Remote Counseling Research Articles

Tobacco smoking during COVID-19 pandemic among social media users in Russia

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has forced countries to take various restrictive measures, including “lockdowns”, which may have affected tobacco smoking. The study explored associations between an increase in smoking, sociodemographic, and related to pandemic factors during pandemic among social media users in Russia. Methods Between June-September 2020, 1518 users of the most popular in Russia social media networks participated in online survey investigating changes in alcohol, tobacco, and substance use during pandemic. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with an increase in tobacco smoking. The analysis was adjusted for sex, level of education, perception of the severity of public life restrictions, negative work/financial consequences of the pandemic, stress, changes in the frequency of drinking, heavy episodic drinking (6 or more standard drinks at a time), and the volume of alcohol consumed on a typical occasion. Results 46.8% of the surveyed population were current smokers. 17.0% of them reduced, 37.9% increased, and 45.1% didn’t change their smoking during the pandemic. Relative to those whose smoking reduced or didn’t change, those who increased their smoking were more likely to be: 18-29 years old (OR = 1.906; 95% CI = 1.109-3.277), residents of medium to big cities (up to 1 mln inhabitants) (1.519; 1.017-2.270), had their income reduced (1.508; 1.024-2.222), faced severe restrictions in everyday life as a result of measures taken to contain SARS-CoV-2 (2.398; 1.440-3.758). After introducing alcohol consumption variables to the model, only two factors were associated with an increase in smoking: severe restrictions in everyday life (2.147; 1.227-3.993) and increased frequency of heavy episodic drinking during pandemic (2.338; 1.167-4.685). Conclusions Increase in tobacco smoking during pandemic was associated with severe restrictions in everyday life and increased frequency of heavy episodic drinking among social media users in Russia. Key messages • More than a third of social media users increased tobacco smoking during pandemic, which was associated with severe restrictions in everyday life and increased frequency of heavy episodic drinking. • During pandemics and similar public health crises, it is advisable to expand remote counseling services for alcohol and tobacco cessation, which can be delivered through social media.

A remotely delivered intervention targeting adults with persisting mild-to-moderate post-concussion symptoms (GAIN Lite): a study protocol for a parallel group randomised trial

BackgroundWorldwide, mild traumatic brain injury, synonymous with concussion, affects more than 30–50 million each year. The incidence of concussion in Denmark is estimated to be about 20,000 yearly. Although complete resolution normally occurs within a few weeks, up to a third develop persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS) beyond 3 months. Evidence for effective treatment strategies is scarce. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the novel intervention GAIN Lite added to enhanced usual care (EUC) for adults with mild-to-moderate PPCS compared to EUC only.MethodsAn open-label, parallel-group, two-arm randomised controlled superiority trial (RCT) with 1:1 allocation ratio. Potential participants will be identified through the hospital’s Business Intelligence portal of the Central Denmark Region or referred by general practitioners within 2–4 months post-concussion. Participants with mild-to-moderate PPCS will be randomly assigned to either (1) EUC or (2) GAIN Lite added to EUC. GAIN Lite is characterised as a complex intervention and has been developed, feasibility-tested and process evaluated before effect evaluation in the RCT. GAIN Lite contains an initial remote interview, self-administrated e-learning videos and voluntary remote counselling with an allocated occupational- or physiotherapist. Sixty-six participants will be recruited to each group. Primary outcomes are mean changes in PPCS and limitations in daily life from baseline to 24 weeks after baseline.DiscussionGAIN Lite is a low-intensity intervention for adults with mild-to-moderate PPCS. Offering a remote intervention may improve access to rehabilitation and prevent chronification for individuals with mild-to-moderate PPCS. Moreover, GAIN Lite will facilitate access to healthcare, especially for those with transportation barriers. Overall, GAIN Lite may provide an accessible, flexible and convenient way to receive treatment based on sound theories and previous evidence of effective interventions for adults with mild-to-moderate PPCS.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05233475. Registered on February 10, 2022.

Digital literacy education for UK undergraduate pharmacy students: a mixed-methods study.

Digital literacy is increasingly crucial in pharmacy practice, and relevant education and training are required to prepare the future workforce. This study aims to explore the current and planned inclusion of digital literacy education in the undergraduate curricula of UK pharmacy schools. A mixed-methods approach was conducted with two phases. The first involved a content analysis of published curricula from all 30 UK pharmacy schools. The second phase included a survey based on the Health Education England Digital Capabilities Framework, distributed to academic staff across all pharmacy schools. Data from 14 pharmacy schools' curricula were included in the analysis, with 10 reporting digital literacy education. Key themes identified from the analysed documents included understanding of health informatics, applied informatics, information technology skills, and the emerging digital health technology. Nineteen respondents from 16 schools participated in the survey; digital literacy inclusion was reported by 18 participants. There was variable alignment of digital literacy competencies with the Health Education England framework. Digital literacy was mainly integrated into existing teaching sessions, predominantly through self-learning (n = 12). Electronic Health Records and remote counselling were the main focus areas within the curricula. Challenges in implementing digital literacy include a lack of expertise (n = 13), and time constraints (n = 10). The trend towards embedding digital literacy in UK pharmacy curricula is clear, but disparities suggest the need for a more unified strategy. Recommendations include establishing a specific digital literacy framework aligned with professional needs, improving accessibility and transparency in curricula documents, and investing in faculty development.

The effect of a remote physical activity intervention on postpartum depressive symptoms and stress among low income women: The healthy mom III randomized trial

Background and aimsPhysical activity interventions have been shown to prevent postpartum depression. However, few studies have targeted low income women who are at high risk for postpartum depression. MethodsThis study examined the efficacy of a novel remote physical activity intervention designed to prevent perinatal depression (assessed at 36 weeks gestation and 12 week postpartum). Participants (n = 111) who were low income and pregnant (less than 20 weeks) were randomly assigned to either a six month intervention focusing on increasing physical activity and decreasing sedentary behavior (remote counseling sessions based on Self-Determination Theory) or usual care. All participants wore a Fitbit throughout the study to monitor their activity levels. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Perceived Stress Scale were administered at baseline, 36 weeks gestation, and 12 weeks postpartum. ResultsThere was no effect of the intervention on depressive symptoms or perceived stress at either of the timepoints. Secondary analysis indicated that lower levels of sedentary behavior, β = 0.256, p < 0.05, and higher levels of light activity at 8–12 weeks postpartum was related to lower perceived stress at 12 weeks postpartum, β = −0.284, p < 0.05. ConclusionEven though there was no effect of the intervention on preventing depression and stress, it continues to be important for clinicians to discuss the importance of activity during the perinatal phase due to the many health benefits. There is some evidence that sedentary and physical activity behavior may be important for reducing stress levels, however, additional research is needed.

The Impact of Attitudes toward Online Counseling on the Emotional Well-Being of Distance Learners at Knust

Web-based counseling is a cutting-edge delivery method that can reach college students who might not seek aid in person. Distance learning requires that learners access academic services remotely from the institution of study. Thus, academic services and support services such as counseling are remotely accessed. Due to the remote learning nature of distance learning, remote counseling or online counseling is the way to go. This study sought to understand the impact of attitudes toward online counseling services on improving the emotional well-being of distance students. The approach to the study is a quantitative research design using the adapted and shaped Positive Emotional Well-being Scale (PEWS) and the adapted and shaped Online Counseling Scale (OCS) questionnaire, which represents the average value on the Likert scale for online counseling was used to help evaluate the weak and strong perceptions regarding attitudes toward online counseling. The purposive sampling technique was used to select 354 students who were distance learners at KNUST. A Pearson correlation coefficient was computed to determine the relationship between Attitudes toward Online Counseling and Emotional Well-being scores. The variables Attitudes toward Online Counseling and Emotional Well-being were found to be strongly correlated, r (354) = .587, p &lt; .0001. In all, there was a significant positive relationship between Attitudes toward Online Counseling and Emotional well-being among distance learners at KNUST. Findings, therefore, showed that a positive and strong attitude toward online counseling is significant in resolving the emotional well-being concerns of distance learning students at KNUST.

범죄피해자 심리지원의 실태 및 개선방안

Recently, in April 2024, there was a shocking report about a teenager being stabbed by a neighbor in his 50s due to inter-floor noise conflict in an apartment complex, resulting in serious injuries and traumatic distress. The psychological shock experienced by victims of violent crimes like this is beyond imagination, necessitating a response. While the Crime Victim Protection Act is being enforced, providing financial and psychological support, it's time for proactive measures from the perspective of victims' human rights. Historically, the judicial system in Korea has prioritized the rights of suspects and defendants, often neglecting the needs of the victims. The purpose of this paper is to examine the current state of support for crime victims, particularly in terms of psychological support, and explore the problems of the crime victim psychological support system and seek improvement measures. Based on an analysis of the current state of the crime victim support system, previous research, and factual diagnosis, discussions were conducted on the problems and improvement measures of psychological support for crime victims. As a result, the following conclusions were reached: Firstly, there is a need for legal policy improvements, including shifting perceptions, focusing on psychological support, and proposing legislative amendments. Secondly, institutional improvement measures, such as enhancing professionalism, strengthening the role of centers, providing support from the victim's perspective, and preparing for remote counseling, are necessary. Thirdly, the continued development of the police's psychological system is essential.

Effectiveness of Computer-Mediated Educational Counseling for Tinnitus Relief: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Counseling can help alleviate tinnitus-caused emotional distress and correct misconceptions, making it an effective rehabilitation option for people with tinnitus. Advances in communication technology have increased the demand for computer-mediated tinnitus counseling; however, the effectiveness of such counseling in reducing tinnitus is unclear. Thus, this study aimed to determine the tinnitus-relieving effects of computer-mediated counseling. Thirty-six participants with tinnitus were randomly assigned to online counseling (15 participants) or video-based counseling (21 participants) groups, defining how remote counseling was conducted. Tinnitus counseling, comprising 100 items, lasted 2 weeks and was separated into six sessions for the online counseling group and 8-9 items daily for 12 days for the video-based counseling group. The effectiveness of counseling was determined based on score changes between baseline and 2-week follow-up using the Korean version of the Tinnitus Primary Function Questionnaire and Visual Analog Scales for annoyance and loudness. While no significant improvements were observed in other domains, average emotional aspect-related scores showed significant improvements in both groups. Regarding individual results, four and seven participants in the online and video-based counseling groups reported significant improvements in the emotional domain, respectively. Overall, computer-mediated educational counseling might be a rehabilitation option for individuals with tinnitus.

Determinants of perinatal medical care at the ambulatory level in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic

It is important to determine mothers’ perceptions of health care services during the pandemic to ensure equity in the provision of such services in the future.The objective: to determine the determinants of pregnant women’s perception of perinatal care services during the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and methods. An original sociological study was conducted to assess the state of perinatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic using a questionnaire. 110 questionnaires were included in the analysis. Group 1 included 45 female respondents were sick with COVID-19 during pregnancy, group 2 – 65 women were not sick with COVID-19 during pregnancy. All questionnaires were analysed both in the general sample and in the section of COVID-19 during pregnancy.Results. Certain shortcomings in the provision of perinatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic at the ambulatory level were identified. Insufficient vaccination coverage of pregnant women (65.5% of respondents were vaccinated during pregnancy). 87.3% of patients considered insufficient information about vaccination of pregnant women. A negative attitude towards vaccination during pregnancy was expressed by 30.0% of respondents. 65.4% of respondents considered insufficient availability of perinatal care in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote counseling was received by less than half of patients (41.8%), and mainly those who were sick with COVID-19 (62.2%). A negative attitude towards remote counseling was expressed by 49.1% of women. More than half (56.4%) of the respondents considered the provided information about COVID-19, treatment and prevention to be insufficient. Only 9.1% of patients received full psychological support. Half of the patients were not satisfied with the qualifications of the medical staff, and 59.1% were not satisfied with the staff’s attitude. More than half (55.4%) of patients were not satisfied with the care provided at the outpatient stage in general, especially those who did not suffer from COVID-19, which may be due to a shift in the focus of attention on infected pregnant women.Conclusions. The following positions can be recommended to improve perinatal care: expansion of information provision of the population, in particular with the involvement of mass media; conducting explanatory work with patients on prevention, vaccination, treatment, possible complications during pregnancy; provision of remote counseling in possible cases; psychological support of the pregnant woman and her family at all stages of perinatal care.

Кризисное дистанционное консультирование на телефоне доверия как значимый ресурс в повышении доступности качественной психологической помощи участникам образовательных отношений

&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;The problem of excessive stress and psychological tension in the modern world is acquiring global proportions, including in the educational environment. In this regard, high-quality psychological assistance is becoming not just in demand, but also a necessary service. One of them is a helpline. As a tool of psychological support, it is crucial in managing crisis situations in the educational environment. In conditions of increased emotional stress and social isolation caused by emergency circumstances, such as a pandemic, combat operations and military events, crisis remote counseling is becoming a key resource for accessible psychological assistance. The article examines the specifics of crisis remote counseling, confirmed by an analysis of domestic and foreign scientific literature, and analyzes the current statistics of communications on the helpline. The features of working with a helpline as a tool for remote psychological assistance, its capabilities and limitations are also described.&lt;/p&gt;

ENGAGEMENT AND ATTRITION IN A TELEHEALTH SERVICE FOR HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS. A SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE

Objective: To investigate engagement with blood pressure telemonitoring and counselling (BPTM) in patients with hypertension (HTN) and its predictors. Design and method: Patients with uncontrolled HTN (office systolic (S) BP &gt;140 mm Hg) were recruited consecutively in a large reference center. Only patients who were motivated and willing to participate were included. The telehealth system consisted of a home BP telemonitoring service and an on-demand text chat with the patient's attending physician. The BPTM continued for 3 months with mandatory baseline and follow-up visits, as well as completion of the HYPE (HYpertension imPact quEstionnaire) to assess quality of life. Patients who did not report BP readings for 2 weeks + after 2 alerts were termed ’quit’. Others comprised the ’continued’ group. Results: A total of 92 patients were included in the final analysis (median age 43 years, 69 men, 49 at low-intermediate CVD risk). At baseline, median office SBP was 155 mm Hg (150;162) and office diastolic (DBP) was 95 mm Hg (90;102). Over the 3 months, SBP and DBP decreased significantly (-16 and -11 mm Hg, respectively; p &lt;0.001 for both). There was a greater reduction in SBP at home (-8 mm Hg from 1 week to 3 months, p &lt;0.001). A total of 43 patients continued BPTM and 48 patients discontinued BP telemonitoring (85% of them after 1 month). The groups were well matched for age, sex, and baseline BP. The δSBP did not differ between the two groups, nor did the median number of questions (3 consultations/patient). Higher baseline office SBP (β = 0.03, p = 0.043) and male sex (β = 1.15, p = 0.041) were predictors of high engagement with the telehealth service after adjustment for other covariates. Quality of life at 3 months was higher in the ’continuing’ patients. (δ+8 points HYPE). Conclusions: Telemonitoring and remote counseling are effective in patients with HTN. Even when patients are motivated to use telehealth, more than half of them discontinue during the first months, predominantly female patients with mild uncontrolled HTN. Patients who continue BPTM experience a higher quality of life.

Digital literacy within Master of Pharmacy curricula in the United Kingdom: a mixed-method study

Abstract Introduction As digital health technologies (DHTs) like electronic health records (EHRs), computerised clinical decision support (CCDS), and telehealth become integral to healthcare delivery, there is an increasing demand for digitally literate healthcare professionals, including pharmacists. The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has emphasised digital competencies in the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) curriculum. The Health Education England (HEE) and the Topol review further emphasises this point, indicating the pressing need for a digitally ready healthcare workforce.[1,2] However, despite these efforts, evidence suggests that digital literacy remains underrepresented in undergraduate pharmacy training. Aim To explore the current and planned inclusion of digital literacy education in the MPharm curricula of UK pharmacy schools. Methods A two-phase study was conducted. Phase 1: we undertook a content analysis of curricula from all GPhC-accredited UK pharmacy schools (n=30) in April 2022. Curriculum materials were procured either directly from schools’ websites or via formal correspondence. The analytical approach was based on a preceding systematic scoping review and further refined through an inductive open coding methodology. Phase 2: a structured 14-item quantitative survey, informed by the HEE Digital Capabilities Framework for the Pharmacy Workforce, was emailed to academic representatives across all UK pharmacy institutions, soliciting data on digital literacy, pedagogical methodologies, and envisaged curriculum trajectories. Results Documents for the content analysis were obtained from 46.7% (14/30) of the UK pharmacy schools. Of these, 71.4% (10/14) included components of digital literacy education or training. We identified themes relating to digital literacy education including: the theoretical understanding of health informatics, applied informatics, information technology skills and the newly emerging field of DHTs including artificial intelligence, pharmacogenomics, and personalised therapies. A total of 53.3% (16/30) schools responded to the survey. Most schools who participated in the survey stated that they had integrated digital literacy into their curricula, with only one exception; alignment with the HEE framework varied. Digital literacy was typically integrated within other teaching sessions, taught through self-learning using online resources (66.7%; 12/18). EHRs and remote counselling were primary focus areas (94.4%; 17/18). Challenges in digital literacy education include expertise shortage (68.4%; 13/19), insufficient support from pharmacy organisations (68.4%; 13/19), and limited time (52.6%; 10/19). Conclusion Although the review of the MPharm curricula revealed evidence of UK pharmacy schools incorporating digital literacy, we identified gaps in training and education relating to the variability in topics across schools, misalignment with the HEE framework, and educators’ concerns about the adequacy of current digital literacy provisions. It is important to acknowledge that our study’s low response rate might introduce sample bias, including schools more proactive in teaching digital literacy, and may not be representative of the broader educational context. The observed gaps underscore the need for collaboration with professional bodies and industry experts to enhance training with the aim of ensuring that future pharmacists are prepared and competent to practice in the digital age.

Investigating the Possibility of Using an AR Mask to Support Online Psychological Counseling

Mental health problems are prevalent issues in modern society. While psychological counseling has been a traditional solution, it faces such barriers as negative societal perceptions and limited accessibility. To overcome these, researchers have explored remote counseling via video/voice calls. Despite its advantages of accessibility, convenience, and anonymity, the lack of personal interaction continues to be a drawback. This study investigates the feasibility of using an augmented reality (AR) mask in remote counseling and whether it could increase the level of self-disclosure-which is often used to measure the effectiveness of counseling-while maintaining anonymity. We conducted a controlled experiment and a qualitative user study to assess the effects of AR masks on counselees' level of self-disclosure during remote counseling. The results suggest that AR masks can increase this level more effectively for people with a low disposition for self-disclosure.

On the legal possibility of making a diagnosis during remote counseling

The subject of this study is the legal norms governing the conduct of remote medical consultation and the preparation of a medical report. The author examines the conditions for issuing a medical opinion during remote consultations in the formats "doctor-doctor" and "doctor-patient". The author also considers the issues of reflection in the medical report of the diagnosis based on the results of medical care in the form of remote consultation. Attention is focused on the discussion in the scientific community about the possibility of diagnosis using telemedicine technologies. The purpose is to study the problems of regulating the possibility of determining the diagnosis, the content of the medical report when organizing and conducting a remote consultation. The methodological basis includes a set of philosophical knowledge about the cognition of reality. These include general scientific research methods (analysis, synthesis, deduction, induction, abstraction, etc.), as well as private scientific methods. In the course of this study, special legal methods are also used, which is due to its specifics. The results of the work are expressed in the definition of conflicts and gaps in the legal regulation of diagnosis and its consolidation in the medical report. The scope of application of the results is law–making activities in the field of telemedicine. The novelty is expressed in the consideration of the above-mentioned problems, taking into account the legal norms of the current legislation. It is necessary to reconsider the prohibition on making a diagnosis within the framework of a remote doctor–patient consultation in the absence of a preliminary face-to-face visit to a medical organization for the same treatment. To do this, guarantees of the accuracy of such a diagnosis should be provided. This can be achieved by creating a standard of medical care using telemedicine technologies.

Ранняя помощь: ресурсы и возможности психолого-педагогической поддержки ребенка и его семьи в Ярославской области

&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objectives. &lt;/strong&gt;Timely and properly organized comprehensive care for young children is able to prevent the appearance of secondary deviations in child development and ensure the effectiveness of corrective and developmental impact. The results of a monitoring that was organized in the Yaroslavl region of the Russian Federation to assess the need of families in childhood early care activities for the correction and prevention of possible disorders are analyzed and summarized. The organization of activities to provide early psychological and pedagogical assistance to children and their families is presented.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;956 families with young children living in the Yaroslavl region took part in the survey. The age of the parents is from 23 to 37 years old. During the monitoring, the activities of basic organizations for the provision of psychological and pedagogical assistance to children from birth to three years old were studied, according to the following indicators: the quantitative and nosological representation of young children, the psychological and pedagogical support of young children and their parents, staffing in basic organizations providing early help services.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;In 2023, early help was provided to 1174 children and their families in 140 early help services established in the regional education system, in 2022, early care was provided to 1235 children of the target group, which may be due to a slight decrease in the birth rate in the Yaroslavl region. According to the data of the psychological, medical and pedagogical commissions, 2,598 children from birth to three years old underwent a comprehensive examination in 2023, which is 24% more than the number of young children examined in 2022. Comprehensive psychological, medical and pedagogical support of young children is provided by 460 specialists of various profiles. In the process of psychological and pedagogical support, 1,283 events were held with young children and their parents.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;The study reflects that the difficulties of providing early care in educational organizations are due to the interdepartmental fragmentation of early care institutions, the insufficient implementation of the practice of home visits, accompanying a child in natural life situations, and the low representation of medical workers in the early care system. The factors contributing to the improvement of the results of psychological and pedagogical support of a child with disabilities and his family have been established: interdisciplinarity in the organization of early care; support of the child in natural life conditions; screening-diagnostics; remote counseling.&lt;/p&gt;

Evaluation of Online Counseling through the Working Experiences of Mental Health Therapists Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study aimed to reflect on mental health professionals' experiences with online counseling during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as their perceptions and recommendations for the future. The method of qualitative research with semi-structured interviews was used. The sample consisted of 17 mental health professionals working in the public or private sectors. A framework analysis revealed four main themes, namely (a) the evaluation of online counseling; (b) comparing in-person and online counseling; (c) factors influencing the effectiveness of online counseling; and (d) suggestions for the future use of online counseling. Most therapists reported that their overall experience with online counseling was positive. The main advantages cited were the accessibility for everyone and the reductions in time, money, and distance. Its primary drawbacks included less nonverbal communication, the inability to employ certain therapeutic tools, problems with confidentiality, lack of experience, and technical difficulties during online sessions. Its effectiveness depends on contextual factors and factors related to the therapeutic process itself. Organizational planning, training, and a solid implementation strategy may help ensure that this communication medium is used to its fullest potential. In addition, the possible utilization of remote counseling combined with in-person psychotherapeutic intervention methods will provide solutions for the future, especially in crisis situations.

Healthcare professionals' digital health competence profiles and associated factors: A cross-sectional study.

To identify healthcare professionals' digital health competence profiles and explore associated factors to digital health competence in healthcare settings. A cross-sectional study. Data were collected from 817 healthcare professionals from nine organizations with an electronic questionnaire by using Digital Health Competence instrument (42 items) and Aspects Associated with Digital Health instrument (15 items) between 1st March and 31st July 2022. K-means clustering was used to describe digital health competence profiles. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to explore associated factors. Analysis revealed three digital health competence profiles: A - high competence (n = 336), B - intermediate competence (n = 352) and C - low competence (n = 129). Between the profiles, digital health competence showed significant differences (p < .001). Recent graduation year, working in outpatient environments and leader or specialist position were associated with higher digital health competence. Organizational practices and the influence from colleagues improved competence in human-centred remote counselling, digital solutions as part of work, competence in utilizing and evaluating digital solutions and ethical competence. Support from management improved digital solutions as part of work and ethical competence. Nursing and allied health professionals working in other than outpatient environments should be specifically acknowledged when digital health competence development initiatives are designed and targeted. The positive influence from colleagues could be harnessed by enhancing their involvement in digital health competence development methods such as orientation, mentoring or coaching. Additionally, managers should take a stronger role in supporting different areas of digital health competence. This was the first study that explored healthcare professionals' digital health competence profiles and associated factors. The detection of healthcare professionals' digital health competence profiles guides the development of digital health education according to different needs in healthcare environments. The study has adhered to STROBE guidelines. No patient or public contribution.

Medical center for remote monitoring of patients with COVID-19 as a key element in reducing the burden on the ambulance service during the pandemic

Background. During the COVID-19 pandemic, remote consulting and monitoring technologies began to be used in medical practice to maintain the proper level of quality of patient care, ensure the efficient use of emergency medical teams (EMT) resources in conditions of increased workload and minimize the risks of infection spread. The Tomsk Region became one of the first regions of the Russian Federation to organize on its territory a Medical center for remote monitoring of patients with COVID-19 and community–acquired pneumonia (hereinafter referred to as the Center).Aim: To assess the Center’s activities effectiveness based on the analysis of indicators of the load on the EMT service during the COVID-19 pandemic.Material and Methods. The Center’s activities effectiveness was assessed based on the analysis of the key parameters of its work, as well as the study of the dynamics of quantitative and time indicators of the load on the EMT service. The information base for the study was the daily operational data of subordinate institutions of the Department of Health of the Tomsk region in the period from 01.06.2020 to 31.12.2021.Results. The positive dynamics of quantitative and time indicators of the work EMT service after the Center’s work start the confirms effectiveness of remote monitoring of the health status of patients with COVID-19. Reducing the number of calls received by the EMT service, due to the redistribution of the “non-core” load and the routing of patients depending on the reasons for treatment and the severity of the condition, allowed to stabilize the work of the ambulance in a critical situation for the industry.Conclusion. Taking into account the proven effectiveness, the experience of the Tomsk region in creating a Center that provides remote counseling to patients with COVID-19 can be applied as a measure of adaptation of regional health systems in the event of new epidemic threats.

Effect of digital monitoring and counselling on self-management ability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised controlled trial.

To assess a remote physiotherapist (PT) counselling intervention using self-monitoring tools for improving self-management ability, physical activity participation, and health outcomes in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Eligible participants were randomly assigned to receive group education, a Fitbit®, a self-monitoring app, and PT counselling phone calls (Immediate Group). The Delayed Group received a monthly e-newsletter until week 26, and then the intervention. The primary outcome was Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13). Participants were assessed at baseline, 27 weeks (the primary end point) and 53 weeks. Secondary outcomes included disease activity, pain, fatigue, depression, sitting/walking habits, daily physical activity time, and daily awake sedentary time. Generalized Linear Mixed-effect Models (GLMMs) were used to assess the effect of the intervention on the change of each outcome measure from the initiation to 27 weeks after the intervention. Analysis included 131 participants (91.6% women; 80.2% completed during the COVID-19 pandemic). The mean change of PAM-13 at 27 weeks was 4.6 (SD = 14.7) in the Immediate Group vs -1.6 (SD = 12.5) in the Delayed Group. The mean change in Delayed Group at 53 weeks (after the 26-week intervention) was 3.6 (SD = 14.6). Overall, the intervention improved PAM-13 at 27 weeks post-intervention from the GLMM analysis (adjusted coefficient: 5.3; 95% CI: 2.0, 8.7; p = <0.001). Favourable intervention effects were also found in disease activity, fatigue, depression, and self-reported walking habit. Remote counselling paired with self-monitoring tools improved self-management ability in people with RA. Findings of secondary outcomes indicate that the intervention had a positive effect on symptom management.

Практика дистанционного консультирования очевидцев события диспетчерами экстренных служб по вопросам оказания первой помощи: предложения по совершенствованию нормативно-правовой базы

Summary. The objectives of the study are to examine the international experience in the sphere of normative-legal regulation of the practice of remote counseling of eyewitnesses of an event by first aid emergency dispatchers, to assess the existing legal prerequisites for the introduction of the first aid dispatcher service in our country and to determine the priority directions of improvement of the domestic normative-legal base in order to create conditions for the successful implementation of the practice in the Russian Federation at the federal level. Materials and research methods. A search of scientific literature on the topic of the study in Russian and English by combinations of keywords was performed in 2023. Additional search was carried out in the bibliographic lists of the publications included in the review. The search and analysis of normative legal acts of the Russian Federation was carried out with the help of reference legal systems Garant and ConsultantPlus. Results of the study and their analysis. The authors have formulated and proposed for discussion by the professional community a number of normative proposals aimed at the systematic organization and ensuring the effective implementation of first aid dispatcher service practice in the Russian Federation at the federal level.

State guidance and system changes related to COVID-19: Impact on opioid treatment programs

IntroductionIn the United States, methadone treatment may only be provided through opioid treatment programs (OTPs), which operate under a complex system of federal and state regulations. During the pandemic, federal regulators relaxed several longstanding restrictions for OTPs by permitting expanded eligibility for take-home medication and allowing counseling and medication management through telehealth. The purpose of this study was to assess the guidance provided by states regarding the revised guidelines and efforts to protect staff and patients in response to the pandemic. MethodsBetween September and October of 2020, The National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) and Friends Research Institute, fielded a web-based qualitative survey of state opioid treatment authorities (SOTAs) across the United States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The study conducted the survey prior to the availability of the COVID vaccines. It queried 42 SOTAs concerning state guidance provided to OTPs on treatment operations and practices for existing patients and new admissions; actions to protect staff and patients; changes in treatment need and operational capacity; and administrative practices regarding treatment. This study examines the responses of 42 SOTAs (65 %) who completed the survey. ResultsUsing content analysis, responses to the survey indicate that most states provided guidance to OTPs in response to the revised federal regulations and the need to protect staff and patients. All respondents reported that their states permitted increased number of take-homes doses for existing patients (100 %) and most reported doing so for new admissions (69 %; N=29). Ninety-eight percent (98 %; N=41) reported permitting remote counseling for existing patients and 90 % (N=38) permitting this for new admissions. SOTAs reported providing guidance on staff safety, operational procedures, oversight, and reforming billing practices to align with new models of service delivery. ConclusionsSOTAs generally reported that federal guidance increased patient access, engagement, and retention. Increased take-home flexibilities were viewed as important for expanding access and continuity of treatment, with the majority of SOTAs stating that the revised treatment practices (e.g., expansion of telehealth, flexible medication dispensing practices) were beneficial. These regulatory flexibilities, many believe, promoted the continuation of treatment and successful patient outcomes during the pandemic.