Allied Health Care Professionals Research Articles

Introduction and accuracy assessment of Nicolab’s StrokeViewer in a developing stroke thrombectomy UK service. A Service Development / Improvement Project.

AimTo evaluate the implementation of an AI software in a quaternary stroke center as well as assess the accuracy and efficacy of StrokeViewer software in large vessel occlusion detection and potential impact on radiological workflow. Materials and methodsData were collected during two separate three months’ periods comparing the accuracy rate of StrokeViewer in large vessel occlusion to a junior registrar. During the first three months, 37 cases were identified and during the second leg 47. The second leg of the study was performed due to a high number of technical failures during the first one and an attempt to improve those via communication with the manufacturer and co-operation between allied healthcare professionals. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. ResultsTechnical failure rate was 25% in the first leg and reduced to 17% in the second leg, showing a trend to statistical significance. Specificity and sensitivity of StrokeViewer were similar in the two legs of the study, measuring 91% and 93% initially and 94% and 93% finally, respectively. Efficacy was comparable to that of the junior registrar with StrokeViewer demonstrating 92% accuracy during the first leg vs 95% by the junior registrar and 93% in the second leg vs 98% by the junior registrar. These did not show statistical significance. ConclusionThis is a real-life analysis of StrokeViewer efficacy and its potential failures, showing a reduction in failure rate, accuracy rate of a junior registrar and sensitivity and specificity values close to the advertised ones.

Survey Defining Lip Health-Dermatology and Health Care Providers' Perspectives.

There currently exists no consensus on objective features which are relevant in the assessment of overall lip health. This study seeks to identify features and factors that are associated with healthy lips. This survey will ultimately enable clinicians to objectively track lip health for clinical evaluations and clinical research. An anonymous survey was conducted among allied healthcare professionals in-person and through email. The survey contained questions designed to assess the importance of features of lip health using a 5-point Likert scale. Features included lack of lip dryness; even tone or lack of hyperpigmentation; lip smoothness; lip color; lip shine, radiance, or luster; definition of the vermillion border/defined lip contour; lip fullness or plumpness; lack of lip lines; and lip firmness. The final questions prompted respondents to select the top three most important features when assessing lip health and to provide any additional pertinent factors. A total of 334 responses were received, including board-certified dermatologists (35.9%), dermatology residents (14.7%), and other healthcare specialties (49.4%). The features most cited were lack of lip dryness (65.8%), lip smoothness (38.4%), even tone or lack of hyperpigmentation (38.1%), definition of the vermillion border/defined lip contour (28.0%). Survey results reveal that lip dryness, lip smoothness, lack of hyperpigmentation, and definition of the vermillion border/defined lip contour were the features most associated with lip health. The results from this survey will provide a basis for future research in the field of lip health, research, and clinical treatment.

Resistance for Disrupting Inequities and Fostering Social Justice in Nursing: A Discussion.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual overview of resistance and argue for the need to embrace resistance as a part of nurses' professional repertoire for disrupting inequities and fostering social justice in both nursing education and practice. Discursive article. Published peer reviewed literature on 'resistance' and 'professional resistance' in nursing, medicine, social work and other allied health care professions. Enhancing critical consciousness and engaging in intersectional collaboration are promising strategies to embrace resistance for collective action towards disrupting inequities and injustices in nursing education and practice. Embracing and legitimising resistance in everyday individual and social interactions in educational and practice settings is instrumental to fostering social justice in nursing. Without resistance, nurses may risk jeopardising enactment of moral and ethical responsibilities and suppressing their professional values of caring and compassion. Nurses can embrace resistance in practice to counteract social injustice and promote diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and antiracism in clinical and educational settings. Research demonstrated that perceived and real inequities and injustices are common in nursing in the form of individual and structural racism, sex and gender discrimination, power imbalances and incivility. Nurses' engagement in resistance and increased capacity to resist injustices and incivilities can play an instrumental role in disrupting professional inequities in clinical practice and education. There was no patient or public involvement in the design or writing of this discursive article.

Concussion Assessment and Management Self-efficacy Among Irish Clinicians.

This study explored concussion assessment and management self-efficacy and practices of allied healthcare professionals in Ireland. (1) Self-efficacy levels and practices vary across different concussion assessment and management skills, (2) the ability to practice skills impacts self-efficacy most. Cross-sectional. Level 3. Survey of allied healthcare professionals (285 responders), investigating (1) demographics, (2) concussion assessment (immediate and office) and management (postconcussion advice and management/rehabilitation) self-efficacy levels and practices, and (3) factors affecting self-efficacy. Levels of self-efficacy among clinicians were 64.5 ± 26.6 (immediate assessment) and 56.6 ± 25.4 (postconcussion advice) (highest scores: concussion symptom checklist [80 ± 28.4], physical rest advice [80.1 ± 27.8]; lowest: Child Sport Concussion Assessment Tool [44.6 ± 41.2] and nutrition advice [34.1 ± 33.7]). Overall levels of self-efficacy among Certified Athletic Therapists and Chartered Physiotherapists were 51.5 ± 20.1 (assessment) and 62.1 ± 20.9 (management) (highest scores: history/clinical evaluation nonspecific to concussion [86.6 ± 16.2], physical rest advice [86.3 ± 20]; lowest: paper/pencil neuropsychological test [16.7 ± 28.6], advice on medication use [39.2 ± 35]). A strong positive correlation was observed between clinician self-efficacy and frequency of use of overall (r = 0.795; P < 0.01) and immediate (r = 0.728; P < 0.01) assessment, advice (r = 0.805; P < 0.01), and management (r = 0.812; P < 0.01) skills. Factors with greatest positive impact on clinician self-efficacy were the ability to practice skills during clinical placement (3.3 ± 0.9) and remaining emotionally (3.3 ± 0.8) and physically (3.3 ± 0.8) calm while practicing. Clinicians in Ireland had moderate self-efficacy in concussion care. Those who used concussion-relevant skills frequently in practice displayed higher self-efficacy for those skills. Concussion-related self-efficacy can be enhanced through practice in a clinical environment and through experiencing composure while practicing.

Could resistance training prevent or improve work-related musculoskeletal disorders among surgeons?

Studies have demonstrated the negative impact that work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have on surgeons. These are also likely to affect some allied healthcare professionals such as interventional radiologists. Problems from WMSDs include pain, diminished technical and cognitive performance, and work absence. These could contribute to burnout, to which surgeons are already vulnerable owing to other working practices such as shift patterns and long hours. WMSDs could negatively affect working performance, and lead to poorer surgical outcomes and patient care. Surgeons are at risk of WMSDs of the neck and back that result from fixed and damaging postures while operating. Some have reduced their operation numbers and working days as result of WMSDs. Theatre ergonomics (e.g. table positioning, operating stools and monitors), intraoperative breaks and stretching may improve WMSDs for some. Strength/resistance training (RT) may be used to prevent or mitigate WMSDs. RT can also enhance general health and concentration, and combat intraoperative fatigue. Low engagement times of moderate-intensity RT of 20 minutes, twice a week, improve neck and back pain from WMSDs. Moreover, RT has been shown to reduce all-cause mortality by up to 15%, increase bone density, improve proprioception and reduce the fear of movement due to pain. Alongside ergonomic improvement and stretching, we recommend RT as an activity to improve general health and WMSDs.

Introducing patient stories in health sciences education: the learning experiences of students

BackgroundIt has been advocated that the development of medical school curricula must be informed by students, doctors in training, educators, employers, other health and social care professionals and patients, families and carers. Patients are widely employed to teach clinical and interpersonal skills, and while recognised as crucial in health education, they have mostly been offered a passive role. We assessed the impact of patients contributing personal illness narratives in the master curriculum of allied health care professionals on students’ learning experiences.MethodsWe designed a module (Patient and Society) for a master’s degree programme in Health Sciences at the University of Southern Denmark in collaboration with six patients. The patients contributed to the teaching by sharing and discussing their personal illness narrative. At the end of the module, as part of the exam, we asked the students to reflect on the patients’ contribution to the module and how this affected their learning experiences. The 500-word exam responses of 29 students were analysed, in collaboration with six patients, using thematic analysis.ResultsIncluding patients’ illness narratives lifted students’ academic learning, and their personal and professional development. The stories brought theoretical concepts to life; it helped the students to obtain, retain, and apply academic knowledge. Actively and uninterrupted listening to patients’ illness experiences promoted empathy and critical reflection on clinical practice. Faced with the impact of a disease on a person’s life, seeing the healthcare system through a patient’s lens made students reflect critically on the medical positivist model ruling the health care system focused on just fixing the medical problem with very little room for the illness experience.ConclusionOur analyses support previous findings indicating that patient narratives are a powerful tool to achieve academic and professional development. Working with patients in health education has the potential to work towards a more inclusive epistemological stance in the health care system and health research.

2284 NHS staff experiences of racism from patients and carers: survey from a London older persons service

Abstract Introduction There is growing awareness of the harms caused by racial abuse and discrimination from patients towards healthcare professionals, including anecdotal reports of patients ‘requesting a white doctor’ (Kline, BMJ Opinion, 2020); yet there is limited understanding of the impact in Geriatric settings. We conducted a survey in an inpatient Older Persons Service (OPS) on the prevalence, impact and actions taken in response to patient racism towards staff. Methods A cross-sectional survey (Total N = 47; Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) staff: N = 32; White staff: N = 15) of staff experiences of racist behaviour from patients and carers (July 2021) in a tertiary level inpatient OPS in an ethnically diverse London borough, both in terms of patients and staff, in the United Kingdom. The survey was developed in collaboration with OPS staff and the BME network. The anonymous survey was offered to all nurses, doctors, allied healthcare professionals and non-clinical staff on two 26-bed wards. Results Sixty-nine percent (22/32) of BME staff had personally experienced racist behaviour from older patients, while witnessing racism towards colleagues was reported by 62% (18/29) of BME staff and 80% (12/15) of White Staff. Sixty-seven percent (30/45) of respondents had witnessed a patient request a different ethnicity of healthcare professional. The majority of racist incidents went unchallenged and unreported with only 39.1% challenging the patient or carer, 21.7% reporting to a senior and 8.7% reporting via the electronic incident reporting system. The impact of such incidents on staff well-being included self-reported depression (56%, n = 11/21), anxiety about work (28%, n = 6/21) and insomnia (14%, n = 3/21). Conclusion With an ageing population, staff recruitment and retention in Geriatrics is critical. Comprehensive policies that have a zero-tolerance approach to racism, support staff and encourage reporting are crucial. Future research that considers the impact of mental capacity and cognitive impairment would be beneficial.

Exploring the Challenges in Palliative Care As Perceived by the Saudi Physicians: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Palliative care is essential for managing patients with life-limiting illnesses. In Saudi Arabia, providing effective palliative care is uniquely challenging due to cultural, religious, and social factors. Despite healthcare advancements, there is a gap in understanding the challenges faced by physicians in palliative care within this context. This study aimed to explore the challenges encountered in palliative care as perceived by physicians in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an electronic questionnaire distributed among physicians involved in palliative care at the specified healthcare institutions. The questionnaire assessed their perceptions of the challenges in palliative care and the influence of their socio-demographic backgrounds on these perceptions. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The age distribution of the enrolled physicians showed that a majority were between 20-40 years old (48.48%, n = 96). Male physicians accounted for 64.65% (n = 128), and females for 35.35% (n = 70). Various specialties were represented, with critical care (15.66%, n = 31) and radiation oncology (16.67%, n = 33) being the most common. Major challenges identified included limited outpatient and inpatient services (54.55%, n = 108), restricted access to allied healthcare professionals (60.61%, n = 120), ethical dilemmas due to triaging (63.13%, n = 125), lack of telemedicine facilities (57.07%, n = 113), and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pain and palliative care research (60.1%, n = 119). Strategies adopted to mitigate these challenges included creating triage systems (54.55%, n = 108), using telemedicine (60.61%, n = 120), advanced care planning (63.13%, n = 125), and providing necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) (60.1%, n = 119). This study highlights significant barriers in palliative care, such as limited services, ethical dilemmas, and lack of telemedicine facilities. Addressing these challenges requires ethical support for healthcare providers, integration of telemedicine, continuous education, and improved access to multidisciplinary care teams, which are crucial for enhancing palliative care quality and ensuring comprehensive patient support.

A qualitative exploration of perceived challenges and opportunities in the implementation of injury prevention and management in amateur female sport.

Coaches, practitioners, and leadership in amateur female sport must navigate many obstacles in the pursuit of athlete availability and optimal performance. The present study aims to evaluate opportunities and challenges to both injury prevention and management in amateur female sport, as experienced by mixed-gender coaches, allied healthcare professionals, and general practitioners. Semi-structured virtual interviews of coaches, allied healthcare professionals, and general practitioners (N = 25), recruited via convenience snowball sample. Data transcribed verbatim with reflexive thematic analysis through a critical realism framework. Female-specific issues, education, and resource capital were challenges to the implementation of injury prevention and management in amateur female sport, thus negatively impacting on performance, prevention, and rehabilitation. Opportunities for improved care for female athletes were developing communication and relationships, outsourcing responsibility, and providing greater education, in response to desires for such, and lastly exposure to elite sport and national governing bodies' protocols. In amateur female sport, developing communication pathways and relationships, along with upskilling coaches, can help better support female athletes, coaches, and healthcare professionals. Leaders and stakeholders must advocate for and support greater education, resourcing, and an understanding of female-specific issues in amateur female sport. It is intended that these findings will provide evidence and opportunities for discourse between stakeholders in amateur female sport to improve standard of supports for female athletes, coaches, and healthcare professionals. These findings may also help practitioners better exploit opportunities and circumvent challenges to improve the welfare and performance of amateur female athletes.

Exploring Factors Affecting the Rollout of a Policy on Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioners in Ireland

Aim. To identify the barriers and enablers to the implementation of a national policy to increase and develop the advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) workforce in Ireland. Background. The Department of Health (Ireland) introduced a policy to increase the number of ANPs to 2% of the nursing workforce. Evaluation provides information to inform successful policy implementation and development of ANP roles in healthcare services. Methods. Qualitative descriptive design. Twenty candidate ANPs participated in four focus groups. Nine key stakeholders were also interviewed. Results. Analysis identified four barriers: lack of infrastructural resources; delay in releasing and arranging replacements for candidate ANPs; role resistance from administration, allied healthcare professionals and other nurses; and lack of organisational readiness. The five enablers were: supportive physicians; Nursing and Midwifery Practice Development Units; supportive directors of nursing; role awareness and clarity; and educational preparation. Conclusions. This evaluation identifies barriers and enablers to the implementation of a national policy to increase the critical mass of advanced practitioners within the healthcare services. Evaluation at the implementation phase informed the roll-out of future advanced practice initiatives. Implications for Nursing Management. To support advanced practice development, leadership, infrastructure, and resource planning are needed to harness known enablers and address identified barriers to the implementation and sustainability of these posts.

Collaborative model of care between orthopaedics and allied healthcare professionals (CONNACT) in knee osteoarthritis: Effectiveness-implementation hybrid randomized controlled trial of a community-based, multidisciplinary, stratified intervention

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical and cost effectiveness of the Collaborative Model of Care between Orthopaedics and Allied Healthcare Professionals (CONNACT), a community-based, stratified, multidisciplinary intervention consisting of exercise, education, psychological and nutrition delivered through a chronic care model to usual hospital care in adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA). MethodsPragmatic, parallel-arm, single-blinded superiority RCT trial. Community-dwelling, ambulant adults with knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade > 1; Knee Injury and OA Outcome Score (KOOS4) ≤ 75) were enrolled. Primary outcome was KOOS4 at 12-months; secondary outcomes included: quality of life, physical performance measures, symptom satisfaction, psychological outcomes, dietary habits, and global perceived effect. Intention-to-treat analysis using generalized linear model (GLM) and regression modelling were conducted. Economic evaluation through a societal approach was embedded. Results110 participants (55 control, 55 intervention) were randomized. No between-group difference found for the primary outcome (MD [95%CI]: -1.86 [-9.11. 5.38]), although both groups demonstrated within-group improvement over 12-months. Among the secondary outcomes, the CONNACT group demonstrated superior dietary change (12 months) and physical performance measures (3 months), and global perceived effect (6 months). While there was no between-group difference in total cost, significant productivity gains (reduced indirect cost) were seen in the CONNACT group. ConclusionCONNACT was not superior to usual care at 1 year. Further efforts are needed to understand the underlying contextual and implementation factors in order to further improve and refine such community-based, stratified care models moving forward. Trial RegistrationClinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT03809975. Registered January 18 2019. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03809975

Integrated Electronic Health Record of Multidisciplinary Professionals Throughout the Cancer Care Pathway: A Pilot Study Exploring Patient-Centered Information in Breast Cancer Patients.

The aim of this pilot study was to first aggregate and then integrate the medical records of various healthcare professionals involved with breast cancer patients to reveal if and how patient-centered information is documented in multidisciplinary cancer care. We aggregated 20 types of medical records from various healthcare professionals such as physicians, nurses and allied healthcare professionals (AHPs) throughout three breast cancer patients' care pathways in a department of breast surgery at a university hospital. Purposeful sampling was used, and three cases were examined. The number of integrated type of records was 14, 14, 17 in case 1, 2 and 3, respectively. We manually annotated and analyzed them exploratively using a thematic analysis. The tags were produced using both a deductive template approach and a data-driven inductive approach. All records were then given tags. We defined patient-centered information related tags and biomedical information related tags and then analyzed for if and how patient-centered information was documented. The number of patient-centered information related tags accounted for 30%, 30% and 20% of the total in case 1, 2 and 3, respectively. In all cases, patient-centered information was distributed across various medical records. The Progress Note written by doctors provided much of the patient-centered information, while other records contained information not described elsewhere in the Progress Notes. The records of nurses and AHPs included more patient-centered information than the doctors' notes. Each piece of patient-centered information was documented in fragments providing from each of the healthcare professionals' viewpoints. The documented information throughout the breast cancer care pathway in the cases examined was dominated by biomedical information. However, our findings suggest that integrating fragmented patient-centered information from various healthcare professionals' medical records produces holistic patient-centered information from multiple perspectives and thus may facilitate an enhanced multidisciplinary patient-centered care.

P035 BSR Digital resources- Spotlights and Podcasts The Story So Far

Abstract Background/Aims The British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) has an eLearning site for members. Due to increasing demand for online learning triggered in part by the COVID pandemic, a decision was made to create a BSR digital learning board and produce a broader range of content. Methods The Digital Learning Board (DLB) was formed in February 2021 consisting of trainees, nurses, Consultant Rheumatologists and Allied Healthcare Professionals from all around the 4 nations. After consultation and discussion, a decision was made to produce two main new formats of resources in addition to the online webinar series that was already established. This included Spotlights where a variety of blended learning resources including webinars, podcasts, eLearning cases and links to relevant journal articles are collated on a topic. The Talking Rheumatology Spotlight podcast series was also developed and shared on streaming platforms such as Spotify, iTunes and the eLearning website. This includes overview podcasts on topics as well as bonus case based episodes. Resources for the wider community (not limited to members) include the podcasts and ‘How to’ resources created for doctors and nurses starting work in the specialty for the first time. Numbers of podcast downloads, views on the eLearning website and quantitative and qualitative feedback is collected via eLearning website. Results The DLB have produced 30 spotlights with the most popular topics being axial spondyloarthropathy, psoriatic arthritis and Sjogren’s. The average rating for this series is 4.5/5. Examples of feedback; “all areas of great interest and very educational”“I really enjoyed the course, the fact that BSR included several podcasts allowed me to complete the course while doing my exercise. Great course really useful for my clinical practice” 28 podcasts have also been produced so far. There have been 15,500 downloads with significant international interest particularly in the US, Europe and Oceania. The most popular episodes so far have been Polymyalgia rheumatica and Sjogren's syndrome. The how to resources for trainees resource has been viewed 3,897 times by 1502 unique users, and the how to for nurses resource has been viewed 3159 times by 1360 unique .Examples of feedback from nurses “I have now been in post for 6 months and have learnt so much with this resource”“Great introductory course to Rheumatology” Conclusion Work is underway to promote the resources, seek feedback and suggestions for further topics. Many face to face education programmes including the BSR’s own are running again but research (1) and behaviour suggest blended learning is here to stay and complements in person learning well. We are exploring this area further through the development of pre course learning for our face-to-face courses. Disclosure R. Benson: None. L. Coulson: Other; Louise works for the BSR as Digital Events Manager. W.J. Gregory: Honoraria; W.G. has received honoraria for speaker and advisory board from Abbive, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB.. J. Lemon: None. Y.L. Man: None. K. Maxey: Other; Kate works for the BSR as events and education officer. D. Pilbury: None. M. Serrano: Other; Marina works for the BSR as acting Head of Education. C. Wincup: None. P.A. Watson: Other; I am employed by the British Society for Rheumatology as Digital Learning Editor (2PA per week). S. Ellis: None. E. Chibueze Mbanasor: None. M. Malik: None. B. Lakshmana Murthy: None.

Clinician Awareness of Stickler Syndromes Among Australian Allied Health Care Professionals.

Stickler Syndromes are multisystem collagenopathies affecting 1 in 7500-9000 individuals and are associated with craniofacial, ocular, auditory, and musculoskeletal complications. Prophylactic retinopexy treatment reduces the risk of retinal detachment, emphasising the need for early detection and multidisciplinary referral. This study evaluated knowledge and awareness of Stickler Syndromes among allied health professionals and their perceived needs for targeted education to improve multidisciplinary care. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken among audiologists, speech pathologists, optometrists, orthoptists, and physiotherapists in Australia. Survey questions included practitioner demographics, awareness and knowledge of Stickler Syndromes, confidence managing Stickler Syndromes, and perception of multidisciplinary care needs for Stickler Syndromes. Of 180 healthcare professions who participated (79% female; 78% aged between 25 and 44 years), 55% indicated that they had heard of Stickler Syndrome, and 14% had directly worked with patients known to have Stickler Syndromes. Practitioners who had were either optometrists, orthoptists, or audiologists. The most recognised clinical sign of Stickler Syndromes was retinal detachment (selected by 66% of optometrists and orthoptists and 16% of other professions), but only 41% of optometrists and orthoptists (27% all respondents) selected cryopexy as a potential management strategy. Vitreous anomaly was recognised as a clinical feature by 20% of all respondents. Overall, 69% of allied health professionals did not feel confident managing Stickler Syndromes, and a similar number of practitioners (69%) indicated that they were willing to attend professional development courses for complex conditions such as Stickler Syndromes. This study provides meaningful insights on awareness and knowledge of Stickler Syndromes among allied healthcare professionals. Targeted clinician education, enhanced communication between healthcare entities, and multidisciplinary care programs can significantly improve the integrated care of Stickler Syndromes leading to better patient outcomes.

Improving the efficiency of clerking patients under an acute medical admission by introducing allied healthcare professionals to the clerking process

Improving the efficiency of clerking patients under an acute medical admission by introducing allied healthcare professionals to the clerking process

Oral health experiences of people living with Parkinson's disease: a scoping review.

Background and aim Parkinson's disease is the fastest growing and second most common progressive neurodegenerative condition in the UK; poised to represent a major societal and health care challenge. The scoping review aims to provide an overview of the literature on the oral health (OH) experiences of people living with Parkinson's, identifying current research gaps and future priorities.Method Search strategies included three electronic databases, two grey literature databases, relevant organisations, specialist journals and hand searching of the reference lists. A data extraction tool was developed and piloted.Results A total of 121 items were included in the review. Four themes were identified: OH impact, education and training, service delivery and wider impacts of OH for people with Parkinson's (PwP). The majority of studies included were cross-sectional in design, describing the OH status of PwP.Conclusion The majority of research to date has focused on OH impact. Areas for future research include use of qualitative studies exploring the experiences, attitudes and priorities of PwP and their care partners. Inclusion of medical, dental and allied health care professionals, together with people with lived experience, is required to develop, implement and evaluate interventions to support OH.

Virtual Reality for Developing Patient-Facing Communication Skills in Medical and Graduate Education: Protocol for a Scoping Review.

Clinician-patient communication is an integral component in providing quality medical care. However, research on clinician-patient communication has shown overall patient discontent with provider communication skills. While virtual reality (VR) is readily used for procedural-based learning in medical education, its potential for teaching patient-facing communication skills remains unexplored. This scoping review aims to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of VR applications used for patient-facing communication skills development in medical education. The primary objective is to synthesize and evaluate the effectiveness of available VR tools and applications used for patient-facing communication skills development in medical education. The secondary objectives are to (1) assess the feasibility of adapting VR applications to develop patient-facing communication skills in medical education and (2) provide an overview of the challenges associated with adapting VR applications to develop patient-facing communication skills in medical education. A total of 4 electronic databases (ERIC, Embase, PubMed, and MEDLINE) were searched for primary peer-reviewed articles published through April 11, 2023. Articles evaluating the implementation of non-, semi-, and fully immersive VR training for patient- or caregiver-facing communication skills training provided to graduate, medical, or other allied health care professions students were included. Studies that assessed augmented reality, mixed reality, artificial intelligence, or VR for non-communication-based training were excluded. Study selection will include a title, abstract, and full-text screening by 4 authors. Data from eligible studies will be extracted and entered into a database and presented in tabular format. Findings will be reported according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for scoping reviews. As of April 11, 2023, the search strategy has been confirmed and the search has been completed. We are currently at the title and abstract screening stage. Once complete, the articles will undergo full-text screening according to eligibility criteria as described in the methods. The findings of this review will inform the development of a graduate-level clinical skills research course within the Institute of Medical Science graduate department at the University of Toronto. It is also expected that these findings will be of interest to other health care-specific faculties inside and beyond our institution. Further, our scoping review will summarize the limited field of literature on VR use in medical communications training and identify areas for future inquiry. DERR1-10.2196/53901.

Oral manifestations of long COVID and the views of healthcare professionals

Introduction Oral manifestations have been observed with this condition; however, little is known about their impact on the healthcare professionals routinely managing these patients.Aims To investigate the prevalence of the oral manifestations of long COVID and the healthcare professionals' views, experiences and practices for managing these conditions.Materials and methods A cross-sectional mixed-methods study, including a self-reported online questionnaire (n = 104) and healthcare professionals' (n = 7) semi-structured interviews, was conducted. Descriptive statistics and reflexive thematic analysis were used to analyse the data.Results In total, 78% of respondents reported one or more oral conditions associated with COVID-19. Changes in the sense of taste and/or smell (58%), dry mouth (48.1%) and mouth sores (45.7%) were frequently reported. Themes identified from healthcare professionals' interviews were areas for research, management and interdisciplinary collaboration.Discussion Allied healthcare professionals may assist dental professionals with managing oral manifestations of long COVID. Inadequate access to NHS dentistry is deterring patients worried about their oral symptoms and the limited oral knowledge of healthcare professionals affects their ability to manage patients.Conclusion Healthcare professionals have observed oral manifestations in individuals diagnosed with long COVID; however, further information and training on this topic would assist them with managing patients and increasing awareness among clinicians.

Post-quake call for action: developing core competencies matrix for Syrian health workers in emergency time

BackgroundThe recent earthquake in Syria has caused widespread devastation, leading to extensive damage and loss of life. Considering the diverse range of disasters and conflicts that have affected Syrian society, health workers must possess essential competencies to effectively manage various types of disasters, including earthquakes. Therefore, this study was undertaken to identify the specific competencies required by Syrian health workers to respond efficiently and effectively to earthquakes.MethodsAn exploratory qualitative study was conducted at the Medical Education Program MEP of the Syrian Virtual University SVU. Nine members of the research team of the MEP, who represent various health specializations in medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy, accepted to take part in this study. Among these, three members have been actively involved in providing health care in hospitals and the field during the Syrian earthquake on 6 February 2023. The Delphi process was adopted to identify competencies. Health workers involved in earthquake response were categorized into nine groups including medical doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, psychological support professionals, medical students, allied healthcare professionals, on-site disaster teams, and managers. The final list was accepted if it achieved more than 80% agreement among the participants in the first, second, and final rounds.ResultsThe study identified 74 competencies (12 knowledge items, 35 skills, and 27 attitudes) essential for health workers to respond effectively to earthquakes. They are categorized into five domains: "Preparing the team for the rescue process during and, after earthquakes, Implementation of the rescue process, Education and psychological support, Research, and development".ConclusionA list of earthquake competencies was identified for health workers. It is hoped that this list will enhance a country’s resilience and will enable decision–makers to support health workers in acquiring these competencies within a very strained health system in Syria and other countries.

Correlation between physical activity and burnout amongst allied healthcare professionals in eThekwini, South Africa.

Allied healthcare professionals face the intricate challenge of preventing burnout, which is marked by emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and diminished personal accomplishment. Physical activity is proposed as a mitigating strategy that promises to reduce and effectively address burnout among allied healthcare professional. The study aimed to determine the correlation between personal accomplishment and burnout among allied healthcare professionals. A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, correlational design following the TREND statement amongst 82 allied healthcare professionals was conducted using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Burnout was assessed using its three diagnostic characteristics: emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment. Participants (45.1%) experienced a low degree of emotional exhaustion, but overall, for the entire group emotional exhaustion was moderate (M = 20.51; standard deviation = 10.5), similar to depersonalisation (M = 6.46; standard deviation ±4.90), with 46.3% of the participants experiencing a low degree of depersonalisation. In the personal accomplishment category, 22% experienced a low degree of personal accomplishment; overall, for the entire group, personal accomplishment was low (M = 33.35; standard deviation = 7.58). Most participants (65.9%) engaged in moderate-intensity physical activities. The number of days performing moderate-intensity physical activity at work significantly increases the odds of allied healthcare professional experiencing low levels of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment by 1.92, 2.33 and 2.09, respectively (p < 0.05). Engaging in moderate-intensity physical activities increases the likelihood of allied healthcare professionals experiencing low emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment degrees. It underscores the importance of implementing physical activity programmes to improve healthcare and alleviate the effect of burnout in allied healthcare professional.