Healthcare Professionals In China Research Articles

Leadership support and satisfaction of healthcare professionals in China’s leading hospitals: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundHealthcare professionals’ job satisfaction is a critical indicator of healthcare performance, pivotal in addressing challenges such as hospital quality outcomes, patient satisfaction, and staff retention rates. Existing evidence underscores the significant influence of healthcare leadership on job satisfaction. Our study aims to assess the impact of leadership support on the satisfaction of healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and administrative staff, in China’s leading hospitals.MethodsA cross-sectional survey study was conducted on healthcare professionals in three leading hospitals in China from July to December 2021. These hospitals represent three regions in China with varying levels of social and economic development, one in the eastern region, one in the central region, and the third in the western region. Within each hospital, we employed a convenience sampling method to conduct a questionnaire survey involving 487 healthcare professionals. We assessed perceived leadership support across five dimensions: resource support, environmental support, decision support, research support, and innovation encouragement. Simultaneously, we measured satisfaction using the MSQ among healthcare professionals.ResultsThe overall satisfaction rate among surveyed healthcare professionals was 74.33%. Our study revealed significant support from senior leadership in hospitals for encouraging research (96.92%), inspiring innovation (96.30%), and fostering a positive work environment (93.63%). However, lower levels of support were perceived in decision-making (81.72%) and resource allocation (80.08%). Using binary logistic regression with satisfaction as the dependent variable and healthcare professionals’ perceived leadership support, hospital origin, job role, department, gender, age, education level, and professional designation as independent variables, the results indicated that support in resource provision (OR: 4.312, 95% CI: 2.412 ∼ 7.710) and environmental facilitation (OR: 4.052, 95% CI: 1.134 ∼ 14.471) significantly enhances healthcare personnel satisfaction.ConclusionThe findings underscore the critical role of leadership support in enhancing job satisfaction among healthcare professionals. For hospital administrators and policymakers, the study highlights the need to focus on three key dimensions: providing adequate resources, creating a supportive environment, and involving healthcare professionals in decision-making processes.

Perceptions, attitudes and barriers to effective obesity care among people living with obesity and healthcare professionals in China: The ACTION-China study.

To identify perceptions, attitudes, behaviours and barriers to effective obesity care among people living with obesity (PLwO) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) across mainland China. ACTION-China (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05428501) was a cross-sectional, observational, descriptive, online survey-based study of 7000 PLwO and 1000 HCPs (conducted between August and November 2022). The majority of PLwO (76.8% [5374/7000]) and HCPs (94.6% [946/1000]) agreed that obesity is a chronic disease. Only 40.8% of PLwO (2853/7000) had discussed their weight or talked about losing weight with an HCP in the past 5 years. The most frequent reason given by PLwO for not discussing weight management with an HCP was believing it was their responsibility to manage their weight (34.7% [2430/7000]), whereas the most frequent reason HCPs gave for not discussing obesity with their patients with obesity was having more important health issues to discuss (72.1% [721/1000]). A smaller proportion of PLwO (19.1%) than HCPs (53.6%) felt that weight management discussions with an HCP would be very or extremely helpful for the patient, and 30.7% of PLwO experienced negative feelings after their most recent discussion. Overall, 34.8% (2438/7000) of PLwO had been diagnosed with obesity by an HCP, while 30.0% (2101/7000) of PLwO did not recognize that they had obesity. This large, national survey conducted among PLwO and HCPs highlights key barriers to effective obesity care in China, including underestimation of weight status by PLwO and the need for increased communication between HCPs and PLwO regarding weight management.

Exploring the Impact of Public Health Emergencies on Mental Well-being and Coping Mechanism of Healthcare Professionals in China

Objectives: In the state of public health emergencies, healthcare professionals worldwide work under traumatic circumstances leading to deteriorated mental well-being, psychological pressure, depression, and professional burnout. Methods: This study attempted to assess some unique constructs like fnancial impact as well as adaptation capabilities, and coping mechanisms of healthcare professionals, when they encounter public health emergencies. Using a quantitative research design, numerical data was collected online through Google doc survey participated by a sample comprising Chinese healthcare workers, identifed through purposive sampling method. Strict ethical guidelines and regulations were followed. The data was evaluated using the software SPSS and Amos 24 with advanced additional features. Results: The results disclosed an insignifcant impact of the fnancial impact on coping mechanisms and general health. The anticipation capabilities, however, made a signifcant and positive impact on their general health. The mediator adaptation capabilities acted as a full mediator on the mediating variable of fnancial impact, showing a direct relationship and also a partial mediation with anticipation capabilities association. Conclusion: These results imply that different coping styles combined with the empirically enlightened capabilities are incumbent and can collectively work to enhance the public health sector services and its employees.

A chain mediation model on organizational support and turnover intention among healthcare workers in Guangdong province, China.

The outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic has presented significant difficulties for healthcare workers worldwide, resulting in a higher tendency to quit their jobs. This study aims to investigate the correlation between organizational support, work-family-self balance, job satisfaction, and turnover intention of healthcare professionals in China's public hospitals. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 5,434 health workers recruited from 15 public hospitals in Foshan municipality in China's Guangdong province. The survey was measured by organizational support, work-family-self balance, job satisfaction, and turnover intention using a five-point Likert scale. The association between organizational support, work-family-self balance, job satisfaction, and turnover intention was investigated using Pearson correlation analysis and mediation analysis through the PROCESS macro (Model 6). Organizational support indirectly affected turnover intention through three pathways: the mediating role of work-family-self balance, job satisfaction, and the chain mediating role of both work-family-self balance and job satisfaction. Health administrators and relevant government sectors should provide sufficient organizational support, enhance work-family-self balance and job satisfaction among healthcare workers, and consequently reduce their turnover intentions.

Correlation between uncertainty stress and depression among healthcare professionals in China: a nationwide cross-sectional survey

ObjectiveThis study investigated the correlation between uncertainty stress (US) and depression among healthcare professionals (HCPs) in China.Design, settings and participantsA cross-sectional online survey was conducted by recruiting HCPs from three...

Reverse care at the end of life

Abstract Objectives This study investigates the phenomenon of reverse care, characterized by the actions of terminally ill individuals who, despite their own suffering, attend to the well-being of other people and society at large. While end-of-life care has been widely studied, the phenomenon of reverse care remains largely unexplored, even though it reflects personal autonomy, compassion and sense of social responsibility among people nearing the end of their lives. By drawing on the Buddhist notion of merit transfer, we applied the concept of reverse care in analyzing 146 interviews conducted in 2023 with family caregivers and healthcare professionals in China. Our aim was to uncover how terminally ill individuals expressed concern for other people. Methods We employed a qualitative analysis of interview transcripts using NVIVO software. The transcripts were coded into 83 reference points, seven primary codes, four axial codes, and a core code, focusing on recalled events, personal anecdotes, reflections on interpersonal relationships, and vignettes of end-of-life situations. Results Evidence of reverse care was identified in 25 percent of the interviews. Among the 83 reference points, 61 related to caring for one's own family, while 22 highlighted concern for society, fellow patients and medical staff. Although a common form of reverse care was clearly identified with the protective attitude that terminally ill patients displayed towards their own families, a significant number of individuals expressed a deep sense of social responsibility, exemplified by actions such as showing compassion for fellow patients, expressing gratitude to medical staff, insisting on eco-friendly burials, arranging for organ donations or offering their bodies for medical research. Conclusions This study highlights a different approach to understanding how individuals approach their final days with dignity and purpose. It suggests that reverse care in end-of-life situations fosters a process of meaningful engagement with the world through death and thereafter.

Factors Affecting Intention to Leave Among ICU Healthcare Professionals in China: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Survey and XGBoost Analysis.

The intention to leave among intensive care unit (ICU) healthcare professionals in China has become a concerning issue. Therefore, understanding the factors influencing the intention to leave and implementing appropriate measures have become urgent needs for maintaining a stable healthcare workforce. This study aims to investigate the current status of intention to leave among ICU healthcare professionals in China, explore the relevant factors affecting this intention, and provide targeted recommendations to reduce the intention to leave among healthcare professionals. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, involving ICU healthcare professionals from 3-A hospitals of the 34 provinces in China. The survey encompassed 22 indicators, including demographic information (marital status, children, income), work-related factors (weekly working hours, night shift frequency, hospital environment), and psychological assessment (using Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90)). The data from a sample population of 3653 individuals were analyzed using the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) method to predict intention to leave. The survey results revealed that 62.09% (2268 individuals) of the surveyed ICU healthcare professionals expressed an intention to leave. The XGBoost model achieved a predictive accuracy of 75.38% and an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.77. Satisfaction with income was found to be the strongest predictor of intention to leave among ICU healthcare professionals. Additionally, factors such as years of experience, night shift frequency, and pride in hospital work were found to play significant roles in influencing the intention to leave.

Perceptions and attitudes of kidney supportive care among elderly patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and dialysis healthcare professionals in China: a qualitative study

PurposeKidney supportive care (KSC) represents a novel approach wherein a multidisciplinary team of nephrology experts offers active symptom management, advance care planning, shared decision-making, conservative treatment, and end-of-life care. This study is aimed at providing comprehensive insights and evaluations regarding the understanding and perspectives of Chinese healthcare professionals, including nephrologists and dialysis nurses, as well as elderly individuals aged 60 and above who are afflicted with chronic kidney disease. The primary goal is to furnish substantial information support for a better comprehension of KSC within the Chinese context, with the ultimate aim of facilitating its effective implementation in this region.MethodsEmploying a phenomenological framework, this qualitative research generated data using semi-structured interviews with 18 elderly patients diagnosed with advanced chronic kidney disease and 10 healthcare professionals across two Class III Grade A medical institutions. The Colaizzi’s analytical method was utilized for coding and analyzing the interview data.ResultsDistinct interviews were executed with patients and healthcare professionals to delineate specific themes for each group. For elderly dialysis patients, the following themes were formed: (1) Lack of understanding of KSC; (2) Concerns of how KSC is perceived; and (3) Perceived benefits of KSC. Within the healthcare professionals cohort, two salient themes emerged: (1) Prospective clinical merits of KSC ; and (2) Mltiple difficulties encountered.ConclusionsThis study goes some way in furnishing a holistic understanding of perceptions surrounding KSC among elderly patients undergoing dialysis and healthcare professionals in China. The overarching Chinese cultural ethos poses substantial challenges to the widespread assimilation of KSC. While healthcare professionals advocate for KSC, there remains a limit in the patients’ comprehension of this therapeutic paradigm. There is a compelling imperative to cultivate this strategy, grounded in the prevailing medical landscape.

Reforming China’s healthcare management in the wake of COVID-19: A psychological well-being perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a reevaluation of global health capabilities, highlighting the importance of prioritizing the welfare of frontline healthcare workers. These individuals encountered difficult circumstances on a global scale, including longer work hours, heightened risk of virus exposure, and substantial strain on their mental and physical well-being. Healthcare professionals in China faced similar challenges. This article discusses systemic issues that have been exacerbated by the pandemic and argues for a sustained emphasis on the well-being of healthcare workers, rather than solely addressing it as a crisis response. Given the increasing likelihood of future global pandemics, it is crucial to emphasize the establishment of a durable support system that can enhance resilience and crisis management capabilities. This study examines the systemic challenges of the Chinese healthcare system, with a particular focus on the difficulties encountered during the pandemic. We advocate for a paradigm shift that acknowledges healthcare workers as essential stakeholders within healthcare systems. The objective is to encourage a worldwide conversation for implementing initiatives that transcend national boundaries, with the goal of consistently incorporating a culture of compassion and assistance into healthcare systems. We propose the implementation of a comprehensive support system that encompasses all facets of healthcare, going beyond the mere management of crises. Our vision is for health systems to prioritize the well-being of healthcare workers and the communities they serve, with a focus on resilience.

The Chinese version of the Health Professional Communication Skills Scale: Psychometric evaluation.

This study aims to translate the Health Professional Communication Skills Scale (HP-CSS) into Chinese and assess its psychometric properties. A total of 836 healthcare professionals were recruited. The demographic characteristics form and HP-CSS were used for data collection. The psychometric properties of HP-CSS were evaluated by examining item analysis, construct validity, known-group discriminant validity, internal consistency, and split-half reliability. In terms of item analysis, the critical ratio (CR) of 18 items was both >3 (CR ranging from 9.937 to 28.816), and the score of each item was positively correlated with the total score (r ranging from 0.357 to 0.778, P < 0.001). The fit indices showed that the original correlated four-factor model of HP-CSS was adequate: χ2 =722.801; df = 126; χ2/df = 5.737; RMSEA = 0.075; CFI = 0.923; NNFI = 0.908; TLI = 0.906; IFI = 0.923. In terms of known-group discriminant validity, the HP-CSS total score was related to gender, occupation, work years, and communication skill training. Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.922, and the split-half reliability was 0.865 for the total scale. The Chinese version of the HP-CSS is a reliable and valid instrument to evaluate communication skills among healthcare professionals in China.

An experimental study using a sexual strategies explanation to reduce homophobia toward gay men among lay people and healthcare professionals in China.

Homophobic discrimination and stigmatization, especially from healthcare professionals, are important stressors for gay men. Homophobia may be partly rooted in seeing some gay men having casual sex and many sexual partners as a signal of mental problems. Sexual Strategies Theory (SST) suggests that such sexual behavior is a result of different sexual strategies men and women tend to adopt and is unrelated to sexual orientation per se. This study aimed to investigate (1) the effectiveness of providing an SST explanation for gay men's sexual behavior in reducing homophobia among both lay persons and healthcare professionals; (2) differences in homophobia between healthcare professionals and lay people and also between medical and non-medical professionals. The main analyses included 492 heterosexual participants recruited online via Chinese social media and sample services in 2021. Of these, 227 were healthcare professionals (128 medical, 99 non-medical) and 265 were lay people. The participants were randomly assigned into an experimental group given the SST explanation (n = 126), an active control group given a Minority Stress (MS) explanation (n = 184), and a control group (n = 182). After the manipulation, homophobia, knowledge about homosexuality, professional homophobic attitude, gay affirmative practice, and contact with gay men were assessed. The results of factor analysis suggested dividing homophobia into Oppressing Homophobia (Oppressing HP) describing believing that gay men should have fewer rights and Pathologizing Homophobia (Pathologizing HP) describing believing that the sexual behavior of gay men is a signal of mental problem. Importantly, the SST explanation reduced Pathologizing HP while the MS explanation reduced Oppressing HP. Healthcare professionals reported more Oppressing HP than lay people, and medical professionals conducted less gay affirmative practice than non-medical professionals. An SST explanation can potentially reduce some aspects of homophobia among both healthcare professionals and lay people. Also, worryingly, Chinese healthcare professionals, especially medical professionals, reported more homophobia than lay individuals.

Association between Workplace Violence and Depressive Symptoms among Primary Healthcare Professionals in Shandong, China: Meaning in Life as a Moderator.

Workplace violence (WPV) is common in healthcare settings. However, the association between WPV and depressive symptoms has not been explored among primary healthcare professionals, especially in China. The assumption of the moderating effort of meaning in life on the association has also not been tested. The purposes of the study are to investigate the relationship between WPV and depressive symptoms and identify the moderating role of meaning in life among primary healthcare professionals in China. In this study, we collected 2530 valid questionnaires. The participants were composed of primary healthcare professionals in Shandong province, China. WPV, meaning in life (including presence of life and search for life), depressive symptoms, and some social-demographic variables were evaluated. The SPSS macro was used to build the moderating relationship. WPV was positively correlated with depressive symptoms (β = 9.09, p &lt; 0.001), and meaning in life was negatively associated with WPV and depressive symptoms (β = -0.13, p &lt; 0.05) among primary healthcare professionals in China. For primary healthcare professionals with low presence of life, presence of life aggravated the relationship. The current study has verified the association between WPV and meaning in life, and the relationship between WPV and depressive symptoms has been supported among primary healthcare professionals in China. Meaning in life and presence of life as moderators play crucial roles in the relationship between WPV and depressive symptoms.

Cognition and practice on transitional care during the transfer from intensive care unit to a general ward among health care professionals: A qualitative study.

The aim of this study is to explore the cognition and practice on transitional care during the transfer from intensive care unit to a general ward among health care professionals in China. Due to the significant differences in the medical and humanistic environment at home and abroad, the safety of patients during the transmission from intensive care unit to the general ward is often ignored when their conditions become stable. There are few qualitative studies on the cognition and practice on transitional care during the transfer from intensive care unit to the ward among health care professionals in China. With a qualitative research design, 20 medical and nursing staff in the neurosurgery intensive care unit and ward were interviewed from May 2021 to August 2021. NVivo 11.0 software was utilized for Colaizzi's (1978) method of data analysis. Based on data analysis, perceptions of transitional care, the influencing factors for transitional care and the recommendations for improving transitional care were obtained. To ensure the continuity of care and improve patient safety during the period from intensive care unit to a general ward in China, we should clarify the expectation for the content of intensive care unit transitional care services, establish the transitional nursing team, guide nursing work, standardize the handover mode and process from intensive care unit to the general ward, promote the communication and coordination of health care professionals and improve the transitional nursing security system from the perspective of institutional level. This study can be used as a guide to help health care professionals provide a reference for the comprehensive development of transitional care services and the formulation of targeted intervention measures during the transfer from intensive care unit to a general ward in China.

Usage and perceptions of telemedicine among health care professionals in China

ObjectiveTo explore health care professionals' usage and perceptions of telemedicine, including their experience, evaluation and attitude towards telemedicine, and the factors affecting their satisfaction, using intention, and willingness to recommend telemedicine. MethodsA nationwide and web-based survey was conducted. Statistical charts were used to describe the usage and perceptions of telemedicine by health care professionals. And the ordinal logistic regression was applied to analyze the influencing factors. ResultsA total of 1349 valid questionnaires were collected. In the survey, 74.0 % of Chinese health care professionals used telemedicine once a week. The average duration of participating in telemedicine services lasted mainly 11–30 min (64.0 %). More than half (52.5 %) of participants' hospitals adopted fee subsidy measures, followed by the award for excellent evaluation (36.4 %). The majority (92.5 %) believed that telemedicine could reduce patient referral rates. More than 95 % were satisfied with telemedicine, were willing to continue, and would recommend telemedicine for patients, respectively. The main problems existing were: incomplete system equipment, insufficient timeliness, high costs, inability to reimburse medical insurance, non-standardized medical records, inadequate publicity, cumbersome processes and long waiting time. Ordinal logistic regression showed that too short service duration (≤10 min) could significantly reduce medical professionals' overall satisfaction, using intention and willingness to recommend (P = 0.026, P = 0.017 and P = 0.040 respectively), while the convenience of the operating system had a significant positive impact (P = 0.005, P = 0.003 and P = 0.001 respectively). And cost subsidy incentive and the promotion of professional titles could significantly enhance their overall satisfaction(P = 0.006, P = 0.030), using intention (P = 0.011, P = 0.001), and willingness to recommend (P = 0.040, P = 0.004). ConclusionsThe usage of telemedicine is relatively insufficient. Most health care professionals have fairly positive opinions toward telemedicine. The most mentioned issues and expectations for telemedicine can be roughly divided into four categories: infrastructure, service process, charge and cost, and popularity. It is possible to improve their evaluation by improving system convenience, enhancing service punctuality, avoiding excessively short service duration and adopting incentive measures.

Digital tools/eHealth to support CKD self-management: A qualitative study of perceptions, attitudes and needs of patients and health care professionals in China

BackgroundA growing body of evidence supports the potential effectiveness of electronic health (eHealth) self-management interventions in improving disease self-management skills and health outcomes of patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, current research on CKD eHealth self-management interventions has almost exclusively focused on high-income, western countries. ObjectiveTo inform the adaptation of a tailored eHealth self-management intervention for patients with CKD in China based on the Dutch Medical Dashboard (MD) intervention, we examined the perceptions, attitudes and needs of Chinese patients with CKD and health care professionals (HCPs) towards eHealth based (self-management) interventions in general and the Dutch MD intervention in specific. MethodsWe conducted a basic interpretive, cross-sectional qualitative study comprising semi-structured interviews with 11 patients with CKD and 10 HCPs, and 2 focus group discussions with 9 patients with CKD. This study was conducted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in China. Data collection continued until data saturation was reached. All data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a framework approach. ResultsThree themes emerged: (1) experience with eHealth in CKD (self-management), (2) needs for supporting CKD self-management with the use of eHealth, and (3) adaptation and implementation of the Dutch MD intervention in China. Both patients and HCPs had experience with and solely mentioned eHealth to ‘inform, monitor and track’ as potentially relevant interventions to support CKD self-management, not those to support ‘interaction’ and ‘data utilization’. Factors reported to influence the implementation of CKD eHealth self-management interventions included information barriers (i.e. quality and consistency of the disease-related information obtained via eHealth), perceived trustworthiness and safety of eHealth sources, clinical compatibility and complexity of eHealth, time constraints and eHealth literacy. Moreover, patients and HCPs expressed that eHealth interventions should support CKD self-management by improving the access to reliable and relevant disease related knowledge and optimizing the timeliness and quality of patient and HCPs interactions. Finally, suggestions to adaptation and implementation of the Dutch MD intervention in China were mainly related to improving the intervention functionalities and content of MD such as addressing the complexity of the platform and compatibility with HCPs’ workflows. ConclusionsThe identified perceptions, attitudes and needs towards eHealth self-management interventions in Chinese settings should be considered by researchers and intervention developers to adapt a tailored eHealth self-management intervention for patients with CKD in China. In more detail, future research needs to engage in co-creation processes with vulnerable groups during eHealth development and implementation, increase eHealth literacy and credibility of eHealth (information resource), ensure eHealth to be easy to use and well-integrated into HCPs’ workflows.

Prevalence and factors associated with compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue among Chinese oncology healthcare professionals: A cross-sectional survey

ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study examined the prevalence and factors associated with compassion satisfaction and fatigue among oncology healthcare professionals (doctors and nurses) in mainland China. MethodsA total of 337 subjects were recruited via convenience sampling from the oncology departments of five general hospitals in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. They were invited to complete a survey that included demographic characteristics, the Profession Quality of life Scale, the Brief Cope Questionnaire, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. ResultsThe findings showed medium levels of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress among oncology healthcare professionals in China, reaching rates of 78.34%, 63.50% and 75.96%, respectively. Multiple regression analyses suggested that active coping, positive reframing, and strength were the significant factors of compassion satisfaction, explaining 48.6% of the total variance (P ​< ​0.001). Substance use and self-blame were the significant factors of burnout, explaining 45.1% of the total variance (P ​< ​0.001). Venting, denial, substance use, self-blame, and strength were the significant factors of secondary traumatic stress, explaining 37.6% of the total variance (P ​< ​0.001). ConclusionsThe high prevalence of compassion fatigue warrants the attention of the hospitals’ senior management. The effective coping styles identified may be considered when developing strategies to improve the professional quality of life among oncology healthcare professionals.

The Relationship Between Hearing Loss and Cognitive Impairment in a Chinese Elderly Population: The Baseline Analysis.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to investigate the association between untreated age-related hearing loss and cognitive impairment in Mandarin-speaking older adults living in China.Methods: Older adults (293; 111 males, M = 70.33 ± 4.90 years; 182 females, M = 69.02 ± 4.08 years) were recruited. All participants completed a pure tone audiometric hearing assessment, Hearing Impairment-Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (HI-MoCA), and a computerized neuropsychology test battery (CANTAB). The Mandarin version of the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale was used to measure the loneliness, and the Mandarin version of the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to measure the current severity of a range of symptoms common to depression, stress, and anxiety of the participants.Results: A multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the average of four mid-frequency thresholds in the better ear was related to CANTAB Paired Associates Learning (β = 0.20, p = 0.002), and the global cognitive function score (HI-MoCA) (β = −0.25, p < 0.001). The average of three high frequencies in the better ear was significantly associated with CANTAB Delayed Matching to Sample (β = −0.16, p = 0.008), and Spatial Working Memory (β = 0.17, p = 0.003).Conclusion: The results revealed a significant relationship between age-related hearing loss and cognitive impairment in Mandarin-speaking older adults. These research outcomes have clinical implications specifically for hearing health care professionals in China and other populations that speak a tonal language, especially when providing hearing rehabilitation.

Validity of Chinese Version of Attitudes Toward Interprofessional Health Care Teams Scale.

ObjectiveEffective teamwork can provide safe and effective care in various medical systems. Thus, there is increasing recognition of the value of interprofessional collaborative practice. The Attitudes Toward Interprofessional Health Care Teams Scale (ATIHCTS) has been applied to a wide variety of health professions for evaluating attitudes toward health care teams. The ATIHCTS has been widely used internationally, but no Chinese version has been developed. The aim of this study was to adapt a Chinese version of the ATIHCTS among Chinese health care professionals and to test its validity.MethodsThe English version of the ATIHCTS was translated into Chinese, back-translated, and modified for cultural adaptation according to Brislin’s guideline. A total of 306 health professionals in a Shanghai tertiary hospital were investigated using the Chinese version of the ATIHCTS to test its validity.ResultsThe Chinese version of the ATIHCTS was adjusted based on expert review and pilot testing. According to expert opinions, the text that did not conform to the Chinese language habits and the Chinese medical environment was adjusted. A total of five adjustments were made. After the pilot testing, minor corrections were made to improve the sentence structure of the scale instructions to make it easier to understand. Factor analysis was subsequently conducted with 306 respondents. The Chinese version of the ATIHCTS had 14 items. Exploratory factor analysis extracted two common factors, quality of care and time constraints, with the cumulative variance contribution rate reaching 70.011% and the load value of each entry on its common factor > 0.4. In addition, for scale confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), the chi-square/degrees of freedom ratio (X2/df) was 1.46, the normed fit index (NFI) was 0.97, the Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) was 0.99, the incremental fit index (IFI) was 0.99, the comparative fit index (CFI) was 0.99, and the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) was 0.04. The fitting values all met the judgment criteria, and the scale had good structural validity. Cronbach’s α of the Chinese version of the ATIHCTS was 0.861, and the Cronbach’s α values of each factor were 0.949 and 0.838, respectively. The split-half reliability was 0.644, and the Guttman split-half coefficients of each factor were 0.904 and 0.779, respectively.ConclusionThe Chinese version of the ATIHCTS has good validity. It is a valuable tool for evaluating attitudes toward interprofessional health care teams among the health care professionals in China.

Invisible Moral Wounds of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Are We Experiencing Moral Injury?

Invisible Moral Wounds of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Are We Experiencing Moral Injury?

Practices and Hindrances in Cancer Pain Management: Results of a National Multi-Cancer Center Survey Among Healthcare Professionals in China.

BackgroundInadequate control of cancer-related pain in China is an ongoing problem. This study investigated the practices of cancer pain (CP) management at major cancer centers in China and perceived hindrances and knowledge of CP management among health professionals.MethodsFrom September to October 2019, a survey was conducted using electronic questionnaires via the internet to investigate the practices, and perceived hindrances and knowledge in managing CP among healthcare professionals from 7 provincial cancer centers in China. The questionnaire included demographic data, the professionals’ practices among their own patients, their opinions regarding hindrances to CP management, and knowledge of CP management.ResultsWe gathered validated responses from 411 anonymous healthcare professionals, with 82.2% (411/500) of response rate. Based on the analysis of these 411 questionnaires, the results demonstrated that CP was prevalent among patients with cancer, while moderate-to-severe pain took a great proportion. CP management was inadequate for a significant proportion of the patients with CP. Pain assessment, analgesic treatment, attention to adverse effects of analgesic, and multidisciplinary management were usually ineffectual in many cases. The duration of work experience did not significantly affect CP management. The respondents considered that both patients and healthcare professionals were responsible for the undermanagement of CP. Only 26 (6.3%) respondents were able to answer correctly all 10 of the professional questions regarding CP.ConclusionCP is commonly undermanaged in China. Effective pain control requires the implementation of standards, and the sufficient attention and training of healthcare professionals.