scholarly journals The Attitudes and Professional Approaches of Dental Practitioners during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Poland: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Author(s):  
Monika Tysiąc-Miśta ◽  
Arkadiusz Dziedzic

The coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put enormous pressure on health care systems around the world. Dentistry has had to adjust to the new epidemic situation to not only bring relief to suffering patients but also to avoid becoming a source of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Methods: A comprehensive, cross-sectional survey was conducted between April 6 and 16, 2020 among 875 Polish dental practitioners. The aim of the research was to assess dentists’ attitudes and professional approaches resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: 71.2% of dentists who responded to the questionnaire decided to suspend their clinical practice during that particular time. The main factors for this fact were the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), the respondents’ subjective perceptions of the risk of COVID-19 contraction and a general feeling of anxiety and uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 situation. The authors observed a significant decrease in the number of patients admitted weekly in April 2020 (12.06; SD, 11.55) in comparison to that in the time before the state of pandemic was declared on March 11, 2020 (49.21; SD, 24.97). Conclusions: Due to the unpreparedness of the dental sector, both in national health and private settings, most of the Polish dentists decided to voluntarily suspend their clinical practice in order to mitigate the spread of the disease. The COVID-19 outbreak has revealed numerous shortcomings in the dental care system, especially regarding the insufficient coordination of health services related to the pandemic and lack of advanced PPE. This has led to an overwhelming feeling of fear, confusion and anxiety among dental professionals in Poland and a sudden decrease in the number of performed dental procedures. Hopefully enriched with the recent experience and due to the implementation of proper strategic and long-term measures, dental practitioners will be better prepared and adapted to global health care disruptions in the future.

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 1745-1748
Author(s):  
Zaid Bin Sohail ◽  
Muhammad Salman Chishty ◽  
M. Shairaz Sadiq ◽  
Farhan Riaz ◽  
Mehwish Munawar ◽  
...  

Objective: To assess the knowledge about different mandibular nerve block techniques of fresh dental graduates, dental surgeons and specialists to attain mandibular nerve block for dental treatment in Multan. Design of the Study: It was a cross-sectional survey. Study Settings: This study was carried out at Department of Dentistry at Multan Medical & Dental College, Nishtar Institute of dentistry (Nishtar Medical University) and Bakhtawer Amin Dental College from August 2019 to August 2020. Material and Methods: The study involved 220 respondents. The questionnaire was administered to fresh dental graduates (house officers) and dental surgeons in 3 dental colleges of Multan, and was collected on the same day. House officers who did not return the forms were reminded personally and contacted on the phone thrice over the following week. Results of the Study: The frequency of respondants who could administer Gow-Gates without supervison was 20.9% (n=46). Participants from NID, Multan had the highest frequency (35.3%) with the lowest in BIMDC (16.6%)and MMDC(20.6%). The differences were non-significant (p=0.19). Significantly higher frequency of male respondants (10%, n=22) claimed they could administer Gow-Gates without supervison compared to female respondants (5.4%, n=12, p=0.012, Chi-Square). Training for Gow-Gates had been received by 12.7% (n=28) of the House Officers and dental surgeons. The Highest frequency of training was in NID, Multan (5.4%, n= 12, p= 0.016, chi-square). Conclusion: The majority of the dental practitioners of Multan used IANB as their primary LA technique and intraligamental injections as a supplemental LA technique in their clinics to attain mandibular molars anesthesia for general dental procedures like fillings, root canals and extractions. Keywords: Mandibular local anesthesia, Inferior alveolar nerve block, Gow-Gates technique


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Seth Kwame Agyenkwa ◽  
Cosmos Yarfi ◽  
Adjoa Nkrumah Banson ◽  
Woyram Abla Kofi-Bediako ◽  
Ulric Sena Abonie ◽  
...  

Background. The use of standardized outcome measures is an aspect of good clinical practice and essential to the rehabilitation of patients suffering from stroke. Literature reports regarding the extent of usage of outcome measures in stroke rehabilitation by physiotherapists globally are inconsistent. In addition, the patronage of outcome measures in stroke rehabilitation in low-resourced countries is uncertain. Objective. This study was conducted to assess the current practice of physiotherapists in Ghana regarding the use of standardized outcome measures in the rehabilitation of stroke patients. Method. A descriptive cross-sectional survey, was used involving 105 registered physiotherapists in Ghana. A 35-item adapted questionnaire was used to collect data on some commonly used outcome measures and frequency of use by physiotherapists for stroke patients. Results. A total of 55 (52.4%) physiotherapists did not use outcome measures in their clinical practice. Physiotherapists below 40 years of age use outcome measures (64.7%) more than those 41 years and above (6.7%). Physiotherapists working in public facilities in Ghana are more likely to use outcome measures (56.2%) than those in private facilities (16.2%). Physiotherapists who attend to 1-10 patients in a week used outcome measures more (32.4%) than physiotherapists who attend to more than 30 patients (3.8%) in a week. Conclusion. There is poor usage of outcome measures by Ghanaian physiotherapists, with more than half of the participants not using any standardized outcome measures for rehabilitation of patients in their practice. Physiotherapists who attends to fewer number of patients in a week are more likely to use outcome measures. There is the need for implementation of policy and guidelines on the use of outcome measures by the Allied Health Professions Council and the Ghana Physiotherapy Association.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 308-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pishoy Gouda ◽  
Aoife Kirk ◽  
Anne-Marie Sweeney ◽  
Diarmuid O’Donovan

ABSTRACTObjective:With the rising incidence of health care emergencies, there has been a considerable burden placed on health care systems worldwide. We aimed to determine the willingness and capacity of medical students in Ireland to volunteer during health care emergencies.Methods:An online, cross-sectional survey of medical students at the National University of Ireland was conducted in 2015.Results:Respondents totaling 274 completed the survey (response rate – 30.1%). Of participants, 69.0% were willing to volunteer in the event of a natural disaster and 59.1% in an event of an infectious epidemic, with altruism being the strongest motivational factor. Only a minority of students (23.7%) felt their current skill level would be useful in an emergency setting.Conclusions:Medical students express a strong interest in actively participating during health care emergencies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
Mayur Nath Reddy ◽  
Hemalatha K

Introduction: The Internet seems to provide a new opportunity to overcome problems of access and provide clinically appropriate information to practitioners. However, while use of the Internet for clinical information has grown substantially in recent years. Access to the Internet has been improving rapidly for all professional groups. Dental professionals in clinical practice have been increasing opportunities to obtain information for clinical decision-making from a variety of resources, including a growing availability through online technology.Objectives:1)      To assess the frequency of utilizing online sources of information for practical guidance.2)      To assess the influence of online sources of information on practical guidance.Materials and Methods: A Cross-sectional survey was carried out among 386 private dental practitioners in Bangalore city. A self-administered, structured questionnaire containing 16 items was used (including demographic details). Cronbach's α was found to be 0.87 for each item. Statistical analysis was done using chi-square test.Results: 81.6% (n=315) of private dental practitioners use the Internet as their source of information for clinical practice. Only 18.4% (n=71) do not use, the main reason for not using internet is lack of time and it is too complicated to use. 44.8% (n=173) rated on online source as most influential and 45.6% (n=176) frequently using online source for guidance. Information was primarily sought on patient education, oral disease, updates on common disease, and diagnosis. Medline was the most frequently accessed source.Conclusion: A relatively large proportion of dental practitioners uses information from online sources for practical guidance. The Internet could be a valuable medium for the information, provided, that its use is accompanied by training in the identification, use, and application. 


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dahai Zhao ◽  
Hongyu Zhao ◽  
Paul D Cleary

Objectives Despite increasing research attention on public trust in health care systems, empirical evidence on this topic in the developing world is limited and inconclusive. This paper examines the level and determinants of public trust in the health care system in China. Methods We used data from a survey conducted with a sample of 5347 adults in all Chinese provincial areas between January and February 2016. Trust in the health care system was assessed with a question used by the 2011–2013 International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) to assess public trust in the health care systems of 29 industrialized countries and regions (‘In general, how much confidence do you have in the health care system in your country?’). Results Only 28% of respondents reported that they had a great deal or complete trust in China’s health care system. Respondents who reported to have more trust in other people in society, more trust in the local government and who were more satisfied with their most recent health care system experience and their health insurance were significantly more likely to trust the country’s health care system. Furthermore, respondents who reported a higher level of happiness, better health status and positive attitudes towards social equity were more likely to trust the health care system in China. Conclusions Our findings suggest that low public trust in China’s health care system is a potential problem. Improving health care experiences may be the most practical and effective way of improving trust in the health care system in China.


Author(s):  
Sebastian Michel ◽  
Christian Witt ◽  
Jens Gottlieb ◽  
Clemens Aigner

AbstractThe current COVID-19 pandemia affects health care systems worldwide, however, to a variable extent depending on the caseload in each country. We aimed to provide a cross-sectional overview of current limitations or adaptions in lung transplant programs in Germany in from January to May 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. A cross-sectional survey assessing various aspects of lung transplant activity was sent to all active lung transplant programs (n = 12) in Germany. Eight centers (66%) responded to the survey within the requested time frame. Four centers (50%) reported their activity is not restricted at all and four centers (50%) reported on moderate general limitations. The overall lung transplant activity in Germany from January to May 2020 contains 128 bilateral and 11 single lung transplantations, which is similar to the same period in the year 2019 (126 bilateral transplantations and 12 single lung transplantations). The results suggest that the influence of the COVID-19 pandemia on lung transplantation activity in Germany has been moderate so far. Nevertheless, adaptions such as extensive testing of donors and recipients were introduced to reduce the likelihood of infections and increase patient safety. Alertness to changes in COVID-19 reproduction rates might be required until effective antiviral therapy or vaccination is available.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amie Steel ◽  
Matthew Leach ◽  
Caragh Brosnan ◽  
Vicky Ward ◽  
Iva Lloyd

Abstract Background The contemporary evidence-based practice model acknowledges the importance of patient preferences and clinician experience when applying evidence within a clinical setting. Knowledge mobilisation (KM) acknowledges the complexities of knowledge translation by recognising and respecting diversity in types of knowledge and how such diversity can influence health care and health care choices. While there has been considerable discussion on KM in health care, it has received little attention in the field of naturopathy. Despite naturopathy’s widespread international use, it is unclear how naturopathic practitioners (NPs) use and share knowledge and information in clinical practice. This study examines the mobilisation of knowledge amongst NPs internationally. Methods Online, international, cross-sectional survey of a self-selected sample of NPs from any country, that were either currently in clinical practice or had been in practice within the previous 12 months. The survey was administered in five languages (English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, German). Descriptive statistics were prepared for all survey items. Results The survey was completed by 478 NPs who reported using an average of seven (median = 7, SD = 2.6) information sources to inform patient care. NPs also drew on knowledge gained through patients sharing their perspectives of living with their health condition (Always/Most of the time: 89.3%). They mostly sought knowledge about how a treatment might benefit a patient, as well as knowledge about treatment safety and a better understanding of a patient’s health condition. NPs frequently reported sharing knowledge developed through consideration of the patient’s unique needs (83.3%), and primarily shared knowledge by producing information for the public (72.6%) and for patients (72.2%). Conclusions Based on these findings, it may be argued that NPs practice knowledge mobilisation; employing multiple forms and sources of knowledge, and mobilising knowledge to - as well as from - others. Due to their active engagement in patient and community education, NPs also may be considered knowledge brokers. In the context of the growing understanding of the complexities of knowledge translation and mobilisation in contemporary health care – and particularly within the context of implementation science – this study provides novel insights into an under-researched element of health services accessed by the community.


Author(s):  
Nandhini Subramaniam ◽  
Arvind Muthukrishnan

Introduction: Bone antiresorptive drugs are commonly prescribed for osteoporosis, Paget's disease, multiple myeloma, metastasis-associated with breast/prostate cancer. The most common complication of these drugs is the risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw. Maximum precautions should be taken in these patients before undertaking invasive dental procedures as they are at risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw. Thus, the purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge and practice among the dental practitioners in managing patients on these group of drugs. Aim: To assess the knowledge and practice regarding the management of patients under bone anti-resorptive therapy among dental practitioners in Saveetha Dental College. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-prepared and pre-validated questionnaire containing 13 close-ended questions on knowledge and practice among 150 dental practitioners in Saveetha Dental College. Results: Out of 150 Dental practitioners, 69% were female and 31% were male. About 33% of dentists had more than 2 years of experience while 67% had less than 2 years of experience. Qualification distribution revealed 50.7% of dental specialists and 49.3% dental graduates. The mean score of Knowledge and practice was high among males when compared to females, high among dental specialists with more than 2 years of experience. Conclusion: The practitioners are aware of the antiresorptive group of drugs, its indication, and oral complication. The management protocol, precautions needed to treat these patients for any invasive dental procedures are well understood by the Dental practitioners.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document