scholarly journals Prepared and highly committed despite the risk of COVID-19 infection: a cross-sectional survey of primary care physicians’ concerns and coping strategies in Singapore

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerrald Lau ◽  
David Hsien-Yung Tan ◽  
Gretel Jianlin Wong ◽  
Yii-Jen Lew ◽  
Ying-Xian Chua ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Primary care physicians (PCPs) are first points-of-contact between suspected cases and the healthcare system in the current COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines PCPs’ concerns, impact on personal lives and work, and level of pandemic preparedness in the context of COVID-19 in Singapore. We also examine factors and coping strategies that PCPs have used to manage stress during the outbreak. Methods Two hundred and sixteen PCPs actively practicing in either a public or private clinic were cluster sampled via email invitation from three primary care organizations in Singapore from 6th to 29th March 2020. Participants completed a cross-sectional online questionnaire consisting of items on work- and non-work-related concerns, impact on personal and work life, perceived pandemic preparedness, stress-reduction factors, and personal coping strategies related to COVID-19. Results A total of 158 questionnaires were usable for analyses. PCPs perceived themselves to be at high risk of COVID-19 infection (89.9%), and a source of risk (74.7%) and concern (71.5%) to loved ones. PCPs reported acceptance of these risks (91.1%) and the need to care for COVID-19 patients (85.4%). Overall perceived pandemic preparedness was extremely high (75.9 to 89.9%). PCPs prioritized availability of personal protective equipment, strict infection prevention guidelines, accessible information about COVID-19, and well-being of their colleagues and family as the most effective stress management factors. Conclusions PCPs continue to serve willingly on the frontlines of this pandemic despite the high perception of risk to themselves and loved ones. Healthcare organizations should continue to support PCPs by managing both their psychosocial (e.g. stress management) and professional (e.g. pandemic preparedness) needs.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerrald Lau ◽  
David Hsien-Yung Tan ◽  
Gretel Jianlin Wong ◽  
Yii-Jen Lew ◽  
Ying-Xian Chua ◽  
...  

Abstract:BACKGROUNDPrimary care physicians (PCPs) play a crucial role as first points-of-contact between suspected cases and the healthcare system in the current Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. An overlooked angle is the potential psychosocial impact on PCPs as they place themselves at increased risk of infection. This study examines PCPs’ concerns, impact on personal lives and work, and level of pandemic preparedness in the context of COVID-19 in Singapore. We also examine factors and coping strategies that PCPs have used to manage stress during the outbreak.METHODS216 PCPs actively practicing in either a public or private clinic were convenience sampled from three primary care organizations in Singapore. Participants completed an online questionnaire consisting of items on work- and non-work-related concerns, impact on personal and work life, perceived pandemic preparedness, stress-reduction factors, and personal coping strategies related to COVID-19.RESULTSA total of 158 questionnaires were usable for analyses. PCPs perceived themselves to be at high risk of COVID-19 infection, and a source of risk and concern to loved ones. PCPs reported acceptance of these risks and the need to care for COVID-19 patients. Overall perceived pandemic preparedness was extremely high. PCPs prioritized availability of personal protective equipment, strict infection prevention guidelines, accessible information about COVID-19, and well-being of their colleagues and family as the most effective stress management factors.CONCLUSIONSPrimary care will continue to be crucial in outbreak management efforts. Healthcare organizations should continue to support PCPs by managing their psychosocial and professional needs.


Author(s):  
Alyson Mahar ◽  
Christina Reppas-Rindlisbacher ◽  
Megan Edgelow ◽  
Shailee Siddhpuria ◽  
Julie Hallet ◽  
...  

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic, including associated public health measures such as travel restrictions, cancellation of elective surgeries, and the closure of public spaces and retail services (full list available at: https://github.com/jajsmith/COVID-19NonPharmaceuticalInterventions ), has resulted in risks to the health and well-being of Veterans, including disruptions to healthcare, loss of income, social isolation, and viral infection and mortality. Although a few studies are ongoing to better understand who may be at greatest risk, little is known about how Veterans experienced the pandemic and what coping strategies they employed at the outset. This infographic summarizes national cross-sectional survey responses collected from 210 Veterans aged 55 years and older who participated in the Canadian COVID-19 Coping Study between May-June 2020 (Women’s College Hospital Research Ethics Board REB # 2020-0045-E). The average age of Veterans who participated was 72 years; 29% were female, 93% completed the survey in English and 84% were retired. This population is older and more likely to be female than the gen-eral Veteran population.4 None of the Veterans included in this study had been diagnosed with COVID-19 at the time of study. A total of 11% had a family member or friend with a diagnosis or symptoms, and less than 5% had a family member or friend hospitalized, or who died as a result of COVID-19.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 382-382
Author(s):  
Vivian Miller ◽  
Keith Anderson ◽  
Nancy Kusmaul ◽  
Noelle Fields

Abstract Nursing home social workers (NH SW) at the frontline during COVID-19 are faced with many challenges in meeting the psychosocial needs of residents while balancing their own well-being needs. In order to explore the experiences of NH SW during COVID-19, the study utilized a cross-sectional survey distributed to social media sites (e.g., Reddit, Facebook) and professional networks. The survey asked participants (N = 63) open-ended questions which were analyzed using the rigorous and accelerated data reduction (RADaR) method. Themes suggested that fear for self, lack of administrative support, and overall stress were notable concerns among NH SW. Findings also suggested that support from family/friends and self-care were most personally helpful to NH SW. Lastly, themes related to coping strategies included talking with co-workers, mindfulness, and boundary setting. Findings suggest the need for increased supports for NH SW. Implications related to stress and coping during COVID-19 are offered.


2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 168-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Subedi ◽  
Dana S. Edge ◽  
Catherine L. Goldie ◽  
Monakshi Sawhney

Background Since 2008, Bhutanese refugees have been resettled in Canada, including Ottawa. This relocation and resettling process is associated with significant physical and psychological stress, as individuals acclimatize to a new country. Purpose To assess the relationship between coping strategies and psychological well-being of Bhutanese refugees resettled in Ottawa. Methods A cross-sectional survey utilizing a convenience sample of adults (n = 110) was conducted in the fall of 2015 in Ottawa. Two tools, Brief COPE and general well-being schedule were used. Results Bhutanese refugees were in moderate distress. Using multiple linear regression, age, education, and three coping strategies (positive reframing, self-blame, and venting) were identified as predictors of general well-being ( F (11, 96) = 3.61, p < .001, R2 = 21.2%). Higher levels of education and positive reframing were associated with greater general well-being scores, while self-blame and well-being between ages 41 and 50 years were inversely associated with general well-being. Conclusions Findings suggest that a broad intersectorial approach between nurses and partner agencies is needed to enhance the mental health of this population for better adjustment in the host country. Nurses could provide support and counseling to minimize the use of self-blame and venting and promote positive coping strategies.


2015 ◽  
Vol 210 (4) ◽  
pp. 778-782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Navjeet K. Uppal ◽  
David Eisen ◽  
Jeff Weissberger ◽  
Roy J. Wyman ◽  
David R. Urbach ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pier Riccardo Rossi ◽  
Sarah E. Hegarty ◽  
Vittorio Maio ◽  
Marco Lombardi ◽  
Andrea Pizzini ◽  
...  

Deprescribing is a patient-centered process of medication withdrawal intended to achieve improved health outcomes through discontinuation of one or more medications that are either potentially harmful or no longer required. The objective of this study was to assess the perceptions of primary care physicians on deprescribing and potential barriers to deprescribing in the Local Health Authority (LHA) of Turin, Piedmont, Italy. Secondary objective was to evaluate educational needs of primary care physician. Cross sectional survey of primary care physicians working in the LHA of Turin, Piedmont, Italy. 439 GPs (71.3% of the total number of primary care physicians) attended an educational session related to deprescribing and were asked to anonymously answer a paper survey. Participants were asked to complete a previously published questionnaire about deprescribing and potential factors affecting the deprescribing process. A correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the association between physicians’ confidence in deprescribing and attitudes or barriers associated with deprescribing. Many GPs (71%) reported general confidence in their ability to deprescribe. Most respondents (83%) reported they were comfortable deprescribing preventive medications, however almost half expressed doubts regarding deprescribing when medication was initially prescribed by a colleague (45%) or when patient and/or caregiver supported the opportunity to continue the assumption (49%). Around a third of doctors maintain that the absence of strong evidence supporting deprescribing prevents them from considering it (38%), that they do not have the necessary time to effectively go through the process of deprescribing (29%), and that fear of possible effects due on withdrawal prevents them from deprescribing (31%). There was no strong correlation between physicians’ confidence and attitudes or barriers associated with deprescribing. The present study confirms that general practitioners sense the importance of deprescribing and feel prepared to face it managing communication with patients and caregivers, but find barriers when enacting the practice in a real-life context.


2005 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 616-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason W. Busse ◽  
Graham Heaton ◽  
Ping Wu ◽  
Kumanan R. Wilson ◽  
Edward J. Mills

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S695-S695 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Messedi ◽  
I. Feki ◽  
B.N. Saguem ◽  
R. Masmoudi ◽  
J. Masmoudi

IntroductionUniversity life is stressful for the student, which is characterized by disturbed emotional regulation or alexithymia. To face these stressful events he must use certain coping strategies.ObjectivesStudying the prevalence of alexithymia and exploring coping strategies among medical students, and establish the relationship between these parameters.MethodsIt was a cross-sectional study of 97 students in Sfax university medicine (Tunisia). We used:– a questionnaire containing demographic and clinical data;– Toronto alexithymia Scale (TAS-20): a score ≥61 indicates alexithymia;– WCC (Ways of Coping Checklist-r Folkman) with 3 factors: problem-focused, emotion-focused and social support coping.ResultsThe average age of participants was 24.07 years (±2.71); the sex ratio (M/W) was 0.4. They were smoking in 36.1% and sedentary in 43.3% of case. They had a nibbling activity in 57.7%. The average score of TAS-20 was 50. 92 10.46 and alexithymia was found in 16.5% of students. Alexithymia was significantly correlated with smoking (P = 0.003) and physical inactivity (P = 0.025). Most students (72.2%) opted for problem-focused ways of coping with a highest score at WCC = 29.21. A significant correlation was found between alexithymia and coping strategy with emotion-focused (P = 0.02). The TAS score was significantly higher among students who resort to this ways of coping = 26.11. (P = 0.002).ConclusionThis study explored the role of alexithymia in stress management ubiquitous in university life. A high level of alexithymia could be a detrimental factor in stress management. Psychological support aimed specifically alexithymic dimension is indispensable.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


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