scholarly journals Shift to Virtual Self-Management Programs During COVID-19: Ensuring Access and Efficacy for Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Sanchez-Villagomez ◽  
Claudia Zurlini ◽  
Maggie Wimmer ◽  
Linda Roberts ◽  
Bertilia Trieu ◽  
...  

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant uncertainty and disruption to many aspects of daily living, including physical activity, socialization opportunities, and access to healthcare services. Under these conditions, at-risk older adults are even more likely to be inactive and isolated, leading to potential exacerbation of musculoskeletal and chronic conditions and emotional distress. This case study provides an overview of our experience and best practices developed during our shift from onsite programming to virtual.Methodology: HSS utilized varied online approaches, including phone/video conference classes, webinars, on-demand videos and email campaigns to successfully transition programs. Due to this shift, HSS changed its evaluation to an online approach, using a mixed method to adequately assess the impact of programs.Results: Between April and August 2020, our virtual programs reached 428,766 participants, resulting in a 10,807% increase in program reach. Most participants assessed were 60 years or older (72%) and reported knowledge (85%) and self-management skills (83%) gained as well as high program satisfaction (90%). Analyses of program data did not show any statistical significant difference in self-reported health outcomes. However, qualitative results showed virtual programming helped to foster social connectivity during COVID-19, helped to build a daily routine, and positively impacted mental and physical health.Conclusion: Shifting to virtual programming in the face of the pandemic enabled us to deliver effective programs affording our community the opportunity to stay physically active and socially connected despite the quarantine orders.

Author(s):  
Dasari Tejaswini ◽  
Suhas Kulkarni ◽  
Dolar Doshi ◽  
Adepu Srilatha

AbstractBackgroundAesthetic alterations in the face can be self-perceived and can affect quality of life in young adults.ObjectiveTo assess the impact of malocclusion on self- perceived oro-facial behaviour among young adults.MethodsA Cross sectional study was conducted among 638 young adults (aged 18–21 years) of Hyderabad city. One college from each of the five zones of the Hyderabad city (five colleges) were selected by simple random sampling procedure. A 21-item Oro-facial investment scale (OFIS) questionnaire assessing self-perceived oral health knowledge, attitude, practice and Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) assessing the severity of malocclusion was used. Data were analysed with standard statistical software (SPSS, Statistical package for the social sciences, version 20.0). p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsMales had higher mean scores for knowledge (2.90 ± 0.49) than females (2.73 ± 0.82) and was statistically significant (p = 0.002*). No statistically significant gender differences were found in relation to attitude and practice. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that there was a significant difference in all the three scores (knowledge, attitude, practice) with respect to age, with significantly high score for knowledge and practice among 18 year old subjects (p = 0.0001*; p = 0.0003* respectively) and attitude among 21 year old subjects (p = 0.0049*). No statistically significant age, gender differences were found in relation to DAI scores. Upon correlation, DAI significantly and positively correlated with knowledge (p = 0.03*) and attitude (p = 0.0001*).ConclusionThis study has shown significant impact of malocclusion on the self-perceived oro-facial behaviour.


2021 ◽  
pp. 240-251
Author(s):  
Márcia Greguol ◽  
Cristiana Conti ◽  
Bruno Marson Malagodi ◽  
Bruna Barboza Seron ◽  
Elaine Cappellazzo Souto ◽  
...  

The global pandemic caused by the COVID-19 has profoundly changed the daily life of most of the world population. People with disabilities have been particularly affected by these changes, which often have accentuated their isolation and marginalization also due to greater difficulties in accessing healthcare services. People with disabilities have also been impacted in relation to their ability to participate in physical activity with even more adverse consequences for their quality of life and health. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity practice of people with disabilities and to understand the changes that caregivers have perceived for the participation in physical activity of this specific population. It emerged that, regardless of the type of disability, people with this condition experienced drastic reductions in their physical activity levels during the pandemic and in most cases did not have access to any type of remote guidance. Furthermore, a higher prevalence of sedentary behavior and negative changes in eating habits have been reported by the caregivers, highlighting the need for specific strategies and initiatives for people with disabilities to maintain healthy habits and a physically active lifestyle.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 844-853
Author(s):  
Nicholas L. Lerma ◽  
Chi C. Cho ◽  
Ann M. Swartz ◽  
Hotaka Maeda ◽  
Young Cho ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility and acceptability of a seated pedaling device to reduce sedentary behavior (SB) in the homes of older adults. Methods: Each participant (N = 20) was outfitted with an activity monitor and seated pedaling device in the home for 7 days and randomly assigned to one of four light-intensity pedaling groups (15, 30, 45, and 60 min/day). Results: There was 100% adherence in all groups and significant group differences in the minutes pedaled per day (p < .001), with no significant difference in the total pedaling days completed (p = .241). The 15-, 30-, 45-, and 60-min groups experienced a 4.0%, 5.4%, 10.6%, and 11.3% reduction in SB on the days pedaled, respectively. Conclusion: Clinically relevant reductions in SB time were achievable in this 1-week trial. Long-term adherence and the impact of replacing SB with seated light activities on geriatric-relevant health outcomes should be investigated.


Author(s):  
Juan Chaves ◽  
Antonio A. Lorca-Marín ◽  
Emilio José Delgado-Algarra

Different studies show that mixed methodology can be effective in medical training. However, there are no conclusive studies in specialist training on advanced life support (ALS). The main objective of this research is to determine if, with mixed didactic methodology, which includes e-learning, similar results are produced to face-to-face training. The method used was quasi-experimental with a focus on efficiency and evaluation at seven months, in which 114 specialist doctors participated and where the analysis of the sociodemographic and pre-test variables points to the homogeneity of the groups. The intervention consisted of e-learning training plus face-to-face workshops versus standard. The results were the performance in knowledge and technical skills in cardiac arrest scenarios, the perceived quality, and the perception of the training. There were no significant differences in immediate or deferred performance. In the degree of satisfaction, a significant difference was obtained in favour of the face-to-face group. The perception in the training itself presented similar results. The main limitations consisted of sample volume, dropping out of the deferred tests, and not evaluating the transfer or the impact. Finally, mixed methodology including e-learning in ALS courses reduced the duration of the face-to-face sessions and allowed a similar performance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aladine A Elsamadicy ◽  
Andrew B Koo ◽  
Wyatt B David ◽  
Victor Lee ◽  
Cheryl K Zogg ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Mounting evidence supports the presence of heterogeneity in the presentation of ependymoma patients with respect to location, histopathology, and behavior between pediatric and adult patients. However, the influence of age on treatment outcomes in ependymoma remains obscure. Methods The SEER database years 1975–2016 were queried. Patients with a diagnosis of ependymoma were identified using the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, Third Edition, coding system. Patients were classified into one of 4 age groups: children (age 0–12 years), adolescents (age 13–21 years), young adults (age 22–45 years), and older adults (age &gt;45 years). The weighed multivariate analysis assessed the impact of age on survival outcomes following surgical treatment. Results There were a total of 6076 patients identified with ependymoma, of which 1111 (18%) were children, 529 (9%) were adolescents, 2039 (34%) were young adults, and 2397 (40%) were older adults. There were statistically significant differences between cohorts with respect to race (P &lt; .001), anatomical location (P &lt; .001), extent of resection (P &lt; .001), radiation use (P &lt; .001), tumor grade (P &lt; .001), histological classification (P &lt; .001), and all-cause mortality (P &lt; .001). There was no significant difference between cohorts with respect to gender (P = .103). On multivariate logistic regression, factors associated with all-cause mortality rates included males (vs females), supratentorial location (vs spinal cord tumors), and radiation treatment (vs no radiation). Conclusions Our study using the SEER database demonstrates the various demographic and treatment risk factors that are associated with increased rates of all-cause mortality between the pediatric and adult populations following a diagnosis of ependymoma.


2003 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 1598-1602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Malone ◽  
Sharon A Alger-Mayer

BACKGROUND: Pharmacists, especially those in community practice, should increase their level of intervention in dealing with the nationwide epidemic of obesity since they interact with large numbers of the public on a regular basis. We hypothesized that patients who receive medication for weight loss may have an improved therapeutic outcome if they received additional support from their community pharmacist. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of pharmacist support on patient persistence with orlistat. METHODS: Pharmacists were trained in basic obesity management skills. Patients who were prescribed orlistat and attending an outpatient nutrition program were invited to participate in the study. All patients agreed to receive pharmaceutical care. Those who lived where the service was available were assigned to the intervention (I) group and those who did not were assigned to the control (C) group. All patients received usual care provided by the outpatient clinic. RESULTS: Thirty patients, 15 in the I group and 15 in the C group, were recruited. Both groups were predominantly women (87%) with a mean ± SD age of 43.8 ± 9.7 years. Patients in the I group had significantly greater persistence with orlistat therapy as assessed by duration of therapy (p = 0.006) and number of patients completing the 26-week study (7 I, 2 C; p = 0.046). There was no significant difference in percent of weight loss between groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, patients receiving pharmaceutical care took orlistat longer than the controls and had improved outcome with orlistat therapy.


2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Muñoz Campos

The Chilean education system requires English language teachers to be equipped with non-conventional teaching strategies that can foster meaningful learning and assure successful learners’ performances in diverse and complex settings. This exploratory, descriptive, research study aimed at discovering the perceptions of 54 pre-service teachers about the impact of a problem-based learning activity in the development of key competencies, including higher order thinking skills and reflective, research, knowledge transfer/integration, social, and self-management skills. Groups of participants chose a made-up, ill-structured problem which combined language teaching and socio-cultural issues, and devised holistic solutions. Findings suggest a comprehensive impact on the first four skills, but a limited impact on social and self-management skills.


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