Stress Salivary Biomarkers Variation during the Work Day in Emergencies in Healthcare Professionals

Objective: The work of health professionals in hospital emergency rooms is highly demanding due to the decisions they must take. In the present study, we consider assessing stress response in emergency health workers, measuring related biomarkers such as cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and salivary α-amylase during the whole working day. Method: An analytical, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out. The study was conducted in the emergency rooms of two public hospitals. Ninety-seven professionals participated, 45 corresponding to one hospital and 52 to the other. Four salivary samples were obtained according to circadian rhythms: at 8:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 00:00 h/24 h. The data were subsequently analyzed. Results: Cortisol levels decreased throughout the working day, with minimum values being at 24 h. A similar pattern was observed in DHEA. The α-amylase levels increased throughout the working day, reaching its peak at 15:00 h, and decreasing at 24 h, compared to the data from the rest of the working day. Conclusions: Since reference/baseline values are not presented, this work is focused on a stress situation experienced during one regular working day in emergency rooms with no extreme situations. In this context, stress, measured through cortisol and α-amylase, is present in emergency room doctors and nurses. However, the increase in DHEA, due to its anabolic condition, could counteract their effect, suggesting a positive effect on their professional actions.

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The Role of Speech-language Pathologists in the Hospitals of Pakistan

Iranian Rehabilitation Journal ◽

10.32598/irj.19.2.1335.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 165-172

Author(s):

Mehwish Zikria ◽

◽

Nazia Mumtaz ◽

Ghulam Saqulain ◽

Muhammad Naveed Babur ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Professionals ◽

General Medicine ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Medical Professionals ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Working Day ◽

Level Of Understanding ◽

Night Shifts

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and perception of the role of speech therapists by other medical professionals in public hospitals. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 200 healthcare professionals with >1year of job experience at the workplace of both genders and any age. Besides, the study subjects were selected using a non-probability convenience sampling approach. The study sample was recruited from 25 District and Tehsil Headquarter Hospitals from April 1, 2019, to September 30, 2019. A basic demographic datasheet and the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) survey were used for data collection. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS. Results: Out of the total 200 eligible professionals from different departments, the Mean±SD scores of the responses were highest (75.14±24.87) in pediatric medical professionals. Moreover, the lowest scores (46.70±0.01) concerned Intensive Care Unit (ICU) experts; this difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). Similarly, a significantly higher Mean±SD score of 74.05±20.04 was noted for those working day shifts, compared to that of (35.01±8.52) those working in night shifts (P<0.001). Discussion: The knowledge and perception of different healthcare professionals serving in public hospitals vary regarding the role of SLPs. Such differences concern their profession, with pediatrics presenting the highest level of understanding, followed by general medicine. However, psychiatry and ENT professional provided the least understanding in this area. The professionals working in day shifts suggested better knowledge and perception, compared to night shifts staff.

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Burnout among healthcare professionals in Nepal: An analytical study

International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health ◽

10.3126/ijosh.v11i2.37259 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 89-94

Author(s):

Marina Vaidya Shrestha ◽

Naresh Manandhar ◽

Sunil Kumar Joshi

Keyword(s):

Analytical Study ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Time Pressure ◽

Health Workers ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Moderate Level ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Administrative Work

Introduction: The greater risk of burnout among healthcare professionals is likely to develop an adverse effect on their personal life and the patients’ care. The main aim of this study was to assess the levels of burnout experienced by healthcare workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to March 2021 among healthcare professionals working in different institutions. A convenient sampling technique was applied. An online questionnaire was developed using Google Forms. Results: The total burnout score among health professionals ranged from low (9.5%), moderate (89.5%) to high (1%). The burnout scores reported were of moderate level among doctors (89%) and nurses (92.2%). There was a negative correlation between burnout and compassion satisfaction (r = - 0.207: p<0.003). Healthcare professionals perceived burnout from time pressure (22.2%), followed by administrative work (20.1%) and dealing with patient’s relatives (13.5%). The identified effective way to minimize burnout was family support (29.1%), friends (21.2%), and their interest/hobbies (15.4%). Conclusion: Healthcare professionals in Nepal bear a moderate level of burnout. The main sources of burnout experienced by health workers were time pressure, administrative work, and dealing with patients’ relatives.

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Sleep Characteristics of Healthcare Professionals in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Journal of Biomedical Research & Environmental Sciences ◽

10.37871/jbres1285 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (7) ◽

pp. 604-609

Author(s):

Duygu Zorlu ◽

Veysel Akca

Keyword(s):

Sleep Disturbances ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Health Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Face To Face ◽

Security Guards ◽

Common Group ◽

The Difference

Introduction: Sleep disturbances and anxiety are the first physical reflections observed in healthcare professionals. The aim was to reveal the sleep characteristics and moods of healthcare professionals during the pandemic for making improvements and provide support. Methods: This study is observational and cross-sectional study and was carried out in a training and research hospital in Kirsehir, Turkey. A total of 48 nurses, 25 doctors, 37 assistant health personnel, 12 security guards, and 25 medical secretaries were included, of which 147 were healthcare professionals and 50 were not healthcare professionals (control group). Three questionnaires were used; two to measure sleep, one to measure stress. The volunteer participants were administered face-to-face Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Beck Stress Scale (BSS) simultaneously and scored individually. These scores were evaluated separately for demographic characteristics and their association with occupational groups. Results: A total of 197 people were included in the study, of which 147 were healthcare professionals, and 50 were not healthcare professionals (control group). The average age of the participants was 34.15 ± 9.18 years. The participants’ average PSQI (6.25 ± 3.24), ESS (7.46 ± 3.16), and BSS (11.26 ± 4.65) were calculated. The difference between the BSS (p < 0.01) and PSQI (p < 0.05) values of women and men was statistically significant. BSS and PSQI values were low in security guards. However, these values were high in nurses. The occupational experience of the participants in all three scales was not statistically significant. It was higher in the control group than the healthcare professional group. However, these differences between the groups were not statistically significant. Discussion and Conclusion: In the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no difference in sleep and anxiety characteristics between health workers and non-health workers and the most common group of healthcare professionals with anxiety, sleep disorders was nurses. Based on the results, women and nurses between the ages of 31-35 should be given priority in support of healthcare professionals.

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Availability and use of personal protective equipment and satisfaction of healthcare professionals during COVID-19 pandemic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Archives of Public Health ◽

10.1186/s13690-021-00668-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 79 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Wakgari Deressa ◽

Alemayehu Worku ◽

Workeabeba Abebe ◽

Muluken Gizaw ◽

Wondwossen Amogne

Keyword(s):

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Addis Ababa ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Background Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are at the frontline in the fight against COVID-19 and are at an increased risk of becoming infected with coronavirus. Risk of infection can be minimized by use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE). The aim of this study was to assess the availability and use of PPE, and satisfaction of HCPs with PPE in six public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1134 HCPs in June 2020. A systematic random sampling and consecutive sampling techniques were used to select the study participants. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data and Chi-square test was used to assess the association between the groups. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess factors associated with satisfaction of healthcare workers. Results The mean (±SD) age of the participants was 30.26 ± 6.43 year and 52.6% were females. Nurses constituted about 40% of the overall sample, followed by physicians (22.2%), interns (10.8%), midwives (10.3%) and others (16.7%). The majority (77%) of the HCPs reported that their hospital did not have adequate PPE. A critical shortage of N95 respirators was particularly reported, it only increased from 13 to 24% before and during COVID-19, respectively. The use of N95 increased from 9 to 21% before and during COVID-19, respectively. Almost 72% of the respondents were dissatisfied with the availability and use of PPE in their hospital. The independent predictors of the respondents’ satisfaction level about PPE were healthcare workers who reported that PPE was adequately available in the hospital (adjusted OR = 7.65, 95% CI:5.09–11.51), and preparedness to provide care to COVID-19 cases (adjusted OR = 2.07, 95% CI:1.42–3.03). Conclusions A critical shortage of appropriate PPE and high level of dissatisfaction with the availability and use of PPE were identified. Therefore, urgent efforts are needed to adequately supply the healthcare facilities with appropriate PPE to alleviate the challenges.

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Burnout among Healthcare Professionals in Ghana: A Critical Assessment

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2020/1614968 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Stephen T. Odonkor ◽

Kwasi Frimpong

Keyword(s):

Health Worker ◽

Work Experience ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Health Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Percentage Score ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

Acute Crisis

Health workers are prone to burnout, which can have an adverse effect on their person and the patients to whom care is offered. The goal of this paper was to assess the levels of burnout experienced by healthcare workers in Accra, Ghana. The study was conducted using the cross-sectional study design. Questionnaires were used to obtain data from 365 respondents who worked in 12 major healthcare facilities. Data obtained were analyzed with SPSS version 23. Majority of the respondents were females (56.7%) as against males (43.3%). The total score for all burnout variables among health worker groups ranged from good (71.50%), alarming (12.60%), acute crisis (6.02%), and burnout (9.90%). Among the health worker groups, nurses had the highest percentage score values for all burnout variables. There was an association between burnout and these sociodemographic characteristics: age (p<0.001), gender (p=0.003), educational qualification (p<0.001), occupation (p<0.001), years of work experience (p<0.001), marital status (p<0.001), and parenthood (having children) (p<0.001). It is recommended that measures should be put in place in Ghanaian hospitals to assess stress and burnout levels to ensure people who are going through such situations are properly cared and supported.

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Predictors of job satisfaction in public hospitals in Belgrade, Serbia: a cross-sectional study

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.409 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

K Tripković ◽

M Odalović ◽

S Mladenović Janković ◽

A Nešković ◽

M Jakovljević

Keyword(s):

Job Satisfaction ◽

Health Care ◽

Work Stress ◽

Health Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Health Care Managers ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Care Managers

Abstract Background Growing evidence has suggested that job satisfaction in the health-care system can affect productivity, the quality of service, and patient safety. Knowledge regarding job satisfaction of health workers and its determinants is valuable to health-care managers for decision making in the field of personnel policy. This study was aimed to assess job satisfaction among health workers in public hospitals in Belgrade, Serbia and identify its associated factors. Methods This was a cross-sectional study, carried out within 24 hours, in December 2018, as a part of a national survey, which is conducted annually in all health care institutions in Serbia. Data were collected by self-administered structured questionnaire, which was distributed to all health workers who were at work at the time of the survey (11,588 health workers in 26 public hospitals in Belgrade). The completed questionnaires were returned by 9,203 health workers, which constituted the response rate of 79.4%. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to identify factors significantly and independently associated with a higher level of job satisfaction. Results Overall, 31.4% of the respondents were satisfied with their job. Age less than 35 years [AOR = 1.40; 95% CI (1.18-1.67)], no work stress [AOR = 2.66; 95% CI (1.94-3.65)], satisfaction with time for accomplishment of tasks [AOR = 1.92; 95% CI (1.64-2.26)], satisfaction with recognition and value of health workers’ engagement [AOR = 1.79; 95% CI (1.51-2.13)], and satisfaction with leadership style and work organization [AOR = 1.90; 95% CI (1.60-2.26)] were identified as determinants with highest influence at job satisfaction. Conclusions Less than third of health workers in Belgrade’s hospitals were satisfied with their job, while satisfaction with various aspects of the job, age, and work stress, were identified as predictors. The results of this study could be useful in proposing strategies to improve job satisfaction of health workers. Key messages The job satisfaction of health workers in Belgrade’s hospitals is low. Health-care managers should pay attention to create an environment that promotes job satisfaction and reduces work stress.

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Factors associated with serious vehicular accidents: A cross‐sectional study in hospital emergency rooms

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology ◽

10.1111/bcp.14427 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Karelle Forest ◽

Guillaume Valdenaire ◽

Jean‐Paul Lorendeau ◽

Patricia Sagaspe ◽

Benjamin Contrand ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Emergency Rooms ◽

Hospital Emergency ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated

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Assessment of knowledge of drug-food interactions among healthcare professionals in public sector hospitals in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0259402 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (11) ◽

pp. e0259402

Author(s):

Emmanuella Chinonso Osuala ◽

Boikhutso Tlou ◽

Elizabeth Bolanle Ojewole

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Adequate Knowledge ◽

Kwazulu Natal ◽

Administration Time ◽

The Mean ◽

Structured Questionnaire

Background Foods and the nutrients they contain can interact with drugs and thereby interfere with their therapeutic safety and efficacy. Adequate knowledge of healthcare professionals (HCPs) about drug-food interactions can help in preventing potential drug-food interactions among patients. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of HCPs about common drug-food interactions. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out among 459 HCPs from three public hospitals in eThekwini district, KwaZulu-Natal between November 2018, and January 2019. Informed consent was obtained from the HCPs, and a structured questionnaire was thereafter administered. Data were analysed using SPSS® version 25. Factors associated with knowledge of the HCPs were determined using logistic regression analysis. Results Of the 459 participants, 22.2% (n = 102) were doctors, 11.3% (n = 52) pharmacists, 63.8% (n = 293) nurses and 2.6% (n = 12) dietitians. Most of the HCPs were females 79.7% (n = 366), the mean age of the HCPs was 38.61±0.48. The knowledge score of the HCPs was 22.66±0.25 out of an overall score of 46. The HCPs poorly identified food types that interact with drugs and correct administration time of drugs relative to meals. Being a pharmacist (OR: 14.212, CI: 4.941–40.879, p<0.001), doctor (OR: 5.223, CI: 2.146–12.711, p<0.001), or a dietitian (OR: 5.476, CI: 1.103–27.191, p = 0.038) was associated with higher knowledge of drug-food interactions. Conclusion The HCPs in this survey had low drug-food interaction knowledge. These findings suggest the need for additional training and educational courses for the HCPs on drug-food interactions.

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Collaboration among healthcare professionals at the public hospitals in Gaza: a quantitative study

Journal of Integrated Care ◽

10.1108/jica-09-2020-0057 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Iyad Ibrahim Shaqura ◽

Radwan Baroud ◽

Ali Akbari Sari

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Interprofessional Collaboration ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Content Type ◽

The Public

PurposeThis study aimed at assessing the current interprofessional collaboration (IPC) among healthcare professionals at the public hospitals in the Gaza Strip in 2016 through measuring the average level, and also examind the influence of professionals' characteristics on their collaboration.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative, cross-sectional study using a valid and reliable self-administered questionnaire on a 5-point Likert scale was conducted. A total of 323 participants from six health professions completed the questionnaire which was analyzed using SPSS version 20 by applying descriptive tests, t-test, ANOVA and inferential analysis (Scheffe test); the statistical significance was considered at p = 0.05.FindingsThe interprofessional collaboration was moderate (71.66%). “General relationships” elicited the highest mean score (3.943) due to participants' belief in its importance, whereas “community linkages and coordination of care” was the lowest (3.181) as a result of the restricted policy in this regard. Gender, age, profession and position have shown statistically significant variables on the overall collaboration. In short, there are differences in the performance of IPC domains and even within items of the same domain.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was conducted at only public hospitals; in addition, it was a cross-sectional study, so the causation relationships are difficult to assess. Moreover, the questionnaire was on self-administered basis which might result in misread or misunderstood bias.Originality/valueThis was the first study in the Palestinian context on collaboration between multiple professions using a comprehensive and reliable assessment tool.

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