Health Care Professionals Face Research Articles

Access from healthcare professionals to evidence-based pharmacotherapy in allergy management.

Access to evidence-based pharmacotherapy (EBP) is crucial in effectively managing allergies. Allergy conditions, including rhinitis, asthma, and dermatitis, require treatment guided by scientific evidence. However, healthcare professionals face challenges in accessing relevant information. The dynamic nature of allergy research, coupled with limited resources and variability in practice guidelines, complicates decision-making. To enhance access, healthcare institutions should invest in comprehensive online resources tailored to allergy management, such as databases and platforms. Advances in algorithm development have shown that artificial intelligence and machine learning can enhance clinical decision-making. Integrating allergy-specific Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) into electronic health records can assist professionals in making EBP decisions at the point of care. Continuing education and training programs focused on allergy management can keep healthcare providers updated on the latest research and guidelines. Multidisciplinary teams facilitate knowledge exchange and standardize practice approaches. Social media outlets can be a great route to publicize work carried out or in progress to a target audience of interest. By bridging the gap between evidence and practice in allergy management, healthcare systems can ensure optimal care for patients, alleviating the burden of allergic diseases on individuals and society.

Subversive mythical figures and feminist resistance: On the rise of posthuman 'professionals'.

Within the context of neoliberal healthcare, nurses and other health professionals face working conditions that leave them perpetually feeling inadequate, as though they are not enough. They are consistently expected to achieve more with less resources. In such an environment, mere professionalism proves wholly insufficient, enforcing norms of altruism and kindness. Professionals must transcend this disciplinary tool and embody a 'more-than-professional' approach. This study, informed by critical posthumanism, employs three mythical archetypes-the Medusa, the Witch and the Siren-to illuminate potential avenues for resistance against prevailing trends in healthcare. Drawing on the perspectives of Hélène Cixous, Silvia Federici and Jacques Rancière, we introduce a process of resistance for healthcare professionals pushing back against the challenges of crumbling healthcare systems. Cixous' feminist reimagining of Medusa symbolizes intensified embodied sensory experiences, emphasizing the power of irony, laughter and writing in highlighting the daily struggles faced by healthcare workers. Federici's depiction of the Witch exposes clandestine alliances among healthcare workers and patients, akin to a pact with the devil, countering the individualistic, alienating approach to care provision and resisting neoliberal pressures. The Witch archetype embodies resistance grounded in creativity against the commodification of public healthcare. Finally, Rancière's 'politics of the Siren' offers a strategy for disrupting entrenched hierarchies from the underworld. Like Sirens, healthcare workers and patients can subversively transform their silence into songs of resistance, simultaneously operating from beneath the surface of accountability measures. Our intention is to showcase the emergence of posthuman 'professionals' who adapt by forging new modes of social relations in response to neoliberal constraints, straying from conventional, apolitical notions of 'professionalism'. Drawing lessons from mythical figures of resistance offers a fresh understanding of subversion as a catalyst for social and political transformation within the healthcare sector.

Differences of sex development and surgical decisions: focus group interviews with health care professionals in Norway

ABSTRACT Background: Differences of Sex Development (DSD) are congenital conditions where the chromosomal, gonadal and anatomical sex characteristics do not strictly belong to male or female categories, or that belong to both at the same time. Surgical interventions for individuals with DSD remain controversial, among affected individuals, caregivers, and health-care providers. A lack of evidence in support of, for deferring, or for avoiding surgery complicates the decision-making process. This study explores Norwegian health-care professionals’ (HCPs) perspectives on decision-making in DSD-related surgeries and the dilemmas they are facing in this process. Methods: Focus group interviews with 14 HCPs integrated into or collaborating with multidisciplinary DSD teams were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Two overarching dilemmas shed light on the intricate considerations and challenges that HCPs encounter when guiding affected individuals and caregivers through surgical decision-making processes in the context of DSD. The first theme describes how shared decision-making was found to be influenced by fear of stigma and balancing the interplay between concepts of normality, personal experiences and external expectations when navigating the child’s and caregivers’ needs. The second theme illuminated dilemmas due to a lack of evidence-based practice. The core concepts within each theme were the dilemmas health-care professionals face during consultations with caregivers and affected individuals. Conclusion: HCPs were aware of the controversies with DSD-related surgeries. However, they struggled to reconcile knowledge with parents’ wishes for surgery and faced dilemmas making decisions in the best interests of the child. This study draws attention to the benefits of increased knowledge on the consequences of performing or withholding surgery as well as incorporating tools enabling shared decision-making between HCPs and affected individuals/caregivers.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) of Sterilization and Disinfection of Health Care Professionals in Bangladesh

<i>Background:</i> Healthcare professionals face a constant risk of acquiring infections from patients. Exposure to blood, saliva, and sharp instruments increases their susceptibility to various infectious diseases. Proper sterilization and disinfection procedures are crucial for protecting both healthcare workers and patients. <i>Objective:</i> This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding sterilization and disinfection among healthcare professionals in Bangladesh.<i> Methods</i>: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January to June 2023. A total of 81 healthcare professionals were randomly selected and participated in the study after providing verbal consent. Data collection involved a pre-structured questionnaire focusing on knowledge, attitude, and practices related to sterilization and disinfection. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, and results were presented as frequencies and percentages. Ethical clearance was obtained before the study commenced. <i>Results: </i>The study included healthcare professionals from various backgrounds, with the majority being young adults (21-25 years old). Knowledge assessment revealed a good understanding of sterilization methods, disinfection procedures, post-sterilization instrument management, and waste disposal practices. Additionally, most participants were aware of the hospital's sterilization protocols and infection prevention policies. Regarding attitudes, a positive response was observed towards regular training for staff, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and adherence to sterilization and disinfection guidelines. However, a minority expressed concerns about reusing disposable items. Practices reflected the positive knowledge and attitudes, with a high percentage of participants following hand hygiene protocols, using PPE, and opting for disposable equipment. However, a small number reported experiencing needle-stick injuries, highlighting a potential gap between knowledge and practice. <i>Conclusions:</i> the study found that a majority of healthcare professionals in this setting demonstrated good knowledge, positive attitudes, and appropriate practices regarding sterilization and disinfection. However, a small knowledge, attitude, and practice gap was identified, particularly concerning needle-stick injuries. These findings suggest a need for ongoing education and reinforcement of safe practices to ensure optimal infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities.

A LeViT–EfficientNet-Based Feature Fusion Technique for Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition. It causes cognitive impairment and memory loss in individuals. Healthcare professionals face challenges in detecting AD in its initial stages. In this study, the author proposed a novel integrated approach, combining LeViT, EfficientNet B7, and Dartbooster XGBoost (DXB) models to detect AD using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The proposed model leverages the strength of improved LeViT and EfficientNet B7 models in extracting high-level features capturing complex patterns associated with AD. A feature fusion technique was employed to select crucial features. The author fine-tuned the DXB using the Bayesian optimization hyperband (BOHB) algorithm to predict AD using the extracted features. Two public datasets were used in this study. The proposed model was trained using the Open Access Series of Imaging Studies (OASIS) Alzheimer’s dataset containing 86,390 MRI images. The Alzheimer’s dataset was used to evaluate the generalization capability of the proposed model. The proposed model obtained an average generalization accuracy of 99.8% with limited computational power. The findings highlighted the exceptional performance of the proposed model in predicting the multiple types of AD. The recommended integrated feature extraction approach has supported the proposed model to outperform the state-of-the-art AD detection models. The proposed model can assist healthcare professionals in offering customized treatment for individuals with AD. The effectiveness of the proposed model can be improved by generalizing it to diverse datasets.

Systematic Optimization of Universal Real-Time Hypersensitive Fast Detection Method for HBsAg in Serum Based on SERS.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, with HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) being a crucial marker in the clinical detection of HBV. Due to the significant harm and ease of transmission associated with HBV, HBsAg testing has become an essential part of preoperative assessments, particularly for emergency surgeries where healthcare professionals face exposure risks. Therefore, a timely and accurate detection method for HBsAg is urgently needed. In this study, a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor with a sandwich structure was developed for HBsAg detection. Leveraging the ultrasensitive and rapid detection capabilities of SERS, this sensor enables quick detection results, significantly reducing waiting times. By systematically optimizing critical factors in the detection process, such as the composition and concentration of the incubation solution as well as the modification conditions and amount of probe particles, the sensitivity of the SERS immune assay system was improved. Ultimately, the sensor achieved a sensitivity of 0.00576 IU/mL within 12 min, surpassing the clinical requirement of 0.05 IU/mL by an order of magnitude. In clinical serum assay validation, the issue of false positives was effectively addressed by adding a blocker. The final sensor demonstrated 100% specificity and sensitivity at the threshold of 0.05 IU/mL. Therefore, this study not only designed an ultrasensitive SERS sensor for detecting HBsAg in actual clinical serum samples but also provided theoretical support for similar systems, filling the knowledge gap in existing literature.

Healthcare professionals' experience of teenage pregnancy and motherhood in Haiti.

The aim of this study was to explore healthcare professionals' experience of pregnant and motherhood in adolescence in Haiti. The methodology for collecting and analyzing qualitative data was based on John Dewey's social survey. The study was conducted in nine health institutions in the North and North-East departments of Haiti from October 2020 to January 2021. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews with 15 healthcare professionals. All interviews were audio-recorded. The recordings were listened to carefully and transcribed in verbatim form. After checking and validation, the verbatims in Word format were exported to QDA Miner software version 6.0.5 for coding. The data were analyzed using Paillé and Mucchielli thematic analyses. Health professionals such as gynecologists, nurses, midwives, nursing assistants, matrons and health workers took part in the study. These study participants indicate that teenage pregnancy and motherhood are social and public health problems whose negative consequences affect teenage girls, children, healthcare professionals, the healthcare system, and Haitian society in general. The services offered to adolescent girls are medical, educational, psychological, economic, and social in nature. When caring for pregnant adolescents during the transition to motherhood, healthcare professionals face many challenges that are linked to the socio-economic status and physiological reality of adolescents, as well as the healthcare system. Programs involving home care visits should also be set up to offer ongoing support to pregnant or parenting teenagers. The distribution of food aid or materials such as clothing, hygiene products and baby kits should also be considered.

Cognitive function and work resilience of healthcare professionals: A comparative cross-sectional study.

Healthcare professionals (HCPs) face a variety of work-related stressors that have impact on their mental health and cognitive performance. Work resilience is a psychological resource that helps workers cope with stress and prevents unfavorable psychological impact. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between working as HCPs and cognitive function as well as work resilience. This was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted among HCPs at Suez Canal University Hospital in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, during April 2023 to August 2023. Two hundred and thirty-five HCPs and 107 administrative employees (Admins) were invited to participate in this study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic and other relavent data. Cognitive function was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination test; work resilience was assessed with the Brief Resilience Scale; and psychological distress was measured with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21-items (DASS-21) scale. Statistical significance was determined by Mann Whitney U-test for continuous variables, and Chi-square test or Fisher's exact, as appropriate, for categorical variables. Multiple logistic regression models were employed to determine associations between the main outcomes (cognitive impairment and low resilience) and the main covariate (working as HCPs vs. Admins), adjusting for all potential confounders. HCPs showed a significantly greater cognitive impairment, less resilience, and DASS-21 than the Admins. The odds of impaired cognitive function in HCPs were significantly higher than the Admins (odds ratio [OR]: 4.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27-15.67, P = 0.020), adjusted for all potential covariates. Similarly, the odds of low resilience in HCPs were significantly higher than Admins (OR: 5.81, 95% CI: 2.72-12.44, P < 0.001), adjusted for all potential covariates. However, the adjusted association between impaired cognitive function and low resilience was not statistically significant (OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.23-1.33, P = 0.185). HCPs had significantly impaired cognitive function and low work resilience. Workplace policies and interventions to control depression, stress, and anxiety are required as it is the encouragement of physical activity. Programs that combine positive coping skills training (e.g., relaxation training, positive thinking, and problem solving) with resilience-building interventions (e.g., taking a proactive approach to solving problems, being flexible and adaptive) should be developed, with special attention to HCPs who have a higher sense of self-efficacy.

Adversity Quotient as Determining Factor of Mental Health and Professional Quality of Life Among Healthcare Professionals: A Systematic Review

Background: Adversity quotient (AQ) is an individual’s ability to persist during the phase of constant alteration within one’s context, privation and response is measured by assessing AQ. It is a measure of resilience including four components which are ‘control’, ‘ownership’, ‘reach’ and ‘endurance’. Healthcare professionals face regularly changing adversities and new challenges, yet perform with optimal functioning. This also sometimes results in anxiety, depression, burnout and poor professional quality of life (ProQOL). Summary: The current systematic review’s aim is to explore the existing literature on AQ and the ProQOL of doctors, counsellors, psychologists, nurses, nursing students, psychiatric social workers and other healthcare professionals. Electronic databases of PubMed, NIH and Scopus were searched and authors conducted a systematic review of 23 published, unpublished studies and dissertations on the impact of workplace adversities on AQ and ProQOL of healthcare professionals, medical students and other helping professionals, up to 2024. Key Message: Showed a significant relationship between AQ, ProQOL, anxiety, depression and burnout among healthcare professionals and other helping professions. It was also observed that healthcare professionals with high AQ were able to experience a better ProQOL and improved well-being at the workplace.

(142) Double Pause: Understanding Couple Intimacy Through Health Care Provider Lens – A Qualitative Survey

Abstract Introduction At midlife and beyond, both men and women face organic changes that can affect their sexual functioning. Women may suffer from vaginal dryness, irritation/itching, inadequate lubrication, and dyspareunia due to ovarian exhaustion. Whilst erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunctions, and testosterone deficiency may affect sexual activity in men. Objective To understand the perceptions and changes in sexual intimacy in middle-aged couple (40 years and above) and their evolution over time. To explore the supportive role of partner and health care professionals (HCPs) during this evolution. Methods 30 HCPs in the space of sexual health and couple intimacy across six countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany and Spain) participated in this survey. An in-depth interview (45–60 minutes) was conducted about key issues that middle-aged couple face about sexual/couple intimacy, the language used to initiate conversations with patients, how issues evolve over time, as well as the role that a partner and HCP can play in providing support, guidance, and treatment. Results Interviews with HCPs showed that despite some progress, couple intimacy continues to be a taboo topic. HCPs play a crucial role in initiating conversations amongst the 40 and above aged group, especially before pausing their sexual activities. Many HCPs have developed their own personal style to explore the couple intimacy topic but they believe they need more education. To effectively address sexual dysfunction in couples, a comprehensive, gender-sensitive approach is crucial. This involves recognizing and addressing the unique challenges each gender faces, particularly considering the healthcare providers’ biases that disproportionately affect women compared to men. However, distinct challenges do not imply an individualistic approach to treatment, as HCPs recognize the benefits of involving both partners. While HCPs offer some resources to help patients understand intimacy issues, patients can also encounter unreliable information on social media and within society, particularly when there is inaccurate information available. Misconceptions about intimacy treatments can be a significant barrier to solving the issue, with the disparity in HCPs’ conversations with women compared to men being a significant contributing factor. HCPs face several challenges when approaching the subject of couple intimacy with patients, ranging from time constraints to a lack of psychological training. Additionally, their professional networks are often limited to referrals, and inadequate training of practitioners can further complicate their clinical duties Conclusions To effectively address sexual dysfunction in couples, a comprehensive, gender-sensitive approach is crucial. This involves recognizing and addressing the unique challenges each gender faces, particularly considering the HCP’s biases that disproportionately affect women compared to men. Disclosure Yes, this is sponsored by industry/sponsor: Viatris Inc. Clarification: Industry initiated, executed and funded study. Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: 1Mental Health Centre Copenhagen and University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

What Multi-Level Solutions Can Enhance the Financial Literacy of Healthcare Professionals in Kenya?

Financial literacy is a crucial asset within the human capital pool, whether individuals are working within or outside the hospital setting. Professionals in various fields benefit from financial literacy, and the main recipients include individuals, the broader economy, businesses, and the overall financial system. In the context of medical professionals, the expectation is often that they make informed business decisions and effectively manage healthcare facilities. However, a notable challenge is the potential lack of essential skills in financial literacy among these professionals. In Kenya, a considerable number of healthcare professionals face a deficiency in financial literacy skills, hindering their ability to proficiently handle even small businesses in private practices and oversee financial matters in hospital departments, both in public and private healthcare facilities. Consequently, the objective of this study is to present healthcare professionals with a roadmap to identify and address gaps to enhance their financial literacy. A survey was conducted from June to July 2023, involving 339 doctors, including medical doctors, dentists, and pharmacists. The findings were interesting concerning gender performance and global comparisons. Unlike previous studies, female doctors demonstrated a higher financial knowledge, behavior, and attitude, suggesting a well-rounded financial proficiency compared to their male counterparts. At the global level, the descriptive analysis revealed strong financial knowledge, positive attitudes, and prudent financial behaviors among the Kenyan participating doctors compared to the OECD global averages. For example, unlike the OECD global average of 52.5% in financial knowledge and literacy, the findings for the Kenyan counterparts stood at 77%; while the OECD global average for financial attitude was 70%, that of the Kenyan counterparts was at 75%; and compared to the OECD global average of prudent financial behavior of 59%, that of the Kenyan counterparts was 69%. It seems that socio-demographic factors, coupled with financial knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, intricately influence the financial literacy of healthcare professionals. The findings highlight the importance of implementing multi-level solutions to enhance overall financial literacy among healthcare professionals. These solutions include tailored financial programs, self-paced online courses with interactive elements, and the integration of financial literacy into medical undergraduate and postgraduate training curricula. Keywords: healthcare professionals, financial literacy, Kenya, multi-level solutions

Ethical challenges in organ transplants for refugees in a healthcare system.

Several ethical issues are associated with providing living organ transplantation services, and there is limited information on these issues faced by the teams providing service to refugees or asylum seekers. To determine the challenges healthcare professionals face in organ transplant centers providing services to Syrians under temporary protection status and discern whether these difficulties align with ethical issues in living organ transplantation. This study employed a qualitative design and conducted individual semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 18 transplant team members in Istanbul between September and November 2022. Data analysis was based on Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis. The participants comprised 18 healthcare professionals, including 6 physicians and 12 nurses working in organ transplant teams in Istanbul. The University's Ethics Committee provided approval. Participants were informed regarding confidentiality and signed an informed consent form. Three themes emerged from the data on ethical issues faced by organ transplantation services to Syrians: (a) beneficence or double equipoise, (b) autonomy, and (c) justice. Transplant teams experience problems related to preserving double equipoise in the provision of living donor organ transplantation because of language barriers, poor socioeconomic conditions, and cultural factors, which increases transplant teams' individual and indirect social burden. Although problems arise from the language barrier when obtaining informed consent in the autonomy theme, institutional and national policies in preventing donor abuse have a comforting effect. Health workers had the least problems with the justice theme, wherein national health policies are determined. Fewer issues related to autonomy and justice were reported in providing organ transplantation services to Syrians, with the most intense reported issues being maintaining double equipoise. The results revealed the need to develop institutional, national, and international policies with individual solutions to prevent difficulties healthcare professionals face in this process.

Cyber obsessive obsession: A study in nurses department

Cyber obsessive stalking is a form of cyber violence that comprises a variety of unfavorable behavior patterns and is thought to be an extension of classic persistent stalking in online settings. Research shows that healthcare professionals are vulnerable to cyber-obsessive harassment due to the negative perception that patients are not satisfied with the service they receive and that their treatment processes are inadequately managed. The purpose of this study is to identify the experiences public and private sector nurses have had with cyber-obsessive stalking. In this cross-sectional study, 165 nurses who work in both the public and commercial sectors make up the study group. Data collecting techniques were the Personal Information Form and the Cyber Obsessive Stalking Scale. The scale, which asks how often cyber-obsessive stalking behaviors have been encountered, has 15 items and includes excessive closeness, threat, and transference components. A statistical package application was used to examine the data that were gathered online. According to the data of the analysis, 72.7% of the participants had at least one experience with cyber obsessive stalker behavior. While exposure to influence-oriented messages was the most frequent conduct, with a rate of 61.2%, exposure to auto, home, and office listening behavior was the least common cyber obsessive stalking behavior. The extreme closeness component of the scale had the highest mean score, while transference was the most prevalent activity. Healthcare professionals face risks such as patient dissatisfaction with the care they receive, societal perceptions of poorly managed treatment processes, and, in some cases, the possibility of patients engaging in cyber-obsessive tracking for emotional and/or sexual reasons. The results of this study show that cyber obsessive stalking behaviors are observed among the nurses participating in the study.

The First 100 Children Treated in a Newly Established Pediatric Vertigo Center.

Correctly diagnosing dizziness in children is essential for appropriate management; nevertheless, healthcare professionals face challenges due to children's limited ability to describe their symptoms and their cooperation during physical examination. The objective of this study is to describe the first 100 patients seen at a newly established pediatric vertigo center. This is a retrospective review of a consecutive series of 100 patients seen at our pediatric vertigo clinic in a tertiary referral center from August 2019 until June 2022. Comprehensive clinical data were collected. The diagnoses were established by 2 pediatric otolaryngologists based on validated diagnostic criteria. Trends in diagnosis, investigation, and treatment of these patients were analyzed. A total of 100 children were included in the study. Vestibular migraine was the most common diagnosis (20%) followed by benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood (14%). Eleven patients had combined pathologies. Fifteen out of 70 children (21%) had abnormal audiograms, 30 out of 48 children (62.5%) had abnormal vestibular testing, and 6 out of 31 (19%) patients had abnormal imaging. Fifty-one children received medical treatment, 23 received vestibular physiotherapy, and 9 patients had particle repositioning maneuvers; moreover, 17 of these patients received multimodal treatment. Our analysis suggests that imaging and audiology testing have relatively low yield in the assessment of pediatric vertigo. On the other hand, vestibular testing detected a high proportion of abnormalities, such as saccadic pursuit, vertical nystagmus, central positional nystagmus, and abnormal directional preponderance, particularly associated with vestibular migraine. Given the complexity of diagnosing vertigo in children, it is critical to establish multidisciplinary specialized centers capable of providing accurate diagnosis and treatment for these children.

Understanding communication between patients and healthcare professionals regarding comprehensive biomarker testing in precision oncology: A scoping review.

Precision oncology, using comprehensive biomarker testing (cBT) to inform individual cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment, includes increasingly complex technology and clinical data sets. People impacted by cancer (patients and caregivers) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) face distinct challenges in navigating the cBT and personalized treatment landscape. This review summarizes evidence regarding cBT-related communication between people impacted by cancer and HCPs and identifies important avenues for future research in precision oncology. A scoping review was conducted using records published in PubMed during January 2017-August 2022, focusing on the breadth of topics on patient-HCP communication and knowledge resources used by HCPs as guidance in cBT-related communication. Data were extracted from records meeting inclusion criteria, and findings were summarized according to main topics. The search identified 287 unique records and data were extracted from 42 records, including nine from expert input. Most records originated from the United States included patients with different types of cancer, and oncologists were the main HCPs. Patients' motivation for undergoing cBT and receiving results was generally high in different settings. However, patients' understanding of cBT-related concepts was limited, and their knowledge and information preferences changed based on cBT implications and significance to family members. HCPs were valued by patients as a trusted source of information. Limited evidence was available on HCPs' information-seeking behavior and factors influencing cBT-related knowledge and confidence, often self-reported as insufficient. Patient education by knowledgeable and confident HCPs, information management and a caring patient-HCP relationship communicating continuity of care regardless of cBT results are crucial to empower patients and shared decision-making in precision oncology. More data on the process and structure of cBT-related communication, distinction between and characterization of different timepoints of patient-HCP interactions are needed.

The prevalence of COVID-19 among healthcare professionals at primary healthcare centers

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 infection typically triggers discernible immunological responses in most reported cases. Employing a serological test could identify prior asymptomatic infections and aid in evaluating an individual's immune status. Given that healthcare professionals face a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure, the utilization of personal protective equipment remains the foremost approach in averting disease transmission within healthcare facilities. Objectives: To ascertain the prevalence of COVID-19 among healthcare professionals working in primary healthcare centers located within the AL-Sader city district. Method: During the period between November 1st, 2020, and December 31st, 2020, a cross-sectional study was carried out in nine primary healthcare centers, chosen through a cluster random sampling method. Result: Out of the 470 participants included in the study, 101 (21.5%) had a documented history of COVID-19 infection, with 76 confirmed through polymerase chain reaction analysis. Notably, a notable correlation between a positive rapid immunological test result and a prior history of COVID-19 infection (p-value &lt; 0.001). The rapid test showed a sensitivity of 56.6% and a specificity of 79.2%. Specifically, 125 participants (26.6%) tested positive using the rapid test, with 104 (83.2%) exhibiting IgG antibodies, 5 (4%) displaying IgM, and 16 (12.8%) showing both IgG and IgM antibodies. Conclusion: The prevalence of COVID-19 infection among participants exceeded the anticipated levels. Significantly, there was a discernible correlation between positive rapid test results and COVID-19 infection, as well as factors such as smoking, comorbidities, PPE training, and household infections.

Medical cyber crises and biotechnological syndromes: a multisite clinical simulation study focused on digital health complaints

BackgroundBiotechnological syndromes refer to the illnesses that arise at the intersection of human physiology and digital technology. Implanted technologies can malfunction (eg, runaway pacemakers, hacked insulin pumps), and consumer technologies can be exploited to impose adverse health effects (eg, technology-facilitated abuse, hacks on epilepsy websites inducing seizures). Through a series of clinical simulation events, our study aimed to (1) evaluate the ability of physicians to respond to biotechnological syndromes, (2) explore gaps in training impeding effective patient care in digital cases, and (3) identify clinical cases due to digital technology arising in the population. MethodsThis was a multisite clinical simulation study. Between Jan 1 and July 1, 2023, four half-day clinical simulation events focused on digital pathologies were delivered across three NHS sites in London and the East Midlands. Participants (n=14) ranged in seniority from clinical medical students through to hospital consultants. Ethics approval was attained from University College London. Participant performance was scored by one researcher, using mark schemes built from the Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) format of UK Medical Schools. Qualitative and quantitative feedback was collected from participants following each of the four scenarios. Participants were asked to identify clinical challenges present in each simulation, discuss cases within their own practice, and evaluate the usefulness of the educational material. FindingsParticipants reported a wide range of examples within their own practice (eg, insulin pumps malfunctioning due to Apple watches, cardiac arrests due to faults in ventilators). Participants described barriers to treatment in simulations, including low diagnostic suspicion of technological failures, little education on biotechnological mechanisms, a lack of available expertise, and uncertainty regarding effective therapeutics. In the subjective feedback, participants reported the lowest levels of confidence when managing cases relating to software issues in medical devices, both in terms of confidence in their own ability to deliver care (mean scores: 3·6/10 junior staff, 5·8/10 senior staff) and in their teams (3·8/10 juniors, 6·8/10 seniors). InterpretationIn our digital society, clinical cases related to technology are likely to increase in the population. At present, a lack of clinical awareness, education, training material, and appropriate guidelines are some of the barriers that health-care professionals face when treating these patients. FundingNone.

Resolution of Resorptive and Compressive Atelectasis without Invasive Manoeuvres: A Case Report

A care challenge that clinicians and other healthcare professionals face very frequently is the complications of bedridden syndrome. Respiratory involvement readily occurs in these patients for whom medical therapy alone is not sufficient. In this clinical case, the authors describe the results of chest physiotherapy in an elderly patient who had developed complete atelectasis of the left lung, attributable to two mechanisms: obstructive, due to mucus plugging, and compressive, due to pleural effusion. The patient was accessed in the authors’ Respiratory Rehabilitation Department, San Raffaele Pisana Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS), Rome, Italy, with dyspnoea at rest and high O2 requirement (venturi mask fraction of inspired O2: 40%), demonstrated by severe respiratory failure on blood gas analysis (partial pressure of O2/fraction of inspired O2: 155). Physical examination revealed marked reduction of lung sounds, especially on the left side, with diffuse rhonchi. A chest CT scan was performed to demonstrate complete left lung collapse that would have required invasive therapeutic procedures, such as bronchoscopy. However, given the high risk of periprocedural complications and the patient’s refusal, a chest physiotherapy programme was started. The lung was able to re-expand 7 days later, as evidenced by X-ray and improved gas exchange. The manuscript describes the physiotherapeutic techniques used and collects the main scientific evidence on them. The main purpose is to highlight the role of respiratory physiotherapy as an effective, safe, co-adjuvant treatment, and sometimes alternative to invasive manoeuvres in the treatment of frail patients.

Healthcare Operations and Black Swan Event for COVID-19 Pandemic: A Predictive Analytics.

COVID-19 pandemic has questioned the way healthcare operations take place globally as the healthcare professionals face an unprecedented task of controlling and treating the COVID-19 infected patients with a highly straining and draining facility due to the erratic admissions of infected patients. However, COVID-19 is considered as a white swan event. Yet, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare operations is highly uncertain and disruptive making it as a black swan event. Therefore, the study explores the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on healthcare operations and develops machine learning-based forecasting models using time series data to foresee the progression of COVID-19 and further using predictive analytics to better manage healthcare operations. The prediction error of the proposed model is found to be 0.039 for new cases and 0.006 for active COVID-19 cases with respect to mean absolute percentage error. The proposed simulated model further could generate predictive analytics and yielded future recovery rate, resource management ratios, and average cycle time of a patient tested COVID-19 positive. Further, the study will help healthcare professionals to devise better resilience and decision-making for managing uncertainty and disruption in healthcare operations.

&lt;i&gt;AYUSH&lt;/i&gt; in Oral Health and Diseases: An Overview

"AYUSH” is an abbreviated form for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. These are the indigenous complementary and alternative medical practices used in India. Oral diseases are significant global health ailments and greatly influence the general life quality. Compromised oral health is connected with numerous systemic chronic diseases. Oral healthcare professionals face many challenges in the management of dental conditions. It is essential for oral healthcare professionals to be abreast of Complementary and Alternative Medicine modalities, as there is a growing need for the amalgamation of these traditional systems with conventional, science-based Dentistry for the holistic management of oral diseases. The present paper highlights the AYUSH medicine systems that can be comprehensively integrated into modern oral healthcare.