scholarly journals Rapid Assessment of Price Instability and Paucity of Medicines and Protection for COVID-19 Across Asia: Findings and Public Health Implications for the Future

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Godman ◽  
Mainul Haque ◽  
Salequl Islam ◽  
Samiul Iqbal ◽  
Umme Laila Urmi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Price Increases ◽  
Appreciable Increase ◽  
Narrative Literature ◽  
Considerable Controversy ◽  
Narrative Literature Review ◽  
Price Instability

Background: Countries have introduced a variety of measures to prevent and treat COVID-19 with medicines and personal protective equipment (PPE), with some countries adopting preventative strategies earlier than others. However, there has been considerable controversy surrounding some treatments. This includes hydroxychloroquine where the initial hype and misinformation lead to shortages, price rises and suicides. Price rises and shortages have also been seen for PPE. Such activities can have catastrophic effects on patients where there are high co-payment levels and issues of affordability. Consequently, there is a need to investigate this further.Objective: Assess changes in the availability, utilization and prices of relevant medicines and PPE during the pandemic among a range of Asian countries.Our approach: Narrative literature review combined with interviews among community pharmacists to assess changes in consumption, prices and shortages of medicines and PPE from the beginning of March 2020 until end of May 2020. In addition, suggestions on ways to reduce misinformation.Results: 308 pharmacists took part from five Asian countries. There was an appreciable increase in the utilization of antimicrobials in Pakistan (in over 88% of pharmacies), with lower increases or no change in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia and Vietnam. Encouragingly, there was increased use of vitamins/immune boosters and PPE across the countries, as well as limited price rises for antimicrobials in India, Malaysia and Vietnam, although greater price rises seen for analgesics and vitamin C/immune boosters. Appreciable price increases were also seen for PPE across some countries.Conclusion: Encouraging to see increases in utilization of vitamins/immune boosters and PPE. However, increases in the utilization and prices of antimicrobials is a concern that needs addressing alongside misinformation and any unintended consequences from the pandemic. Community pharmacists can play a key role in providing evidence-based advice, helping to moderate prices, as well as helping address some of the unintended consequences of the pandemic.

scholarly journals Rapid Assessment of the Potential Paucity and Price Increases for Suggested Medicines and Protection Equipment for COVID-19 Across Developing Countries With a Particular Focus on Africa and the Implications

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Israel Abebrese Sefah ◽  
Olayinka O. Ogunleye ◽  
Darius Obeng Essah ◽  
Sylvia A. Opanga ◽  
Nadia Butt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Inappropriate Prescribing ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Stock Management ◽  
Patient Organisations ◽  
Price Increases ◽  
Considerable Controversy

Background: Countries across Africa and Asia have introduced a variety of measures to prevent and treat COVID-19 with medicines and personal protective equipment (PPE). However, there has been considerable controversy surrounding some treatments including hydroxychloroquine where the initial hype and misinformation led to shortages, price rises and suicides. Price rises and shortages were also seen for PPE. Such activities can have catastrophic consequences especially in countries with high co-payment levels. Consequently, there is a need to investigate this further.Objective: Assess changes in utilisation, prices, and shortages of pertinent medicines and PPE among African and Asian countries since the start of pandemic.Our approach: Data gathering among community pharmacists to assess changes in patterns from the beginning of March until principally the end of May 2020. In addition, suggestions on ways to reduce misinformation.Results: One hundred and thirty one pharmacists took part building on the earlier studies across Asia. There were increases in the utilisation of principally antimalarials (hydroxychloroquine) and antibiotics (azithromycin) especially in Nigeria and Ghana. There were limited changes in Namibia and Vietnam reflecting current initiatives to reduce inappropriate prescribing and dispensing of antimicrobials. Encouragingly, there was increased use of vitamins/immune boosters and PPE across the countries where documented. In addition, generally limited change in the utilisation of herbal medicines. However, shortages have resulted in appreciable price increases in some countries although moderated in others through government initiatives. Suggestions in Namibia going forward included better planning and educating patients.Conclusion: Encouraging to see increases in the utilisation of vitamins/immune boosters and PPE. However, concerns with increased utilisation of antimicrobials needs addressing alongside misinformation, unintended consequences from the pandemic and any appreciable price rises. Community pharmacists and patient organisations can play key roles in providing evidence-based advice, helping moderate prices through improved stock management, and helping address unintended consequences of the pandemic.

scholarly journals Cluster headache in Asian populations: Similarities, disparities, and a narrative review of the mechanisms of the chronic subtype

Cephalalgia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 1104-1112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuan-Po Peng ◽  
Tsubasa Takizawa ◽  
Mi Ji Lee
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Headache ◽  
North American ◽  
Chronic Cluster Headache ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Male Predominance ◽  
Asian Populations ◽  
Asian Patients ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Narrative Literature ◽  
Narrative Literature Review

Objective Headache disorders like migraine show geographic and ethnic differences between Asian and European/North American countries. In cluster headache, these differences are rarely mentioned and discussed. This article aimed to review the characteristics of cluster headache in Asian countries and compare the clinical features to those in European and North American populations. Methods We conducted a narrative literature review on the demographics, clinical presentations, and treatments of cluster headache in Asian countries. Results Patients with cluster headache in Asian populations showed a stronger male predominance compared to European and North American populations. Chronic cluster headache was rare in Asian countries. The clinical presentation of restlessness was not as common in Asian as it was in European and North American countries, and Asian patients with aura were extremely rare. Patients in Asian countries may have a lower circadian rhythmicity of cluster headache and a lower headache load, as demonstrated by lower attack frequencies per day, bout frequencies, and bout durations. Conclusions Regional differences in the presentation of cluster headache exist. Greater awareness for cluster headache should be raised in Asian regions, and further studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms behind observed differences.

scholarly journals Rapid Assessment of the Potential Paucity and Price Increases for Suggested Medicines and Protection Equipment for COVID-19 Across Developing Countries With a Particular Focus on Africa and the Implications

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
AISDL
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Price Increases ◽  
Considerable Controversy

Countries across Africa and Asia have introduced a variety of measures to prevent and treat COVID-19 with medicines and personal protective equipment (PPE). However, there has been considerable controversy surrounding some treatments including hydroxychloroquine where the initial hype and misinformation led to shortages, price rises and suicides. Price rises and shortages were also seen for PPE. Such activities can have catastrophic consequences especially in countries with high copayment levels. Consequently, there is a need to investigate this further.

Giving and receiving written feedback on research reports: a narrative review and guidance for supervisors and students

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerith Duncanson ◽  
David Schmidt ◽  
Emma Webster
Keyword(s):  
Research Report ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Written Feedback ◽  
Supervisory Relationship ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Researcher Development ◽  
Teacher Student ◽  
Narrative Literature ◽  
Narrative Literature Review ◽  
Educational Component

PurposeWritten feedback on research-related writing is an important educational component of novice researcher development. Limited evidence exists to inform effective written feedback, particularly in relation to research reports by novice researchers. The aim of this narrative literature review was to explore supervisor and novice researcher perspectives on the provision of written feedback, particularly in the context of their evolving supervisory relationship. MethodsA systematic search of peer-reviewed journals in educational and health databases was undertaken for the terms ‘written feedback’ and ‘research report’, from January 2001 to August 2020. Identified literature was critiqued for methodological quality. Findings were coded, grouped and described as themes. Next, the themes and their parts were applied to the development of a two-part written feedback checklist that includes separate but related recommendations for supervisors and novice researchers.FindingsFrom 35 included papers, the four main themes that related to written feedback on research reports by novice researchers were: the emotional impact of receiving or giving written feedback; written feedback in the supervisory power dynamic; communicating written feedback; and the content and structure of written feedback. The changing nature and complexity of factors associated with written feedback from research supervisors reflected the transition from a supervisory relationship to a peer relationship. The checklist developed from the synthesised data is intended to provide guidance for supervisors and students about their respective and shared responsibilities within a supervisory relationship.  ImplicationsIncreased awareness of the characteristics, roles and impact of written feedback will assist supervisors of novice researchers to provide effective written feedback, and for students to effectively utilise written feedback. Progression of written feedback throughout the supervisory period is proposed as a means of transitioning from a teacher-student to a peer researcher relationship. 

Reproductive health issues in female patients with beta-thalassaemia major: a narrative literature review

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (7) ◽  
pp. 902-911 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malihe Nourollahpour Shiadeh ◽  
Elena Cassinerio ◽  
Maryam Modarres ◽  
Armin Zareiyan ◽  
Zeinab Hamzehgardeshi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Thalassaemia Major ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Beta Thalassaemia ◽  
Narrative Literature ◽  
Narrative Literature Review

scholarly journals Participatory Research Approaches in Times of Covid-19: A Narrative Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 160940692110100
Author(s):  
Johanna Hall ◽  
Mark Gaved ◽  
Julia Sargent
Keyword(s):  
Participatory Research ◽  
Participatory Methods ◽  
Research Issue ◽  
Participatory Approaches ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Narrative Literature ◽  
Geographically Distributed ◽  
Literature Base ◽  
Narrative Literature Review ◽  
Participatory Research Methods

This review aims to collate and organize the current literature base on the use of participatory research methods within Covid-19 and pandemic contexts. Participatory approaches rely on establishing trust and rapport between researchers and participants and advocate actively involving participants in the planning, implementation and evaluation of a research issue. However, by transitioning such approaches to an online and geographically distributed context, the openness and equitability of participatory approaches may be reduced or lost. By providing an overview of current empirical and guidance literature on the use of participatory approaches within the context of Covid-19, this review not only offers a basis for how a variety of methods may be used and adapted to distanced contexts, but also explicates the challenges associated with the use of these methods and the wider methodological implications posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, this review outlines the issues associated with conducting this type of research more generally, providing implications for how distance-based participatory methods may be used in wider contexts where face-to-face interaction may not be appropriate, or fieldwork may be disrupted due to logistical reasons.

Facial Surface Anthropometric Features and Measurements With an Emphasis on Rhinoplasty

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Mazhar Celikoyar ◽  
Michael F Perez ◽  
M Ilhan Akbas ◽  
Oguzhan Topsakal
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Planning ◽  
Medical Literature ◽  
Facial Features ◽  
Post Surgery ◽  
Anthropometric Features ◽  
The Face ◽  
Narrative Literature ◽  
Narrative Literature Review ◽  
Objective Outcomes ◽  
A Current

Abstract Background Facial features and measurements are utilized to analyze patients’ faces for various reasons, including surgical planning, scientific communications, patient-surgeon communications, and post-surgery evaluations. Objectives There are numerous descriptions regarding these features and measurements scattered throughout the literature and we did not encounter a current compilation of these parameters in the medical literature. Methods A narrative literature review of the published medical literature for facial measurements used for facial analysis in rhinoplasty was done through the electronic databases MEDLINE/PubMed and Google Scholar, along with a citation search. Results A total of 61 facial features were identified. 45 points (25 bilateral, 20 unilateral), five lines (three bilateral, two unilateral), eight planes, and three areas. A total of 122 measurements were identified: 48 distances (6 bilateral, 42 unilateral), 57 angles (13 bilateral, 44 unilateral), and 17 ratios. Supplemental Figures were created to depict all features and measurements using either a frontal, lateral or basal view of the face. Conclusions This paper provides the most comprehensive and current compilation of facial measurements to date. We believe this compilation will guide further developments (methodologies and software tools) for analyzing nasal structures and assessing the objective outcomes of facial surgeries, in particular rhinoplasty. Moreover, it will improve the communication as a reference for facial measurements of facial surface anthropometry, in particular rhinoplasty.

scholarly journals The Use of Interpreters in Medical Education: A Narrative Literature Review

Societies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Costas S. Constantinou ◽  
Andrew Timothy Ng ◽  
Chase Beverley Becker ◽  
Parmida Enayati Zadeh ◽  
Alexia Papageorgiou
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Search Strategy ◽  
Critical Assessment ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Interpretive Approach ◽  
Assessment Skills ◽  
Narrative Literature ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Narrative Literature Review

This paper presents the results of a narrative literature review on the use of interpreters in medical education. A careful search strategy was based on keywords and inclusion and exclusion criteria, and used the databases PubMed, Medline Ovid, Google Scholar, Scopus, CINAHL, and EBSCO. The search strategy resulted in 20 articles, which reflected the research aim and were reviewed on the basis of an interpretive approach. They were then critically appraised in accordance with the “critical assessment skills programme” guidelines. Results showed that the use of interpreters in medical education as part of the curriculum is scarce, but students have been trained in how to work with interpreters when interviewing patients to fully develop their skills. The study highlights the importance of integrating the use of interpreters in medical curricula, proposes a framework for achieving this, and suggests pertinent research questions for enriching cultural competence.

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