Sample Of Health Professionals Research Articles

Validation of the Mental Illness: Clinicians' Attitudes Scale: The Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties of the Brazilian Version.

In the literature, few instruments have been identified to measure the stigma of health professionals toward people with mental illness. In Brazil, until 2021, the literature did not indicate the validation of an instrument or the construction of an instrument for this purpose. Considering this gap, this study aimed to validate and estimate the reliability of the Mental Illness: Clinicians' Attitudes Scale, version 4 (MICA-4) for the Brazilian context, examining the psychometric properties through the analysis of its internal consistency and factor structure. Psychometric testing was completed in a sample of health professionals from Primary HealthCare Units. Reliability analysis was conducted in SPSS v23. Cronbach's Alpha and item total correlation were used. The dimensionality of the MICA was explored using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) in Mplus 8.2. A total of 195 health professionals participated in the research. Cronbach's Alpha was 0.68 and according to the reliability analysis, items 10 and 12 of the original version were deleted, resulting, therefore, in 14 items. In addition, we demonstrated that it is possible to have only two factors instead of five factors, which is the number of factors in the original version of the MICA-4. This validated instrument for the Brazilian context can serve as an important tool in understanding the phenomenon of the stigma of health professionals toward people with mental illness and, consequently, in promoting anti-stigma strategies in Brazil.

Assessing Lean Six Sigma and quality performance improvement in Italian public healthcare organizations: a validated scale

PurposeThis study aims to fully assess the readiness for Lean Six Sigma (LSS) and Quality Performance Improvement (QPI) in an Italian Public Healthcare ecosystem.Design/methodology/approachDrawing from previously established survey development and adaptation protocols, a replication study was carried out; Lean, Six Sigma and QPI were extracted and validated through confirmatory factor analysis in an Italian Public Healthcare setting, with a sample of health professionals from the Campania region.FindingsThis study reports the adaptation of an existing scale for measuring LSS and QPI in an Italian public healthcare organisation. This analysis extracts six conceptual domains and constitutes an original adaptation of an existing scale to assess the readiness to adopt Lean, Six Sigma and Quality Performance in Italian Public Health Organizations. The constructs show strong levels of internal consistency, as demonstrated by each item factor loading and each subscale reliability.Practical implicationsManagers, policymakers and academics can employ the proposed tool to assess the public healthcare ecosystem’s capability to implement LSS initiatives and strategies to improve quality performance.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies to assess cross-regional organisational readiness for LSS and QPI in an Italian Public Healthcare environment at this scope and level.

Positive psychological capital in health professionals: A systematic literature review

Introduction: Health organisations need to attract and retain health professionals as well as protect and improve their mental health following the premises of positive psychology, particularly with regard to positive psychological capital. Objective: This review aimed to map studies that addressed positive psychological capital in empirical research with samples of health professionals. Method: A systematic literature review of articles addressing positive psychological capital in samples of physicians and nurses was conducted. The search for primary studies was carried out in April 2023, in the databases: PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Nursing & Allied Health Collection, Scopus and Web of Science. Results: 20 articles were included in the review in which the main concepts with which positive psychological capital was related were analysed, according to their nature, positive or negative, observing the role that positive psychological capital assumed as a variable, the instruments used to measure this concept and the statistical analysis performed. Conclusions: Positive psychological capital was positively associated with work engagement, perceived organisational support, intention to stay, positive aspects of the work environment, innovative behaviours, and leader-member exchange. Furthermore, this concept was negatively related to work stressors, emotional exhaustion, and psychological distress. The main gap highlighted in the primary studies was the use of cross-sectional designs, which prevent the inference of causality. These results reinforce the need for an intervention with regards to physicians and nurses based on the development of positive psychological capital.

Structural Equation Model for Nursing’s Spiritual Commitment, Religious Adaptation, and Their Relationship to Quality of Life and Burnout

Background: Religious adaptation and spiritual commitment are considered common strategies in order to deal with traumatic conditions. It has been argued that spiritual commitment has an impact on burnout levels, and both directly influence the quality of life. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate relationships between spiritual commitment and religious adaptation, different dimensions of burnout, and quality of life in a sample of health professionals. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey. A model, including pathways between spiritual commitment, religious adaptation dimensions, and quality of life with variables of burnout as mediators, has been developed. This data survey was conducted on 556 nurses and midwives from emergency, intensive care and resuscitation, and psychiatry units, in addition to maternity departments, in four different university hospitals and 12 regional hospital centers in Morocco. Measures regarding religious adaptation and spiritual commitment, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and quality of life variables were used to test the present study’s model employing structural equation modeling techniques. Data collection was performed from March 2018 to February 2019. Results: The goodness of fit statistics confirmed an improved model with burnout dimensions as mediators between spiritual commitment, religious adaptation, and quality of life dimensions. Conclusions: The above-mentioned findings suggest that health professionals using strategies in order to reduce burnout might report better mental and physical health. Direct relationships were observed between dimensions of burnout with adaptation strategies and quality of life.

Construct validity of the perceived stress scale (PSS-10) in a sample of health professionals in family medicine in Bosnia and Herzegovina

BackgroundThe 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) has not been translated into Bosnian, nor has a study been conducted employing a sample of family medicine physicians and nurses to examine the instrument's reliability, validity, and factorial structure. Thus, the goal of this study was to investigate the reliability and construct validity of the Bosnian version of the PSS-10 among family medicine professionals. Study designCross-sectional descriptive study provided among healthcare professionals in family medicine, using Google forms questionnaire (PSS-10) in Bosnian language. MethodsTranslation of PSS-10 in Bosnian is performed according to the proposed set of standardized guidelines. The questionnaire was sent on the email addresses of family physicians and nurses in whole Bosnia and Herzegovina. The collected data were subjected to reliability testing, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, which tested three alternative plausible models suggested by the extant literature: single factor, correlated two-factor and bifactor. ResultsA total of 272 out of 440 (RR = 61.3) nurses and physician working in family medicine in Bosnia and Herzegovina completed the PSS-10 Bosnia and Herzegovina version (BH). Participants were aged 25 to 69, with a mean age of 44.7 (±10.55). Most participants were women (86.8%) and physicians (58.8%) with specialisation in family medicine (43%). The overall Cronbach's alpha was 0.87 and the test–retest reliability coefficient was 0.88. Exploratory Factor Analysis yielded 2 factors with eigenvalues of 4.77 and 1.35, accounting for 61.2% of variance. Factor 1 consisted of 6 items representing ‘’perceived distress'’, whereas Factor 2 consisted of 4 items representing ‘’perceived coping’’. The Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a very good fit of this bifactor model to this sample. ConclusionsOur results implies that the PSS-10-BH, as a bifactor model with good reliability and validity, may accurately measure the stress levels of family medicine physicians and nurses.

Physical Inactivity is Associated with Job Burnout in Health Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The pandemic has drastically impacted lifestyles, including the frequency, duration, and intensity of physical activity, which, in turn, leads to negative effects on job burnout among healthcare workers. This study evaluated the association between the level of physical activity and job burnout in a sample of health professionals during health emergency. In this cross-sectional study, 300 workers working in a public hospital, located in the city of Rioja, Department of San Martin, Peru, were considered. Data were collected through an online and face-to-face survey. Job burnout was assessed using a validated questionnaire adapted to the Peruvian population and physical activity was assessed based on a single item. Crude and adjusted linear regression models were created to assess the association between the frequency of physical activity performed weekly and the level of job burnout. In the crude models, it was observed that participants who performed physical activity 1-2 times, 3-4 times, or more than 4 times per week had, respectively, 6.29 (95% CI, 11.00-1.59), 14.28 (95% CI, 21.70-6.85), and 14.95 (95% CI, 25.17-4.72) lower job burnout points compared to those who never performed physical activity. In the model adjusted for confounding variables, the association of this result was maintained, showing a dose-response effect. These findings suggest the need for the implementation of health education programs that include physical activity to minimize the negative effects of job burnout and ensure better medical care by health professionals for the benefit of patients.

Internal validity evidence of a knowledge questionnaire on alcohol use, abuse and dependence and associated questions.

to perform content validity and verify the psychometric properties of the adapted version of an alcohol knowledge questionnaire and associated questions. a methodological study, in which a committee of judges analyzed the questionnaire item representativeness, clarity and relevance. Item response theory was used to assess the instrument psychometric properties applied to a sample of 240 health professionals. the questions were adjusted according to judges' assessment, obtaining a satisfactory Content Validity Index (0.98). High discrimination ability and adequate difficulty levels were observed in 75% of multiple-choice questions and in 25% of statements. the instrument presented content validity with satisfactory indices. However, it is recommended that the questionnaire adapted in this study be used in different samples of health professionals from other parts of Brazil, in order to provide greater robustness to its reliability.

Impacto do Isolamento Social na Saúde Mental de Trabalhadores num Instituto de Oncologia durante a Pandemia COVID-19

ABSTRACT Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on the mental health of workers, in particular healthcare professionals. The social isolation used as a mitigation measure against infection contributed to a reduction in sleep quality, and an increase in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and burnout. Objectives The aims of this study are to assess the impact of isolation and quarantine on the mental health and sleep quality of healthcare professionals in a Portuguese Oncology Institute. Material and Methods An online form was distributed to all healthcare professionals who were in isolation or quarantine during the year 2020 in the IPO-Porto, consisting of three instruments- sociodemographic survey, Mental Health Inventory (MHI) and Basic Insomnia and Sleep Quality Scale (BaSIQS). Data were collected in two moments, from July 25 to December 25, 2020, and in December 2021. Results A total of 359 healthcare professionals were identified (151 by isolation and 208 by quarantine). In the 2020 analysis, 115 responses were obtained (54 by isolation and 61 by quarantine), resulting in a response rate of 32.0%. In the 2021 analysis, 76 responses were obtained with a response rate of 21.1%. Regarding the healthcare professionals in our study, the dimensions that make up the psychological stress of the MHI, show an improvement after the first year of the pandemic, as well as an improvement in the mean total MHI value from 2020 to 2021. Sleep quality (assessed by the BaSIQS) is in the poor-to-intermediate category in the 2020 assessment. Although the 2021 assessment shows a slightly better mean, there is no statistically significant difference between the two. In this sample of health professionals, mental health and sleep quality correlated for the instruments used. Discussion and conclusions Insomnia and sleep quality are a modifiable factor of mental health, with an impact on the quality of life and productivity of healthcare professionals. Social isolation as a disruptor of sleep, daily routine and healthy interaction in work teams may be a factor that aggravates psychological distress. The investment in mental health promotion programs, as well as the coordination of multidisciplinary teams composed of Psychology, Medicine and Occupational Nursing are essential in the monitoring and surveillance of these workers’ health. KEY WORDS: Mental Health, Healthcare Professionals, Occupational Psychology, COVID-19, Occupational Medicine, Occupational Health.

Psychometric properties of the Persian version of Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21) in a sample of health professionals: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAlthough the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21) has been used in different countries and translated into different languages, the Persian version of this scale has not been validated for healthcare professions in Iran. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Persian version of DASS-21 for nurses.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among 1135 nurses working in public hospitals, who were selected through convenience sampling. DASS-21, which consists of 21 items and three dimensions (depression, anxiety, and stress), has been translated into Persian, and there is an online version available. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to examine the factor structure of this scale. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was also measured to establish internal consistency. Besides, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to assess the test-retest reliability.ResultsThe Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was acceptable for anxiety (0.79), stress (0.91), and depression (0.93). An acceptable test-retest reliability (0.740-0.881, P < 0.01) was also reported for DASS-21 and its three dimensions. The results of CFA showed acceptable model fit (χ2/(df) = 1457/(186), P < 0.001), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA = 0.078), Tucker-Lewis index (TLI = 0.906), comparative fit index (CFI = 0.917), and standardized root mean square residual (SRMR = 0.047). Fifty-seven nurses were included in the test-retest. The ICCs for all dimensions ranged from 0.75 to 0.86, indicating the acceptable test-retest reliability of the scale.ConclusionThe Persian version of DASS-21 showed good psychometric characteristics, and it was confirmed as a valid and reliable tool for evaluating depression, anxiety, and stress among Iranian nurses. However, further validation studies of the Persian DSASS-21 are needed among other healthcare professionals, including physicians, midwives, and allied health professionals.

ESTIGMA EN OBESIDAD: VALIDACIÓN AL ESPAÑOL DE LA ESCALA DE CREENCIAS SOBRE LAS PERSONAS CON OBESIDAD (BELIEFS ABOUT OBESE PERSONS SCALE - BAOP)

Introduction: Stigma towards people with obesity perpetuates the pathology. If discrimination is carried out by health professionals, it distances people from the health care system. Objective: to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Scale of Beliefs about Obese People (BAOP) adapted to Spanish in a sample of health professionals in Argentina. Materials and methods: 186 participants (71.5% women, mean age 38 ± 46 years, mean BMI: 23.4 ± 27 kg/m2; mean time since graduation 12.2 ± 19.7 years) completed an online questionnaire with demographic data, the Scale of Beliefs about Obese People (BAOP) adapted to Spanish and the Scale of Antifat Attitudes (AFA). Results: Confirmatory factor analysis showed a 3-factor solution that accounts for the 42% of the variance of the scores (KMO =.69; x72= 6.28, p = .51). Cronbach's Alpha coefficient indicated an acceptable reliability of 0.60. Pearson's correlation coefficients showed a significant negative association with older age and graduation time (Years of graduation: r = -.21, p &lt; .01; Age: r = -.20, p &lt; .01) suggesting that the older is the time of graduation and the age of the professional, the higher the level of stigma recorded. The stigmatizing beliefs that reached the highest level of agreement were poor eating habits (mean = -2.11) and sedentary lifestyle (mean =-1.41). Conclusion: The adaptation to Spanish of the BAOP scale show acceptable levels of validity and reliability to assess stigma towards people with obesity. In the sample of health professionals, a higher level of stigma is observed at older ages and longer professional registration. Sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits were the stigmatizing beliefs with the highest level of agreement. Keywords: Stigma; obesity; discrimination; barriers in obesity.

Increased risk of health professionals to feel traumatized during the COVID-19 pandemic

Health professionals may be a vulnerable group to posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To investigate how health professionals who experienced a traumatic event are expressing PTSS and factors related to risk for higher PTSS symptomatology can inform how health professionals are facing their role in this crisis. This was an Internet cross-sectional survey. Participants were 49,767 Brazilian health professionals who have ever faced a traumatic event, which was about 25.9% of an initial sample of health professionals. PTSS symptoms were assessed using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and latent profile analysis (LPA) explored subpopulations within participants based on their scores. Distinct profiles were compared for psychological distress (e.g., depression and anxiety) and quality of life. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between IES-R profiles and COVID-19 related experiences, thoughts, and perceptions. A two-profile model was the most appropriate for the IES-R data pointing out a group with a high level of PTSS (named high-PTSS; n = 10,401, 20.9%) and another expressing a low level of symptoms (named low-PTSS; n = 39,366, 79.1%). The high-PTSS profile demonstrated worse psychological scores (global psychological distress, somatization, depression, and anxiety) and worse quality of life (physical, psychological, social, and environmental) with moderate magnitudes. Small but significant predictors of the high-PTSS profile included sociodemographic characteristics and COVID-19 related experiences, thoughts, and perceptions. Most individuals who experienced a traumatic event were not in the high-PTSS profile. For those who were, however, psychological and quality of life measures were much worse. During the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, several characteristics emerged as risks to report trauma.

Nursing Team Training to Use a Flowchart to Care for Patients with Chest Pain

Background: chest pain, of multicausal etiology, associated with a cardiac cause or not, is one of the most frequently presented symptoms by patients in Emergency Care Units. Despite its high prevalence in health services, there is still a deficiency in care standardization, which raises difficulties in acute coronary syndrome diagnosis and delay in treatment. The objective was to assess the efficiency of professional training of nursing teams in Emergency Care Units on the use of a flowchart to care for patients with chest pain.&#x0D; Methods and Findings: this educational intervention study was conducted with 25 nursing team professionals. It has been developed in four steps: Step 1 referred to prior application of the validated research instrument. Step 2 comprised training to use the flowchart with an expository lesson on care of patients with chest pain and guidance regarding the flowchart to be implemented. Step 3 reapplied the validated instrument after class. Step 4 reapplied the instrument after 2 months of training for flowchart implementation. When comparing the results of the instrument applied to nursing team professionals, post-training and follow-up performance surpassed that of pre-training. It was observed that professionals with less than five years of experience showed better performance. This study had as limitation the small sample of health professionals participating in the offered training.&#x0D; Conclusion: training was satisfactory and significant, and professionals demonstrated content assimilation, obtaining higher scores than at the beginning of the research.

Confirmatory factorial analysis of the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey in health professionals in emergency services.

Objective:to confirm the factorial validity of the Maslach Burnout Inventory – Human Services Survey version in a sample of health professionals from the emergency services.Method:a quantitative, exploratory, descriptive and analytical study. Two hundred and eighty-two health professionals participated in the study. For data collection, a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory were used. The psychometric sensitivity for the MBI-HSS items was estimated by measures of central tendency, variability and the distribution shape. Internal consistency was estimated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and the adequacy of the sample was verified using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) index. As indexes for assessing the quality of fit of the model, the chi-square ratio by the degrees of freedom (χ2/DoF), the comparative fit index (CFI), the goodness of fit index (GFI), the Tucker Lewis index (TLI) and the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) were considered. To test data fit, the maximum likelihood method was used.Results:the three-factor structure of the Maslach Burnout Inventory was confirmed. Items 9, 12, 15 and 16 had a factorial weight below what was considered appropriate and were removed from the model. The second order hierarchical model with the aforementioned modifications presented an adequate adjustment to the data and can be considered the best and most parsimonious model tested according to the information theory indexes. The internal consistency of the instrument’s factors was recalculated considering the exclusion of the items and the three factors were considered adequate.Conclusion:the results obtained show that the Maslach Burnout Inventory is a reliable and factorially valid instrument for measuring the burnout syndrome in emergency service professionals in Brazil.

Stress of Conscience Questionnaire (SCQ): exploring dimensionality and psychometric properties at a tertiary hospital in Australia

BackgroundThis study explored the psychometric properties and dimensionality of the Stress of Conscience Questionnaire (SCQ) in a sample of health professionals from a tertiary-level Australian hospital. The SCQ, a measure of stress of conscience, is a recently developed nine-item instrument for assessing frequently encountered stressful situations in health care, and the degree to which they trouble the conscience of health professionals. This is relevant because stress of conscience has been associated with negative experiences such as job strain and/or burnout. The validity of SCQ has not been explored beyond Scandinavian contexts.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 253 health professionals was undertaken in 2015. The analysis involved estimates of reliability, variability and dimensionality. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to explore dimensionality and theoretical model fit respectively.ResultsCronbach’s alpha of 0.84 showed internal consistency reliability. All individual items of the SCQ (N = 9) met the cut-off criteria for item-total correlations (> 0.3) indicating acceptable homogeneity. Adequate variability was confirmed for most of the items, with some items indicating floor or ceiling effects. EFA retained a single latent factor with adequate factor loadings for a unidimensional structure. When the two‐factor model was compared to the one‐factor model, the latter achieved better goodness of fit supporting a one-factor model for the SCQ.ConclusionThe SCQ, as a unidimensional measure of stress of conscience, achieved adequate reliability and variability in this study. Due to unidimensionality of the tool, summation of a total score can be a meaningful way forward to summarise and communicate results from future studies, enabling international comparisons. However, further exploration of the questionnaire in other cultures and clinical settings is recommended to explore the stability of the latent one-factor structure.

PROFESIONALNI STRES KOD MEDICINSKOG OSOBLJA

Istraživanje je sprovedeno sa ciljem da se utvrdi nivo profesionalnog stresa na uzorku od 220 zdravstvenih radnika koji su pohađali akreditovan kurs „Dobra komunikacija sa pacijentima“ koji je tokom 2018. i 2019. godine održan u Novom Sadu, Kragujevcu, Nišu i Beogradu. Preko 70% ispitanih zdravstvenih radnika je iz primarnog nivoa zdravstvene zaštite (domovi zdravlja i manje ambulante pri većim domovima zdravlja). Po završetku кursa, uz popunjavanje evaluacije i testova znanja učesnici su zamoljeni da anonimno popune i skalu profesionalnog stresa sa ciljem da se proceni nivo profesionalnog stresa. Rezultati su pokazali da je nivo profesionalnog stresa za ceo ispitani uzorak umeren (M = 64.40; SD = 12.43). Jedina dobijena značajna razlika je prema polu, odnosno pokazalo se da žene zdravstveni radnici imaju viši nivo stresa u poređenju sa muškarcima. Očekivane pretpostavke koje su se odnosile na postojanje razlika u nivou profesionalnog stresa u odnosu na bračno stanje, godine starosti, radni staž i radno mesto nisu dobijene. Sagledavanje nivoa stresa zdravstvenih radnika je od značaja za organizovanje tematskih edukacija, kurseva i preventivnog rada sa ciljem da se na vreme prepoznaju i spreče štetni uticaji profesionalnog stresa na fizičko i mentalno zdravlje medicinskog osoblja.

Eksplicitni i implicitni uticaji na ekonomsko rasuđivanje zdravstvenih stručnjaka posle globalne krize 2008/2009 - izazovi ili ključevi u oporavku zdravstvenih sistema pred nadolazećom globalnom krizom?

Introduction: Due to the global crisis of 2008/2009, health professionals have become aware of the lack of resources in the health system when they were forced to allocate resources themselves during their daily work. However, it remains poorly researched how the global crisis accompanied by cost containment is reflected in the economic reasoning of health professionals. Aim : The aim of this study was to identify the dimensions of economic reasoning of health professionals who are subject to implicit influences. Methods: The academic study included a random sample of health professionals in the institutions of the Republic of Serbia, who voluntarily agreed to fill healthcare professionals' economic reasoning questionnaire with nine items (HPER-9) which contains seven dimensions: the negligence of the cost of quality by the administration and financier; the consideration of the market price and healthcare benefit; market orientation considering patient's requests the recognition of inadequate resource allocations by non-medical administrative authority; the attitude about redirecting the profit from state to private healthcare sector; the recognition of the unjustified spending by the healthcare professionals, and the physician / patient relationship. Respondents were divided into two groups according to the time of the survey. The first group of respondents was surveyed before the introduction of restrictive measures in the health system of the Republic of Serbia. The second group of respondents was surveyed after the implementation of restrictive measures due to the economic crisis. Results: Compared to the period before the introduction of economic restrictions, after their introduction, the score of the consideration of the market price and healthcare benefit as well as score of the physician / patient relationship remained unchanged, while scores of other dimensions have deteriorated. Conclusions: The negligence of quality costs of non-medical administrations, unjustified spending by healthcare professionals, the attitude about redirecting the profit from state to private healthcare sector but also the behavior of non-medical administrations, are important dimensions of economic judgment and behavior of health professionals under implicit economic influences.

Challenges to building and maintaining partnership in the prevention and treatment of pressure injuries in spinal cord injury: a qualitative study of health professionals' views.

The effective management of spinal cord injury (SCI) requires partnership between people with SCI and health professionals (HPs). This paper identifies HPs&rsquo; perceived challenges in building and maintaining this partnership, with a specific focus on how people with SCI and HPs collaborate in the prevention and treatment of pressure injuries (PIs) in SCI. This study has a qualitative and explorative design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed following the principles of thematic analysis. The study population consisted of a purposive sample of HPs (n = 26) working in inpatient and outpatient care in Switzerland with experience in the care of people with SCI. The analysis identified three main challenges: defining responsibilities and expectations, negotiating priorities and establishing and strengthening trust and respect. The HPs argue that the prevention of PIs and self-management are mainly the responsibility of the person with SCI. The HPs have, however, the responsibility to empower, guide, and support persons with SCI in self-management by educating and motivating them. Building and maintaining a partnership with individuals with SCI to prevent and treat PIs is crucial, but it is not an easy task for HPs. Specific communication skills can help HPs and patients find personalised solutions that take into account the patients&rsquo; expertise and preferences. Additionally, the healthcare system must develop solutions that go beyond personal partnership to better integrate the prevention and treatment of PIs into the lifelong self-management of SCI. Assistive technologies, such as mobile technology, might help in this endeavour.

Qualitative accounts from Syrian health professionals regarding violations of the right to health, including the use of chemical weapons, in opposition-held Syria

ObjectivesTo explore the impact of the conflict, including the use of chemical weapons, in Syria on healthcare through the experiences of health providers using a public health and human rights...

Gender Differences in Psychological Well-Being and Health Problems among European Health Professionals: Analysis of Psychological Basic Needs and Job Satisfaction.

Background: The aim was to examine the mediating role of basic psychological needs and job satisfaction in the relationship between the gender effect on health problems and psychological well-being for health professionals in Europe in 2015. Methods: Two multiple partial mediation analyses were conducted in order to test the partial mediation of both basic needs and job satisfaction, with gender as the independent variable and health problems or well-being, respectively, as the dependent variables, with a sample of health professionals. Results: Women reported lower psychological well-being and more health problems than men. The total effect of gender on both well-being and health problems was found to be significant. Regarding multiple mediation analyses: (a) the effect of gender on well-being was fully mediated by global basic need satisfaction and job satisfaction, such that gender did not present a significant direct effect and (b) the effect of gender on health problems was partially mediated by global basic need satisfaction and job satisfaction, such that the direct effect remained significant. Conclusions: The fulfillment of basic needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, as postulated within self-determination theory, was hypothesized to play a mediating role in the relationship between gender and well-being. Since significant gender differences in basic need satisfaction were observed, such a mediator should be controlled in order to achieve a significant relationship between gender and well-being when basic needs comes into play. The current study adds to the research emphasizing the need for satisfaction as a promising mechanism underlying for female health professionals’ well-being.

A balanced approach to falls prevention: Application in the real world.

Falls place a heavy burden on the health system, impacting on an individual's quality of life, often resulting in a fear of falling, reduction in independence and at times admission to residential care. This study aimed to determine health professionals' confidence in discussing falls prevention strategies, topics discussed and the barriers and enablers to falls prevention discussions with clients aged 60years and over. A cross-sectional self-complete online survey was undertaken with a sample of health professionals (n=191) who had engaged in the services of the Stay On Your Feet® programs delivered by the Injury Matters in Western Australia (WA). The majority of participants were physiotherapists (25.7%), registered nurses (17.8%) and occupational therapists (11%) located in metropolitan (56%) and regional (44%) WA. Most health professionals (80.2%) were "highly" confident discussing falls prevention strategies. Discussion of falls prevention included the benefits of strength and balance exercises (83%), eating a healthy diet (78.7%), regular eyesight checks (64.5%), reviewing medications (54.8%) and exposure to sunlight (50.3%). The main enablers to falls prevention were knowledge (89.7%), skills to identify (77.7%) and implement (66.3%) falls prevention strategies, and access to printed resources (74.9%), while the main barrier was appointment times (14.6%). Health professionals' indicated that they are confident in discussing falls prevention strategies, and although a range of falls prevention strategies were discussed, limited attention was directed at the pharmacists' review of medications, eyesight checks and increasing vitamin D levels. SO WHAT?: Health professionals are discussing falls prevention strategies with their clients. A more multifaceted approach should be encouraged with an emphasis on all prevention strategies.