Female Healthcare Professionals Research Articles

Psychometric properties of a modified health belief model for cervical cancer and visual inspection with acetic acid among healthcare professionals in Ethiopia.

Evidence supports that the Health Belief Model (HBM) can explain and predicts certain health behaviors, including participation in cervical cancer (CC) screening. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a modified HBM for CC and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) in female healthcare professionals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2020. Psychometric properties related to CC and VIA were tested using 42-item modified HBM self-administered questionnaire and a cross-sectional study design with simple random sampling. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin and Bartlett's sphericity test indicated that data sampling adequacy for exploratory factor analysis was 0.792 (χ2 = 3189.95, df = 351, p < .001). Items with cross-loading and factor loadings ≥ 0.5 were retained. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to determine model fit. The final analysis included 194 women, (mean age 30±4.34). Twelve items with ≤ 0.5 were removed and 30 retained items loaded into 6 factors; (benefits of VIA, perceived seriousness of CC, barrier (fear of negative outcome), self-efficacy, susceptibility to CC, and barriers (health system delivery)) explained 65% of the total variance. Cronbach's alpha for the total instrument was 0.8 and reliability for the 6 subscales was 0.76-0.92. Composite reliability and average variance extracted indicated good internal consistency and convergent validity. CFA identified 6 additional items to be removed with high residual covariance. The final 24 items of the modified HBM had an acceptable model fit (goodness-of-fit index (GFI) = 0.861, adjusted GFI = 0.823, comparative fit index = 0.937, root mean square error of approximation = 0.059). The modified HBM for CC and VIA with 24 items had adequate psychometric properties and may be used by Ethiopian healthcare professionals for research or clinical purposes. To support external validity the updated 24 items tool is suggested for application in further study in different populations in Ethiopia.

Healing While Hurting: The Unspoken Burden of Female Medical Residents in Pakistan

Gender stress, particularly among female healthcare professionals undergoing postgraduate training, is a pressing issue that warrants urgent attention in Pakistan's medical landscape. This pressure is particularly intense in areas like gynecology, pediatrics, cardiology, gastroenterology, and general medicine, where there's a high demand for female providers. The convergence of family stressors, marital status, parental responsibilities, financial constraints, grueling work hours, and a shortage of female healthcare workers exacerbates the problem, posing significant challenges to both individuals and the healthcare system at large.

Pelvic floor muscle training patient reported Outcome Measures (PROM) (PFMT-P): Turkish adaptation and its validity and relibiality

ObjectiveAlthough there are several patient reported outcome measures (PROM) regarding knowledge, source of knowledge and practice about pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), there is a lack of a valid and reliable PROM that includes the practice component of PFMT along with knowledge and source of knowledge. There is no valid and reliable measurement tool in Turkish used for this purpose. In this context, the aim of our study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROM) (PFMT-P) and to test whether it is a valid and reliable measurement tool for Turkish women. Study designThis study has been carried out psychometric testing (validity and reliability) of a new assessment tool concerning PFMT-P. A total of 170 female healthcare professionals (midwives, nurses, doctors, physiotherapists) who were between the ages of 23 and 49 and who volunteered to participate were included in the study. SPSS 25.0 and LİSREL 8.80 statistical programs were used for the analysis of data. Descriptive statistics were evaluated with numbers, percentages and means. Content validity index and confirmatory factor analysis were used for validity. Cronbach Alpha value and test–retest were used for reliability. Level of significance was p < 0.05. ResultsContent validity index (CVI) was found to be 0.96 for the overall scale. Model fit indices were found as perfect and good matched. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was found as 0.813 for the overall scale. Test-retest correlation was found as 0.658, it was 0.998 for practice component and 0.997 for source of knowledge component and a positive, significant and high correlation was found. ConclusionsIt has been determined that PFMT-P is a valid and reliable measurement tool suitable for Turkish culture. With this, it is a short, comprehensive and useful tool that can be used in both pregnancy and the postpartum period for women of reproductive age or menopause.

HPV Vaccine Uptake, Willingness to Receive, and Causes of Vaccine Hesitancy: A National Study Conducted in Saudi Arabia Among Female Healthcare Professionals.

Epidemiological evidence has shown that human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most frequent cause of sexually transmitted infection, and vaccination is an essential measure to prevent associated diseases and complications. This study aimed to assess the HPV vaccine uptake and its associated factors as well as HPV vaccine hesitancy by female healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia. This online, questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study involved female HCWs in Saudi Arabia between July and October 2022. The study tool included questions about sociodemographic, occupational, and reproductive characteristics, uptake of HPV vaccination, and reasons of hesitancy. Chi-squared and t-tests were used for bivariate analyses, and multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders. The total number of participants was 1857. Around 20% of HCWs received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine, and around 45% were willing to take it this year. Lower odds of vaccine uptake were reported among older participants and those with a higher level of education. However, nurses, HCWs with a previous HPV infection, those with a family history of cervical cancer, or those with a previous cervical cancer screening test had higher odds of receiving the vaccine. On the other hand, older participants and diploma degree holders were less willing to take the HPV vaccine. Higher odds of willingness were reported in married HCWs, those with a previous HPV infection, those who received a previous HPV vaccine dose, or those who were screened for cervical cancer. Lack of knowledge and some misconceptions were the most reported reasons for hesitancy. Certain factors that affect HCWs personal decisions to take the vaccine were identified. By targeting these issues, epidemiologists, public health officialsand women's health care providers can work to increase HPV vaccine uptake and reduce the burden of HPV-related diseases in this population.

The Relation between Breast Cancer Fear and Breast Cancer Prevention Behaviors of Female Healthcare Professionals

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between breast cancer fear and breast cancer prevention behaviors of female healthcare professionals (HCPs). Materials and Methods: This descriptive correlational study involved a convenience sample of 338 nurses, midwives and physicians working at a state hospital in Turkey. Data were collected in face-to-face interviews with the participants using Personal Information Form, Breast Cancer Fear Scale (BCFS), and Scale of Factors Affecting Women’s Breast Cancer Prevention Behaviors (ASSISTS).The data were analyzed by using Independent Samples t Test, One-way ANOVA, Tukey and Pearson’s correlation tests. Results: The mean scores on BCFS and ASSISTS were 26.71±7.65 and 123.36±15.49 respectively, indicating breast cancer fear were high and breast cancer prevention behaviors were moderately. The higher breast cancer prevention behavior scores among the HCPs who were working longer years, working longer years in night shift, those having breast problems, and undergone breast biopsy, those performing breast self-examination, undergone clinical breast examination and mammography (p0.05). Conclusion: Professional education in breast cancer prevention behaviors and addressing fear on breast cancer are likely to result in reduced barriers to develop prevention behaviors.

Awareness about cervical cancer risk factors and its prevention among female healthcare professionals in north India

Cervical cancer stands as the second most prevalent cancer among women in the reproductive age bracket. According to Globocan 2020, there were 604,100 newly diagnosed cases of cervical cancer worldwide, resulting in 341,831 fatalities. In India, there are 436.76 million women aged 15 and older who face the risk of developing cervical cancer. To explore the basic knowledge of cervical cancer, its risk factors, and preventive measures among female healthcare professionals and medical students.A cross-sectional study among all 205 female healthcare providers comprising of doctors, medical students (1st, 2nd &amp; 3rd-year MBBS), and nurses was conducted at Gautam Buddha Chikitsa Mahavidyalaya, Jhajhra, Dehradun, in December 2023. Google Forms platform was used to conduct the pre-composed online survey. Data was entered and analyzed with SPSS software version 26.A maximum number (141) of participants identified HPV infection as a risk factor for cervical cancer followed by multiple sexual partners (137) while 41.95% of subjects knew about early pregnancy as a risk factor for cervical cancer. Knowledge of risk factors for cervical cancer is highest among doctors followed by nurses and students. 81.95% of participants knew that cervical cancer is preventable and screening helps in the prevention of cervical cancer.Regular upgradation of knowledge of female nursing personnel is crucial since women tend to seek advice from them more often. Similarly, HPV and cervical cancer should be strategically incorporated at the beginning of the medical curriculum.

A Battle Within: Evaluating the Correlation Between Workplace Bullying and the Self-Awareness and Emotional Management among Female Healthcare Professionals in Punjab.

Background:&#x0D; Workplace bullying affects many people by its negative consequences on employers' mental health, employment satisfaction, and performance outcomes. Female Health care workers in particular are quite vulnerable to bullying.&#x0D; Objectives: The aim of this study is to find the frequency of workplace bullying (WPB) and the correlation between workplace bullying and self-awareness among female healthcare professionals in Punjab.&#x0D; Method: A cross sectional research design and convenient sampling was used in this study to choose female healthcare workers working in Punjab and history of mental disorder and criminal record were excluded. Data was collected using open access validated E questionnaires that contained measures of workplace bullying by negative act questionnaire-revised and self-awareness and emotional management by National Health Services questionnaire. Demographic information was also collected. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to identify the links between workplace bullying, self-awareness, and emotional management.&#x0D; Results: Among the 447 participants, varying frequencies of work place bullying were reported female healthcare professionals in Punjab. The majority of respondents experienced workplace bullying "now and then," and a significant proportion reported weekly occurrences. The study revealed a moderate negative correlation between workplace bullying and self-awareness (r=-0.409), indicating that as bullying frequency increased, self-awareness decreased. &#x0D; Conclusion:&#x0D; The findings of this study demonstrate the significant impact of workplace bullying on self-awareness among female healthcare professionals in Punjab. The results underscore the need for interventions to address workplace bullying and create more respectful work environments for healthcare professionals. The study contributes to the existing literature on workplace bullying and emphasizes the importance of considering the psychological well-being of healthcare professionals.&#x0D;

Unveiling the Silent Suffering: Evaluating the Frequency of Workplace Verbal, Discriminatory, and Psychological Harassment among Female Healthcare Professionals in Punjab

Background: &#x0D; Workplace harassment, including psychological, discriminatory, and bullying behaviors, specifically excluding sexual harassment is a pervasive issue globally, adversely affecting the mental and physical well-being of women in the workforce. However, there is a significant lack of scientific research on workplace harassment in Pakistan. &#x0D; Objective:&#x0D; To evaluate the frequency and types of workplace verbal, discriminatory and psychological harassment experienced by female healthcare professionals in Punjab&#x0D; Methods:&#x0D; Workplace Harassment scale (WHS) 24- items questionnaire was used for this study, duration of study was from January 2023 to March 2023, E- Questionnaire was circulated via email and a total of 444 participants took part in this study. Descriptive statistics were applied to analyze the demographic data and results were presented in frequency and percentage.&#x0D; Results:&#x0D; Among 444 participants, that 64.4 % of females (n=286) have faced verbal, discriminatory and psychological harassment at some point in their career. &#x0D; Conclusion:&#x0D; This study on Workplace verbal, discriminatory, and psychological harassment among female healthcare Professionals highlight the urgency of implementing interventions to discourage such behavior and cultivate a more respectful and supportive atmosphere for healthcare professionals. The study adds to the existing body of research on workplace harassment and emphasizes the significance of prioritizing the psychological well-being of healthcare professionals in a safe working place. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the various types of workplace harassment experienced by female healthcare professionals, highlighting the need for preventive measures and timely interventions to support the mental health of victims in healthcare.&#x0D;

An Assessment of Occupational Accidents and Diseases Among Female Healthcare Personnel in Human Health Services

This study was designed as a cross-sectional descriptive investigation with the objective of referencing previous research by disclosing the incidence of occupational accidents and occupational diseases among female personnel employed in human health services in Turkey. The study analyzed data from the Social Security Institution of the Republic of Turkey spanning the years 2013 to 2020. The research findings indicate that female healthcare workers experience a greater incidence of occupational accidents and illnesses compared to their male counterparts. Nevertheless, male healthcare workers exhibit a higher mortality rate resulting from work-related accidents. In contemporary times, there has been a decline in work-related accidents and fatalities, as well as occupational illnesses, among women employed in various industries. However, there has been a notable rise in work-related accidents and fatalities, as well as occupational illnesses, among female healthcare professionals.

Experiences of Women with Visual and Orthopedic Disabilities in Obstetrics and Gynecology Units: A Phenomenological Study

Experiences of women with visual and orthopedic disabilities in obstetrics and gynecology units: A Phenomenological Study&#x0D; &#x0D; ABSTRACT&#x0D; Objective: This research was conducted to understand the core/base of the experiences, thoughts, and feelings of women with visual and orthopedic disabilities about health care services related to obstetrics and gynecology units. &#x0D; Bu araştırmanın amacı, görme ve ortopedik engelli kadınların obstetri ve jinekoloji birimleri ile ilgili yaşadıkları deneyimlerini, düşüncelerini ve hislerini anlamaktır.&#x0D; Methods: A descriptive phenomenological design was used in this study. This study was conducted with women with 10 visual and 12 orthopedic disabilities registered to physical disability associations in Izmir, western Turkey, between May 2020 and November 2020. Data were collected by in-depth interview method using semi-structured questions. All transcripts were evaluated by two researchers and codes were created. The codes formed the sub-themes in terms of similarities and differences, themes were created as a result of combining sub-themes. &#x0D; Results: The data obtained consists of two main themes: 1) 'Challenges and Problems' 2) 'Health Professionals'. 'Challenges and Problems' has 10 sub-themes: Social pressure, dependence on others-helplessness, problems with gynecology/obstetrics examination chairs, transportation problems, poor physical conditions, financial problems, procrastination/disregard, obscurity-uneasiness, privacy-shame-hesitate, and discourses in the past. 'Health Professionals' and it has four positive sub-themes and eight negative sub-themes. Positive sub-themes; introducing-describing the physical environment, helping, giving information before the procedure, being understanding and relevant. Negative sub-themes; not taking enough time-disinterest, exclusion- stigma, violence, maltreatment from female healthcare professionals, communication problems, lack of privacy, helplessness, and lack of education/awareness. &#x0D; Conclusion: In the study, it was concluded that women with visual and orthopedic disabilities experienced problems, negative thoughts and feelings related to the attitudes and behaviors of individual, environmental, social, institutional, economic, information and health professionals related to obstetrics and gynecology units.Therefore, women health policies should concentrate on problems experienced by women with visual and orthopedic disabilities and health professionals in obstetrics and gynecology units.&#x0D; Keywords: Disability; visual disabilities; orthopedic disabilities; obstetrics and gynecology units; phenomenology.&#x0D; Financing&#x0D; All persons listed as authors participated sufficiently in this study to accept public responsibility for the manuscript content. This article did not receive any funding from public or private entities.

Glass Ceiling Syndrome: A Perspective of Women Working in Health Institutions

Background and Purpose: Although women constitute the majority of the workforce in the healthcare sector, the number of representations in management positions needs to be increased. This study aimed to determine female health workers' glass ceiling syndrome perception levels and examine socio-demographic variables' effect on this level.&#x0D; Design/methodology/approach: The research sample consists of 708 female healthcare professionals who work in six public hospitals. Perceptions were measured using the 42-item Glass Ceiling Perception scale. Measurements were made on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 to 4.&#x0D; Findings: It was found that the glass ceiling syndrome perception levels of female healthcare professionals were neutral (1.94). It has been determined that female healthcare professionals with a high level of education, doctors and nurses, those between the ages of 26-35, those who work in medical units, and those with a child have higher perception levels of glass ceiling syndrome.&#x0D; JEL Code: M10, J70, M50, I19

Body image perception, eating disorder behavior, self-esteem and quality of life: a cross-sectional study among female medical students

BackgroundEating disorders are strongly associated with body image concerns. Eating disorders tend to significantly impact the current and future health and quality of life of affected persons, their caregivers, and society. As body image is based on a social construct of ideal body image, it is essential to evaluate it in its cultural context.MethodsThe current study explored the relationship among body image perception, perceived stress, eating disorder behaviour and quality of life among female medical students (n = 777). Measurements included Body Shape Questionnaire, Body Image Quality of Life Inventory, Eating Attitudes Test-26 and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Multivariate analysis was conducted.ResultsThere was a significant correlation between eating disorder behaviour and perceived body shape, body image, quality of life and self-esteem among our study participants. We also found eating disorder status was significantly associated with BMI, perceived body shape, quality of life and self-esteem.ConclusionsThis is of clinical implication to female medical students and healthcare professionals to engage early in primary and secondary prevention of eating pathologies. Increasing awareness of these facts among female students can help identify at-risk students and help them seek timely medical help.

Analyzing Role Overload, Mental Health, and Quality of Life Among Jordanian Female Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Analyzing Role Overload, Mental Health, and Quality of Life Among Jordanian Female Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Prevalence, Risk Factors and Effects of Low Back Pain on Quality of Life among Healthcare Professionals of Lahore, Pakistan

Low back pain being a prevalent disease is affecting the quality of life. The health care professionals also experience low back pain due to their nature of work. Objective: To determine the prevalence of low back pain with its contributing factors and its impact on life’s quality of healthcare professionals. Methods: The cross-sectional study design was applied to conduct this study. In this study, a total of 384 health care professionals from different hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan were randomly surveyed. Descriptive statistics and Chi square test used to analyze the data (p-value &lt; 0.05). Results: The frequency of pain in lower back was 63% among health care professionals. A total of 56% female healthcare professionals had low back pain. Risk factors i.e. smoking behavior, poor posture at work, standing time, working hour per day, sleeping disorder and general stress had significant association with pain intensity rating scale (p-value &lt; 0.005). The quality of life of healthcare professionals measured with Oswestry disability index (ODI) had also significant relation with low back pain (p-value &lt; 0.0). Conclusions: In conclusion, the pain in lower back was more prevalent in female healthcare professionals. Occupational risk factors, Smoking behavior, sleeping disorder and general stress were considered as major risk factors. The most useful coping strategy was rest. The quality of life of healthcare professionals were highly effected by low back pain.

The practice of breast self-examination and associated factors among female healthcare professionals working in selected hospitals in Kigali, Rwanda: a cross sectional study

BackgroundBreast self-examination (BSE) is considered one of the main screening methods in detecting earlier stages of breast cancer. It is a useful technique if practiced every month by women above 20 years considering that breast cancer among women globally contributed to 685,000 deaths in 2020. However, the practice of breast self-examination among healthcare professionals is low in many developing countries and it is not well known in Rwanda. Therefore, this research was intended to measure the level of breast self-examination practice and its associated factors among female healthcare professionals working in selected hospitals in Kigali, Rwanda.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 221 randomly selected female healthcare professionals in four district hospitals in Kigali, Rwanda. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used as data collection instrument. The predictor variables were socio-demographic and obstetrics variables, knowledge on breast cancer and breast self-examination as well as attitude towards breast cancer and breast self-examination. Sample statistics such as frequencies, proportions and mean were used to recapitulate the findings in univariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to identify statistically significant variables that predict breast self-examination practice. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence level were reported. P-value < 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.ResultsBreast self-examination was practiced by 43.5% of female healthcare professionals. This prevalence is low compared to other studies. Attitude towards breast self-examination and breast cancer was the only predictor variable that was significantly associated with breast self-examination practice [AOR = 1.032; 95% CI (1.001, 1.065), p-value = 0.042]. However, number of pregnancy and number of children were not significantly associated with BSE practice in the multi-variate analysis. In addition, there was a positive linear link between knowledge and attitude, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.186 (p = 0.005).ConclusionsThe breast self-examination practice among healthcare professionals was found to be low. Attitude towards breast cancer and breast self-examination was positively associated with BSE practice. Moreover, attitude and knowledge were positively correlated. This suggests the need for continuous medical education on breast self-examination and breast cancer to increase the knowledge & BSE practice level of female healthcare professionals.

Are the healthcare providers willing and able to respond to disasters: An assessment of tertiary health care system of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

For the tertiary health care system to provide adequate care during disasters, willing and able healthcare providers must be available to respond to the abnormal surge of the patients. Health care professionals (HCPs) constantly face a dilemma because of their profession to either respond to disasters or protect themselves. This study was conducted to assess the willingness and ability of HCPs working in the tertiary healthcare system of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to respond to disasters. This cross-sectional survey was conducted in all the 8 tertiary care hospitals of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. For different disaster scenarios, between 6% and 47% of HCP indicated their unwillingness, and between 3% & 41% of HCPs indicated that they were unable to respond to the given disaster scenarios. HCPs with childcare obligation indicated significantly lower willingness (p<0.05) to respond to earthquakes, MCIs, and an outbreak of Influenza, and SARS. Male HCPs showed a significantly (p<0.05) higher willingness to respond to earthquakes, MCIs, and an outbreak of Influenza as compared to their female counterparts. The overall ability indicated by HCPs for various disaster scenarios ranged between 54.1% [95% CI 0.503,0.578] for responding to victims of nuclear war and 96.4% [95% CI 0.947,0.976] for responding to conventional war. The HCPs who indicated childcare obligation showed a significantly lower ability (p<0.05) to respond to environmental disaster, influenza outbreak, and responding to victims of nuclear war. Female HCPs indicated significantly higher ability (p<0.05) as compared to their male counterparts. This survey provides an opportunity for the tertiary healthcare system to build on the findings and develop disaster mitigation plans to address the barriers to improving the HCPs' availability during disasters.

The effect of yoga on insomnia and quality of life among nursing professionals during COVID-19: A pre-post-test interventional study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has taken a toll on the well-being and quality of life (QoL) of healthcare professionals, especially nurses. Insomnia, a common consequence of the pandemic, adds to the physical and mental strain on healthcare workers. This study aimed to assess the impact of workplace yoga intervention on insomnia severity and QoL among female nursing and healthcare professionals during the pandemic. A pre-post-interventional study was conducted among 173 nursing professionals working in a hospital setting. Baseline assessments collected age, body mass index (BMI), insomnia severity using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and QoL using the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF). A 6-week workplace yoga intervention was conducted by trained professionals, followed by posttest assessments. Among 173 participants, 57 had insomnia. Participants without significant insomnia had higher QoL scores (P < 0.001). Following the yoga intervention, both subthreshold and moderate clinical insomnia groups experienced reduced insomnia severity (P < 0.001). Quality-of-life scores in the physical, psychological, and environmental domains improved significantly (P < 0.05). Workplace yoga intervention appears to be a promising approach to alleviate insomnia and enhance QoL among female nursing and healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Implementing tailored workplace yoga programs can play a crucial role in promoting the well-being and resilience of healthcare workers, contributing to a positive work environment and improved patient care outcomes.

Comprehending the Viewpoint of Healthcare Professionals Towards Digitalization of Clinical Practices in Healthcare Industry

The digitalization of clinical practices in the healthcare industry has ushered in a new era of efficiency, accessibility, and patient-centric care. This transformative shift leverages technology to streamline administrative processes, enhance patient engagement, and improve overall healthcare delivery. The aim of the study is to assess the view point of healthcare professionals towards telehealth platforms and perform a comparative analysis based on gender, age group, qualification, years of experience, specialty and other factors. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study and quantitative in nature. The study population includes general physicians, dental surgeons, physiotherapists and nutritionists employed in public and private healthcare organizations, across multiple cities in India. Data was collected over a period of two months, through a well-structured questionnaire across multiple cities in India. The invitation link to the survey was sent to 315 healthcare professionals working at various healthcare organizations, out of which 204 eventually participated in the study. The completed questionnaires were analyzed as per the study objectives using descriptive statistics for the quantitative data. The findings indicated that 59% of the participants were female healthcare professionals, while 41% were male. With regard to the view point towards telemedicine, the mean score of males and females denotes that the females have a better attitude towards the platform with mean 4.07, in comparison to males with mean 3.85. Healthcare professionals belonging to older age groups (above 50 years) are resistant towards adopting telehealth and are more comfortable in the traditional ways of consultation. This study developed a conceptual framework to determine healthcare professionals’ attitude towards telehealth services. Healthcare professionals (Dental surgeons, nutritionists, physiotherapists and alternative medicine) having less experience are more adaptive towards telemedicine platforms compared to healthcare professionals with higher experience. For the adoption of digital mode amongst the older age group of clinicians, frequent demonstrations through webinars and workshops are needed. A noteworthy benefit of telemedicine lies in its potential to alleviate costs and efforts, particularly for rural patients who can forgo arduous journeys for consultations and treatment.

Causes of Death Among Health Care Professionals in the United States.

Specific causes of mortality among various types of health care professionals (HCPs), including those characterized by age, gender, and race, have not been well described. The National Occupational Mortality Surveillance data for deaths in 26 US states in 1999, 2003-2004, and 2007-2014 were queried to address this question. Proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) were calculated to compare specific causes of mortality among HCPs compared with those among the general population. HCPs were less likely to die from heart disease (PMR 93, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 92-94), alcoholism (PMR 62, 95% CI 57-68), drugs (PMR 80, 95% CI 70-90), and more likely to die from cerebrovascular disease (PMR 105, 95% CI 104-107) and diabetes (PMR 107, 95% CI 105-109). HCPs aged 18-64 years were more likely to die by suicide (PMR 104, 95% CI 101-107), whereas those aged 65-90 years were less likely to die by suicide (PMR 84, 95% CI 77-91), with physicians (PMR 251, 95% CI 229-275) and other HCPs having high PMR for suicide. Among all HCPs, suicide PMR was similarly increased, whereas heart disease PMRs are similarly decreased among Black compared with those among White HCPs and those among male compared with those among female HCPs. HCPs as a group and specific types of HCPs demonstrate causes of mortality that differ in important ways from the general population. Race and gender-based trends in PMRs for key causes of mortality among HCPs suggest that employment in a health care field may not alter race and gender disparities noted among the general population.

The (im)possibility of being a breastfeeding working mother: experiences of Ecuadorian healthcare providers

BackgroundThroughout the twentieth century, public health agencies and expert healthcare professionals have recognized breastfeeding as the most nutritious and appropriate option for feeding infants. The Ecuadorian government, in line with international guidelines, has therefore developed laws and initiatives to improve the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding, especially among working mothers. However, breastfeeding rates in Ecuador are low.MethodsA qualitative methodology following social constructionist approaches was applied to explore the breastfeeding experiences of Ecuadorian women who are both mothers and healthcare professionals. Using snowball sampling, 60 healthcare professionals who breastfed their babies: 20 nurses, 20 physicians, and 20 nutritionists, took part in research interviews lasting between 30 and 92 minutes. All participants are currently offering telehealth or face-to-face consultation to their patients in Ecuador. Since Ecuador is a multicultural country, efforts were made to include participants from different regions of the country. Data gathering employed virtual semi-structured interviews including Photovoice. The interviews were carried out in Spanish, following a semi-structured topic guide. The data analysis employed constant comparative methods.ResultsThe analysis produced three overarching themes: Integrating breastfeeding in life and work; Establishing space for breastfeeding at work; Negotiations and tensions. The first theme: Integrating breastfeeding in life and work addresses participants' corporeal and emotional experiences when breastfeeding. This theme also includes the participants' experiences of how they integrated their maternal identity and adapted their breastfeeding bodies to their daily routines. The second theme: Establishing space for breastfeeding at work includes the challenges that some women encounter when incorporating and seeking to combine breastfeeding in their professional identities. The third theme: Negotiations and tensions covers how this group of female healthcare professionals had to negotiate the time and space to continue breastfeeding their children while working.