scholarly journals The Status of Occupational Protection During COVID-19 Pandemic: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Healthcare Workers in Endoscopy Units, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Tian ◽  
Bixiao Nian ◽  
Yongchen Ma ◽  
Xinyue Guo ◽  
Feng Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Protective Behavior ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Status

Background: SARS-CoV-2 spreads rapidly around the world, and some patients present gastrointestinal symptoms. The existence of the virus in the gastrointestinal tract makes digestive endoscopy a high-risk operation, which associated with an increased risk of infection rate in healthcare workers. This study aimed at exploring current knowledge, practice and attitudes of healthcare workers in endoscopy units in China regarding the status of occupational protection during COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A cross-sectional study of a national online survey involving 717 healthcare workers in endoscopy units from 94 medical structures in 24 provinces and municipalities around China was conducted online via a questionnaire platform called Wenjuanxing (wjx.cn). The data were analyzed using correlation approaches, Kruskal-Wallis test for independent samples, and linear regression models.Results: Most Chinese healthcare workers in endoscopy units had a good knowledge of COVID-19 (median: 10; range: 7–12), showed a strikingly positive attitude (median: 65; range: 39–65), and carried out good practice (median: 47; range: 14–50) in strengthening the protection, disinfection and management of COVID-19. In terms of attitudes, female staff was more concerned about protection against COVID-19 than male staff (KW = 8.146, P = 0.004). Nurses performed better in both attitude (KW = 2.600, P = 0.009) and practice (KW = 6.358, P < 0.001) than endoscopic physicians when carrying out personal protection, patient care and environmental disinfection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. More positive attitudes in protection were related to better protective behavior in endoscopic daily medical work (r = 0.312; P < 0.001).Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that Chinese endoscopy healthcare workers have an excellent mastery of knowledge about COVID-19, which is transformed into positive beliefs and attitudes, contributing to good practice during daily endoscopic procedures. Medical staff may benefit from further education. With the gradual normalization amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, protection and management in endoscopy units may be changed accordingly.

scholarly journals Moral Distress and Perceived Community Views Are Associated with Mental Health Symptoms in Frontline Health Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha Smallwood ◽  
Amy Pascoe ◽  
Leila Karimi ◽  
Karen Willis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Moral Distress ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Mental Health Concerns

Background: Sudden changes in clinical practice and the altered ability to care for patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic have been associated with moral distress and mental health concerns in healthcare workers internationally. This study aimed to investigate the severity, prevalence, and predictors of moral distress experienced by Australian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A nationwide, voluntary, anonymous, single time-point, online survey of self-identified frontline healthcare workers was conducted between 27th August and 23rd October 2020. Participants were recruited through health organisations, professional associations, or colleges, universities, government contacts, and national media. Results: 7846 complete responses were received from nurses (39.4%), doctors (31.1%), allied health staff (16.7%), or other roles (6.7%). Many participants reported moral distress related to resource scarcity (58.3%), wearing PPE (31.7%) limiting their ability to care for patients, exclusion of family going against their values (60.2%), and fear of letting co-workers down if they were infected (55.0%). Many personal and workplace predictors of moral distress were identified, with those working in certain frontline areas, metropolitan locations, and with prior mental health diagnoses at particular risk of distress. Moral distress was associated with increased risk of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and burnout. Conversely, feeling appreciated by the community protected against these risks in healthcare workers. Conclusions: Safeguarding healthcare workforces during crises is important for both patient safety and workforce longevity. Targeted interventions are required to prevent or minimise moral distress and associated mental health concerns in healthcare workers during COVID-19 and other crises.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Knowledge/Practices, Mental Status, and Return-To-Work Concerns Among Healthcare Workers in Huangzhou District, Huanggang City, China

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanfei Zheng ◽  
Tianxing Li ◽  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Hui Luo ◽  
Minghua Bai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Good Knowledge ◽  
Preventative Measures

Objective:This study investigated the COVID-19-prevention knowledge and practices of healthcare workers (HCWs), their psychological states concerning the return to work, and their trust and requirements in using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to prevent and treat COVID-19. It is hoped that the study can serve as a reference for policy making during the resumption of work in other countries or regions experiencing similar situations.Methods:This study comprised a quantitative cross-sectional online survey design. Purposive sampling and Cluster sampling were used to recruit all HCWs working in public hospitals in Huangzhou District, Huanggang City, Hubei Province, China. From April 23 to May 14, 2020, surveys were sent electronically to all 13 public hospitals in this area.Results:In total, 2,079 responses were received and 2,050 completed forms were included. After analysis, 47.9 and 46.6% of HCWs indicated that they possessed very good knowledge or good knowledge of preventative measures, respectively. Multivariable log-binomial regression indicated that male, tertiary hospital, medical staff, and undergraduate/postgraduate qualification were associated with good knowledge. Good knowledge was also well-correlated with good practice (OR: 3.277; 95% CI: 2.734–3.928; P < 0.01). 59.8% of HCWs reported worries about resuming work; especially asymptomatic infections. The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) indicated that 10.8% of participants had mild anxiety, 1.5% moderate anxiety, and 0.1% severe anxiety. Female, divorced/widowed, and working in a high risk hospital (the Huangzhou District People's Hospital was used for throat swab examinations of returning workers) were risk factors for concerns about resuming work and anxiety symptoms. However, good preventive knowledge was a protective factor for anxiety. HCWs' trust in using TCM to treat COVID-19 was significantly higher than their trust in using TCM for prevention (P < 0.001). Regarding preferences for preventative TCM products, oral TCM granules were the most preferred (62.4%). HCWs also indicated they wanted to know more about the clinical efficacy, applicable population, and adverse reactions of preventative TCM products (89.3, 81.1, and 81.4%, respectively).Conclusion:While HCWs had good knowledge of COVID-19 preventative measures, this did not eliminate the psychological impact of resumption of work. Promotion of COVID-19 prevention knowledge reduces the risk of infection, and alleviates the worries and anxiety symptoms of HCWs about resuming work (especially in administrative staff, those with low education, and those working in primary hospitals). Additional psychological support is required for female HCWs, divorced/widowed HCWs, and those working in high-risk hospitals. Finally, systematic trials of preventative TCM products are recommended.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on orthopaedic residents in South India: a survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 1956
Author(s):  
Kaustav Mukherjee ◽  
Indrakshi Basak ◽  
Tarun Prasanth
Keyword(s):  
Online Teaching ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
South India ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Training Time ◽  
New Methods ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
State Of Mind ◽  
Teaching Modality

Background: Since the outbreak of COVID-19 and its exponential spread throughout India, a lot burden has fallen upon the healthcare workers and in turn on the resident doctors who were posted on Covid duties. Increased risk of contracting the virus, limited patient inflow, suspended elective surgeries continued to be a reason of concern for most orthopaedic residents throughout the country during the peak of the virus outbreak.Methods: An anonymous online survey of framed questionnaire was sent to the resident doctors in South India in order to perceive the state of mind they were in.Results: The survey was completed by 314, second and final year residents from 5 major cities in South India.22.8% residents said that elective surgeries were still withheld in their department.27.9% residents believed that online teaching modality was not sufficient and 39.5% residents did not feel prepared enough for surgery with it. While, 21.1% residents stated that there were no surgeries in last one week in the unit. As a result, 33.3% residents expressed themselves as definitely stressed out in the then scenario.Conclusions: The era post COVID-19 has brought with it a lot of challenges, the most important being the psychological impact on the residents. It needs to be taken as the foremost interest in the teaching module or structure to make them aware on how to overcome it and formulate new methods to cope up with the valuable training time lost.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on rehabilitation experiences of physiotherapists

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Pínar Kaya Ciddi ◽  
Gülay Aras Bayram
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Remote Communication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Status ◽  
Physical Intimacy ◽  
Treat All ◽  
Almost All

BACKGROUND: As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, pressures on almost all health sectors in many countries increased, and physiotherapy interventions were canceled for various reasons. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the status of physiotherapists who interrupted their services due to the pandemic and investigate procedures adopted by physiotherapists during face-to-face practice. METHOD: The measuring tool was an online survey administered via Google Forms between January 27 and February 27, 2021. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the sample consisted of 558 physiotherapists, questions about their clinical experience during the pandemic were answered, and descriptive statistics were examined. RESULTS: Of the physiotherapists, 351 (62.9%) suspended their services due to pandemic, while 207 (37%) of all participants worked without suspending their services since the beginning of the process. Among participants, 303 (54.3%) needed education to use telerehabilitation methods, and 315 (56.5%) monitored their patients with remote communication methods. Hand washing (86.6%), disinfectant (85.3%), gloves (76.5%) and masks (86.6%) were the most common protective measures. CONCLUSIONS: Most physiotherapists had their face-to-face practice interrupted for a short time due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but they continue to treat all disease conditions in spite of inherent physical intimacy and increased risk of infection.

scholarly journals Airway Management in COVID-19 as Aerosol Generating Procedure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nabil A. Shallik ◽  
Muhammad Firas Khader Alhammad ◽  
Yasser Mahmoud Hammad Ali Hammad ◽  
Elfert Amr ◽  
Shakeel Moideen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Airway Management ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Infected Person ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Staff Protection ◽  
Respiratory Droplets ◽  
High Chance

2020 has seen the whole world battling a pandemic. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets when in close contact with an infected person, by direct contact, or by contact with contaminated objects and surfaces. Aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) like intubation have a high chance of generating large concentrations of infectious aerosols. AGPs potentially put healthcare workers at an increased risk of contracting the infection, and therefore special precautions are necessary during intubation. The procedure has to be performed by an expert operator who uses appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Modifications of known techniques have helped to reduce the chances of contracting the infection from patients. The use of checklists has become standard safe practice. This chapter looks at the current knowledge we have regarding this illness and how we should modify our practice to make managing the airway both safer for the patient and the healthcare workers involved. It addresses the preparation, staff protection, technical aspects and aftercare of patients who need airway intervention. It recommends simulation training to familiarize staff with modifications to routine airway management.

scholarly journals Unveiling the status of alien animals in the arid zone of Asia

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyubing Zhang ◽  
Zhigang Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Data Exchange ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Local Agriculture ◽  
The Status ◽  
Semi Arid Region ◽  
Feasible Solutions

Biological invasion is one of the most threatening factors for biodiversity conservation. Lacking information on alien species in certain regions of the world hampers a balanced understanding of invasion processes and efficient data exchange among stakeholders. Current knowledge gaps are in need of urgent concern. We therefore conducted a review on alien animals in Xinjiang, an unknown region of invasion ecology. Xinjiang lies in the heartland of the Asian continent, covering an area of 1,664,900 km2. In the past 64 years, 128 alien animal species were recorded in this region, 39% of which became invasive and led to loss of native biodiversity. Most of these species were introduced through diversification of local agriculture and aquaculture. This process was aggravated by improving transportation and flourishing trade. Multiple linear regression models and correlation analysis were run for explaining influence of environmental and anthropogenic factors on status of alien animals: economically developed areas with abundant water resource, oases in particular, were prone to be hotspots of alien animal species in this arid and semi-arid region. This study also revealed that taxonomically biased and lagged research were critical problems that impeded studies on biological invasions in Xinjiang, and proposed feasible solutions.

scholarly journals Protocol: A two-wave cross-sectional study in England investigating suicidal behaviour and self-harm amongst healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prianka Padmanathan ◽  
Danielle Lamb ◽  
Hannah Scott ◽  
Simon Wessely ◽  
Paul Moran
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Cumulative Incidence ◽  
Suicidal Behaviour ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIntroductionThere have been longstanding concerns regarding an increased risk of suicide amongst healthcare workers. The Covid-19 pandemic has placed an additional burden on staff, yet few studies have investigated the impact of the pandemic on their risk of suicide and self-harm. We aimed to investigate the cumulative incidence, prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-injury amongst healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.Methods and AnalysisNHS Check is an online survey that was distributed to all staff (clinical and non-clinical), students, and volunteers in 18 NHS Trusts across England during the Covid-19 pandemic. Data collected in wave 1 (collected between April 2020 and January 2021) and wave 2 (collected 6-month after wave 1) will be analysed. The full cohort of wave 1 participants will be weighted to represent the age, sex, ethnicity, and roles profile of the workforce at each Trust, and the weighted prevalence and cumulative incidence of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-injury will be described. Two-level random effects logistic regression models will be used to investigate the relationship between suicidal behaviour and self-harm, and demographic characteristics (age, sex, ethnicity) and workplace factors (concerns regarding access to personal protective equipment, re-deployment status, moral injury, confidence around raising and the management of safety concerns, support by supervisors or managers, satisfaction with standard of care provided). Results will be stratified by role (clinical/non-clinical).

scholarly journals Moral Distress and Perceived Community Views Are Associated With Mental Health Symptoms in Frontline Health Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha Smallwood ◽  
Amy Pascoe ◽  
Leila Karimi ◽  
Karen Willis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Moral Distress ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Mental Health Concerns

Background: Sudden changes in clinical practice and the altered ability to care for patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic have been associated with moral distress and mental health concerns in healthcare workers internationally. This study aimed to investigate the severity, prevalence, and predictors of moral distress experienced by Australian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A nationwide, voluntary, anonymous, single time-point, online survey of self-identified frontline healthcare workers was conducted between 27th August and 23rd October 2020. Participants were recruited through health organisations, professional associations or colleges, universities, government contacts, and national media. Results: 7846 complete responses were received from nurses (39.4%), doctors (31.1%), allied health staff (16.7%) or other roles (6.7%). Many participants reported moral distress related to resource scarcity (58.3%), wearing PPE (31.7%) limiting their ability to care for patients, exclusion of family going against their values (60.2%), and fear of letting co-workers down if they were infected (55.0%). Many personal and workplace predictors of moral distress were identified, with those working in certain frontline areas, metropolitan locations, and with prior mental health diagnoses at particular risk of distress. Moral distress was associated with an increased risk of adverse mental health outcomes. Feeling appreciated by the community mitigated this risk in healthcare workers. Conclusions: Safeguarding healthcare workforces during crises is important for both patient safety and workforce longevity. Targeted interventions are required to prevent or minimise moral distress and associated mental health concerns in healthcare workers during COVID-19 and other crises.

scholarly journals Burnout in Intensive Care Unit Workers during the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single Center Cross-Sectional Italian Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 6102
Author(s):  
Nino Stocchetti ◽  
Giulia Segre ◽  
Elisa R. Zanier ◽  
Michele Zanetti ◽  
Rita Campi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽  
Burnout Syndrome ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychological Burden ◽  
Increased Risk

The COVID-19 pandemic had a massive impact on the Italian healthcare systems, which became overwhelmed, leading to an increased risk of psychological pressure on ICU workers. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of distress (anxiety, depression and insomnia symptoms), burnout syndrome and resilience in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and to detect potential factors associated with their psychological response. This cross-sectional, survey-based study enrolled 136 healthcare workers assisting COVID-19 patients in the new COVID-19 ward (Intensive Care Unit), at Milano Fiera, Lombardy. Participants completed an online survey that comprised different validated and standardized questionnaires: Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Resilience Scale for adults (RSA), Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Socio-demographic and work characteristics were also collected. Out of 136 ICU specialists, there were 84 nurses (62%) and 52 physicians (38%). Over half (60%) met the criteria for burnout, with nearly the same percentages among nurses and physicians. Nurses reported significantly higher scores of anxiety and insomnia levels. Forty-five percent of participants reported symptoms of depression (of whom 13.9% in the clinical range) and most of the staff showed moderate to high levels (82.4%) of resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic can have a significant impact on ICU staff. Effective interventions are needed to maintain healthcare professionals’ mental health and relieve burnout. Follow-up and tailored procedures should be provided to alleviate the psychological burden in the frontline staff at highest risk.

scholarly journals News consumption and risk perception of Covid-19 in Spain

Comunicar ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (66) ◽  
pp. 71-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Mora-Rodríguez ◽  
Inmaculada Melero-López
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Fake News ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Autonomous Communities ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Government ◽  
Medios De Comunicacion

Spain is one of the countries that has been most severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. In times of uncertainty and stress, the media plays an important role in disseminating information. This study establishes which factors affected risk perception regarding the Coronavirus, which factors determined trust in the measures taken by the Government, and how the presentation of information influenced the spread of fake news. To answer these questions an online survey was created and was completed by 2,034 people from different autonomous communities in Spain, using two multiple linear regression models, as well as different bivariate techniques for parametric statistical analysis. The data shows increased risk perception among the sectors with greater exposure to news about the Coronavirus. A second conclusion refers to the role played by an individual's pre-existing political biases, such as ideology, and their effects on the trust placed in the measures adopted by the Government. In addition, the analysis conducted shows that sectors that follow the news more closely are not immune to the spread of fake news. This research highlights the importance of communication in risk perception and the need to conduct further research in this field, in terms of the psychological, social, and economic implications of this phenomenon. España ha sido uno de los países más azotados por la pandemia de la Covid-19. En un contexto de incertidumbre y estrés, los medios de comunicación desempeñan un papel relevante en la difusión de información. En esta investigación se determinan qué factores influyeron en la percepción del riesgo ante el Coronavirus, qué elementos condicionaron la confianza en las medidas adoptadas por el ejecutivo, y cómo influyó la exposición informativa a la propagación de fake news. Para responder a las cuestiones se realizó un cuestionario online en el que participaron 2.034 personas de diferentes comunidades autónomas de España, poniéndose a prueba dos modelos de regresión lineal múltiple, además de diferentes técnicas bivariadas de análisis estadístico paramétrico. Los datos evidencian una mayor percepción del riesgo entre los sectores con mayor exposición informativa a noticias sobre el Coronavirus. Una segunda conclusión referencia el papel que desempeñan las predisposiciones políticas previas del individuo, como la ideología, en la confianza que inspiran las medidas adoptadas por el Gobierno. Asimismo, los análisis realizados muestran que los sectores que realizan un mayor seguimiento informativo no son inmunes a la propagación de fake news. Esta investigación pone de manifiesto la importancia que desempeña la comunicación en la percepción del riesgo, y la necesidad de ahondar en este campo, por las implicaciones psicológicas, sociales y económicas que implica dicho fenómeno.

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