study

Afrika Focus ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-342
Author(s):  
Muhammad Aliyu Abba ◽  
Umaru Muhammad Badaru ◽  
Naziru Bashir Mukhtar ◽  
Auwal Abdullahi ◽  
Jibril Mohammed
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Professional Competence ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Health Extension Worker ◽  
Nutritional Interventions ◽  
Laboratory Staff ◽  
Health Officer ◽  
Hospitalised Patients ◽  
Treatment Centre ◽  
Treatment Support

Abstract Background: Management of patients with covid-19 needing hospitalisation is challenging worldwide. However, little or no information has been gathered regarding the experiences of healthcare workers (hcw s) involved in the care of patients with covid-19 in poorly resourced settings. This study explored the experiences of hcw s managing hospitalised patients with covid-19 in a treatment centre in Kano, Nigeria. Methods: hcw s directly or indirectly involved in managing patients with covid-19 in one of the two treatment centres in Kano, Nigeria, were sampled based on being information-rich cases. The study participants were interviewed individually via telephone using a semi-structured interview guide. Data collection was stopped when content saturation was attained. Data was analysed using thematic synthesis. Results: Eleven hcw s, comprising two medical doctors, five nurses, a laboratory staff member, a community health extension worker, an environmental health officer and a cleaner, participated in this study. Four major themes were generated: (i) the profile and readiness of hcw s prior to being engaged to work in a covid-19 treatment centre, (ii) the experience of hcw s while working in the covid-19 treatment wards, (iii) challenges with working in covid-19 treatment wards, and (iv) post-treatment support for covid-19 patients. The participants had variable prior experience in managing patients with infectious diseases. Interventions offered were mainly antiviral therapy, nursing care, counselling, nutritional interventions and toilet hygiene. Challenges encountered included insufficient cooperation from patients, poor personnel welfare, lack of human resources/equipment and issues interfering with wellbeing (stigma). Conclusion: The studied population exhibited professional competence and success in managing hospitalised patients with covid-19 during hospitalisation, despite existing challenges.

scholarly journals Increasing nutritional support for patients undergoing radiation therapy: the radiation therapist perspective

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shane E. Dempsey ◽  
Naomi Findlay ◽  
Lesley MacDonald-Wicks
Keyword(s):  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Nutrition Support ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nutritional Interventions ◽  
Nutritional Advice ◽  
Treatment Centre ◽  
Oncology Treatment ◽  
Therapist Perspective

AbstractPurpose: The aim of this study was to determine radiation therapists’ knowledge on the nutritional management of side effects for patients receiving treatment to the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system and to determine the willingness of radiation therapists’ to participate in nutritional training.Method: A cross-sectional survey at a Radiation Oncology Treatment Centre was performed coupled with a semi-structured interview to explore radiation therapists’ knowledge and experiences related to patient nutritional care.Results: Eighty-one percent of participants agreed that they were often asked by patients for advice on eating. The majority of participants recognised that providing adequate nutrition support would be beneficial in terms of patient outcomes (91%) and ongoing patient compliance with nutrition advice (81%). However, participants demonstrated low confidence in providing nutrition support. Eighty-six percent of radiation therapists had not received any training on nutritional interventions and 100% of radiation therapists were interested in receiving more training.Conclusion: This research indicates that radiations therapists are often asked for nutritional advice by patients and recognise the associated benefits but are not confident in providing advice. Our findings reveal an opportunity for radiation therapists to provide scripted nutrition advice to patients to reinforce recommendations made by dietitian.

scholarly journals Smoking habits and alcohol use of patients with tuberculosis at Standerton Tuberculosis Specialised Hospital, Mpumalanga, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janke Wessels ◽  
Corinna M. Walsh ◽  
Mariette Nel
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Smoking Habits ◽  
Drinking Alcohol ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Hospitalised Patients ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
High Prevalence

Background: A high prevalence of smoking and alcohol use has been reported in patients with tuberculosis (TB) by several researchers, even though these lifestyle habits have a negative impact on prognosis and treatment.Aim: To determine the smoking habits and alcohol use of patients with TB and TB/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection, and how it is associated with gender, level of education and body mass index (BMI).Setting: The study was conducted at Standerton TB Specialised Hospital, Mpumalanga.Methods: A cross-sectional approach was applied. A structured interview was conducted by the researcher with each of the 100 hospitalised patients to obtain information about smoking habits, alcohol use and level of education. Weight and height were measured using standard techniques.Results: Almost six out of 10 participants (58%) indicated that they were former (44%) or current (14%) smokers. Nearly half (49%) reported that they used alcohol, with 25% drinking alcohol more than three times per week. Significantly more women than men were non-smokers (60.0% vs. 30.0%) and more men drank alcohol three times or more per week than women (36.7% vs. 7.5%). Participants who indicated that they were either former or current smokers had significantly lower levels of education than participants who were non-smokers (95% confidence interval [CI] [−26.7%; −2.6%] and [−39.9%; −1.0%] respectively).Conclusion: A high percentage of patients with TB and TB/HIV co-infection previously or currently smoked and used alcohol. Smoking and alcohol use are likely to have a negative impact on nutritional status and may further affect the prognosis of patients with TB.

scholarly journals The effectiveness of temperature control of thermocyclers in PCR optimization

BioTechniques ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (6) ◽  
pp. 271-275
Author(s):  
Elisa A Santos ◽  
Roberto M Ichinose ◽  
Rosimary T Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Temperature Control ◽  
National Cancer Institute ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
The Other ◽  
Laboratory Staff ◽  
Determinant Factors ◽  
Diagnosis And Prognosis ◽  
Before And After

This study evaluated the effectiveness of thermocycler temperature control, considering the influence of other determinant factors for the optimization of PCR. The reduction in the number of repeated PCR tests, applied in the diagnosis and prognosis of chronic myeloid leukemia at the National Cancer Institute in Brazil, was used as a measure of effectiveness. This indicator was evaluated using samples obtained before and after the temperature control in the wells of the thermocyclers. There was a reduction of 18.9% in the number of repeated exams in the second sample. A structured interview with laboratory staff indicated that there was no change in the other determinant factors.

scholarly journals Laboratory practice in the face of Covid-19

2020 ◽  
pp. 201010582095248
Author(s):  
Chin Shern Lau ◽  
Noor Ashraf Kamaludin ◽  
Tar Choon Aw
Keyword(s):  
Body Fluid ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Laboratory Practice ◽  
Laboratory Staff ◽  
The World ◽  
The Face ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
Analytical Result

In December 2019, the COVID-19 outbreak began in Wuhan and quickly spread over the world. Hospitals have had to make drastic changes to normal workflows and practices to handle the current pandemic. Laboratories face unique challenges in the management of the investigation of COVID-19. Not only must we consider the safe collection and delivery of samples, but we must also observe the latest guidelines in testing for the virus. We have introduced several new measures in our laboratory to accommodate the collection and testing of samples for COVID-19 from both within the hospital and external screening sites. These changes encompass the pre-analytical (sample collection, packaging, and delivery), analytical (evaluation, handling and preparation of samples) and post-analytical (result reporting within the hospital and to external bodies) aspects of both routine (biochemistry, haematology, transfusion and urine, stool and body fluid testing) and COVID-19 testing, to ensure the safe and efficient testing of any patient samples. In addition, more practical matters, such as laboratory staffing and continuing staff education, have also been changed to ensure the safety and well-being of laboratory staff. With the implementation of new rules and regulations, we seek to safeguard the health of all healthcare workers while streamlining the workflow for the large amount of testing required during this period. As the pandemic continues, new tests (e.g. COVID-19 serology and IL6 testing for prognosis or monitoring) are being requested, requiring even more changes and assay evaluation before implementation. All laboratories must be ready to adapt to these new challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students perception of the nursing assistant course forward to training and professional practice

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Rita De Cassia Cordeiro de Oliveira ◽  
Vera Lúcia De Almeida Becerra Perez ◽  
Antonia Oliveira Silva
Keyword(s):  
Professional Education ◽  
Professional Competence ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Teaching Methodology ◽  
Nursing Assistant ◽  
Job Market ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
El Sistema ◽  
Recursos Humanos

ABSTRACTObjective: to verify the student's perception of the Nursing Assistant Course of the Project Worker Professionalization Area Nursing/Profae on their training and professional performance in the job market. Methodology: this is an exploratory study from quantitative and qualitative approaches. The instrument used was a semi-structured interview applied to 29 students graduating from the Centro Formador de Recursos Humanos of the Paraíba State Secretary of Health in João Pessoa city. Results: in the analysis of the data it was verified that most of the students are:  young, single, female that had access only to public school and completed the middle education. Regarding the perception of students about the course, most found the teaching methodology (65.5%) satisfactory, the syllabus of the subjects (79.3%) enough, the assessment tools (72.5%) suitable for learning, workload and training field (48.3%) sufficient for the development of the course. Regarding the expectation to act in the job market, students are confident, they consider themselves competent and qualified, despite the competition and highlight the essential professional qualities: humanization, ethics, respect and dedication. Conclusion: the process of training of Nursing Assistants promoted by Profae represents an advance in the health system, a support policies for professional education in health, bringing benefits to all and especially to users of SUS. Descriptors: health personnel; training; aptitude; professional competence; work place.RESUMOObjetivo: verificar a percepção do aluno do curso auxiliar de enfermagem do Projeto de Profissionalização dos Trabalhadores da Área de Enfermagem/Profae sobre sua formação e atuação profissional no mercado de trabalho. Metodologia: pesquisa exploratória de cunho quantitativo e qualitativo. O instrumento utilizado foi uma entrevista semi-estruturada aplicado a 29 alunos concluintes do Centro Formador de Recursos Humanos da Secretaria de Estado da Saúde da Paraíba, em João Pessoa. Resultados: verificou-se que os alunos em sua maioria são: Jovens, solteiros, sexo feminino, ensino médio completo e formação exclusivamente em escolas públicas. Quanto à percepção do aluno sobre o Curso, a maioria considerou a metodologia de ensino (65,5%) satisfatória, o conteúdo programático das disciplinas (79,3%) suficiente, os instrumentos de avaliação (72,5%) adequados para o aprendizado, carga horária e campo de estágio (48,3%) suficiente para o desenvolvimento do Curso. Em relação à atuação profissional, consideram-se competentes e habilitados, apesar da concorrência e, destacam qualidades essenciais ao profissional: humanização, ética, respeito e dedicação. Conclusões: o processo de formação dos auxiliares de enfermagem promovido pelo Profae representa um avanço no sistema de saúde, uma sustentação as políticas de educação profissional em saúde, trazendo benefícios a todos e, em especial aos usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde. Descritores: pessoal de saúde; capacitação; aptidão; competência profissional; mercado de trabalho. RESUMENObjetivo: verificar la percepción de los estudiantes del curso de Enfermería Asistente de Proyecto Profesionalización de los Trabajadores Área de Enfermería/Profae en su formación y desempeño profesional en el mercado de trabajo. Metodología: investigación explotación de abordaje cuantitativo y cualitativo. El instrumento utilizado fue una entrevista semi-estructurada aplicado a 29 estudiantes que se gradúan  el Centro Formador de Recursos Humanos da Secretaria de Estado da Saúde da Paraíba en Joao Pessoa. Resultado: al analizar los datos, se constató que los estudiantes son en su mayoría: la escuela joven, solteros, mujeres, y formación de alta exclusivamente en las escuelas públicas. En cuanto a la percepción de los estudiantes sobre el curso, la mayoría consideró que la metodología de enseñanza (65,5%) satisfactorio, el contenido de programa de los disciplina (79,3%) lo suficiente, los instrumentos de evaluación (72,5%) adecuado para aprendizaje, carga horario y campo de práctica (48,3%) suficiente para el desarrollo del curso. En cuanto a la expectativa para actuar en el mercado laboral, los estudiantes están confiados, se consideran competentes y calificados, a pesar de la competencia y destacar las cualidades profesionales esenciales: la humanización, la ética, el respeto y dedicación. Conclusión: el proceso de formación de Auxiliares de Enfermería promovido por Profae representa un gran avance en el sistema de salud, políticas de apoyo a una educación profesional en salud, aportando beneficios a todos y especialmente a los usuarios del SUS. Descriptores: personal de salud; capacitación; aptitud; competencia profesional; mercado de trabajo.  

scholarly journals Iranian Physiotherapists’ Perceptions of the Ethical Issues in Everyday Practice

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-136
Author(s):  
Niloofar Souri ◽  
◽  
Afsun Nodehi Moghadam ◽  
Farahnaz Mohammadi Shahbolaghi ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Professional Ethics ◽  
Ethics Education ◽  
Professional Competence ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Medical Professional ◽  
Medical Community ◽  
Data Saturation ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: Considering the significant role of physiotherapists in the process of rehabilitation, their ethical commitment is essential to successful interaction and care provision. However, investigations on the medical professional ethics ​​in Iran are limited. Generally, research in this regard is rare in Asia. Thus, such studies could improve the moral knowledge of the Iranian physiotherapy community. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore professional ethics issues in physiotherapy to provide a platform concerning the challenges of professional ethics in physiotherapy in Iran. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 2016-2017 using the content analysis method. The study samples were recruited through purposive sampling approach until data saturation (12 physiotherapists). The required data were gathered by an in-depth semi-structured interview. All of the interviews were transcribed and analyzed, inductively. Results: Physiotherapists in Ahvaz and Tehran cities, Iran experienced challenges in 6 different categories during daily practice. These aspects included the following: therapists’ self-interest-craving, observing patients’ rights, maintaining professional competence, the effect of workplace on ethical conduct, personal ethical outlook, and insufficient professional ethics education. This study implicated the existence of a trend of kick-backs in the physiotherapy community; a problematic trend in the medical community, i.e. addressed by physicians in several articles. Additionally, the lack of receiving ethical education leads to ethical judgments based on personal values rather than ethical codes. According to the current research findings, it To increase the visibility of the article as well as to increase the citation of your article, we suggest that Latin keywords be based on the MeSH list. See: https://meshb.nlm.nih.gov/search was problematic for practitioners.  Discussion: Three subcategories of the incompetence of the healthcare system, the lack of supervision on ethical principles, and the impact of poor insurance system on patient admission are related to the endemic conditions of the health system of the country. These issues require serious interventions from executive powers.

scholarly journals A qualitative study of the continuing professional development activities of the Chinese private kindergarten teachers’ professional competence

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 540-554
Author(s):  
Xiaojing Liu ◽  
Yulong Li
Keyword(s):  
Professional Competence ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Teaching Quality ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Kindergarten Teachers ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
School Based ◽  
Research Findings

Aim. The number of kindergartens is swelling in China, and that of private kindergartens in particular. The quality of teaching in the latter is positively linked to the levels of teachers’ professional competence. Thus, to enhance the teaching quality in private kindergartens, strengthening teacher’s professional competence is one of the vital approaches. Teacher’s professional competence can be enhanced via effective CPD activities. Therefore, this study aims to explore the types and content of CPD activities for Chinese private kindergarten teachers. Methods. A qualitative approach was adopted in this research. 18 kindergarten teachers were selected as participants from three private kindergartens in Shenzhen. Data was collected by semi-structured interview from 18 teachers. Results and conclusion. The findings showed that the school-based CPD activities are valued by most private kindergarten teachers. Furthermore, this study found that CPD activities can help private kindergarten teachers to be more inclusive and positive in teaching. They enabled teachers to acquire knowledge and skills that are relevant to child care and development, teaching, as well as cooperation with colleagues and children’s parents. Practical application. The research findings presented herein have significant implications for the knowledge base of private kindergarten teachers’ CPD in China. It also has implications for the practice that is relevant to private kindergarten teachers, principals and policy makers.

scholarly journals The causes of the English teachers’ problems on professional competence at Vocational High School

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
S Syamsinar ◽  
K Khaeruddin
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High Schools ◽  
Professional Competence ◽  
Teaching Method ◽  
English Teachers ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Vocational High School ◽  
Teaching English ◽  
Vocational High Schools ◽  
The Government

The objectives of this research aimed at (i) finding out the causes of the problems in teaching English at vocational high schools and (ii) finding out the possible solution toward the problems of the teachers in teaching English subject at vocational high schools. The researcher applied purposive sampling technique in selecting the participants. The participants consisted of two advanced teachers and two beginner teachers at vocational high schools in Somba Opu sub-district. The additional participants were two headmasters that focused on the possible solution dealing with the problem found by the English teachers at VHS. This research under applied descriptive approach and qualitative method. The data were collected by using two instruments namely semi-structured interview and observation checklist. The data were analyzed by using the framework of Miles and Huberman’s (2012) namely data reduction, data display, and drawing then verifying conclusion. The results of this research mentioned nine causes of the problems on the professional competence of English teachers in teaching at vocational high school and the possible solution toward the causes. The outline of the causes of the problems on professional competence are the less effort of the English teachers to improve the linguistic aspects, lack of English for Spesific Purpose knowledge, less of communicative competence, less preparation of teaching contents, less in using ICT as a teaching method and lack in managing the time and managing the class. The possible solution can draw in this research that the English teachers at VHS have to consider the students’ need, prepare the teaching planning and involved in the teaching training. Thus, this research might become a recommendation to the government and the Educational trainer for facilitating the English teachers at VHS with education training of ESP knowledge and supporting the teachers in developing their professional competence.

scholarly journals To Work or Not to Work, That Is the Question: The Psychological Impact of the First COVID-19 Lockdown on the Elderly, Healthcare Workers, and Virtual Workers

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1754
Author(s):  
Silvia Andreassi ◽  
Silvia Monaco ◽  
Sergio Salvatore ◽  
Gaetano Maria Sciabica ◽  
Giulio De Felice ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Regulation ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Important Variable ◽  
Referential Process ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
The Impact

The spread of COVID-19 created a state of emergency all over the world and played a big role in the decline of the mental health of citizens. The context of the workplace became an important variable in the impact of the lockdown on individuals. In this study, we deepened the categories of healthcare workers (HWs), virtual workers (VWs), and the elderly, along with their emotional approach to this emergency. A sample of 257 participants (ElderlyN = 62; HWsN = 104; VWsN = 91) completed: a semi-structured interview on their experience during lockdown via telephone; an online survey with a sociodemographic questionnaire; the Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS); and the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Linguistic measures of the Referential Process were utilized to code the interviews. An independent ANOVA explored the variability among groups. The results show more affective language in the Elderly (M = 0.0310, SD = 0.0070) and a growth in spirituality (M = 4.16, SD = 3.17). HWs displayed a higher PTGI (M = 56.84, SD = 20.29), while VWs displayed a lower PTGI (M = 50.02, SD = 21.05). Moreover, VWs presented higher scores in Impulse on the DERS (M = 11.67, SD = 5.05) and a more cognitive/abstract narration (Reflection IREF M = 0.0260, SD = 0.0071; Reorganization IWRRL M = 0.5419, SD = 0.0032; Referential Activity IWRAD M = 0.4978, SD = 0.0029). This study aims to take the work context into consideration to create focused interventions.

scholarly journals Kinetics and performance of the Abbott Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody assay

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fergus Hamilton ◽  
Peter Muir ◽  
Marie Attwood ◽  
Alan Noel ◽  
Barry Vipond ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Antibody Testing ◽  
Antibody Assay ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Hospitalised Patients ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Negative Controls ◽  
Abbott Architect

ObjectivesTo assess the performance (sensitivity and specificity) of the Abbott Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody assay across three clinical settings.MethodsAntibody testing was performed on three clinical cohorts of COVID-19 disease: hospitalised patients with PCR confirmation, hospitalized patients with a clinical diagnosis but negative PCR, and symptomatic healthcare workers (HCW’s). Pre-pandemic respiratory infection sera were tested as negative controls. The sensitivity of the assay was calculated at different time points (<5 days, 5-9 days, 10-14 days, 15-19 days, >20 days, >42 days), and compared between cohorts.ResultsPerformance of the Abbot Architect SARS-CoV-2 assay varied significantly between cohorts. For PCR confirmed hospitalised patients (n = 114), early sensitivity was low: <5 days: 44.4% (95%CI: 18.9%-73.3%), 5-9 days: 32.6% (95%CI, 20.5%-47.5%), 10-14 days: 65.2% (95% CI 44.9%-81.2%), 15-20 days: 66.7% (95% CI: 39.1%-86.2%) but by day 20, sensitivity was 100% (95%CI, 86.2-100%).In contrast, 17 out of 114 symptomatic healthcare workers tested at >20 days had negative results, generating a sensitivity of 85.1% (95%CI, 77.4% - 90.5%). All pre-pandemic sera were negative, a specificity of 100%. Seroconversion rates were similar for PCR positive and PCR negative hospitalised cases.ConclusionsThe sensitivity of the Abbot Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay increases over time, with sensitivity not peaking until 20 days post symptoms. Performance varied markedly by setting, with sensitivity significantly worse in symptomatic healthcare workers than in the hospitalised cohort. Clinicians, policymakers, and patients should be aware of the reduced sensitivity in this setting.

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