Greece Department Research Articles

“IT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT AND MEMORABLE PART OF MY STUDIES…”: GREEK GRADUATE TEACHERS EVALUATE THEIR PRACTICUM

Teaching practicum is crucial in initial teacher education programs, determining their effectiveness and attracting researchers’ and practicing teachers’ attention. This study explores the experiences of ten graduate teachers (eight women and two men) from a university department in Greece regarding their internship during their undergraduate studies. Unlike similar studies, this study utilized the free text written by the participants as a research tool to highlight the topics that really interest the practicing teachers. The data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis. From the analysis, eight main categories emerged describing trainees’ internship experiences: a) characterizations for the teaching practicum, b) emotions from the practicum, c) benefits and usefulness of the process, d) positive and e) negative aspects of the practicum, f) difficulties encountered, and g) recommendations for improving the practicum. These findings offer valuable feedback for enhancing the internship experience within the participants’ department and stress the need for further research on the multi-factorial process of teaching practicum.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0796/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Exploring learning outcomes in Financial accounting: a quasi-experimental study using Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) Test in blended learning environment

This study investigates the multiple choice question (MCQ) assessment tool to measure the performance of undergraduate students in Social Science degree programs, in a small course setting by comparing the control group and the experimental class. The research is quantitative and 60 students participated in an experiment, 30 in the traditional and 30 in the blended class in a Business Administration department in Greece, in the Financial Accounting course of the second semester of studies. The findings of the research showed that the intervention of the blended teaching approach in the experimental class was positive and was an important factor in improving performance, giving a greater number of correct answers compared to the students who participated in the control group. The findings of this study contribute to the academic community by highlighting the possibilities provided by a multiple-choice knowledge test as an assessment method and how its application can contribute to the measurement of student performance in accounting subjects taught at university institutions. The originality and value lies in the design and implementation of the knowledge test in two different periods (beginning and end of the semester) in order to identify the level of "change" of students involved in blended learning environments.

Effect of Mepolizumab in airway’s remodelling in patients with late-onset severe asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype

BackgroundClinical trials and real-world experience have provided evidence for the clinical benefit of mepolizumab, an anti-IL-5 biologic, in severe asthma. However, limited data exists regarding the impact of mepolizumab on airway remodelling. ObjectiveWe thus investigated the effect of mepolizumab on airway structural remodelling in patients treated for severe asthma in routine clinical care. MethodsMESILICO is a multicenter study involving 8 Pulmonology Departments in Greece. This study focused on patients who initiated mepolizumab for severe asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype and had late-onset disease with obstructive patterns (impaired reversibility). Forty-seven patients were recruited, of whom 41 were enrolled in the bronchoscopy sub-study. The findings were related to clinical outcome. ResultsAfter 12 months, mepolizumab treatment was associated with significant improvements in lung function and ACT score, along with a significant decrease in severe exacerbation events (p<0.001). Thirty four of the 41 participants (83%) had paired biopsies for comparative analysis. There was a significant reduction from baseline in sub-basement membrane thickness, airway smooth muscle area, airway smooth muscle layer thickness and extent of epithelial damage, as well as a decrease in tissue eosinophil numbers (all p<0.001). The extent of ASMLT reduction positively correlated with the submucosal eosinophil reduction (r= 0.599, p<0.001). ConclusionThis study identifies that 12 month of mepolizumab treatment in patients with late-onset severe asthma, who are also characterized by eosinophilic and impaired reversibility phenotypes, leads not only to clinical improvement but also reduces indices of airway tissue remodelling suggestive of a disease modifying effect.

Central Nervous System Fungal Diseases in Children with Malignancies: A 16-Year Study from the Infection Working Group of the Hellenic Society of Pediatric Hematology Oncology.

We analyzed data on pediatric invasive fungal diseases of the central nervous system (CNS-IFDs) reported by five of a total of eight Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Departments in Greece for 16 years (2007-2022). A total of twelve patients (11 boys, median age: 9.5 years, range: 2-16) were reported suffering from CNS-IFDs. The underlying malignancy was acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 9/12 and acute myeloid leukemia, Ewing sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma in one each. Eleven patients presented with CNS-related symptoms (i.e., seizures, headache, cerebral palsy, ataxia, hallucination, seizures, blurred vision, amaurosis). All patients had pathological MRI findings. Multifocal fungal disease was observed in 6/12 patients. Nine proven and three probable CNS-IFD cases were diagnosed. Causative pathogens in proven cases were Aspergillus spp. and Candida albicans (n = 2 each), Mucor spp., Rhizopus arrhizus, Absidia spp., Fusarium oxysporum and Cryptococcus neoformans (n = 1 each). Causative pathogens in probable cases were Aspergillus spp. (n = 2) and Candida spp. (n = 1). All patients received appropriate antifungal therapy (median duration: 69.5 days, range 19-364). Two patients underwent additional surgical treatment. Six patients were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit due to complications. Three patients (25%) died, two due to IFD and one due to an underlying disease. Early recognition and prompt intervention of CNS-IFDs may rescue the patients and improve overall survival.

HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS' VIEWS ON THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR TEACHING STUDENTS WITH SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITIES

&lt;p&gt;This research attempts to present the perspectives of higher education students regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in language teaching interventions, with an emphasis on secondary education students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs). Although AI applications are associated in the literature with Education (AIED), the interest of the research community was revived in 2022 with the release of ChatGPT. This Large Language Model can generate text and quickly attract millions of users. This triggered expectations for potential benefits but also raised concerns about potential risks that may arise in the context of Special Education and Training (SET). Considering the above, the methodology utilized a mixed analysis of an online questionnaire administered to 120 students from "language" departments in Greece (Kalamata). In the results, expectations for skill improvement were expressed, but there were also concerns about providing ready-made answers. In addition, students expect resistance from parents and colleagues but support from the students themselves. The research highlighted the expected barriers and facilitators that students perceive they will encounter, of which the need for staff training was emphasized.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/soc/0871/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Anifrolumab for systemic lupus erythematosus with multi-refractory skin disease: A case series of 18 patients.

Skin involvement is common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but may be resistant to conventional treatment. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of anifrolumab (ANI) in refractory cutaneous manifestations of SLE. Case series of patients with refractory cutaneous SLE from three Rheumatology Departments in Greece. Outcome measures were improvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K), physician global assessment (PGA) and Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI). Clinically relevant improvement in skin was defined as decrease ≥50% (CLASI50) from baseline values. Eighteen patients received ANI; all had active skin involvement at baseline. Mean (SD) SLEDAI and PGA at ANI initiation were 7.4 (2.7) and 1.4 (0.5), respectively, with a mean prednisone dose 4.9 (4.5) mg/day. Mean CLASI (Activity/Damage) at baseline was 13.9 (9.7)/2.9 (4.6). Patients were refractory to a mean 6.3 (1.5) immunomodulatory agents (including hydroxychloroquine and glucocorticoids) before the initiation of ANI. After a mean 8.5 (4.6) months, 89% (n = 16/18) of patients demonstrated significant improvement in general lupus and cutaneous disease activity, and glucocorticoid tapering. Mean SLEDAI and mean CLASI at last visit were 3.4 (1.9) and 2.1 (2.4)/1.4 (2.2), respectively, and mean daily prednisone dose decreased to 2.4 (2.2). Of note, in this group of highly refractory patients CLASI50 was achieved in 16/18 (89%) patients. One patient discontinued ANI after 4 infusions due to a varicella-zoster virus infection and one patient, who initially responded to treatment with ANI, experienced a skin flare due to temporary discontinuation due to Covid 19 infection. DORIS remission and LLDAS were attained in two (11.1%) and eleven (61.1%) patients, respectively. Anifrolumab is highly effective in various skin manifestations of SLE, even after prior failure to multiple treatments.

Entrepreneurial leadership and innovation in the public sector: The role of causal‐ and effectual‐logic processes

AbstractEntrepreneurial leadership in the public sector has attracted the interest of both scholars and policymakers, as it is seen as a key determinant of innovation. This study adopts a contingency view of leadership and examines the entrepreneurial leadership–innovation relationship while also considering the moderating effects of the causal‐ and effectual‐logic processes employed. Based on multisource data across 105 municipal departments in Greece, the findings suggest that entrepreneurial leadership exerts a positive effect on exploratory innovation; this effect is further reinforced by formalization. In contrast, entrepreneurial leadership's influence on exploitative innovation depends on collaboration and conditions of working with limited means, in such a way that the impact is positive only at high levels of these effectual‐logic processes; at low levels, it is negative. Practical implications are discussed for public organizations seeking to translate entrepreneurial leadership into innovation.

Epidemiology of Invasive Fungal Diseases: A 10-Year Experience in a Tertiary Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department in Greece.

Although advances in the management of pediatric neoplasms have profoundly improved infectious disease outcomes, invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children and adolescents with high-risk hematological malignancies. A retrospective study was conducted in the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department of the University General Hospital of Heraklion for 2013-2022 to estimate the prevalence and describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of IFDs for pediatric and adolescent patients with neoplasia. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were analyzed to identify risk factors for the development of IFD. The overall prevalence of IFDs was estimated to be 7.8% (12/154 patients) throughout the study. The mean age at IFD diagnosis was 9.8 years (SD 6.4 years). The most common IFD was possible/probable invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA; in ≈50%), followed by candidemia/invasive candidiasis (in 44%). Candida parapsilosis was the most prevalent Candida species (4/6 events). Of interest, the majority (75%) of IFDs were breakthrough infections. Patients with increased risk for IFDs were those who were colonized by fungi in sites other than the oral cavity, hospitalized in the intensive care unit for >7 days, received >7 different antimicrobials in the last 3 months, or had severe neutropenia for >44 days. Two children out of a total of 12 with IFD died due to refractory disease or relapse (16.7%). More detailed and prospective epidemiological studies on fungal infections in pediatric patients with hematological or solid neoplasms can contribute to the optimization of prevention and treatment.

Pre-Service Teachers’ Assessment of ChatGPT’s Utility in Higher Education: SWOT and Content Analysis

ChatGPT (GPT-3.5), an intelligent Web-based tool capable of conducting text-based conversations akin to human interaction across various subjects, has recently gained significant popularity. This surge in interest has led researchers to examine its impact on numerous fields, including education. The aim of this paper is to investigate the perceptions of undergraduate students regarding ChatGPT’s utility in academic environments, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It responds to emerging challenges in educational technology, such as the integration of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning processes. The study involved 257 students from two university departments in Greece—namely primary and early childhood education pre-service teachers. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Various methods were employed for data analysis, including descriptive statistics, inferential analysis, K-means clustering, and decision trees. Additional insights were obtained from a subset of students who undertook a project in an elective course, detailing the types of inquiries made to ChatGPT and their reasons for recommending (or not recommending) it to their peers. The findings offer valuable insights for tutors, researchers, educational policymakers, and ChatGPT developers. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, these issues have not been dealt with by other researchers.

Personality Traits, Burnout, and Psychopathology in Healthcare Professionals in Intensive Care Units-A Moderated Analysis.

This study explored the associations between personality dimensions, burnout, and psychopathology in healthcare professionals in intensive care units (ICUs). This study further aimed to discern the differences in these relationships when considering the variables of critical care experience (less than 5 years, 5-10 years, and more than 10 years), profession (nurses versus intensivists), and the urban size of the city where the ICU is located (metropolitan cities versus smaller urban cities). This cross-sectional investigation's outcomes are based on data from 503 ICU personnel, including 155 intensivists and 348 nurses, in 31 ICU departments in Greece. Participants underwent a comprehensive assessment involving a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). To analyze the interplay among critical care experience, burnout status, and psychopathology, a moderation analysis was conducted with personality dimensions (i.e., psychoticism, extraversion, and neuroticism) serving as the mediator variable. Profession and the urban size of the ICU location were considered as moderators influencing these relationships. Male healthcare professionals showed higher psychoticism levels than females, aligning with prior research. Experienced nurses reported lower personal achievement, hinting at potential motivation challenges for professional growth. Psychoticism predicted high depersonalization and low personal achievement. Neuroticism and psychoticism negatively impacted ICU personnel's mental well-being, reflected in elevated psychopathology scores and burnout status. Psychoticism appears to be the primary factor influencing burnout among the three personality dimensions, particularly affecting intensivists. In contrast, nurses are more influenced by their critical care experience on their mental health status.

Evaluation of burnout levels among healthcare staff in anesthesiology departments in Greece - Is there a connection with anxiety and depression?

Healthcare workers in anesthesiology departments often experience burnout syndrome, which may be combined with anxiety and depression. The study aimed to assess the levels of burnout among nurses and physicians working in anesthesiology departments in public hospitals in Attica and to investigate a possible correlation between burnout, anxiety, and depression. A cross-sectional study was conducted on physicians and nurses working in anesthesiology departments in public hospitals in Attica, Greece. A questionnaire was distributed electronically using the snowball sampling method, including questions about demographic characteristics, burnout, anxiety, and depression. Physicians and nurses in anesthesiology departments were found to have moderate levels of burnout, and normal/low levels of anxiety and depression. More specifically, it was found that 2% of physicians and 14.4% of nurses had extremely elevated levels of burnout. On the other hand, 6.1% of physicians and 23.7% of nurses had high anxiety, while 6.1% of physicians and 15.5% of nurses had elevated levels of depression. Females (p = 0.008), staff aged 45-55 (p = 0.021), lower educational level (p = 0.025), nurses (p = 0.001), more than 21 years of service (p = 0.001), and having children (p = 0.008) were determinants of greater levels of personal burnout. Work-related burnout correlated with having children (p = 0.017), whereas client-related burnout was significantly higher for nurses (p = 0.002). In addition, a correlation was found between anxiety, depression, and increased levels of burnout (p = 0.000). As physicians and nurses working in anesthesiology departments have stressful jobs and work long hours, it is important to further study their physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion as well as psychological resilience levels.

Outcome of Involuntary Mental Health Assessment in a Psychiatric Department in Greece.

Despite their controversiality, involuntary admissions in psychiatric departments remain a central issue in mental health care. The present study aims to identify demographic and clinical factors possibly associated with emergency involuntary psychiatric assessment and its outcome in Greece. This study was carried out in the psychiatric department of the University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis (UGHA) from 1 March 2018 to 28 February 2019. The sample included 191 individuals who had been psychiatrically assessed without their consent following a prosecutorial order. The majority of the involuntary assessments resulted in hospitalization (71%), with 51% of them resulting in involuntary hospitalization. Almost all patients diagnosed with "F20-29 schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders" were subsequently admitted to the psychiatric department of the UGHA (77 of 81, 66 of them involuntarily). Higher admission rates were recorded among those who had been referred from the Prosecutor's Office of regions that are located far from the psychiatric department of UGHA (Fisher's exact test, p-value = 0.045). In multivariate logistic regression, prior contact with psychiatric services and having an "F20-29 schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders" diagnosis was statistically significant with admission to the hospital as an outcome variable. Our study suggests an increased risk of involuntary admission among patients with psychosis, patients who had visited a psychiatric service prior to their assessment as well as those living further away from the main psychiatric services of the hospital. Better organization of community psychiatric services in remote places from hospital central services may lead to fewer prosecutorial referrals and coercive measures.

Pediatric Optic Pathway Gliomas: A Report From Northern Greece.

Optic pathway gliomas (OPGs) are the most common pediatric optic nerve tumors. Their behavior ranges between rapid growth, stability, or spontaneous regression. Τhey are characterized by low mortality albeit with significant morbidity. We present the characteristics, management, and outcome of 23 OPG patients (16 females, median age: 4.8y) managed in a Pediatric Oncology Department in Northern Greece over a 25-year period. Overall, 57% had a background of neurofibromatosis type 1. Diagnosis was based on imaging (10 patients) or biopsy (13 patients). Presenting symptoms were mostly visual impairment/squint (52%). Proptosis/exophthalmos, raised intracranial pressure, and headache were also noted. In 2 occasions, it was detected with surveillance magnetic resonance imaging in the context of neurofibromatosis type 1. Eight patients had unilateral and 2 bilateral optic nerve tumors (Modified Dodge Classification, stage 1a/1b), 3 had chiasmatic (stage 2a/b), and 10 had multiple tumors (stage 3/4). Predominant histology was pilocytic astrocytoma (77%). Management included: observation (4), chemotherapy only (9), surgery only (3), or various combinations (7). Chemotherapy regimens included vincristine and carboplatin, vinblastine, or bevacizumab with irinotecan. Most patients demonstrated a slow disease course with complete response/partial response to chemotherapy and/or surgery, whereas 39% presented ≥1 recurrences. After a median follow-up of 8.5 years (range to 19y), 20 patients (87%) are still alive with stable disease, in partial/complete remission, or on treatment.

A 2-Year Audit on Antibiotic Resistance Patterns from a Urology Department in Greece.

The high incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs), often in nosocomial environments, is a major cause of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The dissemination of antibiotic-resistant infections results in very high health and economic burdens for patients and healthcare systems, respectively. This study aims to determine and present the antibiotic resistance profiles of the most common pathogens in a urology department in Greece. During the period 2019-2020, we included 12,215 clinical samples of blood and urine specimens that tested positive for the following pathogens: Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as these are the most commonly encountered microbes in a urology department. The analysis revealed a 22.30% mean resistance rate of E. coli strains with a 76.42% resistance to ampicillin and a 54.76% resistance rate to ciprofloxacin in the two-year period. It also showed an approximately 19% resistance rate of P. mirabilis strains and a mean resistance rate of 46.205% of K. pneumoniae strains, with a decreasing trend during the four semesters (p-value < 0.001), which presented an 80% resistance rate to ampicillin/sulbactam and 73.33% to ciprofloxacin. The resistance to carbapenems was reported to be 39.82%. The analysis revealed a 24.17% mean resistance rate of P. aeruginosa with a declining rate over the two-year period (p-value < 0.001). The P. aeruginosa strains were 38% resistant to fluoroquinolones and presented varying resistance against carbapenems (31.58% against doripenem and 19.79% against meropenem). Regarding the Enteroccocal strains, a 46.91% mean resistance was noted for E. faecium with 100% resistance to ampicillin, and a 24.247% mean resistance rate for E. faecalis strains that were 41% resistant to ciprofloxacin. Both types showed 100% sensitivity to linezolid. The dissemination of antibiotic-resistant pathogens poses the need to implement surveillance programs and, consequently, to develop strategies to prevent the emergence of such pathogens in order to optimize patient outcomes.

Police Recognition of Gender Issues in Relation to Intimate Partner Domestic Violence and Abuse in Greece

AbstractThe aim of the research was to understand the perceptions and beliefs of police officers who work and support victims of intimate partner domestic violence and abuse (DVA) and evaluate the way it is recorded. A sample was collected from eight police departments in Greece. The head of each police department was approached by the researcher and asked to distribute a structured questionnaire to front-line police officers who work with DVA victims. In total 358 police officers completed the questionnaire. Overall, nearly twice as many police officers referred to female victims (n = 170) compared to male victims (n = 83) of DVA. The police officers indicated that female victims usually suffered from severe physical violence/GBH (43%) and psychological abuse (27%), whereas male victims were most likely to disclose minor physical injuries and verbal abuse (49%) and less psychological violence (10%). An arrest was the most common response for both female and male victims (51% and 60%, respectively). Police participants indicated that offenders against males were more likely to be charged (28%) but less likely to be convicted (4%), whereas the opposite was reported for offenders of female victims (14% and 13%, respectively). If the offender was known to the police, the opinion was they were less likely to be prosecuted. Police respondents reported no significant differences for female and male victims as to causal factors and reasons for NOT reporting DVA. These were discrimination (31%), few DVA services (23%), intimidation (15%), shame and stigma of media reports (14%), lack of community support (6%), and personal reasons (9%).

A 29-MRNA HOST RESPONSE WHOLE-BLOOD SIGNATURE IMPROVES PREDICTION OF 28-DAY MORTALITY AND 7-DAY INTENSIVE CARE UNIT CARE IN ADULTS PRESENTING TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WITH SUSPECTED ACUTE INFECTION AND/OR SEPSIS.

ABSTRACTBackground: Risk stratification of emergency department patients with suspected acute infections and/or suspected sepsis remains challenging. We prospectively validated a 29–messenger RNA host response classifier for predicting severity in these patients. Methods: We enrolled adults presenting with suspected acute infections and at least one vital sign abnormality to six emergency departments in Greece. Twenty-nine target host RNAs were quantified on NanoString nCounter and analyzed with the Inflammatix Severity 2 (IMX-SEV-2) classifier to determine risk scores as low, moderate, and high severity. Performance of IMX-SEV-2 for prediction of 28-day mortality was compared with that of lactate, procalcitonin, and quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA). Results: A total of 397 individuals were enrolled; 38 individuals (9.6%) died within 28 days. Inflammatix Severity 2 classifier predicted 28-day mortality with an area under the receiver operator characteristics curve of 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74–0.90) compared with lactate, 0.66 (95% CI, 0.54–0.77); procalcitonin, 0.67 (95% CI, 0.57–0.78); and qSOFA, 0.81 (95% CI, 0.72–0.89). Combining qSOFA with IMX-SEV-2 improved prognostic accuracy from 0.81 to 0.89 (95% CI, 0.82–0.96). The high-severity (rule-in) interpretation band of IMX-SEV-2 demonstrated 96.9% specificity for predicting 28-day mortality, whereas the low-severity (rule-out) band had a sensitivity of 78.9%. Similarly, IMX-SEV-2 alone accurately predicted the need for day-7 intensive care unit care and further boosted overall accuracy when combined with qSOFA. Conclusions: Inflammatix Severity 2 classifier predicted 28-day mortality and 7-day intensive care unit care with high accuracy and boosted the accuracy of clinical scores when used in combination.

Frequent visitors in a university psychiatric emergency department in Greece

IntroductionBackground :The profile of “frequent visitors” at the psychiatric emergencies (PE) has not been sufficiently investigated in Greece.ObjectivesIn this study we aimed to investigate the prevalence and relevant parameters of frequent PE visits in a Greek University Psychiatric Hospital for the year 2017.MethodsIn a retrospective study, we analyzed data of patients who presented in the PE of Eginition University Hospital in Athens during 2017. Frequent visitors were grouped under this category if they had at least five visits per year. Clinical and sociodemographic data of the patients were further related to number of visits.Results84 patients were characterized as frequent visitors carrying out 9.8% of the total number of visits. 50% were women and 70% of them were living with family members. Anxiety, depressive and psychotic symptoms were the most frequent major complaints at the time of their visit, whereas psychosocial problems were associated with increased number of visits. Moreover, in terms of the underlying diagnosis substance use disorders significantly related to more frequent visitsConclusionsPsychosocial problems and the diagnosis of substance use disorders significantly correlated to the number of visits at the PE of a university hospital setting in Greece for 2017.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Burnout Syndrome among Doctors in Greek Oncology Departments.

Objective: Economic crisis and austerity has dramatic consequences for health care professionals’ mental health. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of burnout syndrome among doctors working in public or private oncology departments in Greece and its association with factors determined by economic crisis. Method : Medical or radiation oncologists who are members of the National Oncology Societies and practicing oncology at least for one year were enrolled in this study. An On-Line questionnaire consisting of the Maslach Burnout Inventory and an informative questionnaire was utilized. Results: Eighty-six On-Line questionnaires waere analyzed. Radiation oncologists had significantly higher Depersonalization (DP), whereas medical oncologists had significantly higher Emotional Exhaustion (EE) scores. Registrars had higher scores compared to consultants in all subscales of the burnout syndrome. Factors such as ‘‘hospitals are not safe due to the lack or reductions in medical supplies and personnel shortage’’ and ‘‘receiving less than 50% of annual leave’’ were associated with significantly higher levels of EE. Factors such as ‘‘not afraid of moving abroad’’ and ‘‘receiving 100% of annual leave’’ were associated with significantly higher levels of low Personal Accomplishments (PA). The principal component analysis yielded three principal components: ‘future insecurity’, ‘feeling secure while working’ and ‘working conditions associated with burnout syndrome. Conclusion: Several factors associated with austerity resulting from economic crisis significantly influenced prevalence of burnout syndrome among oncologists in Greece. Further studies need to be conducted to mobilize policy makers to develop and implement policies to improve oncologists' mental health.

TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES OF PRE-SERVICE EARLY YEARS TEACHERS: INSIGHTS FROM A GREEK HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

This study aimed to investigate the transformative learning experiences of university students, namely pre-service teachers from an Early Years University Department in Greece. A total of 127 students were involved. The data were collected by using the Learning Activities Survey (L.A.S.). The questionnaire is divided into four parts, consisting of closed and two open-ended questions (King, 2009). The basic research questions were: (a) What stages of perspective transformation students went through during their studies, (b) What educational experiences and what personal events that experienced during their studies contributed to their perspective transformation, and (c) What elements related to students’ participation-presence at school contributed to change. It was noticed that critical reflection on assumptions, the third most important precursor step in fostering transformative learning, was one of the less common stages that students went through along with self-examination. Only 4 students went through all the stages of perspective transformation as described by Mezirow (2012). However, certain patterns of transformative learning experience were identified. The respondents were found to face disorienting dilemmas causing their awareness to be raised in terms of: (a) Previously held values, beliefs, points of view or expectations regarding children (b) Their role as early years practitioners and its impact on children, (c) The need to exceed taken for granted ideas and obsolete pedagogical perceptions and (d) The importance of self-awareness, personal growth, and empowerment. It was shown that specific educational/learning activities, especially those engaging their experience, their active participation, mutual understanding, support (between classmates or classmates and teacher) and cooperation as well as exercising theory in practice, triggered perspective transformation. These findings imply the need for cultivating a higher education learning environment that supports the practicing of strategies and the development of skills that can help learner’s transformation and promote a more sustainable, socially-just and fulfilling world.&#x0D; &#x0D; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0946/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Spaghetti wrist: Transverse injury, axial incision, layered microsurgical reconstruction

IntroductionAmong various patterns of complex injuries of the wrist and forearm, “spaghetti wrist” refers to an extensive volar forearm laceration, in which several of the 12 tendons, 2 major nerves and 2 major arteries are transected, leading to lifelong disability and psychological, social and economic consequences. The aim of the study is to emphasize the keynote principles for the management of these injuries through retrospective review of a large group of patients treated by a team of experienced hand surgeons. Material-MethodsData were retrospectively obtained for 61 patients (49 males and 12 females with average age of 34.7 years) treated for spaghetti wrist lacerations and followed for a minimum period of two years, in two accredited Orthopaedic / Hand-Upper Extremity Surgery and Microsurgery Departments in Greece. All patients were treated within 16 hours of injury and underwent primary, layered reconstruction of all injured structures through an axial forearm exposure. ResultsThe most frequent mechanism of injury was glass-related lacerations. Overall, 541 structures were reconstructed, of which 417 were tendons, 76 nerves, and 48 arteries. An average of 8.86 structures were injured per patient, including 6.83 tendons, 1.24 nerves, and 0.79 arteries. The majority of the patients (28/61) had ≥10 structures injured (45.9%), while 32.7% (20/61) and 21.3% (13/61) of patients had 6-9 and 3-5 injured structures respectively. Almost 80% (49/61) of patients had excellent/good grading in all six tests used for the functional assessment post-operatively. DiscussionSpaghetti wrist injuries usually occur in a transverse wound pattern and necessitate timely and definitive operative reconstruction of all injured structures in layers, through an axial approach, by experienced hand surgeons to maximize outcome and to avoid complications. The most important prognostic factor of functional recovery is not the number of transected tendons, but the involvement of ulnar and/or median nerve injury.