The Effects of the Medical Pause on Physiological Stress Markers among Health Care Providers: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 019394592110276
Author(s):  
Ebru Cayir ◽  
Tim Cunningham ◽  
Ryne Ackard ◽  
Julie Haizlip ◽  
Jeongok Logan ◽  
...  

Contemplative practices promote well-being, work engagement and resilience among health care providers. We examined the impact of The Pause, a brief contemplative intervention, on health care providers’ physiological stress response. Participants were randomly assigned to either The Pause or the control group. They participated in a high-fidelity, stressful medical simulation. Following the simulation, intervention group practiced The Pause. Outcome measures were heart rate variability, heart rate, and blood pressure. We adjusted for baseline physiological variables, sociodemographic variables, self-care practices, and perceived stress. Participants in the intervention group had a standard deviation of the normal-to-normal RR intervals (heart rate variability indicator) that was 13.8 (95% CI 4.0, 23.5; p < .01) points higher than those in the control group. There were no significant effects of The Pause on heart rate or blood pressure. The Pause may reduce stress reactivity, increase heart rate variability, and enhance resilience in health care providers.

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 164-171
Author(s):  
Sarmaida Siregar ◽  
Kintoko Rochadi ◽  
Linda T Maas

Smoking is a bad behavior which can cause danger to health. Today, it becomes a habit for adolescents. It can be prevented by promoting health education by using audiovisual media, which provides information and education for increasing good knowledge and attitude toward the prevention of smoking. The research problem was how about the influence of audiovisual media on adolescents' knowledge and attitude. The objective of the research was to analyze the impact of audiovisual media on adolescents' knowledge and attitude toward the danger of smoking at SMP Negeri 2 Halongonan Timur Subdistrict. The study used a quasi-experimental method with pretest-posttest design. It was conducted at SMP Negeri 2 Halongonan Timur Subdistrict, Padang Lawas Utara Regency. Eighty-four samples were selected and allocated to the intervention group and the control group. The data were gathered using questionnaires. The hypothesis was tested by using paired t-test ad independent t-test. The result of the research showed that there was a significant influence of audiovisual media (p<0.05) on adolescents' knowledge and attitude after they had been given intervention. The conclusion was that audiovisual media was more effective in increasing adolescents' knowledge and attitude toward the danger of smoking. It is recommended that parents not smoke in front of their children. The school management needs to collaborate with the parents for discussing the academic development and students' behavior, and health care providers should increase health education program about the danger of smoking. Keywords: audiovisual media, knowledge, attitude, the danger of smoking


2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 556-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Shi ◽  
Jingxu Zhang ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
Laura E Caulfield ◽  
Bernard Guyer

AbstractObjectiveInappropriate complementary feeding is one of the major causes of malnutrition in young children in developing countries. We developed an educational intervention, delivered by local health-care providers, aimed at improving complementary feeding practices and child nutrition.DesignEight townships in Laishui, a rural area in China, were randomly assigned to the educational intervention or control group. A total of 599 healthy infants were enrolled at age 2–4 months and followed up until 1 year of age. In the intervention group, educational messages and enhanced home-prepared recipes were disseminated to caregivers through group trainings and home visits. Questionnaire surveys and anthropometric measurements were taken at baseline and ages 6, 9 and 12 months. Analysis was by intention to treat.ResultsIt was found that food diversity, meal frequency and hygiene practices were improved in the intervention group. Infants in the intervention group gained 0·22 kg more weight (95 % CI 0·003, 0·45 kg, P = 0·047) and gained 0·66 cm more length (95 % CI 0·03, 1·29 cm, P = 0·04) than did controls over the study period.ConclusionsFindings from the study suggest that an educational intervention delivered through local health-care providers can lead to substantial behavioural changes of caregivers and improve infant growth.


2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Flaviu Mosora ◽  
Myriam Guèvremont ◽  
Gabriel Vézina ◽  
Karine Côté ◽  
Marianne Boulé ◽  
...  

RÉSUMÉ Contexte : Le rôle du pharmacien au sein de l’équipe multidisciplinaire est souvent méconnu. Diverses interventions peuvent être mises en place pour promouvoir le rôle du pharmacien en milieu hospitalier auprès des familles, des patients et des autres professionnels de la santé. Peu d’études décrivent la faisabilité et évaluent l’impact de ces interventions, particulièrement en pédiatrie. Objectifs : Décrire l’implantation d’une intervention à trois volets visant à accroître la visibilité du pharmacien et de son rôle dans l’équipe traitante, pour permettre d’optimiser les soins pharmaceutiques des patients hospitalisés dans les unités de pédiatrie générale du CHU Sainte-Justine, à Montréal (Québec). Comparer la perception et la satisfaction des parents de patients hospitalisés et des soignants recevant soit des soins pharmaceutiques usuels, ou soit des soins pharmaceutiques intégrant l’intervention. Méthode : Étude expérimentale randomisée contrôlée à simple aveugle portant sur des patients admis dans les unités de pédiatrie générale entre le 5 mars et le 8 août 2019. Outre des soins usuels, l’intervention comporte la remise d’une brochure d’information sur les services et soins pharmaceutiques, l’accès à une ligne téléphonique permettant aux familles et aux patients de prendre contact avec un résident en pharmacie pendant leur séjour à l’hôpital et jusqu’à un mois après le congé et le remplissage par le pharmacien responsable du patient d’un formulaire de congé standardisé. Un sondage de perception et de satisfaction a aussi été réalisé auprès des participants et des professionnels de la santé concernés. Résultats : Six cent quarante et un (641) participants ont été inclus dans l’étude, 321 dans le groupe intervention et 320 dans le groupe témoin. La brochure a été remise à tous les parents du groupe intervention. Douze appels téléphoniques ont été faits au moyen d’une ligne téléphonique spéciale. Le formulaire de congé standardisé de 46,7 % (150/321) des participants du groupe intervention a été rempli. Une majorité des parents et des patients ayant répondu au sondage (81,2 %, 298/367) se disent satisfaits des services et des soins pharmaceutiques reçus dans les deux groupes. Une proportion de 83,9 % des participants du groupe intervention se disent satisfaits des soins et services pharmaceutiques reçus comparativement à 78,5 % du groupe témoin (p = 0,18). De plus, 60,3 % (111/184) des participants du groupe intervention disent que l’information transmise pendant l’hospitalisation concernant les médicaments leur a apporté de nouvelles connaissances, contre 48,1 % (87/181) des participants du groupe témoin (p = 0,019). Les résultats du sondage montrent que les soignants sont en accord avec l’intervention. Conclusion : Les trois volets de l’intervention ont été implantés dans les unités de pédiatrie sur une période de cinq mois. Cette intervention est perçue comme étant positive par les parents et les soignants concernés et les répondants ont été majoritairement satisfaits des services et des soins pharmaceutiques offerts. ABSTRACT Background: The pharmacist’s role within the multidisciplinary team is often poorly understood. Various interventions can be put into place to promote the role of the pharmacist in the hospital setting with families, patients, and other health care professionals. Few studies have described the feasibility and assessed the impact of such interventions, particularly in pediatrics. Objectives: To describe the implementation of a 3-part intervention aimed at increasing the visibility of pharmacists and their role on the treatment team, with the goal of optimizing the pharmaceutical care of hospitalized patients in the general pediatric units of CHU Sainte-Justine, in Montréal, Quebec, and to compare the perceptions and satisfaction of patients’ parents and of health care professionals with exposure to either usual pharmaceutical care or to pharmaceutical care incorporating the intervention. Methods: This single-blind, randomized, controlled experimental study involved patients admitted to general pediatric units between March 5 and August 8, 2019. In addition to usual care, the intervention included delivery of an information brochure about pharmaceutical services and care, access to a telephone line (which allowed families and patients to contact a pharmacy resident during their stay in hospital and up to 1 month after discharge), and completion of a standardized discharge form by the pharmacist responsible for the patient. The participants and health professionals concerned were surveyed to determine their perceptions and level of satisfaction. Results: A total of 641 participants were included in the study, 321 in the intervention group and 320 in the control group. The brochure was given to all parents in the intervention group. Twelve phone calls were made through the dedicated telephone line. The standardized discharge form was completed for 46.7% (150/321) of the participants in the intervention group. Most of the parents and patients who responded to the survey, in either group (81.2%, 298/367), reported satisfaction with the pharmaceutical services and care received. Of participants in the intervention group, 83.9% were satisfied with the pharmaceutical care and services received, compared with 78.5% of those in the control group (p = 0.18). In addition, 60.3% (111/184) of participants in the intervention group said that the information about medications that was provided during the hospital stay gave them new knowledge, compared with 48.1% (87/181) of those in the control group (p = 0.019). The results of the survey showed that care providers were in agreement with the intervention. Conclusions: The 3 components of the intervention were implemented in the pediatric units over a period of 5 months. The intervention was perceived as positive by the parents and care providers concerned, and the respondents were mostly satisfied with the services and pharmaceutical care offered.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hala Ibrahim Alhodaib ◽  
Christina Antza ◽  
Joht Singh Chandan ◽  
Wasim Hanif ◽  
Sailesh Sankaranarayanan ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Attempts to utilize eHealth in diabetes mellitus (DM) management have shown promising outcomes, mostly targeted at patients; however, few solutions have been designed for health care providers. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to conduct a feasibility project developing and evaluating a mobile clinical decision support system (CDSS) tool exclusively for health care providers to manage chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with DM. METHODS The design process was based on the 3 key stages of the user-centered design framework. First, an exploratory qualitative study collected the experiences and views of DM specialist nurses regarding the use of mobile apps in clinical practice. Second, a CDSS tool was developed for the management of patients with DM and CKD. Finally, a randomized controlled trial examined the acceptability and impact of the tool. RESULTS We interviewed 15 DM specialist nurses. DM specialist nurses were not currently using eHealth solutions in their clinical practice, while most nurses were not even aware of existing medical apps. However, they appreciated the potential benefits that apps may bring to their clinical practice. Taking into consideration the needs and preferences of end users, a new mobile CDSS app, “Diabetes &amp; CKD,” was developed based on guidelines. We recruited 39 junior foundation year 1 doctors (44% male) to evaluate the app. Of them, 44% (17/39) were allocated to the intervention group, and 56% (22/39) were allocated to the control group. There was no significant difference in scores (maximum score=13) assessing the management decisions between the app and paper-based version of the app’s algorithm (intervention group: mean 7.24 points, SD 2.46 points; control group: mean 7.39, SD 2.56; t<sub>37</sub>=–0.19, <i>P</i>=.85). However, 82% (14/17) of the participants were satisfied with using the app. CONCLUSIONS The findings will guide the design of future CDSS apps for the management of DM, aiming to help health care providers with a personalized approach depending on patients’ comorbidities, specifically CKD, in accordance with guidelines.


JMIR Diabetes ◽  
10.2196/19650 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. e19650
Author(s):  
Hala Ibrahim Alhodaib ◽  
Christina Antza ◽  
Joht Singh Chandan ◽  
Wasim Hanif ◽  
Sailesh Sankaranarayanan ◽  
...  

Background Attempts to utilize eHealth in diabetes mellitus (DM) management have shown promising outcomes, mostly targeted at patients; however, few solutions have been designed for health care providers. Objective The purpose of this study was to conduct a feasibility project developing and evaluating a mobile clinical decision support system (CDSS) tool exclusively for health care providers to manage chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with DM. Methods The design process was based on the 3 key stages of the user-centered design framework. First, an exploratory qualitative study collected the experiences and views of DM specialist nurses regarding the use of mobile apps in clinical practice. Second, a CDSS tool was developed for the management of patients with DM and CKD. Finally, a randomized controlled trial examined the acceptability and impact of the tool. Results We interviewed 15 DM specialist nurses. DM specialist nurses were not currently using eHealth solutions in their clinical practice, while most nurses were not even aware of existing medical apps. However, they appreciated the potential benefits that apps may bring to their clinical practice. Taking into consideration the needs and preferences of end users, a new mobile CDSS app, “Diabetes & CKD,” was developed based on guidelines. We recruited 39 junior foundation year 1 doctors (44% male) to evaluate the app. Of them, 44% (17/39) were allocated to the intervention group, and 56% (22/39) were allocated to the control group. There was no significant difference in scores (maximum score=13) assessing the management decisions between the app and paper-based version of the app’s algorithm (intervention group: mean 7.24 points, SD 2.46 points; control group: mean 7.39, SD 2.56; t37=–0.19, P=.85). However, 82% (14/17) of the participants were satisfied with using the app. Conclusions The findings will guide the design of future CDSS apps for the management of DM, aiming to help health care providers with a personalized approach depending on patients’ comorbidities, specifically CKD, in accordance with guidelines.


2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita L. Hansen ◽  
Lisbeth Dahl ◽  
Lene Bakke ◽  
Livar Frøyland ◽  
Julian F. Thayer

The present study investigates the impact of seafood intake on biological markers in blood such as the marine very long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), in addition to heart rate variability (HRV), which is an important biological marker of good health, both physical and mental. A total of 53 male inmates from a Norwegian prison were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups, although attrition reduced some comparisons at the end of the study to 13 (intervention group (n = 6) and control group (n = 7). The intervention group received seafood (mainly fatty fish, > 8% fat) for dinner three times per week for a period of 6 months. Both groups were requested to eat their usual diet provided by the prison. Blood samples were collected and HRV (high frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF) power) was measured before and after the study period. Overall, the intervention group showed significant increase in levels of 25(OH)D and HF-power, and a significant reduction in the sympathovagal balance (LF/HF). The present findings may have important implications with regard to health improvement.


2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 994-1005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dolores Angela Castelli Dransart

The objective of this study is to identify patterns (components and processes) of reconstruction of suicide survivors. In-depth interviews were conducted with 50 survivors of suicide in Switzerland. Data were analyzed using ATLAS.ti and according to the Grounded Theory principles. Survivors of suicide face four major challenges: dealing with the impact of suicide, searching for meaning, clarifying responsibility, and finding a personal style of reaction and coping. The various ways in which survivors fare through the specific processes of the challenges result in various patterns of reconstruction: the vulnerability, transformation, commitment, and hard blow. The unique characteristics and dynamics of each of them are highlighted. Health care providers would benefit from an approach based on the dynamics of the various patterns of reconstruction in providing appropriate support to survivors of suicide.


2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Mauldon

This paper reports on the attitudes of a sample of health care providers towards the use of telehealth to support rural patients and integrate rural primary health and urban hospital care. Telehealth and other information technologies hold the promise of improving the quality of care for people in rural and remote areas and for supporting rural primary health care providers. While seemingly beneficial for rural patients, study participants believed that telehealth remains underused and poorly integrated into their practice. In general, participants thought that telehealth is potentially beneficial but places constraints on their activities, and few actually used it. Published literature usually reports either on the success of telehealth pilot projects or initiatives that are well resourced and do not reflect the constraints of routine practice, or has an international focus limiting its relevance to the Australian context. Because of the paucity of systematic and generalisable research into the effects of the routine use of telehealth to support rural patients, it is unclear why health care professionals choose to provide such services or the costs and benefits they incur in doing so. Research and policy initiatives continue to be needed to identify the impact of telehealth within the context of Australian primary health care and to develop strategies to support its use.


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