Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Veronika Pacutova, Andrea Madarasova Geckova, Peter Kizek, Sara Maria Majernikova, Andrea F. de Winter, Sijmen A. Reijneveld
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the implementation of various protective measures, which had a significant impact on the Quality of Life (QoL) of hospital healthcare workers (HCWs). This study investigated the impact of these measures during the second wave of the pandemic, exploring the association between pandemic management-related factors and HCWs' QoL.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Ari Shechter, Tsion Firew, Maody Miranda, Nakesha Fray, Allison A. Norful, Alvis Gonzalez, Bernard P. Chang
Summary: This cross-sectional study investigates the correlation between sleep disturbances and burnout among emergency medicine health care workers.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Monica A. Lu, Jacqueline O'Toole, Matthew Shneyderman, Suzanne Brockman, Carolyn Cumpsty-Fowler, Deborah Dang, Carrie Herzke, Cynthia S. Rand, Heather F. Sateia, Erin Van Dyke, Michelle N. Eakin, E. Lee Daugherty Biddison
Summary: This study aims to explore levels of burnout among physicians and nurses, understand their perspectives of healthcare teams, and investigate the association between the role of care teams and burnout. The results show that physicians and nurses experience high levels of burnout, with physicians reporting more isolation at work compared to nurses. Team efficiency is associated with decreased likelihood of burnout, while isolation at work is associated with increased likelihood of burnout.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Megan B. Sands, Swapnil Sharma, Lindsay Carpenter, Andrew Hartshorn, Jessica T. Lee, Sanja Lujic, Megan E. Congdon, Angus M. Buchanan, Meera Agar, Janette L. Vardy
Summary: The study tested the 'Single Question in Delirium' (SQiD) for delirium risk screening in cancer patients compared to psychiatrist clinical interview. Results showed that SQiD had similar negative predictive value and Cohen's Kappa coefficient in delirium detection as psychiatrist diagnosis, with higher sensitivity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zorimar Rivera-Nunez, Manuel E. Jimenez, Benjamin F. Crabtree, Diane Hill, Maria B. Pellerano, Donita Devance, Myneka Macenat, Daniel Lima, Marsha Gordon, Brittany Sullivan, Robert J. Rosati, Jeanne M. Ferrante, Emily S. Barrett, Martin J. Blaser, Reynold A. Panettieri, Shawna Hudson
Summary: This study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Black and Latinx health care workers and found significant changes in their responsibilities and roles at work. The fear of contracting the virus was also a major concern for them. The study highlights the need to improve the working conditions and well-being of this marginalized workforce to ensure their retention and overall health.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Diego Vinicius Santinelli Pestana, Dante Raglione, Luiz Dalfior Junior, Caroline de Souza Pereira Liberatti, Elisangela Camargo Braga, Vitor Augusto de Lima Ezequiel, Adriana da Silva Alves, Juliana Gil Mauro, Jose Omar de Araujo Dias, Paulo Thadeu Fantinato Moreira, Bruno Del Bianco Madureira, Lilian Petroni Paiva, Bruno Melo Nobrega de Lucena, Joao Manoel Silva Junior, Luiz Marcelo Sa Malbouisson
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of traumatic stress disorders and substance abuse among Brazilian COVID-19-ICU workers and to explore the associations with personal/occupational characteristics. The results revealed that ICU professionals had a high prevalence of signs and symptoms of traumatic stress disorders, as well as suggestive scores for tobacco and alcohol abuse.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ndinda Makina-Zimalirana, Melanie Bisnauth, Nosipho Shangase, Natasha Davies, Anele Jiyane, Fezile Buthelezi, Kate Rees
Summary: This study examined levels of burnout among healthcare workers providing HIV-related services in primary care settings in Johannesburg, South Africa. The survey findings revealed high rates of emotional exhaustion and low professional accomplishment among participants. Qualitative findings showed that high workload, inadequate mental health support, and challenging relationships with stakeholders negatively affected the well-being of the healthcare workers. However, finding meaning in their work, working as a team, and practicing autonomy were identified as resources that reduced the negative effects of these demands.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Social Work
Genevieve Carles, Catherine Stewart, David Hodgson
Summary: Mental health practice is emotionally demanding and complex. This study examined the experience of burnout among Australian mental health social workers and found that structured burnout prevention practices, such as mandatory supervision and regulated caseloads, can provide the best support for these workers.
AUSTRALIAN SOCIAL WORK
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Natasha Smallwood, Leila Karimi, Amy Pascoe, Marie Bismark, Mark Putland, Douglas Johnson, Shyamali C. Dharmage, Elizabeth Barson, Nicola Atkin, Clare Long, Irene Ng, Anne Holland, Jane Munro, Irani Thevarajan, Cara Moore, Anthony McGillion, Karen Willis
Summary: The Australian study found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, frontline healthcare workers mainly utilized adaptive coping strategies such as maintaining exercise and social connections, while a significant portion reported increased alcohol use, which was associated with poor mental health and worsened personal relationships. Factors such as family situation, social connections, and workplace environment were identified as predictors of coping strategies and help-seeking behavior among healthcare workers.
GENERAL HOSPITAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sangeeta P. Joshi, An-Kwok Ian Wong, Amanda Brucker, Taylor A. Ardito, Shein-Chung Chow, Sandeep Vaishnavi, Patty J. Lee
Summary: The practice of Transcendental Meditation (TM) can help reduce burnout, insomnia, and anxiety among healthcare workers (HCWs), but it does not show a significant reduction in acute psychological distress.
Article
Psychiatry
Mahsa Kamali, Marzieh Azizi, Mahmood Moosazadeh, Hossein Mehravaran, Roya Ghasemian, Maryam Hasannezhad Reskati, Forouzan Elyasi
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence rate of occupational burnout among healthcare workers in Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings showed a high prevalence rate of 18.3% and suggested that attention and intervention should be focused on improving the mental health of these individuals.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Fengbin Zhang, Yonghe Zhou, Xin Li, Chunyan Wang, Jie Liu, Shuang Li, Shuting Zhang, Weiming Luo, Lili Zhao, Jia Li
Summary: The study identified spleen thickness and platelet levels as independent risk indicators for excluding high-risk varices, providing a more convenient option for screening patients. In the training cohort, the combination of spleen thickness and platelet levels could avoid 35.7% of esophagogastroduodenoscopies.
Article
Emergency Medicine
Sheri-Ann O. Kaltiso, Roslyn M. Seitz, Michael J. Zdradzinski, Timothy P. Moran, Sheryl Heron, Jennifer Robertson, Michelle D. Lall
Summary: Discrimination based on race is a known source of stress for individuals and patients, and this study aimed to assess its impact on emergency health care workers. The results showed that systemic racism is a significant concern and source of stress for EHCWs, highlighting the need for further research and active strategies to address and eliminate racism in healthcare.
ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biology
Eitan Schechtman, James W. Antony, Anna Lampe, Brianna J. Wilson, Kenneth A. Norman, Ken A. Paller
Summary: The study shows that multiple memories can be consolidated in parallel during sleep without compromising individual memory's benefits; spindle and delta-theta power modulations during sleep are sensitive to group size, reflecting the extent of previous learning.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jordyn H. Feingold, Alicia Hurtado, Adriana Feder, Lauren Peccoralo, Steven M. Southwick, Jonathan Ripp, Robert H. Pietrzak
Summary: The study found that nearly 80% of frontline healthcare workers reported pandemic-related posttraumatic growth, largely driven by salutogenic factors. Interventions to promote mental and physical health factors may help facilitate posttraumatic growth and reduce the risk of burnout and pandemic-related PTSD symptoms.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Ethnic Studies
Patsy S. Soon, Neda Karimi, Verena S. Wu, Afaf Girgis
Summary: This study explored the factors influencing Vietnamese- and English-speaking women's decisions about breast reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer treatment. The results revealed that lack of information was a persistent barrier, with Vietnamese women identifying this issue more significantly. The importance of doctors' recommendations in helping Vietnamese women make informed decisions about reconstruction was emphasized.
ETHNICITY & HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Verena Shuwen Wu, Allan Ben Smith, Afaf Girgis
Summary: This systematic review aims to identify the unmet supportive care needs of immigrant and native Chinese cancer patients and caregivers. The most prevalent area of unmet needs was health system and information, with patients desiring one member of the hospital to talk to about all aspects of their care and caregivers seeking information about the patient's prognosis and likely outcome.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Andrew H. Kim, Afaf Girgis, Peter De Cruz, Corey A. Siegel, Neda Karimi, Sasha O. Ruban, Alexandra J. Sechi, Wa Sang Watson Ng, Jane M. Andrews, Susan J. Connor
Summary: This study aims to explore the feasibility and acceptability of myAID, a web-based decision aid, in informing treatment decisions for ulcerative colitis (UC) from the perspectives of Australian patients and clinicians. The study found that myAID was generally acceptable to clinicians as a tool to facilitate shared decision making (SDM) in UC management, but its uptake varied depending on clinicians' approaches to patient education and practice.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Reema Harrison, Merrilyn Walton, Elizabeth Manias, Carlene Wilson, Afaf Girgis, Melvin Chin, Desiree Leone, Holly Seale, Allan Ben Smith, Ashfaq Chauhan
Summary: Consumer engagement is crucial for high-quality cancer service delivery and reducing healthcare-associated harm. This project aims to use an adapted approach to experience-based codesign (EBCD) to codesign consumer engagement interventions tailored for ethnic minority populations, in order to increase consumer engagement and safety in cancer services in New South Wales and Victoria.
Article
Education & Educational Research
Emma R. Pollock, Myles D. Young, David R. Lubans, Julia E. Coffey, Vibeke Hansen, Philip J. Morgan
Summary: The study found that a university teacher education course had a positive impact on preservice and inservice teachers' attitudes towards gender equity, with preservice teachers reducing negative attitudes towards girls and activity, and both preservice and inservice teachers improving awareness and skills to address gender-related issues in schools. Targeted teacher education courses have the potential to improve gender equity in schools.
TEACHING AND TEACHER EDUCATION
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Social
Janelle Levesque, Adeola Bamgboje-Ayodele, Jessica Paradiso, Joseph Descallar, Afaf Girgis
Summary: The study found that self-efficacy is significantly negatively related to emotional distress, challenges experienced, and unmet needs among male caregivers of women with breast cancer. The mediation model accounted for a significant 18% of emotional distress variability, but self-efficacy did not mediate the relationship between challenges and emotional distress or between unmet needs and emotional distress.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOCIAL ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Tegan Bradley, Vibeke Hansen, Paula Wye, Elizabeth Campbell, Kate Bartlem, Kate Reid, Jenny Bowman
Summary: People with mental health conditions have a higher prevalence of chronic diseases and shorter life expectancy than the general population. Health risk behaviors, such as physical inactivity and poor nutrition, contribute to these disparities. Population-level health coaching delivered via telephone can be a valuable tool to support behavior change in this high-risk group. Coaches play a crucial role in building confidence and readiness to change, with a focus on improving both physical and mental health outcomes for participants. Training and support for coaches, along with potential adjustments to service delivery, could enhance engagement and outcomes for individuals with mental health conditions. Further research on the experiences of mental health consumers engaging with telephone coaching services is warranted.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Verena Shuwen Wu, Allan 'Ben' Smith, Afaf Girgis
Summary: This study developed a self-management intervention, WeCope, to support Chinese immigrant patients affected by cancer and their caregivers through a community participatory approach. Participants expressed overall satisfaction with the resource and provided suggestions for improvement, particularly in providing more information on treatment-related issues and support services.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Patricia M. Livingston, Lahiru Russell, Liliana Orellana, Natalie Winter, Michael Jefford, Afaf Girgis, David Austin, O. Eric, Cathrine Mihalopoulos, Anna Ugalde, Richard Chambers, Jo Phipps-Nelson, Dishan Herath, Mari Botti, Bodil Rasmussen, Kathryn Whitfield, Maria Ftanou, Allan Ben Smith, Kirsten Pilatti, Sally Sara, Addie Wootten, Kate Gillan, Madhu Singh, David Campbell, Brindha Pillay, Victoria White
Summary: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a common psychological issue among cancer survivors, causing distress and anxiety. Online mindfulness programmes, such as MindOnLine, may help cancer survivors manage FCR and improve their well-being. This study aims to determine the potential efficacy of MindOnLine for survivors of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer through a single-blind randomized controlled trial. The findings of this study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and among key stakeholders.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ryan J. Drew, Philip J. Morgan, Frances Kay-Lambkin, Clare E. Collins, Robin Callister, Brian J. Kelly, Vibeke Hansen, Myles D. Young
Summary: The study found that gender-tailored, self-directed lifestyle interventions incorporating mental health support are acceptable and satisfying for men experiencing depressive symptoms, helping them improve their physical and mental health conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Anna K. Jansson, David R. Lubans, Jordan J. Smith, Mitch J. Duncan, Vibeke Hansen, Ronald C. Plotnikoff
Summary: This study explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on participant experience and motivation in the ecofit program. The findings suggest that overall physical activity levels increased during the pandemic, although the impact on the ecofit intervention is yet to be determined.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Stina Oftedal, Sasha Fenton, Vibeke Hansen, Megan C. C. Whatnall, Lee M. Ashton, Rebecca L. L. Haslam, Melinda J. J. Hutchesson, Mitch J. J. Duncan
Summary: This study aimed to explore the impact of starting university on young adults' physical activity, diet, sleep, and mental well-being, as well as the barriers and enablers to health behavior change. The findings revealed that mental well-being, physical activity levels, diet quality, and sleep health were negatively affected among university students. Key barriers included stress, study demands, university timetabling, lack of prioritization of physical activity, cost and availability of healthy foods, and difficulty falling asleep. Future interventions should focus on providing both information and support to improve mental well-being. Conclusion: There is a significant opportunity to enhance the transition to university for young adults, targeting areas such as physical activity, diet, and sleep.
JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Afaf Girgis, Adeola Bamgboje-Ayodele, Orlando Rincones, Shalini K. Vinod, Sandra Avery, Joseph Descallar, Allan 'Ben' Smith, Belinda Arnold, Anthony Arnold, Victoria Bray, Ivana Durcinoska, Nicole M. Rankin, PROMPT-Care Implementation Authorship Group, Geoff P. Delaney
Summary: This study implemented an effective ePROM system (PRM system) for lung cancer patients in routine care, using the RE-AIM framework. The study showed that the implementation of the PRM system successfully improved the routine care of lung cancer patients by identifying patient concerns early and providing timely responses, resulting in fewer visits to the cancer assessment unit and increased confidence and engagement of healthcare providers.
JOURNAL OF PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOMES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vibeke Hansen, Sabrina Winona Pit, Michele Fiorentino, Selina Campion, Ryan Abraham, Jonathan Cheng, Sue Phelan
Summary: This study found that transitions in antidepressant medication have significant impacts on employment and workplace functioning, with participants reporting both positive effects of the medication and negative effects during transitions. Practical solutions were suggested to help employers, policymakers, and clinicians support individuals during these transition events.
ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Belinda L. Arnold, Georgia Halkett, Haryana Dhillon, Afaf Girgis
Summary: The majority of radiation therapists lack training in psychosocial and emotional cues, some believe discussing patients' psychosocial concerns is part of their role but still feel insufficient knowledge and confidence to conduct symptom and distress screening.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RADIATION SCIENCES
(2021)