scholarly journals Help-seeking behaviour for chronic pain

2011 ◽  
pp. 31-34
Author(s):  
Nicola Cornally
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
Risk Of Fall ◽  
Daily Pain ◽  
Key Questions

Many people with Chronic Pain do not seek help from healthcare professionals; in some cases, they are suffering severe daily pain. Others have sought help initially but failed to return if their pain prescription ran out or treatment was ineffective. There is also a cohort of people who delay seeking help until their pain becomes intolerable. Untreated Chronic Pain can lead to increased disability, increased risk of fall, depression, sleep deprivation, reduced quality of life, social isolation and impact significantly on co-existing diseases. It is therefore pertinent to ask the following questions; why do some people suffer in silence? Why do people fall off the help-seeking path? Why is help-seeking delayed? Although these may be key questions to consider, it would be as prudent to ask what factors influence prompt help-seeking behaviour. The answers to the latter question may provide valuable information on model behaviour which could be adopted by ...

scholarly journals Pandemic-Induced Depression and Anxiety in Healthcare Professionals

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Weibelzahl ◽  
Julia Reiter ◽  
Gesa Duden
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Work Related Stressors

Medical staff has been at the centre of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, facing diverse work-related stressors. Studies from various countries have shown that healthcare professionals have an increased risk of burnout and mental disorders during pandemic outbreaks. The present study aimed to investigate what kind of work-related stressors healthcare professionals in Germany have been facing and how they have been affected psychologically by the COVID-19 pandemic. N=300 healthcare professionals completed an online survey including the ISR symptom checklist to measure psychological well-being and questions on help-seeking behaviour. Findings were analyzed using t-tests, regression, and comparisons to large clinical and non-clinical samples assessed before and during the pandemic. Results show that healthcare professionals were most affected by protective measures at their workplace and changes in work procedures. Psychological symptoms, especially of anxiety and depression, were significantly more severe than in a non-clinical pre-pandemic sample and in the general population during the pandemic. At the same time, most professionals indicated that they would not seek help for psychological concerns. These findings indicate that healthcare employers need to pay increasing attention to the mental health of their staff, encourage help-seeking behaviour, as well as provide access to mental health support.

scholarly journals Psychosocial influences on help-seeking behaviour for cancer in low-income and lower middle-income countries: a mixed-methods systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. e004213
Author(s):  
Grace McCutchan ◽  
Bahr Weiss ◽  
Harriet Quinn-Scoggins ◽  
Anh Dao ◽  
Tom Downs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Cancer Symptoms ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Psychosocial Influences

IntroductionStarting cancer treatment early can improve outcomes. Psychosocial factors influencing patients’ medical help-seeking decisions may be particularly important in low and lower middle-income countries (LMIC) where cancer outcomes are poor. Comprehensive review evidence is needed to understand the psychosocial influences on medical help-seeking for cancer symptoms, attendance for diagnosis and starting cancer treatment.MethodsMixed-methods systematic review registered on PROSPERO (CRD42018099057). Peer-reviewed databases were searched until April 2020 for studies assessing patient-related barriers and facilitators to medical help-seeking for cancer symptoms, diagnosis and treatment in adults (18+ years) living in LMICs. Quality of included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. Data were synthesised using meta-analytic techniques, meta-ethnography or narrative synthesis as appropriate.ResultsOf 3963 studies identified, 64 were included. In quantitative studies, use of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) was associated with 3.60 higher odds of prolonged medical help-seeking (95% CI 2.06 to 5.14). Qualitative studies suggested that use of TCAM was a key barrier to medical help-seeking in LMICs, and was influenced by causal beliefs, cultural norms and a preference to avoid biomedical treatment. Women face particular barriers, such as needing family permission for help-seeking, and higher stigma for cancer treatment. Additional psychosocial barriers included: shame and stigma associated with cancer such as fear of social rejection (eg, divorce/disownment); limited knowledge of cancer and associated symptoms; and financial and access barriers associated with travel and appointments.ConclusionDue to variable quality of studies, future evaluations would benefit from using validated measures and robust study designs. The use of TCAM and gender influences appear to be important barriers to help-seeking in LMIC. Cancer awareness campaigns developed with LMIC communities need to address cultural influences on medical help-seeking behaviour.

scholarly journals P014 Shift work disorder and the prevalence of help seeking behaviours for sleep concerns in Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A26-A26
Author(s):  
B Brown ◽  
M Crowther ◽  
S Appleton ◽  
Y Melaku ◽  
R Adams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shift Work ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Caffeine Consumption ◽  
Shift Workers ◽  
Standard Work ◽  
Shift Work Disorder ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Seeking Help

Abstract Introduction Shift work disorder is a circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder, defined by symptoms of insomnia and excessive levels of sleepiness resulting from work that occurs during non-standard hours. Sleep problems are common in shift workers, yet our understanding of help-seeking behaviours for sleep in shift workers is limited. Methods As a part of a national sleep health survey, data were collected on the help-seeking behaviours for sleep problems in an online sample of Australian individuals on non-standard work schedules (n=448). Of the sample of non-standard workers, 10.5% (n=41) met the criteria for probable shift work disorder (pSWD). Results Non-standard workers with pSWD did not seek help for sleep problems at higher rates than workers without SWD (p = .979). General practitioners were the most reported healthcare professional sought out for sleep problems of individuals with pSWD. Self-management was common in workers with pSWD, with a high self-reported prevalence of alcohol use (31.7%) as a sleep management strategy, and caffeine consumption (76.9%) as a sleepiness management strategy. The majority of individuals with pSWD reported the mentality of ‘accept it and keep going’ as a sleepiness management strategy, highlighting a potential barrier to help-seeking behaviour in workers with pSWD. Discussion These findings provide novel insight into the help-seeking behaviours of individuals with pSWD. There is a need for further research to understand why individuals at risk for shift work disorder are not actively seeking help, and to develop health promotion and intervention strategies to improve engagement with healthcare professionals.

scholarly journals Emotional distress, anxiety and depression in South Asians with long-term conditions: a qualitative systematic review

2021 ◽  
pp. BJGP.2021.0345
Author(s):  
Hassan Awan ◽  
Faraz Mughal ◽  
Tom Kingstone ◽  
Carolyn A Chew-Graham ◽  
Nadia Corp
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
South Asians ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour

People with physical-mental comorbidity have a poorer quality of life, worse clinical outcomes and increased mortality compared to people with physical conditions alone. South Asians (SAs) are the largest minority group in the UK and are more likely to have long-term conditions (LTCs) such as diabetes and heart disease. SAs are less likely to recognise symptoms which may represent mental health problems. To explore how people of SA origin with LTCs understand, experience and seek help for emotional distress, depression and anxiety. Systematic review of qualitative studies exploring emotional distress in SAs with diabetes or coronary heart disease, within primary and community care settings worldwide. Comprehensive searches of eight electronic databases from inception to 1st September 2021. Data extracted included study characteristics, and understanding, experience and help-seeking behaviour for emotional distress. Thematic synthesis was undertaken. The CASP checklist for qualitative studies was used to assess quality of papers, and GRADE-CERQual used to determine the overall strength of evidence. Twenty one studies from 3,165 unique citations were included. Three main themes were identified. Understanding of emotional distress: non-medical terminology used, such as ‘tension,’ and a complex relationship between emotional and physical illness. Experiences of emotional distress: multiple forms of inequality, distress at diagnosis of their LTC, cultural factors, and gender differences. Help-seeking behaviour: self-management, seeking help from family, friends, and faith, and inadequate clinical support. This review provides a greater understanding of SAs’ conceptualisation of emotional distress in the context of LTCs, to support improvement in its recognition and management.

Examination of Quality of Life in Workplace Environments

2022 ◽  
pp. 1161-1174
Author(s):  
Lesley Clack
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Occupational Stress ◽  
Workplace Violence ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Healthcare Organizations ◽  
Increased Risk

Healthcare organizations are commonly known to be high-stress environments due to the life-or-death nature of the work. Thus, examining the quality of life in healthcare professionals is of significance to the field. Quality of life is a common measurement in healthcare, typically in determining the effectiveness of treatment on patients. But, quality of life in healthcare workers is often overlooked. A review of the literature was conducted regarding factors that impact quality of life of workers in healthcare environments. The areas of occupational stress, burnout, and workplace violence were explored in depth in order to understand the potential negative consequences of each on quality of life in healthcare professionals. In comparison to other industries, healthcare professionals are at an increased risk for occupational stress, burnout, and workplace violence. Effectively managing these areas could have a positive impact on quality of life in healthcare workers.

scholarly journals Reorganisation of faecal microbiota transplant services during the COVID-19 pandemic

Gut ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (9) ◽  
pp. 1555-1563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianluca Ianiro ◽  
Benjamin H Mullish ◽  
Colleen R Kelly ◽  
Zain Kassam ◽  
Ed J Kuijper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Faecal Microbiota ◽  
Clostridioides Difficile ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Recruitment And Selection ◽  
Spread Of Infection ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an exponential increase in SARS-CoV-2 infections and associated deaths, and represents a significant challenge to healthcare professionals and facilities. Individual countries have taken several prevention and containment actions to control the spread of infection, including measures to guarantee safety of both healthcare professionals and patients who are at increased risk of infection from COVID-19. Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has a well-established role in the treatment of Clostridioides difficile infection. In the time of the pandemic, FMT centres and stool banks are required to adopt a workflow that continues to ensure reliable patient access to FMT while maintaining safety and quality of procedures. In this position paper, based on the best available evidence, worldwide FMT experts provide guidance on issues relating to the impact of COVID-19 on FMT, including patient selection, donor recruitment and selection, stool manufacturing, FMT procedures, patient follow-up and research activities.

Help-seeking behaviour for the treatment of chronic pain

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Cornally ◽  
Geraldine McCarthy
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour

scholarly journals Changes in stigma and help-seeking in relation to postpartum depression: non-clinical parenting intervention sample

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Einar B. Thorsteinsson ◽  
Natasha M. Loi ◽  
Kathryn Farr
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Postpartum Depression ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Parenting Intervention ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Video Documentary ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Seeking Help

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent mental illness affecting women, and less commonly, men in the weeks and months after giving birth. Despite the high incidence of PPD in Australia, rates for help-seeking remain low, with stigma and discrimination frequently cited as the most common deterrents to seeking help from a professional source. The present study sought to investigate PPD stigma in a sample of parents and to examine the effects of an intervention on stigma and help-seeking behaviour. A total of 212 parents aged 18–71 years (M = 36.88, 194 females) completed measures of personal and perceived PPD stigma and attitudes towards seeking mental health services and were randomly assigned to one of four groups: an intervention group (video documentary or factsheet related to PPD) or a control group (video documentary or factsheet not related to PPD). Results showed that there were no effects for type of intervention on either personal or perceived PPD stigma scores. No effect was found for help-seeking propensity. Males had higher personal PPD stigma than females and older age was associated with lower personal PPD stigma. Familiarity with PPD was associated with perceived PPD stigma in others but not personal PPD stigma. More work needs to be conducted to develop interventions to reduce PPD stigma in the community.

scholarly journals Experience of Intimate Partner Violence and Help-Seeking Behaviour among Women in Uganda

Psych ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 182-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bishwajit Ghose ◽  
Sanni Yaya
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Alcohol Drinking ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Demographic And Health Survey ◽  
Healthcare Use ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Seeking Help

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is recognised as a fundamental violation of women’s human rights and a widespread phenomenon in Africa. Women’s low socioeconomic empowerment, cultural acceptability, and lack of social support exacerbate the health and psychosocial outcomes of IPV among African women. To date, there is no systematic research on IPV and its association with healthcare use among adult women in Uganda. Therefore, we conducted the present study on IPV among Ugandan women of childbearing age (15–49 years). Cross-sectional data on 7536 women were collected from the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS—Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2016). The objectives were to assess the predictors of IPV as well as help-seeking behaviour for victims of IPV. IPV was assessed by women’s experience of physical, emotional and sexual violence and healthcare use was assessed by self-reported medical visits during the last 12 months. Logistic regression methods were used to analyse the data. According to descriptive findings, which showed that more than half of the women reported experiencing any IPV (55.3%, 95%CI = 53.6, 57.0), emotional IPV (41.2%, 95%CI = 39.6, 42.8) was the most prevalent of all three categories, followed by physical (39.3%, 95%CI = 37.7, 40.9) and sexual IPV (22.0%, 95%CI = 20.7, 23.3). In the multivariate analysis, higher age, rural residence, religious background (non-Christian), ethnicity (Banyankore and Itseo), secondary/higher education and husband’s alcohol drinking habit were positively associated with women’s experience of IPV. Husband’s alcohol drinking was found to be a significant barrier to seeking help among those who experienced IPV. In conclusion, our findings suggest a noticeably high prevalence of IPV among Ugandan women. There are important sociodemographic and cultural patterns in the occurrence of IPV that need to be taken into account when designing intervention policies. Special attention should be given to women living with husbands/partners who drink alcohol, as this might increase their odds of experiencing IPV, as well as reduce the likelihood of seeking help.

scholarly journals Predictors of professional help-seeking for emotional problems in Afghan and Iraqi refugees in Australia: findings from the Building a New Life in Australia Database

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shameran Slewa-Younan ◽  
Pilar Rioseco ◽  
Maria Gabriela Uribe Guajardo ◽  
Jonathan Mond
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Emotional Problems ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Professional Help ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Migration Trauma ◽  
General Psychological Distress ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Seeking Help

Abstract Background Refugees are particularly vulnerable to poor mental health outcomes due to exposure to pre migration trauma and post migration stressors. Research has demonstrated evidence to suggest that the professional help-seeking among refugee groups is low or problematic. This study seeks to examine help-seeking for emotional problems in two large samples of Iraqi and Afghan refugees in Australia. Methods This study uses data from two waves of the Building a New Life in Australia, the longitudinal study of Humanitarian migrants. The data was collected face-to-face between 2013 and 2016, among humanitarian migrants. All participants held a permanent protection visa and had arrived in Australia or been granted their visa between period of May to December 2013. The study sample included 1288 participants born in Iraq and Afghanistan (aged 15 and over). In the Wave 3 interview (2015–2016) participants reported on professional help received to deal with emotional problems. Results Approximately 36 and 37% of the Iraqi and Afghan groups respectively, reported seeking help for emotional problems. Within the Iraqi group, associations between mental health status, namely general psychological distress and PTSD and help-seeking were found but this was not present in the Afghan group, where age seemed to play a role in help-seeking. Frequency of help received was low with approximately 47% of the Iraqi and 57% of the Afghan groups reporting having received help 5 times or less in the last 12 months. Conclusions Findings from this study provide clear directions on areas where culturally tailored mental health promotion programs should target in these two refugee communities. Further, the differences in help-seeking behaviour of these communities should be noted by both clinicians and policy makers as efforts to provide culturally responsive mental health services.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document