Health Professionals Research Articles

Enhancing epidemic preparedness: a data-driven system for managing respiratory infections

BackgroundEffective epidemic preparedness is critical for minimizing the health and societal impacts of viral respiratory infections. This study details the development of a data-driven early warning system (EWS) designed to improve outbreak detection and response utilizing the data integration and visualization capabilities of Microsoft Power BI.MethodsThis research utilized a structured three-phase approach to design a respiratory infections (RIs) management dashboard. Phase 1, focused on identifying critical variables through literature reviews and expert interviews. In Phase 2, Microsoft Power BI was employed for dashboard development, integrating data from diverse sources. Phase 3 involved usability testing with health professionals who evaluated navigation, data accuracy, decision-support features, providing feedback to enhance visualization clarity and filtering capabilities.ResultsKey data categories include individual-level variables, such as age, symptoms, and vaccination records, alongside population-level metrics like infection rates and regional vaccination coverage enabling functionalities such as identifying high-risk individuals, tracking infection dynamics, and optimizing resource allocation. The dashboard, developed using Power BI visualizes epidemiological trends, intervention outcomes, and resource utilization. A relational database schema ensures efficient data retrieval, facilitating comprehensive analysis.ConclusionThe prototype EWS represents a scalable and integrative framework aimed at enhancing public health applications, particularly in the context of respiratory infections. By incorporating data from diverse health sectors, the system offers decision-makers access to critical epidemiological indicators, supporting early outbreak detection and improved epidemic management. Its potential to unify health institutions underscores its value in fostering a more cohesive and effective approach to epidemic preparedness. Nevertheless, while the system demonstrates significant promise, further evaluation in real-world settings is essential to determine its practical impact on public health outcomes and its ability to mitigate health crises.

Arab representation in Israeli healthcare professions: achievements, challenges and opportunities

BackgroundIsrael is a multiethnic society with a population of 9.8 million at the end of 2023. Israeli Arabs (i.e., Arab Palestinian citizens of Israel) account for 21% of the Israel’s overall population, 22% of its working age population and 16% of the employed population. This study has several objectives: (1) To provide an overview of the current representation of Israeli Arabs in four key health care professions (medicine, nursing, dentistry, and pharmacy) in terms of employment, licensure, and professional studies; (2) To document changes in those parameters over the past decade, subject to limitations of data availability; (3) To provide a broader context on the employment of Israeli Arabs; (4) To explore the policy implications of the key findings.MethodsEstimates of employment levels are based on the Labor Force Survey (LFS) of the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). Data on licensure (i.e., professional qualification) and place of professional studies were extracted from the Ministry of Health report series entitled “The Health Care Professions”. Data on enrollment in degree programs in Israel was provided by the Council of Higher Education. Important background information was elicited from relevant policy documents and policy experts.ResultsIn 2023, among employed Israelis up to age 67, Arabs constituted approximately one-quarter of Israel’s physicians (25%), nurses (27%), and dentists (27%), and half of Israel’s pharmacists (49%). These percentages are substantially higher than they were in 2010, with the increase being particularly marked in the case of physicians (25% versus 8%). The number of new licenses granted annually increased significantly between 2010 and 2022 for both Arabs and Jews in each of the professions covered. The percentage of newly licensed professionals who are Arab increased substantially among physicians and nurses, while remaining stable among dentists and pharmacists. In medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy, many of the licensed Arab health professionals had studied outside of Israel; this phenomenon also exists for nursing but is less widespread there. In the 2022/3 academic year, the percentage of first-degree students in Israeli colleges and universities who were Arab was 70% in pharmacy, 33% in nursing, 23% in dentistry, and 9% in medicine. Between 2012/3 and 2022/3 the percentage of first-degree students who are Arab increased substantially for pharmacy, declined slightly for nursing, and declined substantially for medicine and dentistry.ConclusionsArab professionals play a substantial and recently increased role in the provision of health care services in Israel. It is important to recognize, appreciate, and maintain this substantial role. Moreover, its potential as a model for sectors other than health care should be explored. To build on achievements to date, and to promote continued progress, policymakers should expand access to health professional education within Israel, upgrade the skills of graduates of non-Israeli universities, promote diversity in leadership positions and key specialties, and expand specialty care services in Arab localities.

Surgical informed consent practice and associated factors among adult postoperative patients in public hospitals of Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia 2023/2024. Cross sectional.

Substantial weaknesses and omissions of surgical informed consent are evident and the current elements of the surgical informed consent process are largely neglected in daily practice. This study aimed to assess surgical informed consent practice and associated factors among adult postoperative patients in public hospitals of Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia. Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among 314 adult postoperative patients in public hospitals of Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia. Participants were selected using systematic random sampling. A pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive, Descriptive, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed using statistical package for social science version 27. Only 35.8% (CI 95%, 30.6, 41) of the respondents were identified to have received the recommended (6 or more) components of surgical informed consent. Educational level [AOR 5.76 (1.02, 32.6)], timing of surgical informed consent delivery [AOR 3.27 (1.5, 7.11)], qualification of counselor who took surgical informed consent them [AOR3.185 (1.21, 8.38)], hospital type [AOR 2.85 (1.26, 6.46)], and duration of counseling [AOR 6.9 (3.33, 14.3)] were statistically significant at P<0.05. Majority of participants did not receive comprehensive information during the surgical informed consent process in the study hospitals. To improve the delivery it is suggested that health professionals; create rapport with patient, spend more time during counseling.

A review of microcredentials in health professions continuing professional development

Microcredentials are an emergent tool to support knowledge and skill development. Despite their growing popularity in medical education – and higher education more broadly – it is unclear how these strategies have been utilized to support continuing professional development in the health professions. A rapid systematic review was conducted to explore the current relevant literature due to the timely and evolving nature of microcredentials. PubMed, Embase, and ERIC were used for the article search. Of the 290 relevant articles found from the searches, a total of 11 articles were included after abstract and full-text screenings. All articles used in this review were published within the past 10 years. Microcredentials were used across various professions, covered a wide range of topics, and employed various teaching strategies. The definitions used for key terms like microcredential were inconsistent across articles.

Evidence-based formulation and overall acceptability of spirulina-enriched functional ice cream.

Introduction: Spirulina, a cyanobacterium recognized for its antioxidant, antiviral, and immunological properties, has been utilized for centuries as a natural source of protein and essential nutrients. Recent studies have highlighted its hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects, demonstrating its potential applications in managing non-communicable chronic diseases. However, the distinct flavor of spirulina can lead to low acceptability when incorporated into food products. Objective: This research aimed to review the health benefits of Spirulina platensis and to develop an artisanal spirulina-enriched ice cream formulation that contains no artificial flavoring or coloring additives, in order to evaluate its overall acceptability among trained and untrained panels. Results and discussions: Our findings indicate that the formulation was better received by health and nutrition professionals, while the trained panel reported a higher acceptability for the version containing less spirulina, primarily due to the aftertaste, as it is not a common ingredient. Conclusion: New formulations with stronger flavors may be necessary to mask the aftertaste of spirulina, in order to produce an ice cream with functional properties, given that the spirulina content varies from 1 to 2 grams per serving

Evidence-based Lead Indicators to Drive Equitable Early Years Services: Findings from the Restacking the Odds Study

Abstract Children living in adversity are disproportionately affected by inequities in early childhood health and education service delivery, leading to differential outcomes that track into adulthood. Previous research has demonstrated the inconsistency, lack of effectiveness, and harm that human services can cause across the social sector when service delivery is poor. A significant factor preventing equitable responses to performance challenges is the lack of relevant data. In both health and education sectors there is an over-reliance on outcome or lag indicators; necessary but not sufficient to drive change. Evidence-based process or lead indicators can provide a standardised approach to service improvement that allow communities, health and education professionals, governments, and policymakers to create sustainable systems change, reduce unjust equity gaps and reduce the costs associated with poor service provision. The Restacking the Odds (RSTO) ‘proof of concept’ project aimed to address some of the data limitations practitioners and policy-makers face as they make decisions affecting early years services in Australia. An actionable, evidence-based framework of lead indicators for quality, quantity, and participation across five early years services was derived from the literature. These are summarised in this paper together with the subsequent data collected and analysed against these indicators in seven Australian communities.

Clinical outcomes of circumcisions and prevalence of complications of male circumcisions: A five-year retrospective analysis at a teaching hospital in Ghana.

Male circumcision is increasing in popularity due to its medical benefits, including reducing HIV prevalence. It is commonly performed by both health and non-health professionals, with most circumcisions occurring during the neonatal period. Studies suggest the benefits outweigh the risks, though complications can occur. This study aimed to determine the clinical outcomes of circumcisions and the prevalence of adverse events of circumcision in the Volta region of Ghana. A five-year retrospective descriptive and analytic study was conducted at Ho Teaching Hospital, using a structured data extraction sheet to collect demographic, clinical, and circumcision-related data from 186 cases. Among 186 circumcision cases, 23 (12.37%) experienced complications, with the most common being partial circumcision (43.48%), post-circumcision bleeding (21.74%), and urethrocutaneous fistula and/or wrongfully circumcised congenital hypospadias (13.04%). Low heamoglobin levels and infections were also noted. A significant relationship was found between the circumcision provider and complication rates (Chi-square = 16.975, p = 0.00). Doctors conducting circumcision had the lowest complication rates (4.3%), while nurses and traditional circumcisers had higher complication rates (39.1% and 34.8%, respectively). Circumcision-Revision surgery was the most common salvage surgery for circumcision mishaps (31.82%), with urethroplasty and hypospadias repair (for wrongful circumcised neonates born with hypospadias) accounting for 15.91%. Meatoplasties, glansplasties, fistulectomy plus primary repair and chordae-release surgeries were also performed. The success rate for salvage surgeries (first attempt) was 70%. Prompt initial management strategies were significantly associated with good outcomes. Under less-trained hands, circumcision could be catastrophic. Salvage surgeries for circumcision mishaps are associated with less favourable outcomes in about one-third of the cases, suggesting that circumcision mishaps are better prevented than salvaged. Training, guidance, and policy interventions are needed to reduce the incidence of circumcision-related mishaps. Public health campaigns to dissuade non-surgeon circumcisers to refrain from circumcising children with hypospadias but refer them, are urgently needed.

Effects of migrant workers’ health capital on their returning home intentions: evidence from China

BackgroundThe health problems and migration problems of China’s huge migrant workers are related to the implementation effect of new-type urbanization and rural revitalization strategy. A thorough examination of the effect of migrant workers’ health on their returning home intentions and its mechanism is imperative.ObjectivesThis study aims to understand the influence of migrant workers’ health capital (HC) in their returning home intentions (RHI). For this, using capital theory, this study developed an empirical model to probe the impact of Chinese migrant workers’ health on their RHI and analyze the paths that this influence may follow to form the RHI of migrant workers.MethodsA theoretical model was established from the perspective of capital to study the relationship between health and migrant workers’ migration. A probit model was used to probe the impact of Chinese migrant workers’ HC on their RHI, and propensity score matching (PSM), replacing the explained variable (REV), and transforming the model (TM) were used for the robustness test. Stepwise coefficient test (SCT) and Sobel test (ST) were used to analyze the mediating effects of economic capital (EC) and social capital (SC) in the relationship of HC affecting RHI. Data were collected from a sample of 810 migrant workers from three provinces located in eastern, central, and western China using a survey questionnaire.ResultsMigrant workers’ HC had a significant and negative impact on their RHI, and mental health (MH) had a greater impact on migrant workers’ RHI than physical health (PH). There is regional heterogeneity in the effect of HC on the RHI of migrant workers in China. In addition, economic capital (EC) mediated indirectly the relationship between HC and RHI, while the mediating role of social capital in the relationship between HC and RHI was not significant.ConclusionMigrant workers’ HC is an important factor affecting the formation of their RHI, in which EC plays an intermediary role. This study extends and deepens our understanding of HC and helps to understand the role of health in shaping RHI from the perspective of capital, and the finding confirms the validity of the “salmon bias effect” hypothesis in the Chinese context. These findings can also help local government pay more attention to returning migrant workers’ HC.

A socio-ecological model of the management of leprosy reactions in Indonesia and India using the experiences of affected individuals, family members and healthcare providers

BackgroundLeprosy reactions (LR) are immune-mediated complications of leprosy that may be associated with severe and irreversible nerve damage. Non-medical aspects, such as financing, service provision, and healthcare resources in the management of LR are generally overlooked as studies tend to concentrate on clinical features and treatment. Barriers to accessing care and services are a major cause of suboptimal care for people with leprosy. This study aims to explore the barriers to and facilitators of high-quality care and management of LR in two leprosy-endemic countries with different health care models – Indonesia and India – and identify areas for improvement.MethodsA socio-ecological model was adopted. Data were obtained from 66 interviews with individuals who experienced LR and were seeking care at the two study sites. In addition, immediate family members of individuals with LR and healthcare workers attending to people with leprosy participated in seven focus group discussions (FGDs).ResultsThis study highlights the significant impact of public health insurance regulations and uptake at the macrosystem level on the provision of healthcare services, clinical decision-making, care expenditure, and the psychological well-being of individuals with LR in Indonesia and India. Lack of specialized health professionals and communication challenges were identified in both study populations. Indonesian participants encounter additional challenges due to a fragmented information system and drug shortages. This study identifies key facilitators in providing high-quality care for LR-affected individuals, including financial assistance, availability of corticosteroid alternatives, timely provision of care, and counselling. It found that the high coverage of public health insurance cards in the Indonesian model has increased access to care among individuals affected by LR, despite the challenges. Conversely, the Indian model of care offers treatment subsidies. The advantage of the Indonesian model is its ability to provide wider access to high-quality care, whereas the Indian model focuses on those in most need. This study emphasizes the importance of addressing these challenges through improved communication strategies, education aimed at the affected individuals, and accessible medical care. Furthermore, variations in care-seeking behaviour and self-care practices were observed in both sites, underscoring the need for culturally sensitive and comprehensive approaches to the management of LR.ConclusionThe study findings demonstrate that the factors identified at the four systemic levels are interrelated and have an impact on the access, acceptability, and management of LR services. Despite its accessibility and wider coverage of public health insurance, the integrated service model in Indonesia faces challenges associated with complex regulations and the availability of medication. India’s care model offers intensive, specialised care but has difficulties in ensuring sufficient health personnel, resources, and public health insurance coverage. These findings highlight the need to address these challenges to ensure timely, effective, and comprehensive care for individuals with LR.

Knowledge and practices on handling of sharps among healthcare workers of two hospitals in Sri Lanka

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Predictive model of positive attitudes in Spanish health care students towards older people: assessment and associated factors

BackgroundAttitudes influence how individuals interact toward older people, which in turn impacts the way people care for them. This is a key factor to consider for future health professionals who will frequently work with older individuals. This issue has been approached by simply quantifying these attitudes (negative, neutral, or positive). However, this work aims to not only quantify these attitudes but to study other associated variables and develop a predictive model of positive attitudes toward the older people in a sample of Spanish university students of health care careers.MethodsA total of 338 students were surveyed using a sociodemographic questionnaire and two validated scales: the Spanish versions of the Kogan Scale of Attitudes toward Older People (KAOP) and the Global Assessment of Character Strengths-24 (GACS-24). This study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional, ex post facto design, with data analyzed through correlation and regression techniques to identify predictors of positive attitudes toward older adults.ResultsThe results exhibited significantly positive attitudes toward older people. The analysis identified “love” (a character strength) and “interest in aging issues” as significant predictors of these attitudes.ConclusionsThis study concludes that positive attitudes toward older adults are significantly associated with the character strength of ‘love’ and ‘interest in aging issues,’ highlighting the importance of these variables in shaping attitudes among future health professionals.

Do mental health professionals react to verbal aggressiveness differently if it is gender-related? An experimental study employing case-vignettes

Background Gender bias in the comprehension and management of violent behaviour in mental health settings remains a contentious issue. Aims This study examines how gender-related verbal aggressiveness influences the clinical judgment and decision-making processes of mental health professionals (MHPs). Methods Four vignettes depicting confrontations between MHPs and service users were created, varying by the service user’s gender and whether verbal aggression was gender related. Within an experimental design, a total of 110 MHPs were randomly assigned to vignettes featuring a service user of the opposite gender. Participants completed assessments on clinical judgment, symptomatology, and personal beliefs. Results Gender-related verbal aggressiveness influenced clinical judgment, with male professionals demonstrating greater sensitivity to these conditions compared to their female counterparts. Female MHPs exhibited more consistent evaluations across experimental conditions. Gender-specific patterns in symptomatology assignment were observed. Conclusions These findings highlight the influence of gender role expectations and sociocultural factors on clinical judgments, which may reinforce gender biases in mental health assessments. Awareness of these biases and targeted training could enhance equitable and unbiased care.

Burnout among spiritual leaders and mental health professionals: a relational spirituality model of care

ABSTRACT The risks of burnout among helping professionals (e.g. mental health professionals, clergy, and chaplains) have been widely studied but were intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper builds upon existing research on burnout and offers an innovative framework using the relational spirituality model (RSM) to consider existential/spiritual, relational, and systemic dimensions that impact risks for burnout and pathways toward well-being. Three case studies of helping professionals across these vocational groups are used to apply RSM conceptualizations to the intersectionality of these multiple dimensions and offer recommendations for (a) psychotherapy and (b) administrative and supervisory responses to burnout among these helping professions.

Adaptation of the Vicarious Resilience Scale to Turkish: A validity and reliability study.

The 27-item Vicarious Resilience Scale (VRS) is the first tool developed to measure vicarious resilience in mental health professionals working with trauma survivors. Given that the VRS measures the positive impact on therapists resulting from observing the healing process of trauma victims, it is especially significant to evaluate its validity and reliability in Turkish culture. This study aims to adapt the VRS to Turkish and examine its psychometric properties. VRS was adapted and administered via electronic survey to 337 mental health professionals from around the globe working with survivors of severe traumas, such as earthquake survivors. The validity of the VRS was examined using different techniques: confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and criterion-related validity. CFA yielded seven factors that were consistent with the original form: changes in life goals and perspective, client-inspired hope, increased recognition of clients' spirituality as a therapeutic resource, increased capacity for resourcefulness, increased self-awareness and self-care practices, increased consciousness of power and privilege relative to clients' social location, and increased capacity for remaining present while listening to trauma narratives. The Cronbach's α reliability of the VRS was found to be .95; it displayed positive correlations with posttraumatic growth, psychological resilience, and quality of life, indicating convergent validity. However, it had a negative correlation with depression, anxiety, and stress, indicating discriminant validity. The VRS is a valid and reliable measurement scale by professionals working with trauma survivors to aid the recognition and cultivation of vicarious resilience in Turkish mental health professionals. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Sarcopenia and COVID-19 - a complex pathological duet

March 11, 2020 The World Health Organization has declared the New Coronavirus Infection 2019 (COVID-19) a pandemic. The risk of complications in the acute period of COVID-19 was obvious almost immediately. However, back in 2020, during the onset and height of the pandemic, health professionals began to think about the possible negative long-term and delayed consequences of COVID-19. Until now, the world is facing the long-term consequences of COVID-19 among survivors, who often have multisystem pathological manifestations. The study of the consequences of COVID-19 continues to be an urgent problem of modern medical science. Currently, increased attention is being paid to sarcopenia, which occurred in patients after COVID-19. On the other hand, sarcopenia is a predictor of adverse outcomes in patients with new coronavirus infection. In 2020, a self-isolation regime (lockdown) was introduced in many countries as an effective anti-epidemic strategy. Unfortunately, the self-isolation regime has led to a decrease in physical activity, especially in elderly and senile people. Therefore, physical inactivity against the background of self-isolation itself was a risk factor for sarcopenia. In addition, during self-isolation, many patients experienced an increase in the caloric content of their diet and the development of obesity. Rehabilitation after COVID-19 necessarily includes measures for the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. Thus, this literature review is devoted to the study of the relationship between sarcopenia and COVID-19.

“Heart-sink patients”: Attitudes of mental health professionals toward individuals with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder—A qualitative evidence synthesis.

“Heart-sink patients”: Attitudes of mental health professionals toward individuals with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder—A qualitative evidence synthesis.

Integrating environmental sustainability into the teaching of global health ethics from a students’ perspective: new guiding questions

ABSTRACT Environmental sustainability stands out as a crucial topic in global health. Although this concept has been part of ethical discussions for over two decades, progress toward its adoption within global health ethics education remains slow and hesitant, hindering its integration into global health practice and decision-making processes. As recent global health graduates, we believe that global health relies on the interconnectedness of human and environmental health. Therefore, we sought to address a gap in our ethics formation by proposing the inclusion of an environmental sustainability perspective in global health ethics teaching through a revised question checklist and classroom activity. This question checklist expands on the seven teaching principles for public health ethics by Schröder-Bäck et al. applying an environmental ethics lens to global health ethics. The group activity offers a structured method for students to explore practical applications of environmental sustainability in global health processes. We aim to foster more critical reflections and discussions on this topic among future global health professionals and students, paving the way for a more environmentally sustainable future in global health.

Strengthening teamwork and respect (STAR) in maternity units: developing a health system intervention in South Africa

ABSTRACT Disrespect and abuse in maternity services in South Africa has been described over several decades and are rooted in the country’s complex socio-political landscape and unequal health system which places strain on public sector health professionals. Strategies to improve the quality of health care typically involve once-off didactic teaching or outside technical consultants focused on improving specific health programmes. These approaches fail to encourage self-reflection or to establish learning cultures. Participatory learning processes, embedded in routine service delivery, are a potentially powerful way to improve ownership and accountability for health system performance. We describe the process followed to develop the Strengthening Teamwork and Respect (STAR) intervention which is being implemented in nine district hospitals in two rural districts of KwaZulu-Natal. The intervention approach draws on a conceptual framework for learning health systems, with intervention strategies informed by participatory learning and action theory. The intervention design was an iterative process informed by literature reviews, formative data collection, consultation with provincial, district and hospital management stakeholders, expert reviewer inputs and piloting of proposed activities. This process produced the STAR intervention approach and toolkit, consisting of: identification and training of champions, creation of STAR teams, convening of learning sessions to work through STAR toolkit activities, identification, implementation and monitoring of change projects, and onsite and virtual mentorship from the STAR development team. Endline cross-sectional surveys and a parallel process evaluation will advance the evidence base for interventions to improve respectful care and cultures of teamwork and learning within maternity units in rural low- and middle-income settings.

Coping with a crisis: the relationship between citizenship and mental health as experienced by LGBTQ population in Poland

ABSTRACT The rise to power of the Law and Justice party in 2015 brought LGBTQ issues to the forefront of public debate with unprecedented hostility, correlating with a surge in mental health issues among non-heteronormative individuals. Through interviews with LGBTQ participants and mental health professionals, this qualitative study explores this relationship, exposing the systemic roots of minority stress and the state’s failure to provide LGBTQ-inclusive mental health support. This study also reveals how the crisis compelled Polish citizens to develop alternative structures of care, termed by the author as “caring civil society.” The discussed coping mechanisms are not aimed at challenging the status quo, which is the common focus in literature, but at making it liveable. This research ultimately argues that the extent of one’s dissent should be evaluated based on their capacities, for in extremely hostile environments, the very act of valuing one’s life can be an act of resistance.

Why the South African National Health Research Ethics Council is wrong about ownership of human biological material and data.

The South African National Health Research Ethics Council (NHREC) states in its 2024 Ethics Guidelines that human biological material (HBM) and data cannot be privately owned under South African law. This position conflicts with established legal principles, guidelines by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), and South African university policies, all of which support private ownership of HBM and data. Private ownership is not only legally sound but also ethically necessary, providing a framework for accountability, ensuring fair recognition of institutional contributions, and enabling responsible custodianship over these valuable resources. The NHREC's denial of private ownership of HBM and data undermines South African research institutions' ability to control their research assets and leaves them vulnerable to exploitation by foreign entities. The NHREC should issue a corrigendum to delete its incorrect position on private ownership of HBM and data.