scholarly journals Preventing and Addressing the Stress Reactions of Health Care Workers Caring for Patients With COVID-19: Development of a Digital Platform (Be + Against COVID)

10.2196/21692 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e21692 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Joaquín Mira ◽  
María Asunción Vicente ◽  
Adriana Lopez-Pineda ◽  
Irene Carrillo ◽  
Mercedes Guilabert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Stress Reactions ◽  
Digital Platform ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Support Resources

Background COVID-19 became a major public health concern in March 2020. Due to the high rate of hospitalizations for COVID-19 in a short time, health care workers and other involved staff are subjected to a large workload and high emotional distress. Objective The objective of this study is to develop a digital tool to provide support resources that might prevent and consider acute stress reactions in health care workers and other support staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The contents of the digital platform were created through an evidence-based review and consensus conference. The website was built using the Google Blogger tool. The Android version of the app was developed in the Java and XML languages using Android Studio version 3.6, and the iOS version was developed in the Swift language using Xcode version 11.5. The app was evaluated externally by the Andalusian Agency for Healthcare Quality. Results We detected the needs and pressing situations of frontline health care workers, and then, we proposed a serial of recommendations and support resources to address them. These resources were redesigned using the feedback received. A website in three different languages (Spanish, English, and Portuguese) and a mobile app were developed with these contents, and the AppSaludable Quality Seal was granted to the app. A specific self-report scale to measure acute stress and additional tools were included to support the health care workforce. This instrument has been used in several Latin American countries and has been adapted considering cultural differences. The resources section of the website was the most visited with 18,516 out of 68,913 (26.9%) visits, and the “Self-Report Acute Stress Scale” was the most visited resource with 6468 out of 18,516 (34.9%) visits. Conclusions The Be + against COVID platform (website and app) was developed and launched to offer a pool of recommendations and support resources, which were specifically designed to protect the psychological well-being and the work morale of health care workers. This is an original initiative different from the usual psychological assistance hotlines.

scholarly journals Preventing and Addressing the Stress Reactions of Health Care Workers Caring for Patients With COVID-19: Development of a Digital Platform (Be + Against COVID) (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Joaquín Mira ◽  
María Asunción Vicente ◽  
Adriana Lopez-Pineda ◽  
Irene Carrillo ◽  
Mercedes Guilabert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Stress Reactions ◽  
Digital Platform ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Support Resources

BACKGROUND COVID-19 became a major public health concern in March 2020. Due to the high rate of hospitalizations for COVID-19 in a short time, health care workers and other involved staff are subjected to a large workload and high emotional distress. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to develop a digital tool to provide support resources that might prevent and consider acute stress reactions in health care workers and other support staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS The contents of the digital platform were created through an evidence-based review and consensus conference. The website was built using the Google Blogger tool. The Android version of the app was developed in the Java and XML languages using Android Studio version 3.6, and the iOS version was developed in the Swift language using Xcode version 11.5. The app was evaluated externally by the Andalusian Agency for Healthcare Quality. RESULTS We detected the needs and pressing situations of frontline health care workers, and then, we proposed a serial of recommendations and support resources to address them. These resources were redesigned using the feedback received. A website in three different languages (Spanish, English, and Portuguese) and a mobile app were developed with these contents, and the AppSaludable Quality Seal was granted to the app. A specific self-report scale to measure acute stress and additional tools were included to support the health care workforce. This instrument has been used in several Latin American countries and has been adapted considering cultural differences. The resources section of the website was the most visited with 18,516 out of 68,913 (26.9%) visits, and the “Self-Report Acute Stress Scale” was the most visited resource with 6468 out of 18,516 (34.9%) visits. CONCLUSIONS The <i>Be + against COVID</i> platform (website and app) was developed and launched to offer a pool of recommendations and support resources, which were specifically designed to protect the psychological well-being and the work morale of health care workers. This is an original initiative different from the usual psychological assistance hotlines.

scholarly journals Relationship Between Acute Stress Responses and Quality of Life in Chinese Health Care Workers During the COVID-19 Outbreak

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lan Zhang ◽  
Rongjian Ji ◽  
Yanbo Ji ◽  
Min Liu ◽  
Renxiu Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Care Workers

This study aimed to determine the relationship between acute stress and quality of life and explore their influencing factors on health care workers. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, and a sample of 525 health care workers was recruited from 15 hospitals through a convenient sampling method. Participants completed an online self-report questionnaire to assess their acute stress and quality of life. Descriptive and multiple linear regression statistics were used for this analysis. The results regarding acute stress responses varied significantly among the differences in marital status, physical activity, work status, perceived risk of contracting COVID-19, and the expected duration of the pandemic. Moreover, a younger age, lack of physical activity, being a front-line medical staff, and higher acute stress scores indicated a worse quality of life. Healthcare workers’ acute stress was negatively correlated with their quality of life. Therefore, the authorities should pay special attention to health care workers’ mental health and provide them with timely protection during the pandemic.

Home Health Care of Veterans

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-54
Author(s):  
Jan Cook
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Home Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Home Health ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Training And Education ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Support Resources

This commentary familiarizes the reader with prevalent issues regarding home health care of veterans. The primary issue is the unfamiliarity of the caretaker—most often a family member—in understanding benefits, and accessing social support resources. Frequently caretakers experience depression resulting from the stress of the situation; therefore, their physical and mental health needs must be addressed. There is a need for increased training and education of health care workers, social workers, and caregivers, so that concerted support is present for veterans requiring home health care.

scholarly journals Construct validity and differential item functioning of the PHQ-9 among health care workers: Rasch Analysis approach

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surin Jiraniramai ◽  
Tinakon Wongpakaran ◽  
Chaisiri Angkurawaranon ◽  
Wichuda Jiraporncharoen ◽  
Nahathai Wongpakaran
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Differential Item Functioning ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Psychometric Property ◽  
Rasch Measurement ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Item Functioning ◽  
Care Workers

Abstract Background The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a widely used self-report questionnaire to screen depression. Its psychometric property has been tested in many populations including health care workers. We used Rasch measurement theory to examine the psychometric properties of PHQ-9 regarding item difficulty, item fit and the differences between subgroups of respondents classified by sex, age, education and alcohol user status, based on the same overall location of participants.Methods In total, 3,204 health care workers of Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital participated and were administered the PHQ-9. Rating scale Rasch measurement modeling was used to examine the psychometric properties of the PHQ-9.Results The data fitted well to the Rasch model and no violations of the assumption of unidimensionality were observed. All 9 items could form a unidimensional construct of overall depressive severity. Suicidal ideation was the least endorsed while sleep problem was the most. No disordered category and threshold of the rating response were observed. No locally dependent items were observed. No items were found to show differential item functioning across age, sex, education and alcohol consumption. The item-person Wright map showed that the PHQ-9 did not target well with the sample, and a wide gap suggesting few or no items exist to differentiate participants at a certain ability level among the PHQ-9 items.Conclusion The PHQ-9 can be used as a screening questionnaire for major depressive disorder as its psychometric property was verified based on Rasch measurement model. The findings are generally consistent with related studies in other populations. However, the PHQ-9 may be unsuitable for assessing depressive symptoms among health care workers who have low levels of depression.

scholarly journals Handling with antineoplastic drugs: a health concern among health care workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (04) ◽  
pp. 407-414
Author(s):  
Stephanie Damasceno Rocha ◽  
Andre Nascimento Honorato Gomes ◽  
Paulo Ricardo Gazzola Zen ◽  
Claudia Giuliano Bica
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Antineoplastic Drugs ◽  
Care Workers

Workplace Violence in the Health Sector in Turkey: A National Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (15) ◽  
pp. 2345-2365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tevfik Pinar ◽  
Cengizhan Acikel ◽  
Gul Pinar ◽  
Erdem Karabulut ◽  
Meral Saygun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Workplace Violence ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
National Study ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
International Labor Organization ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Workers

Violence in the workplace is an increasing occupational health concern worldwide. Health care workers are at high risk of assault. To develop, monitor, and manage prevention policies, baseline data should be available. This cross-sectional study was designed to determine the current extent of workplace violence nationwide in Turkey. The study population of 12.944 health care workers was a stratified sample of all health care workers (612,639) in the country. A probabilistic sampling was made on the basis of the “multistage stratified random cluster sampling method.” This study was conducted by a structured questionnaire in a face-to-face interview. The questionnaire items were adapted and translated into Turkish based on questionnaires of International Labor Organization, International Council of Nurses, World Health Organization, and Public Services International. The percentage of health care workers who experienced workplace violence in Turkey in the previous 12 months was 44.7%. The types of violence included physical 6.8%, verbal 43.2%, mobbing (bullying) 2.4%, and sexual harassment 1%. Multivariate analysis showed that level of health care system, type of institution, gender, occupation, age, working hours, and shift work were independent risk factors for experiencing workplace violence ( p < .05). Our study indicates that the workplace violence among health care workers is a significant problem. The results of the study can serve as the basis for future analytical studies and for development of appropriate prevention efforts.

scholarly journals Vaccination Behaviour Influences Self-Report of Influenza Vaccination Status: A Cross-Sectional Study among Health Care Workers

PLoS ONE ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. e39496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Llupià ◽  
Alberto L. García-Basteiro ◽  
Guillermo Mena ◽  
José Ríos ◽  
Joaquim Puig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Vaccination Status ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Workers

scholarly journals Assessment of Standard Precautions’ Practices among Health Care Workers in a Rural Area of South-South Nigeria

2020 ◽  
pp. 8-21
Author(s):  
Ferguson Ayemere Ehimen ◽  
Iboro Samuel Akpan ◽  
Emmanuel Friday Osagiede ◽  
A. N. Ofili ◽  
Pierre Oziegbe Okukpon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Body Fluids ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Standard Precautions ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Knowledge And Practice

Introduction: Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (BBFs) is a serious public health concern and it constitute a major risk factor for transmission of infectious diseases such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus, and human immune deficiency virus. Therefore, regular adherence to standard precautions remains the best strategy advocated by World Health Organization and Centres of Disease Control for controlling occupational exposure to blood and body fluids. Objectives: To evaluate the knowledge and practice of HCWs, as it relates to exposure to BBFs and adherence to standard precautions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out within 8 months among primary health care workers. Information on knowledge of exposure to BBFs, standard precaution practices and post-exposure management were collected using interviewers’ administered questionnaire and observational checklist. The study was conducted among two hundred and thirteen health care workers in Ekpoma, Edo State. Data were entered, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS for window, version 16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) statistical package software. Results: Sixty eight (41.7%) of cleaners and 29(17.8%) of nurses/community health extension workers were aware of blood borne infections associated with occupational exposure to BBFs compared to doctors, 3(1.8%) and laboratory workers, 4(2.5%). It was also found out that majority (74.2%) of the participants had poor knowledge of infection control practices. Conclusion: The knowledge and practice of standard precautions was found to be generally poor. Hence, all health care workers should be trained on the principles of infection control and exposure prevention. Also, relevant authorities need to formulate new strategies to create a favorable working environment that will ensure HCWs adherence to standard precautions.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Yoga Nidra vs Supine Relaxation Technique on Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia in frontline COVID-19 Health Care Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mallikarjun Gunjiganvi ◽  
Mohan Gurjar ◽  
Prabhakar Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Recruitment Rate ◽  
Relaxation Technique ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Digital Platform ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Yoga Nidra

Abstract Background Mental health disturbances have been well documented due to COVID-19 pandemic. There was surge in literature about use of various Mind Body Therapies during pandemic to curb these disturbances. But none have been studied to prospectively during COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, present study was planned to evaluate the efficacy of Yoganidra in frontline Health care workers (HCW) during pandemic using online and digital tools. Methods This open label randomized trial consisting of 2 arms (Yoganidra and Supine Relaxation technique [SRT]) was conducted at Level- III COVID care centre involving dedicated frontline HCWs. Online YouTube digital platform was used deliver the respective intervention to study participants. Daily reminders were sent using digital social media. Each intervention lasted for 30min a day. Participants completing > 9 days of practice were included for analysis. Primary outcome was changes in scores of Physical Health Quality (PHQ)-9, Generalized Anxiety Score (GAD)-7, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scale. Secondary outcomes were rate of recruitment, days of intervention practice, satisfaction of digital contents. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS v.23. Results Of 139 HCWs contacted, 79 HCWs (40 in SRT and 39 in Yoganidra) consented and were recruited into study. After withdrawal and incomplete practice days, 32 in SRT group and 30 in Yoganidra group were included for final analysis. Demographics and pre-intervention scores of PHQ-9, GAD-7, ISI were comparable at baseline. After completion of study, there were significant reduction in scores of PHQ-9, GAD-7 and ISI in Yoganidra 0.002 vs 0.064, < 0.001 vs 0.123, < 0.001 vs 0.828 respectively and effect size was 0.041, 0.013 and 0.024 respectively compared to SRT group. Recruitment rate was 56.8%, 78% of participants completed > 9 days of practice and 100% satisfaction among participants. Conclusion Yoganidra significantly reduces depression, anxiety and insomnia scores among frontline COVID HCWs compared to SRT using virtual session platform. It is also feasible to conduct the virtual sessions of Yoga Nidra using digital platform. Trial Registration: Clinical Trials Registry of India REF/CTRI/2020/07/026609, (ctri.nic.in/clinicaltrials/login.php, number REF/CTRI/2020/07/026609)

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document