Need For More Emotional Support Research Articles

Abstract P164: Patient-Reported Awareness and Understanding of the Diagnosis of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for half of all HF cases, is difficult to diagnose and manage, and represents the fastest growing subtype of HF in the US. Lack of awareness about the HFpEF diagnosis among patients contributes to delays in seeking care, reduced participation in self-management, and worse health outcomes. Methods: This study explored HFpEF-related knowledge among patients using semi-structured interviews guided by the “Integrated Health Literacy Model”. Patients were asked to describe 1) their heart condition, as they understand it; 2) where they currently learn about their heart condition; 3) what they want to learn more about; and 4) who can help them learn more. Results: In this study, 10 patients with HFpEF were recruited from a local health care system ( Table ). All patients were unaware of having HFpEF; 8 out of 10 thought they had "congestive HF." Patients learned about their condition from cardiologists, primary care physicians and clinic staff. All reported using the Internet to seek information, though in some cases information was confusing or contradictory to what they were told before. Patients noted that they had symptoms for a long time before learning the symptoms were HF-related. Patients wish to know more about the prognosis, factors that can help or make their condition worse, signs and symptoms to monitor, use of wearable devices to monitor, how to live longer and non-pharmacological treatment options. Most patients wanted to learn more about their condition from cardiologists, however, some faced challenges in their current cardiology care, citing lack of time during the clinic visit, difficulty with medical terminology and inability to ask follow-up questions. Patients emphasized a need for more emotional support at the time of diagnosis and help addressing mental health. Conclusion: Patients were not aware they had HFpEF, expressed multiple needs for education and support, and identified cardiologists as the most credible source of education.

Living with osteogenesis imperfecta: A qualitative study exploring experiences and psychosocial impact from the perspective of patients, parents and professionals.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare genetic condition characterised by increased bone fragility. Recurrent fractures, pain and fatigue have a considerable impact on many aspects of the life of a person affected with OI and their families. To improve our understanding of the impact of OI on the daily lives of individuals and families and consider how the condition is managed so that support needs can be better addressed. Semi-structured qualitative interviews (n=56) were conducted with adults affected with OI, with (n=9) and without children (n=8), parents of children affected with OI (n=8), health professionals (n=29) and patient advocates (n=2). Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Three overarching themes are described: OI is not just a physical condition, parenting and family functioning and managing the condition. Fractures, chronic pain and tiredness impact on daily life and emotional well-being. For parents with OI, pain, tiredness and mobility issues can limit interactions and activities with their children. Specialist paediatric health services for OI were highly valued. The need for more emotional support and improved coordination of adult health services was highlighted. Our findings allow a better understanding of the day-to-day experiences of individuals and families affected with OI. Supporting emotional well-being needs greater attention from policy makers and researchers. Improvements to the coordination of health services for adults with OI are needed and an in-depth exploration of young people's support needs is warranted with research focused on support through the teenage years.

Concerns of older adults during second COVID wave in India

AbstractBackgroundA second wave of COVID infections in India, lockdown, restriction on services, and strain on an unprepared health system has had significant impact on older adults. It is important to examine impact of the lockdown on the elderly and their caregivers, useful coping strategies and requirements for support going forwards.MethodAs part of an ongoing community engagement initiative with older adults, an online survey was conducted in 2020 during the first wave of the pandemic investigating mental health and wellbeing of older adults. Participants who shared details were contacted one year later to understand impact of the second COIVD wave on their wellbeing and coping. An in‐depth telephonic interview was conducted and General Health Questionnaire 5 item were used for data collection. Audio consent was taken prior to interviews which were recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis.ResultOut of 58 participants who shared contact details, 16 % (N=9) agreed to participate in the interview. about 40 % refused mentioning they were unwell/ too busy/or agreed to speak at a later date. One female and 8 males participated in the interview between the ages of 36 to 83 years. All participants held post graduate/ professional degrees. 33 % (N=3) participants obtained a GHQ score of 2 and above on the five item General Health Questionnaire indicating presence of depressive features. As compared to the first lockdown, older adults found the second lockdown more stressful due to deaths of close friends and family members. Increased fears about family members with comorbidities contracting the virus, difficulties managing emotional wellbeing, and challenges helping younger family members manage their routines and follow basic COVID protocols were key concerns. Coping strategies found useful were remaining active and engaged at home, attending online mental wellness sessions, practicing yoga/ meditation and spending time with friends/family. Older adults highlighted a need for more emotional support through creation of social media networks and online platforms.ConclusionPreliminary findings from this study emphasize a need for leveraging technology to support emotional wellbeing of older adults during lockdown and COVID restrictions.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Posttraumatic Stress, Grief, Burnout, and Secondary Trauma of Social Workers in the United States.

The purpose of this study is to measure posttraumatic stress, grief, burnout, and secondary trauma experienced by employed social workers in the United States and to describe organizational support provided to social workers during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study used data from the first wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Emotional Well-Being Study, a prospective panel study examining the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and includes a sample of 181 social workers. We conducted univariate analyses. Over a quarter (26.21%) of social workers met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and 16.22% reported severe grief symptoms. While 99.19% of the sample reported average to high compassion satisfaction, 63.71% reported average burnout and 49.59% reported average secondary trauma. Findings indicate that social workers are reporting higher than national estimates of PTSD, indicating a greater need for more emotional support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the significance and severity of the pandemic, it is essential that organizations provide resources for both immediate and ongoing support for the emotional well-being of their employees.

The relationship between social network, social support and periodontal disease among older Americans.

The objectives of this study were to examine the relationship between social network, social support and periodontal disease among older American adults and to test whether social network and support mediates socioeconomic inequality in periodontal disease. Data pertaining to participants aged 60 years and over from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2004 were used. Periodontal disease variables were extent loss of periodontal attachment ≥3 mm and moderate periodontitis. Social support and networks were indicated by the need for emotional support, number of close friends and marital status. Widowed and those with lowest number of friends had higher rates of the extent of loss of periodontal attachment (1.27, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.58) and (1.22, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.45), respectively. Marital status and number of friends were not significantly associated with moderate periodontitis after adjusting for behavioural factors. The need for more emotional support was not related to periodontal disease in this analysis. Social networks and support had no impact on socioeconomic inequality in periodontal disease. Certain aspects of social network, namely being widowed and having fewer friends, were linked to the extent of loss of periodontal attachment but not to the definition of moderate periodontitis, in older adults.

Coping and social support as determinants of quality of life in HIV/AIDS.

Coping, social support and quality of life (QOL) were examined in 120 HIV+ people (mean age = 37). The sample came from ambulatory clinics and drop-in centres in Toronto: 29% had AIDS, 35% were HIV symptomatic, and 35% were asymptomatic. Information was gathered from self-administered questionnaires. Respondents had good levels of social support and used a variety of coping strategies. Their scores on the behavioural and subjective measures of QOL were somewhat below average. The illness-related measure indicated that their diagnosis had an almost neutral effect on QOL and showed several areas where QOL had been positively affected. Data from male subjects only (n = 107) were analysed using a hierarchical block regression for each QOL measure. Income, emotional social support, and problem-oriented and perception-oriented coping were positively related to QOL. Tangible social support and emotion-oriented coping were negatively related and symptom severity was not related at all. Close friends provided most types of support. Although respondents indicated high levels of satisfaction with support generally, they expressed a need for more emotional support. Unemployment was high despite participants being relatively healthy and well-educated.