Professional Support Research Articles

Mental health and academic performance in university students: Systematic review

Introduction: Mental health is an important part of public health, as its lack leads to a variety of mental disorders that are health problems in societies around the world. Mental health can be affected by biological, psychological, social and economic factors. In the university environment, these factors constitute an aspect that requires special attention, given the negative influence they could exert on the academic performance of students.Objective: Analyze the relationship between mental health and academic performance in university students.Methods: The systematic review of available scientific literature was carried out, using a systematic procedure based on the search, selection, review, interpretation and synthesis of the proven evidence from the years 2006 – 2023. The search was based on the study of the variables: mental health and academic performance.Results: After the analysis of the different articles, three main themes were identified: mental health: generalities; importance of mental health in academic performance and professional support: guarantee of good academic performance in university students.Conclusions: It is concluded that mental health in the university environment affects the student's academic performance. Work must be done on the development of skills to manage emotions and address imbalances that affect the mental health of students, otherwise it will be reflected in the learning process, in the family environment and the social environment, resulting in possible dropouts and the occurrence of psychosomatic diseases in the medium and long term.

Exploring teachers’ experiences in addressing ADHD during the post-pandemic transition

This study delves into how teachers are managing and teaching ADHD students during the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through interviews and observations from throughout the world, it explores the challenges faced and the strategies they have developed. Initial findings reveal heightened difficulties for ADHD students, but also innovative teaching methods and increased collaboration with others in the institution of Mapua Malayan Colleges Mindanao. Teachers emphasize flexible approaches, technological integration, and social-emotional learning. The study underscores the need for ongoing professional development and support systems to effectively address the needs of ADHD students in the post-pandemic time, highlighting the importance of adaptability and inclusivity in education.

Monitoring the Validity of Formative Assessment: Tools and Methods

The relevance of the study is related to the need to increase the validity of formative assessment in classrooms, which is a factor in improving the quality of education and the development of students. The purpose of the study is to determine the criteria for the validity of formative assessment, which will allow gaps in its implementation in national schools and provide professional support to teachers to improve practice. The research methods used were lesson observation (the analysis of teachers’ approaches to formative assessment of students’ achievements) and a questionnaire, which revealed similarities and differences in the views of teachers and students on the practice of formative assessment. The results showed that the experience of formative assessment of teachers is associated with their knowledge and skills of implementing formative assessment. However, it also became known that the knowledge and views of teachers about formative assessment does not always correspond to their practice. The results of the study will allow us to develop guidelines for the implementation of formative assessment and ensuring its validity, which will contribute to improving the quality of education in schools in Kazakhstan.

Trauma-Informed Development and Education: Turning the TIDE on Transition to Practice.

Transition to practice (TTP), the first year of a nurse's career postlicensure, is widely recognized as a stressful time. Previous trauma exposure and additional workplace trauma exacerbate the stress of this transitional period. Trauma-informed environments are associated with clinician wellness and engagement. Because workforce training for leaders is a necessary precursor to developing supportive environments, we studied changes in trauma knowledge, awareness, and attitudes among TTP leaders. Our mixed methods study included administering the Attitudes Related to Trauma-Informed Care Scale (ARTIC) pre- and post-training, with additional open-ended questions about the impact of training. Paired data from participants showed overall mean improvement that was statistically significant, with a large effect size. Statistically significant knowledge gains related to trauma recognition and safety, how to respond to trauma, and how to promote healthy behaviors. Our study underscores the importance of trauma education, which not only increased awareness but also prompted nurse leaders to reflect on enhanced support for early nursing professionals. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2024;55(10):501-508.].

Designing a resilience-based intervention program for children with cancer and their families: a study protocol.

Advances in pediatric oncology have significantly increased survival rates, yet have introduced challenges in managing long-term treatment side effects. This study process introduces an interdisciplinary clinical intervention program rooted in the family resilience framework, aimed at improving well-being across the cancer trajectory for children and their families, especially those in Canadian communities far from specialized oncology centers with limited access to resources. Employing an intervention mapping approach, this program collaboratively involves patients, families, professionals, and researchers. It aims to identify vulnerability factors, establish a logic model of change, and devise comprehensive strategies that include professional interventions alongside self-management tools. These strategies, tailored to address biopsychosocial and spiritual challenges, are adapted to the unique contexts of communities distant from specialized cancer treatment centers. A mixed-methods approach will evaluate program effectiveness. Anticipated outcomes include the empowerment of families with self-management tools and professional support, designed to mitigate biopsychosocial and spiritual complications. By addressing the specific needs and limitations of these communities, the program strives to improve the overall health and well-being of both undergoing treatment and survivorship phases. By focusing on comprehensive care that includes both professional interventions and self-management, this initiative marks a significant shift toward a holistic, family-centered approach in pediatric oncology care for remote communities. It underlines the necessity of accessible interventions that confront immediate and long-term challenges, aiming to elevate the standard of care by emphasizing resilience, professional support, and family empowerment in underserved areas.

Exploring the challenges of emergency medical service providers in the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative content analysis

BackgroundAs the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, there has been a substantial increase in the demand for prehospital services. Emergency medical service (EMS) providers have encountered a myriad of challenges that have had a discernible impact on their professional performance. This study was designed to explore the challenges faced by EMS providers during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThis qualitative research was conducted using a content analysis approach at emergency medical centers affiliated with Hamadan University of Medical Sciences in Iran between April and August 2021. This study included the participation of 21 EMS personnel, which was conducted using purposive sampling and semistructured interviews, and continued until data saturation was reached. The conventional content analysis method, as outlined by Graneheim and Lundman, was applied for data analysis.ResultsThe analysis of the interview data resulted in the identification of 219 primary codes, which were then organized into ten distinct categories. These categories were further consolidated into three overarching themes: personal safety challenges, professional-organizational challenges, and threatened mental health.ConclusionsEMS personnel play a critical role in healthcare during disasters and pandemics, facing challenges that can have negative effects. Managing these challenges can impact mental health and professional well-being, but awareness, support, resources, and services can help mitigate adverse consequences.

Gender differences in severity and parental estimation of adolescent’s pandemic-related stress in the United States

Research has consistently shown that female adolescents have experienced worse pandemic-related stress compared to males. A parent’s ability to accurately track their child’s stress levels likely increases the likelihood a problem is acknowledged and addressed as it arises. Therefore, we assessed how parents’ estimation of their adolescent children’s self-reported pandemic-related stress related to the child’s gender. We performed cross-sectional secondary analysis using the nationally representative Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health study datasets from Wave 5 (2018–2019) and Wave 5.5 (July 2020-December 2020) among respondents aged 12–17. We conducted four logistic regression models to explore the relationship between child gender and parental underestimation of their child’s pandemic-related stress. We controlled for sociodemographic factors and personal characteristics associated with pandemic-related stress including, whether the adolescent had been diagnosed with COVID-19, the extent social distancing measures were practiced, school performance, previous year anxiety, depression, and overall mental health ratings, sleep trouble, TV screen time, and past year substance use. Even when controlling for these factors, female child gender was significantly and positively associated with parental underestimation of their child’s pandemic-related stress (Underestimated stress: OR = 1.25 95% CI = [1.07–1.46]). Informing parents that female adolescents were significantly more likely to have their levels of pandemic-related stress underestimated at home may encourage parents to take extra effort when checking in on their daughters’ mental health needs, which in turn may lead to more female adolescents receiving the familial and professional support they require.

Deep brain stimulation for obsessive compulsive disorder: the functional neurosurgeon armamentarium.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical procedure that utilizes implanted electrodes and electrical stimulation for the treatment of neurological disorders. In cases where patients present with severe functional impairment while being refractory to less invasive treatment options, DBS is considered "gold standard." Still, DBS-related work is still widely under investigation, with ethical issues arising that may impact a patient's physical and psycho-social status. These include patient selection, informed consent, patient autonomy, pre-operation counseling and professional psycho-social preparation and follow-up support. Bioethicists and philosophers have increasingly worked together with in clinicians and researchers to identify, address and present ethical consideration in both clinical practice and research to balance the risk-benefit ratio in DBS treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Excruciating existential suffering and complicated grief: The essence of surviving the suicide of a son or daughter.

Suicide is the fourth most common cause of death for the 15-29 age group. Research on the impact of suicide on parents is scarce and, therefore, poorly understood. To explore parents' experiences who have lost a son or a daughter due to suicide and their experience of the services available to them. This phenomenological study involved 1-2 interviews with ten parents aged 40-65, seven mothers and three fathers in all 13 interviews. The age range of their sons and daughters was 17-37 years when they died. For the parents, losing a son or a daughter to suicide is an overwhelming life experience characterised by Excruciating existential suffering and complicated grief where they are confronted with deep meaning-making and existential questions without answers since the person who can answer most of them is no longer alive. They, therefore, felt stuck in their grief for up to 4 years. The initial experience was an immense paralysing shock and sense of unreality. The subsequent period was a blur, and they were numb. Then, their psyche and bodies collapsed, and for a long time, they felt no grief processing was taking place. They sorely needed long-term professional trauma-informed support and felt that, in too many cases, they had to reach out for help themselves. They would have liked to see the healthcare system embrace them with more open arms, offer help and be met with information and individualised support. Standard operating procedures must be installed to support suicide-bereaved parents better. Long-term professional support and trauma-focused care are required following such major trauma, and providing such support could help to reduce their adverse health impacts. Nurses and other health professionals must be better educated on existential suffering in this context.

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

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

Back to Industry—Evaluating Women’s Return to Chartered Accreditation Post-Maternity in the Built Environment Sector Professions

Efforts have been made to improve gender diversity in the built environment professions. This sector continues to experience growth restrictions due to skill shortages. Some progress has been made at the entry level; however, the retention of women in professional roles within this sector continues to present a challenge. Support for women during maternity, upon return to work and while working with family has been identified as a barrier to women’s progression in this sector. Professional bodies are uniquely placed to support their female members. Therefore, this study had two aims: to examine current professional body support for members during and after maternity leave and to examine the experiences of female professionals, who have taken maternity leave whilst holding membership in a built environment professional body. This study adopted an embedded, mixed-method design, using a secondary, qualitative data set to augment the primary, quantitative data set, within one phase. Surveys were distributed directly to professional bodies and to professionals via social media (LinkedIn). The survey of the professional bodies identified a varied approach to maternity support. The professional member survey identified a lack of awareness of available support, and generally the need for more support during maternity and on return to work. In summary, professional bodies in the built environment could improve maternity support for members by improving communication and achieving parity in support across the various disciplines.

The Factors of the Psychotherapists' Attitude Towards Technology: Combining Attitudes Towards Technology and Technology Readiness Models

ABSTRACTObjectivesThe study aimed to explore psychotherapists' attitudes towards new technologies. Understanding the factors influencing their acceptance of technologies is essential to improving the accessibility, quality, and effectiveness of psychotherapeutic care in the digital age. Based on previous research from different fields (e.g., e‐government and mobile applications), we integrated the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT‐T) with the Technology Readiness Index (TRI). UTAUT‐T focuses on one's perception of technology, while TRI emphasizes individual characteristics. Therefore, we regard psychotherapists' attitudes towards digital solutions by analysing factors related to technology and users (psychotherapists).MethodsWe conducted an online questionnaire study involving 391 psychotherapists aged 25–66 (M = 40.90; SD = 7.79). Participants completed self‐report questionnaires: UTAUT‐T, TRI 2.0, and a survey measuring technology usage at work.ResultsThe model explained 30.2% of the variance in actual technology usage and 57.6% in behavioural intention. Both technology‐related and therapist‐related factors affect technology use. Some factors directly influence use behaviour (optimism, ease of use, convenience), while others are mediated by behavioural intention (pressure from others, professional support, therapy quality expectations).ConclusionsTechnology‐related and therapist‐related factors influence psychotherapists' use of technology. The study revealed that optimism plays a crucial role in addition to behavioural intention. This insight is vital for implementing new technologies in mental health services.

Support Needs, Barriers, and Facilitators for Fathers With Fear of Childbirth in Sweden: A Mixed-Method Study.

The aim of this mixed-method study was to identify support needs, as well as barriers and facilitators to seeking support in a sample of Swedish fathers with a fear of childbirth (FOC). Participants completed an anonymous quantitative online survey (N = 131), with three free-text items for those self-identifying as having an FOC (N = 71) and five individual in-depth interviews. Data analysis included descriptive and chi-square analyses for quantitative data, and manifest content analysis for qualitative data. Those with a severe FOC were more likely to report having on-going mental health difficulties (p = .039) and one fifth (21%) of the participants with severe FOC wanted to receive professional treatment, but only 8.1% received treatment. Most participants either preferred individual support or to receive support together with their partner. Fathers with severe FOC were more likely to report one or more barriers than those without FOC (p = .005), where unwanted social stigma was the single largest barrier. Qualitative findings identified one main category: Expectant fathers missing and wishing for support for FOC composed four generic categories: (1) support in developing an understanding of their fear, (2) coping by being aware of feelings, (3) professional support through trust and respect, and (4) needing individualized support. To encourage healthy fathers, clinical professionals should find ways to support fathers, such as by providing them with their own perinatal appointments, asking them about their feelings, as well as screening, diagnosing, and treating fathers with severe FOC.

'Do I cry or just carry on?' A story completion study of healthcare professionals' anticipated responses to experiencing chest pain.

Healthcare professionals may experience barriers to seeking healthcare that differ from the general population. We explored healthcare professionals' anticipated responses to experiencing chest pain following a period of stress using qualitative story completion method with healthcare professionals (n = 44). Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, which identified three themes: '"Do I cry or just carry on?": A Culture of Suffering in Silence' identified worries that expressing health concerns would be perceived as weakness, with potential impact on career opportunities. Participants also described self-diagnosis and self-medication rather than help-seeking. '"Me? Have a panic attack?": Psychosomatic Shame' suggested mental health issues may be ignored due to stigma. '"We definitely don't take care of ourselves": Prioritising Pressures of Multiple Responsibilities over Self-care' identified real or perceived pressures to de-prioritise their health. Future research should explore the design of confidential, time efficient support for healthcare professionals that tackle cultural norms and barriers to self-care.

S14 Physical activity promotion in healthcare settings: Designing and implementing physical activity referral schemes

Abstract Purpose This symposium will share findings, expertise and experiences from different countries on the design and implementation of physical activity referral schemes (PARS). Description Physical activity promotion by healthcare professionals is a key strategy to increase population physical activity levels. This strategy has been outlined in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) ‘Global Action Plan on Physical Activity’ (GAPPA) and the ‘Physical activity strategy for the WHO European Region 2016-2025‘. PARS are a promising intervention that allow healthcare professionals to advocate for physical activity and integrate its promotion into routine clinical care. PARS are a heterogeneous group of interventions. Simpler PARS, for example, may consist only of a written description, while more complex PARS might include different healthcare professionals working together systematically, applying several behaviour change techniques in combination with physical activity practice, to connect patients to community resources. There is currently no consensus on the optimal PARS approach and implementation strategies. Implementers need specific knowledge, skills and methods; however, implementation is also influenced by structural and context-related factors in the healthcare system. Accordingly, a successful implementation of PARS needs co-productive capacity building within healthcare systems and proper support for healthcare professionals. The symposium includes four contributions (3 research-oriented and 1 practise-oriented) related to the design and implementation of PARS in different countries. 1) EUPAP Feasibility Study. Practice transfer of a HEPA prescription model to other nine EU countries. From theory to practice. Sebastià Mas-Alòs 2) The association of physical activity referral scheme’ components with physical activity level, scheme uptake and adherence rates: a systematic review, meta-analysis with meta-regression. Wolfgang Geidl 3) The adoption and implementation of a physical activity referral pathway integrated into a major U.S. health system. Mark Stoutenberg 4) Designing a physical activity pathway in healthcare model for Irish Health Services. Sarah O’Brien This symposium will provide guidance on the development of PARS and future successful implementation in other healthcare settings.

Designing a mentorship curriculum for assisting social reintegration among youth in institutional care in India

Although child protection policies and laws in India recognise the importance of aftercare, there is still a significant lack of infrastructure, available services, and systematic preparation for the transition. The accelerated and compressed journey from adolescence to adulthood, coupled with limited options to return home if their initial endeavours falter, adds to the complexity of the transition process. To develop knowledge and skills for transition preparedness, this paper presents a step-by-step approach to designing an educative, mentorship-based curriculum. The curriculum is based on an exploratory study conducted across 17 child care institutions in Pune, India. Findings showed that the adolescents appreciate the existing support resources, but feel that much of the critical, practical, and seemingly more urgent transitional needs are still left out. Borrowing insights from the primary data and the available literature, the curriculum has been designed to target six core areas addressing needs for belongingness, preparation for life after transition, enabling clarity of future vision, life skills, enhancing employability, and problem-solving. To buffer the overall stress of the transition, the focus of the curriculum has been kept simultaneously on promoting overall well-being and providing professional and career development support. The study recommends a robust evaluation framework to assess the relevance and effectiveness of the curriculum.

Psycho-oncology-psychosocial distress and supportive care needs

The number of patients living with or after cancer is constantly increasing due to improved diagnostics and care as well as the ageing society. This is particularly true for the group of older cancer survivors with complex health and supportive care needs. For many of those affected and their relatives, the disease and its treatment are accompanied by high levels of emotional stress, an impaired quality of life, and avariety of psychosocial challenges. Psychosocial distress, such as depression and anxiety, sometimes persists for years after treatment has ended. The most common unmet supportive care needs of patients include psychological and emotional needs as well as information needs. Therefore, it is essential to implement effective psychosocial screening and low-threshold needs-based referral to evidence-based psycho-oncological support services. Around athird of all cancer patients express adesire for professional psycho-oncological support. Although there is compelling evidence that psycho-oncological interventions can reduce psychosocial distress and improve quality of life, there is aneed for further research into the design and effectiveness of intervention services for specific subgroups, such as prostate cancer patients.

Preparing Health Professions Educators for Online and Blended Learning Environments: A Mixed Methods Study

Online and blended teaching and learning (OBTL) are integral to the future and success of higher education, including health professions education. Institutions with a goal of developing high-quality online and blended programs must prioritize time and resources dedicated to professional development and training. This research study utilized an online professional development course as an intervention to gain deeper insights into the scope of faculty development to effectively teach in online and blended learning environments. The study, utilizing a convergent mixed methods approach, gathered data through a pre- and post- intervention survey measuring health professions faculty readiness to teach online, a knowledge-based test, and post-intervention focus group discussions. Statistically significant differences in survey and test scores were observed between pre- and post-intervention and advantages of the intervention were highlighted in the focus group discussions. These key findings suggest the efficacy and influence of the educational intervention. Additionally, barriers and recommendations for enhancement were identified, including a notable gap between perceived importance and perceived capability among faculty members. This information pinpoints areas where professional development and support may be beneficial. Outcomes of the study provide valuable insights into health professions faculty members' knowledge, readiness, and perceptions related to teaching in online or blended educational environments.

Job Burnout and Satisfaction among Nurses at a Public Hospital in Bohol, Philippines

Nurses, the unsung heroes, have shown remarkable resilience as they continue to provide compassionate care and selfless service, especially during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. This correlational study aimed to investigate the possible relationship between the two perceived job burnout of nurses and their job satisfaction. Using Roasoft, sixty-eight (68) respondents were randomly selected to participate in the study. Two adapted survey tools were used to collect data representing the target population. A Pearson correlation coefficient was employed as the statistical treatment for analyzing the data. The study found that job burnout has no significant relationship to the job satisfaction of public nurses. It simply means the nurses' perceived fatigue, stress, and exhaustion do not lead to job dissatisfaction. Therefore, the study concludes that although nurses’ perceived job burnout was not directly linked to job satisfaction, the hospital management plays a crucial role in prioritizing the well-being and welfare of these frontliners. A stress management program and promoting work-life balance are the leading suggestions that significantly mitigate job burnout and enhance job satisfaction. Furthermore, augmenting potential mediating variables such as professional growth, company culture, support systems, or work environment might strengthen the present study. These findings are crucial for understanding and improving the working conditions of our healthcare professionals.

Supporting healthcare professionals to reduce weight stigma.

Reducing weight stigma in healthcare is critical to supporting and improving the health of people living with overweight or obesity and decreasing the risk of adverse patient outcomes. We were invited as stigma researchers to participate in an online workshop alongside community members, healthcare professionals and policymakers to codesign guidance for reducing weight stigma in healthcare. This workshop prompted us to reflect on why and how weight stigma should be addressed in healthcare, and to provide recommendations for healthcare professionals and policymakers to reduce weight stigma in healthcare. This paper presents our reflections and recommendations for addressing weight stigma in healthcare following the codesign workshop. Recommendations include targeting individual healthcare professionals and involving clear, practical guidelines and training that leverage the notions of 'do no harm', improving practice and recognising biases. Importantly, such strategies must be couched in broader structural approaches to weight stigma reduction.