Initial Phase Of COVID-19 Research Articles

Information Overload, Wellbeing and COVID-19: A Survey in China.

(1) Psychology must play an important role in the prevention and management of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the present study was to examine associations between the perceptions of information overload and wellbeing in China during the initial phase of COVID-19. (2) Methods: The present research involved a cross-sectional online survey, which controlled for established predictors of wellbeing and the perception of general (not COVID-19-specific) information overload. The setting of the research was China, February 2020. A total of 1349 participants completed an online survey, and the results from 1240 members of the general public who stated that they were uninfected are reported here (55.6% female; 49.4% single; age distribution: 17–25 years: 26%; 26–30 years: 24.3%; 31–40 years: 23.9%; 41–50 years: 16.2%; 51 years+: 9.6%; the most frequent occupations were: 21.5% students; 19.5% teachers; 25.9% office workers; 10.8% managers, plus a few in a wide range of jobs). The outcomes were positive wellbeing (positive affect and life satisfaction) and negative wellbeing (stress, negative affect, anxiety and depression). (3) Results: Regressions were carried out, controlling for established predictors of wellbeing (psychological capital, general information overload, positive and negative coping). Spending time getting information about COVID-19 was associated with more positive wellbeing. In contrast, perceptions of COVID-19 information overload and feeling panic due to COVID-19 were associated with more negative wellbeing. (4) Conclusions: These results have implications for the communication of information about COVID-19 to the general public and form the basis for further research on the topic.

Prospective study of emergency medicine provider wellness across ten academic and community hospitals during the initial surge of the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundWhile COVID-19 has had far-reaching consequences on society and health care providers, there is a paucity of research exploring frontline emergency medicine (EM) provider wellness over the course of a pandemic. The objective of this study was to assess the well-being, resilience, burnout, and wellness factors and needs of EM physicians and advanced practice providers (e.g., nurse practitioners and physician assistants; APPs) during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA descriptive, prospective, cohort survey study of EM physicians and APPs was performed across ten emergency departments in a single state, including academic and community settings. Participants were recruited via email to complete four weekly, voluntary, anonymous questionnaires comprised of customized and validated tools for assessing wellness (Well Being Index), burnout (Physician Work Life Study item), and resilience (Brief Resilience Scale) during the initial acceleration phase of COVID-19. Univariate and multivariate analysis with Chi-squared, Fisher’s Exact, and logistic regression was performed.ResultsOf 213 eligible participants, response rates ranged from 31 to 53% over four weeks. Women comprised 54 to 60% of responses. Nonrespondent characteristics were similar to respondents. Concern for personal safety decreased from 85 to 61% (p < 0.001). Impact on basic self-care declined from 66 to 32% (p < 0.001). Symptoms of stress, anxiety, or fear was initially 83% and reduced to 66% (p = 0.009). Reported strain on relationships and feelings of isolation affected > 50% of respondents initially without significant change (p = 0.05 and p = 0.30 respectively). Women were nearly twice as likely to report feelings of isolation as men (OR 1.95; 95% CI 1.82–5.88). Working part-time carried twice the risk of burnout (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.10–5.47). Baseline resilience was normal to high. Provider well-being improved over the four weeks (30 to 14%; p = 0.01), but burnout did not significantly change (30 to 22%; p = 0.39).ConclusionThis survey of frontline EM providers, including physicians and APPs, during the initial surge of COVID-19 found that despite being a resilient group, the majority experienced stress, anxiety, fear, and concerns about personal safety due to COVID-19, putting many at risk for burnout. The sustained impact of the pandemic on EM provider wellness deserves further investigation to guide targeted interventions.

Electrohomoeopathy Medicine in Covid-19 A Multicenter Clinical Observational Study

In December 2019, extreme acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19), was first detected In Wuhan City, China and later spread to several provinces in China and simultaneously outspreaded worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to a dramatic worldwide loss of human life and poses an unparalleled threat to public health, food systems and the world of work. The economic and social suffering inflicted by the pandemic is devastating millions of people are at risk of severe poverty specially in the developing country. We have several researches, review article, case study and medical journal for the explanation COVID-19. There are so many guideline recommendations issues by the WHO, various health authority and government for the prevention of COVID-19. How Electrohomoeopathy medicine used by various Electrohomoeopathy practitioners in there clinical as a prophylactic and preventive care but result was ultimate. Although, there were the collaborative appeached played an important role for fighting against virus where Ayuesh medicine and Electrohomoeopathy medicine worked in effective manner during this pandemic. Scientists all over the world, especially in India, are trying to find alternative medicines with minimal side effects. The main purpose of this research is to bring alternative medicines to the general public for the treatment of COVID-19. In this article, we are going to discuss how alternative system of medicine specially Electrohomoeopathy played a crucial role for the prevention and protection against the Corona virus. Total 56 patient included in this study who received Electrohomoeopathy medicine and concluded result. Objective: To analyze the clinical efficacy and prophylactic property of Electrohomeopathy medicine during the initial phase of COVID-19 with combination of conventional approach.

COVID-19: high-resolution computed tomography findings in the first 64 patients admitted to the Hospital of Cremona, the epicentre of the pandemic in Europe.

PurposeIn December 2019, a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was identified as being responsible for the pulmonary infection called COVID-19. On 21 February 2020, the first autochthonous case of COVID-19 was detected in Italy. Our goal is to report the most common chest computed tomography (CT) findings identified in 64 patients, in the initial phase of COVID-19.MethodsSixty-four chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) examinations performed at the Radiology Unit of the Hospital of Cremona, from 22 to 29 February 2020, of 64 patients during first week of hospitalization for COVID-19 were retrospectively evaluated. All cases were confirmed by real-time RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2. Image analysis was independently conducted by 2 radiologists with 10 years and 1 year of experience in chest imaging. The inter-observer agreement was obtained by applying a Cohen’s κ test.ResultsThe average age of patients was 67.1 years (± 12.2); men 42 (66%). HRCT was performed on the 5th (± 1.5) day of hospitalization. More frequently, the initial CT changes of the lung show more or less extensive areas of ground-glass, as single pattern or with parenchymal consolidations. Coronavirus lung involvement appears very frequently multi-lobar, bilateral, and it concerns both subpleural and central regions. An excellent agreement (κ: 0.88-1, CI: 0.79-1.01, p < 0.05) concerning CT findings between the 2 operators was reached.ConclusionsOur data suggest that detection of the most frequent pulmonary CT-scan changes, in the early stages of COVID-19, can be performed, with excellent agreement, among readers with different experience, and consequently attribute their exact diagnostic value, in an appropriate clinical and environmental exposure setting.

Health Risk among Front Liners during COVID-19 in India: A Sociological View Point

The present paper is an attempt to understand the consequences of COVID-19 on front liners in India with reference to their health risk. It is based on secondary sources such as research papers/articles, media report, and newspapers. The main objective of the study is to highlight the issues and problems which the front liners are facing during the pandemic crisis. It was found that in the COVID-19 crisis, most of the front liners have been infected and many of them have lost their lives. The study has further observed that in the initial phase of COVID-19 the majority of the front liners were working without proper PPE kits which have direct impact on their health risk.

PIN70 Knowledge Towards Universal Safety Precautions Among Healthcare Population in India during Initial Phase of COVID-19: A Web Based Survey

The first case of COVID–19 in India surfaced in the state of Kerala on January 31 2020. Hence, an early exploration of knowledge and perceptions of medical students and professionals, regarding transmission and universal safety precautions during the early phase of the disease is aimed in the study. A web-based, online cross-sectional survey was conducted among the healthcare population in India during late February 2020. A questionnaire was designed to assess the knowledge regarding clinical and epidemiological characters of COVID-19 along with the universal safety precautions. A virtual snowball sampling using predesigned google forms were disseminated through social media networks. Descriptive statistics along with Chi-square test were performed with a p-value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Among the 983 participants who provided their consent of willingness and completed the questionnaire, 63% represented pharmacy profession followed by 14% from nursing discipline. Even though the age of study population varied from 18 – 79 years and with a female preponderance of 54.1% (n = 532), students as a whole participated largely in the study (68.1%, n = 670). A mean knowledge score of 3.21±1.14 (out of 6) indicated inadequate knowledge among the study population. The study revealed that there is no statistically significant difference in knowledge score based on age, place of living and medical discipline, but a significant association was observed between knowledge level and gender (p = 0.004). The knowledge regarding universal safety precautions and transmission of a disease is vital in preventing the community spread, while an inadequate and improper knowledge among medical population can amplify the spread. Online classes and training programs should be initiated at the university levels as well as a part of CME curriculum for up gradation of early knowledge regarding COVID-19.

Cross-cultural comparisons of psychosocial distress in the USA, South Korea, France, and Hong Kong during the initial phase of COVID-19

The COVID-19 crisis has resulted in disruption of everyday life worldwide but the impact and response to the pandemic have not been uniform. Many countries rapidly deployed physical-distancing mandates to curb the spread of the virus; others did not. Social distancing strategies are necessary to reduce the transmission of the virus but there may be unintended consequences. We examined psychological distress in four societies with distinct public health strategies (South Korea, Hong Kong, France and the United States) to identify common and region-specific factors that may contribute to mental health outcome during the pandemic. From March to July of 2020, a survey of demographics, general health, mental health, loneliness and social networks was conducted. Overall, younger age, greater concern for COVID, and more severe loneliness predicted worse psychological outcome but the magnitudes of these effects varied across the four regions. Objective measures of social isolation did not affect mental health. There were also notable differences in psychological outcome; Hong Kong, with very strict social distancing protocols plus ongoing political unrest, suffered the most drastic deterioration of mental health. To prepare for an impending mental health crisis, concerted efforts to reduce loneliness should be integrated into a comprehensive public health strategy.

Interventional radiology procedural volume changes during COVID-19 initial phase: A tertiary level Midwest health system experience

BackgroundTo evaluate Interventional Radiology (IR) procedural volume changes at a large Midwest health system between March 17, 2020 and April 30, 2020 following a state-mandated shutdown of nonessential procedures during the initial phase of COVID-19. MethodsIR procedural volumes were compiled, stratified by location and compared with Diagnostic Radiology (DR) volumes during the same timeframe. Procedure volume was categorized by type, including oncology, dialysis interventions, and drainage procedures with comparisons made using Z-score test for proportions. IR and system-wide surgical procedural volume was compared with baseline values. ResultsSystem-wide IR procedural volume decreased by 35%, with a 41% decrease in outpatient and a 25% decrease in inpatient volume during the state-mandated order. DR volume decreased by 45%, with a 57% decrease in outpatient and a 22% decrease in inpatient volume. Total IR procedural volume during the mandate was 1077 versus 1518 during the preceding six weeks. The proportion of Interventional Oncology and dialysis interventions showed no significant change (p > 0.05) while that of drainage procedures increased (p < 0.05). Compared to baseline values, system-wide procedural volumes for IR, Vascular Surgery, Urology, General Surgery, Gastroenterology and Gynecology decreased by 3%, 11%, 25%, 20%, 38% and 31% in March 2020 and 25%, 47%, 68%, 63%, 79% and 73% in April 2020 respectively. ConclusionOutpatient IR volumes were less impacted compared to DR during the initial phase of COVID-19. Oncology, dialysis and drainage interventions may be considered essential procedures due to their stability. IR volumes were less affected compared to other procedural specialties.

German Teachers\u2019 Digital Habitus and Their Pandemic Pedagogy

After closing public schools in early 2020 to slow the spread of Covid-19, attempts to provide continuity of education in Germany by means of digital tools faltered in variety of ways, with insufficient competence and inadequate technology leading to inequitable access and uneven implementation. Understanding how German teachers were caught unprepared in this time of crisis, especially in comparison with their European neighbors, requires an examination of their habitus as discussed by Bourdieu and Wacquant (1992) that accounts for their behaviors beyond existing models regarding technology acceptance. Drawing on existing sociological and media-related studies, this contribution will describe the attitudes of German teachers and educational decision-makers in light of their digital, cultural, and educational habitus to provide a partial explanatory account for the current state of affairs. It will show how traditional skepticism for innovation among teachers in general, and German teachers in particular, is reinforced by demographic and sociological characteristics of the German teacher population and the nature of German schooling. After describing extant conditions regarding digitally mediated educational experiences during the initial Covid-19 phase in Germany based on emerging data, this article will subsequently identify prospective issues in this area in the near future. While the transition to digital teaching and learning has the potential to bring about a number of challenges, early data suggests that a possibility of significant positive development may occur as well. Based on these indications, the article will conclude with implications for teacher professionalization going forward.

Value of lung ultrasound for the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionIn the recent COVID-19 pandemic, cases have exceeded over one million, with the number of confirmed cases increasing by 50 000–60 000 per day. The virus has killed nearly 50...