Multiple Sclerosis and Sexuality: A Survey of MS Health Professionals' Comfort, Training, and Inquiry About Sexual Dysfunction

When health care professionals were asked about their perceptions of, assessment of, and treatment methods for sexual dysfunction, they acknowledged that sexual dysfunction was a frequent problem for MS patients, although few addressed the issue with their patients. Most also believed that very few of the patients actually sought help for sexual dysfunction. In addition to comfort level and training as the strongest predictors determining inquiry behavior, respondents indicated that lack of time with patients was an important factor in not inquiring about sexual function. As a whole, the group had minimal training in human sexuality. This questionnaire-based study found that amount of training was a significant predictor of both comfort level in discussing sexual functioning and the frequency in which discussions were initiated with patients. The results suggest that more training would facilitate MS health care professionals' comfort and assessment behaviors of sexual dysfunction. (Int J MS Care. 2003; 5: 37–38, 44–51)

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Evaluation of "Life with Diabetes" Patient Education Booklets

The Diabetes Educator ◽

10.1177/014572178601200113 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 51-54 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Fredric M. Wolf ◽

Lisa Sylvest Sherwood ◽

Martha M. Funnell

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Patient Education ◽

Process Evaluation ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Diabetes Patient ◽

Diabetes Research ◽

Training Center ◽

And Training

Evaluation of written patient education materials is a necessary part of pro viding education to pa tients with diabetes. Evaluation, however, is useful only if the needs of both those who use the materials (patients) and those who recommend and distribute the materials (health care professionals) are considered. Eight booklets in the "Life with Diabetes" patient educa tion series (developed by the Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center) were evaluated by both health professionals and patients. Twenty-eight to 37 health professionals including nurses, dieti tians, and physicians evaluated each booklet. Their comments were used to revise and im prove the booklets before publication (formative or process evaluation).

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The Silent Sympathy: A Study of Attitudes toward Spontaneous Abortion

International Quarterly of Community Health Education ◽

10.2190/1xye-0xvj-t2q9-0lnh ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 79-91 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Dorothy M. Hai ◽

Deborah H. Sullivan

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Spontaneous Abortion ◽

Emotional Support ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Delivery Of Health Care ◽

Support Systems ◽

Support Needs ◽

Average Rating ◽

And Training

A study of 560 health professionals and students indicated widespread sympathy for miscarriage patients: 83 per cent of respondents rated the emotional support needs of miscarriage patients above the average rating they provided for seventeen other medical conditions. Interestingly, those involved in the delivery of health care were less likely than those not involved to rate emotional support needs of miscarriage patients higher than average. The need to provide strong emotional support systems for these women and training for health care professionals is stressed.

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BARRIERS IN CLINIC TO DISCUSSING SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION DUE TO MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry ◽

10.1136/jnnp-2015-312379.6 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 86 (11) ◽

pp. e4.151-e4

Author(s):

Katarina Ivana Tudor ◽

Stefani Eames ◽

Collette Haslam ◽

Jalesh Panicker

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Sexual Interest ◽

Sexual Problems ◽

Men And Women ◽

Consultation Room ◽

Bladder Symptoms ◽

Common Barriers ◽

And Training

BackgroundSexual dysfunction is underdiagnosed in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Little is known about barriers faced by patients and health care professionals (HCPs) in discussing sexual problems.Patients and methods74 PwMS (20 male, 54 female (mean age 45,877±8,823 years)) and 99 HCPs (8 male, 91 female; 82 (83%) nurses) completed questionnaires evaluating barriers to discussing sexual problems in clinic and sexual dysfunction (MSISQ-15 and ASEX), specifically developed for this study.ResultsSymptoms that interfere most with sexual activity are: Takes too long to orgasm (69.11%), bladder symptoms (66.17%), less intense orgasm (66.17%), lack of sexual interest (60.29%), genital numbness (50%). Most common barriers cited by patients include the prominence of other MS symptoms (43.5%), presence of family/friends in consultation room (41.8%), not being asked (37.3%). HCPs identified presence of family/friends in consultation room (57.6% agree), faced lack of knowledge (48.4% agree), patient not ready (44.3% agree), lack of time (42.2%).ConclusionsSexual dysfunction is common in both men and women following multiple sclerosis. However both patients and HCPs face barriers to addressing the problem. Providing time and privacy during the consultation to discuss sexual dysfunction, and training to HCPs will help to address these barriers.

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Experiences of Volunteers Supporting Parents Following a Fatal Fetal Anomaly Diagnosis

Qualitative Health Research ◽

10.1177/1049732320987834 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104973232098783

Author(s):

Stacey Power ◽

Keelin O’Donoghue ◽

Sarah Meaney

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Peer Support ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Fetal Anomaly ◽

Voluntary Organizations ◽

Face To Face ◽

Bereaved Parents ◽

Collaborative Working ◽

And Training

Ireland has had a reliance on voluntary groups to provide peer-to-peer bereavement support. The aim of this study was to explore volunteers’, within these voluntary groups, experiences of supporting parents following a fatal fetal anomaly diagnosis. Purposive sampling was used to recruit volunteers ( n = 17) and face-to-face interviews undertaken. NVivo12 was utilized to assist in the thematic analysis of the data. Five themes; “motivation for altruistic acts,” “being challenged,” “value of education and training,” “supporting volunteers to support others,” and “it is not a sprint, it is a marathon” were identified. Volunteers felt comfortable in their peer-support role but found the lack of knowledge regarding newly implemented termination of pregnancy (TOP) services challenging. The importance of education/training was identified, emphasizing the need for collaboration with health care professionals and other voluntary organizations for support. The findings illustrate the need for collaborative working between health care professionals and volunteers to assist them in supporting bereaved parents.

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The effect of multimodal comprehensive care methodology training on oral health care professionals’ empathy for patients with dementia

BMC Medical Education ◽

10.1186/s12909-021-02760-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Masaki Kobayashi ◽

Mio Ito ◽

Yasuyuki Iwasa ◽

Yoshiko Motohashi ◽

Ayako Edahiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Oral Health ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Dental Treatment ◽

Oral Care ◽

Training Programme ◽

Comprehensive Care ◽

Dental Hygienists ◽

People With Dementia

Abstract Background The prevalence of oral diseases in people with dementia has increased, and patients with dementia have worse oral health than people without dementia. However, in the provision of oral care, these patients often exhibit care-resistant behaviours. Empathy is important for health care professionals who provide dental care for people with dementia. A study was conducted to assess whether a multimodal comprehensive care methodology training programme, Humanitude™, was associated with an improvement in empathy for people with dementia among oral health care professionals. Methods This research was a pre-post prospective study. A total of 45 dentists and dental hygienists participated in a 7-h multimodal comprehensive care methodology training programme. Participants’ empathy for their patients was evaluated with the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy-Health Professionals Version (JSPE-HP) before the training and 1 month after the training (primary outcome). Each participant listed 3 patients with poor oral health due to the refusal of usual oral care or dental treatment from his or her clinical practice. The oral health of the 3 care-resistant patients listed by each participant was evaluated by the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) before the training and 1 month after the training (secondary outcome). Results The post-training response rate was 87% (21 dentists and 18 dental hygienists). From pre-training to post-training, the multimodal comprehensive care methodology training significantly increased the mean empathy score (from 113.97 to 122.95, P < 0.05, effect size = 0.9). Regardless of gender, profession and years of clinical experience, all post-training subgroup scores were higher than the pre-training subgroup scores. The tongue, natural teeth, and oral hygiene scores of patients with dementia who resisted usual oral care or dental treatment, as assessed by the OHAT, were significantly improved compared with those before the training. Conclusions The multimodal comprehensive care methodology training was associated with an improvement in oral health professionals’ empathy for patients with dementia. These findings suggest that randomized controlled trials with large sample sizes will be needed. Trial registration UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR), UMIN000041687. Registered 4 September 2020 – Retrospectively registered, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000047586

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Advanced Care Planning for Persons With Dementia in Primary Care: Attitudes and Barriers Among Health-Care Professionals

Journal of Palliative Care ◽

10.1177/0825859718812463 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 248-254 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Linda Lee ◽

Loretta M. Hillier ◽

Jason Locklin ◽

Jennifer Lee ◽

Karen Slonim

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Health Care ◽

Family Practice ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Comfort Level ◽

Care Planning ◽

Memory Clinic ◽

Point Scale ◽

Collaborative Memory ◽

Regular Family

Background: Advance care planning (ACP) provides clarity on goals and preferences for future health-care decisions, the timeliness of which is critical for persons with dementia. Aim: This study assessed Primary Care Collaborative Memory Clinic (PCCMC) health-care practitioners’ desire for more education on ACP, capacity for and attitudes toward ACP, and current ACP practices in their regular family practice and in their PCCMC. Methods: Primary Care Collaborative Memory Clinic health-care professionals completed a questionnaire in which they rated their interest in learning various ACP-related topics (5-point scale: not at all to very much so), attitudes toward ACP, and the importance of and perceived degree of responsibility for ACP (5-point scale: not at all to extremely). Respondents estimated ACP completion in regular family practice and PCCMC. Results: Two hundred and sixty one surveys were completed. Mean knowledge ratings were moderate (M = 3.0) and mean ratings of interest in ACP topics were all high (median ≥ 4). Despite the perception that ACP is very important (M = 4.9) and the responsibility of PCCMCs (M = 3.7), the majority of respondents estimated that 40% or fewer patients have had ACP. Ratings of willingness to conduct ACP (M = 3.7) and comfort level (M = 3.4) were moderate but significantly exceeded ratings of ability (M = 2.9), comfort (M = 3.5), and confidence (M = 2.8). Conclusion: There was a striking disconnect between perceptions of the importance of completing ACP for persons with dementia and actual ACP completion rates. Primary Care Collaborative Memory Clinics may be in an ideal position to support ACP discussions; however, there is a need to improve health-care professionals’ knowledge and attitudes toward ACP.

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Assessing Apps for Patients with Genitourinary Tumors Using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS): Systematic Search in App Stores and Content Analysis (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.17609 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Miguel Ángel Amor-García ◽

Roberto Collado-Borrell ◽

Vicente Escudero-Vilaplana ◽

Alejandra Melgarejo-Ortuño ◽

Ana Herranz-Alonso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Health Care ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Mobile Application ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cancer Symptoms ◽

Genitourinary Cancers

BACKGROUND The large number of available cancer apps and their impact on the population necessitates a transparent, objective, and comprehensive evaluation by app experts, health care professionals, and users. To date, there have been no analyses or classifications of apps for patients with genitourinary cancers, which are among the most prevalent types of cancer. OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to analyze the quality of apps for patients diagnosed with genitourinary cancers using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) and identify high-quality apps. METHODS We performed an observational cross-sectional descriptive study of all smartphone apps for patients diagnosed with genitourinary cancers available on iOS and Android platforms. In July 2019, we searched for all available apps for patients with genitourinary cancers (bladder, prostate, cervical, uterine, endometrial, kidney, testicular, and vulvar) or their caregivers. Apps were downloaded and evaluated, and the general characteristics were entered into a database. The evaluation was performed by 2 independent researchers using the MARS questionnaire, which rates 23 evaluation criteria clustered in 5 domains (Engagement, Functionality, Esthetics, Information, and Subjective Quality) on a scale from 1 to 5. RESULTS In total, 46 apps were analyzed. Of these, 31 (67%) were available on Android, 6 (13%) on iOS, and 9 (20%) on both platforms. The apps were free in 89% of cases (41/46), and 61% (28/46) had been updated in the previous year. The apps were intended for prostate cancer in 30% of cases (14/46) and cervical cancer in 17% (8/46). The apps were mainly informative (63%, 29/46), preventive (24%, 11/46), and diagnostic (13%, 6/46). Only 7/46 apps (15%) were developed by health care organizations. The mean MARS score for the overall quality of the 46 apps was 2.98 (SD 0.77), with a maximum of 4.63 and a minimum of 1.95. Functionality scores were quite similar for most of the apps, with the greatest differences in Engagement and Esthetics, which showed acceptable scores in one-third of the apps. The 5 apps with the highest MARS score were the following: “Bladder cancer manager,” “Kidney cancer manager,” “My prostate cancer manager,” “Target Ovarian Cancer Symptoms Diary,” and “My Cancer Coach.” We observed statistically significant differences in the MARS score between the operating systems and the developer types (P<.001 and P=.01, respectively), but not for cost (P=.62). CONCLUSIONS MARS is a helpful methodology to decide which apps can be prescribed to patients and to identify which features should be addressed to improve these tools. Most of the apps designed for patients with genitourinary cancers only try to provide data about the disease, without coherent interactivity. The participation of health professionals in the development of these apps is low; nevertheless, we observed that both the participation of health professionals and regular updates were correlated with quality.

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Efficacy of a brief online mindfulness-based intervention on the psychological well-being of health care professionals and trainees during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed method design

Health SA Gesondheid ◽

10.4102/hsag.v26i0.1682 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 ◽

Author(s):

Iram Osman ◽

Shaista Hamid ◽

Veena S. Singaram

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Health Care ◽

Mixed Method ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Well Being ◽

Personal Accomplishment ◽

Intervention Analysis ◽

Health Crisis ◽

The Impact

Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, health professionals were pushed to the front line of a global health crisis unprepared and resource constrained, which affected their mental well-being.Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a brief online mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on stress and burnout for health professionals training and working in South Africa during the COVID-19 crisis.Setting: The context of the study is the overburdened, under-resourced health care system in South Africa during a global pandemic.Methods: A mixed method framework was adopted for this study. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive analysis and the participants’ qualitative experiences were interpreted using interpretative phenomenological analysis.Results: Forty-seven participants took part in this study. The study found a statistically significant (p 0.05) reduction in stress levels and emotional exhaustion as well as an increase in mindful awareness and feelings of personal accomplishment after the intervention. The participants’ shared experiences were analysed in two parts. The pre-intervention analysis presented with central themes of loss of control and a sense of powerlessness because of COVID-19. The post-intervention analysis comprised themes of a sense of acquired control and empowerment through increased mindfulness.Conclusions: The study found that a brief online MBI can be associated with reduced levels of stress and burnout as well as an increased sense of control and empowerment, felt both personally and professionally, during a global crisis.Contribution: The impact of an online MBI for health care professionals amidst a pandemic has not been previously documented.

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The Efficacy of an Antioppression Curriculum for Health Professionals

Family Medicine ◽

10.22454/fammed.2018.227415 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 51 (1) ◽

pp. 22-30 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Diana Wu ◽

Lamercie Saint-Hilaire ◽

Andrew Pineda ◽

Danielle Hessler ◽

George W. Saba ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Teaching Methods ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Health Care Disparities ◽

Unconscious Bias ◽

Survey Response Rate ◽

The Mean ◽

Skill Building

Background and Objectives: Health professionals increasingly recognize the role that social determinants play in health disparities. However, little focus is placed on how health care professionals themselves contribute to disparities through biased care. We have developed a curriculum based on an antioppression framework which encourages health professionals to evaluate their biases and combat health care disparities through an active process of allyship. Methods: Teaching methods emphasize skill building and include lectures, guided reflections, and facilitated discussions. Pre- and postsurveys were administered to assess participants’ confidence level to recognize unconscious bias and to be an ally to colleagues, patients, and staff. In total, we conducted 20 workshops with a total of 468 participants across multiple disciplines. Results: The survey response rate was 80%. Using a paired t-test, the mean difference in the pre- and postsurveys revealed a statistically significant improvement across all measures. Participants showed the greatest improvements (large effect size d>0.8) in their understanding of the process of allyship, their ability to describe strategies to address, assess, and recognize unconscious bias, and their knowledge of managing situations in which prejudice, power, and privilege are involved. Conclusions: Results show that an antioppression curriculum can enhance health professionals’ confidence in addressing bias in health care through allyship. For those who value social justice and equity, moving from the role of bystander to a place of awareness and solidarity allows for one’s behaviors to mirror these values. Allyship is an accessible tool that all health professionals can use in order to facilitate this process.

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ATTITUDE AND PRACTICING BEHAVIOUR AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS REGARDING HANDWASHING:A TOOL TO PREVENT EMERGING AND RE-EMERGING INFECTIONS.

10.36106/ijsr/5813050 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-3

Author(s):

Syed Waseem Tahir ◽

Sahila Nabi ◽

Shazia Javaid

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Hand Hygiene ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Hand Washing ◽

Emerging Infections ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Attitude And Practice

Background: Hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to control health care related infection. Every year millions of patients around the world are affected by infections that are transmitted by the health-care professionals(HCPs).(2)(3). Rationale: Nurses and physicians are the main health care workers contacting with patients, representing the vector in the chain of infection. Thus, assessing their knowledge, attitude and practice regarding hand hygiene is very important to decrease the incidence of health care related infection and to improve quality of care. Objective: The objective of our study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of handwashing among healthcare professionals of Kashmir Division. Methods: This study was an institutional based cross sectional study, conducted in various healthcare institutions of Kashmir Division which were selected randomly. A predesigned questionnaire was used to collect the data from the participants. The questionnaires contained questions about four different parts which included sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of hand washing, attitude and practice of hand washing among healthcare professionals. The questionnaires were distributed to various healthcare professionals working in wards, emergency department, laboratories, outpatient departments, injection and dressing rooms, EPI unit and others. The distributed questionnaires were then collected back. Results: A total of 110 participants were included. Out of total 110 participants,53% were male ,36% were nurses 36% of health professionals were working in IPD (In Patient Department). 89% of the participants agreed that, direct or indirect contacts are the most important routes for transmission of hospital-acquired infections,97% agreed that  proper and consistent hand washing prevents infections in health facilities,100% agreed that health professionals should always wash their hands immediately when they arrive at health institutions,98% said that they knew steps of handwashing(WHO)/rules of hand hygiene,91% agreed that hand washing is the single most effective mechanism to prevent spread of infection and 95% agreed that wearing jewellery, artificial fingernails, damaged skin and regular use of hand cream are associated with increased likelihood of colonisation of hands with harmful germs. 83% of the participants said that they are committed to the proper rules of hand hygiene all the time,78% said they comply with rules of hand hygiene even in emergencies,80% said that they think when they are wearing gloves it is not necessary to wash hands,92% feel irritated when others don’t follow hand hygiene rules,95% advice others to follow the rules of hand hygiene and 97% said it is easy for you to follow rules of hand hygiene. 40%(each) of the participants said that they always and usually wash hands before touching a patient,100% of the participants said that they always wash hands before performing aseptic and clean procedures, 100% of the participants said that they always wash hands after being at risk of exposure to body fluids and 95% of patients said that they wash hands after coming to and before leaving the hospital. DISCUSSION In this study we had a total of 110 participants. Health professionals had a satisfactory knowledge of hand hygiene but some lacunae are still there as is evident in the result part. Thus from this study we conclude adherence to handwashing is lacking among health professionals, so we need to have regular handwashing sessions for health professionals which will regularly sensitize them, also we need to address the reasons of this poor adherence both at the administrative and personal level. We also recommend to conduct more studies in this field so as to highlight the shortcomings in hand hygiene and then to improve upon them.

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