Experience of Mental Health Professionals Collaborating with Peer Supporters in a Community Mental Health Service Team

This study explored how mental health professionals collaborate with peer supporters with mental disabilities in a community mental health institution.From January 19 to February 23,2021,three 60 min interviews were conducted with six mental health professionals working at a Korean community center.The results were qualitatively analyzed and divided into four themes and eight categories.The four themes were the perceptions of and challenges in working with peer supporters with mental disabilities,conflict and confusion about working with peer supporters,forming partnerships with peer supporters,and policy support for peer supporters’job security.Participants reported vague anxiety about working with a peer supporter and difficulties with the trial-and-error process of adjusting to the role as challenging.Over time,however,they realized that they needed to make an effort to develop meaningful relationships with peer supporters and mental health professionals.Thus,through this study,we realized that there was a need to improve the system,such as building infrastructure for job stability for peer support workers and capacity building tailored to the mental disorders.Although peer supporters play various roles while working with mental health professionals,this study showed the possibility of mutual growth through communication and cooperation.These findings will help prepare systems necessary for collaboration between the two teams amidst the increasing institutionalization of peer support for mental disorders.

Profile of Factors of Arduous Work among Healthcare Professionals in Healthcare Facilities in Northern Benin in 2021

Introduction: Work environments create the basis for arduous nursing work. This is what led us to research the factors of arduousness in the exercise of the health profession in North Benin, through this study. Methods: This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study which focused on health professionals in the health zones of Parakou-N’dali and Tchaourou. The sampling was an exhaustive census. All health workers who had given their free and informed consent were included. The data was collected using a questionnaire. The variables studied were the factors of arduous work and socio-professional characteristics. The data collected was processed and analyzed with the Epi info 7.2.0.1 software. Results: A total of 692 were surveyed, the participation rate was 85.11% and the sex ratio (M/F) equal to 0.7. The average age was 38 years old. Nurses made up 32.66% of the sample. They were 86.42% subject to night work and 82.66% to alternating work. Overall, 70.23% worked more than 40 hours per week. Between 78.12% and 96.46% of non-specialist doctors, nurses, midwives and biomedical analysis technicians were required to work night shifts. Nurses, midwives, radiology and laboratory technicians were between 89.53% and 97.35%, organized in alternating work. In the sample, 55.20% complained about the insufficient number of work materials, 26.29% handled harmful chemical substances. Among those surveyed, 58.14% had been attacked. Conclusion: All professional categories of caregivers are subject to arduous work. Measures are needed to reverse the situation.

Building the Capacity of Health Professionals in Monitoring and Evaluation in a Public Health Institution: Experience of the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) of Côte d’Ivoire

Background: In the context of the fight against HIV, a lack of skills in monitoring and evaluating the personnel in charge of activities has been identified at the national level. It was the subject of a priority axis of the national plan for monitoring and evaluating the fight against HIV (2006-2010) that was aimed at strengthening the capacities of actors in this area. To increase the critical mass of competent human resources in the short term, the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) of Côte d’Ivoire organized monitoring and evaluation training sessions for healthcare professionals from 2011 to 2016. Methods: A single case study with multiple levels of analysis was carried out, combining a qualitative survey and a literature review. An evaluation was carried out six months after each training session. In addition, the results of the pre- and post-tests and of the daily and final evaluations that accompanied the various training sessions were used to provide further information. The qualitative data collected were analyzed using INVIVO 15 software. Results: Some 89 health professionals (69% men and 31% women) working at the national level (51% at the central level, including 58% in health programs) and in development partner agencies (37%) participated in this capacity building program. Most participants were senior health managers (56%), data managers (23%), and statisticians and computer scientists (10%). Almost all the trainings were financed by 16 technical and financial partners (85%), mainly the MEASURE Evaluation project (27%). Conclusion: M&E training, despite all its imperfections, has made it possible to identify M&E training needs at the national level and to increase the critical mass of national skills and to have some culture in M&E.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental-Emotional Wellbeing of Primary Healthcare Professionals: A Descriptive Correlational Study

The present study aimed to examine work environment related factors and frontline primary healthcare profes-sionals’mental-emotional wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic in school communities of Hong Kong.A total of 61(20%)school health nurses(frontline primary healthcare professionals)participated in a cross-sec-tional online survey from March to June 2020.Outcomes of mental-emotional health were measured using the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form(14-item scale with three subscales related to emotional,social and psychological wellbeing);the Perceived Stress Scale(10-item scale with two subscales related to perceived help-lessness and lack of self-efficacy);and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory(Brief COPE),a 28-item inventory with two subscales related to adaptive and maladaptive strategies.Almost half(42.6%)of par-ticipants experienced mental health problems.Those employed in government subsidized schools had signifi-cantly lower scores in mental health wellbeing than those who worked in private schools.Factors relating to increased mental health problems included lack of emotional support,inadequate training relating to infection prevention and control measures,disengagement and self-blame.A variety of factors influencing school health nurses’social,emotional and psychological wellbeing in their work environment during the COVID-19 pandemic were also reported.The mental-emotional wellbeing of school nurses may relate to their subjective feeling of lone-liness as participants were the sole frontline primary healthcare professional working in the school community during the COVID-19 pandemic.Studyfindings provide relevant evidence for management teams to build a cul-ture of psychological and social support into workplace policies and procedures.Continuous staff development and adequate social support are important to promote the mental-emotional wellbeing of primary healthcare pro-fessionals in school communities as they play a significant role in safeguarding resources during pandemics.

Integration of Excellent Chinese Traditional Culture into the Training and Education of Acupuncture and Massage Professionals

By reflecting on the current situation of the integration of excellent Chinese traditional culture into the training of acupuncture and massage professionals,this paper aims to carry out the research on the integration of excellent Chinese traditional culture into the training and education of acupuncture and massage.The specific implementation path includes early investigation and analysis,establishment of research objectives,formulation of teaching strategies,means and methods,empirical research on the process of teaching practice,teaching measurement and evaluation,and so on.Finally,it summarizes the connotation of the integration of excellent Chinese traditional culture into the training of acupuncture and massage professionals,in order to provide new ideas and methods for the integration of excellent Chinese traditional culture into the training and education of acupuncture and massage professionals.

Occupational Burnout in Hospitals. A Population-Based Study among Health Professionals Working in Hellenic Red Cross Hospital

Occupational burnout, even though is a widespread subject of research, remains one of the factors that threaten the implementation and organizational structure of the provided health service. The aim of our study is to investigate the level of burnout among health professionals in Hellenic Red Cross Hospital, one of the biggest Public Hospitals in Athens, Greece. The study population included 116 health workers and was conducted in 2022. The present study, cross-sectional in nature, investigates burnout symptoms in the health-related professionals by measuring the three dimensions of burnout;emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal achievements. The overall findings show that people who provide health care services in hospitals are a vulnerable group to burnout syndrome. More specifically, it was found that emotional exhaustion moves at medium to high levels, as did depersonalization, while personal achievements are at moderate to low levels. The findings of the present study indicate that emphasis should be given to increasing the personal achievements of employees, which will in turn reduce emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Perhaps a more detailed study on this topic could enlighten us about the causes and treatment of burnout syndrome in health professionals.

Relationship between Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms and Anxiety Levels during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Healthcare Professionals vs.Non-Healthcare Professionals

The present study investigated the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety levels,contamination and responsibility/control obsessions and associated OC behaviors in healthcare versus non-healthcare professionals.The study also aimed to examine the relationship between anxiety levels and obsessive-compulsive(OC)symptom levels,gender,age,educational level,and personal and family history of chronic diseases.The 664 participants included 395(59.5%)men and 269(40.5%)women and comprised 180(27.1%)healthcare professionals and 484(72.9%)non-healthcare professionals.The survey included three data collection tools:(i)Sociodemographic data form,(ii)Beck Anxiety Inventory(BAI),and(iii)the Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale Abriged(DOCS-A)pre-and post-pandemic forms.The BAI scores established a moderate positive correlation with post-pandemic DOCS-A total scores and a weak positive correlation with pre-pandemic DOCS-A total scores(p<0.001 for both).Pre-and post-pandemic DOCS-A total and subdimension scores were significantly higher in women than in men(p<0.05).Participants with a personal history of chronic diseases had higher BAI and DOCS-A scores compared to participants with no such history(p<0.001 and p<0.001,respectively).The results indicated a significant increase in OC symptoms during the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period and a moderate correlation between the anxiety levels and OC symptom severity.It was also revealed that female gender and personal or family history of chronic diseases posed a higher risk for the increase in anxiety and OC symptoms and healthcare professionals had a higher risk of developing anxiety symptoms compared to non-healthcare professionals.

Is current training in basic and advanced cardiac life support(BLS & ACLS) effective? A study of BLS & ACLS knowledge amongst healthcare professionals of North-Kerala

BACKGROUND:Healthcare professionals are expected to have knowledge of current basic and advanced cardiac life support(BLS/ACLS) guidelines to revive unresponsive patients.METHODS:Across-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the current practices and knowledge of BLS/ACLS principles among healthcare professionals of North-Kerala using pretested self-administered structured questionnaire.Answers were validated in accordance with American Heart Association's BLS/ACLS teaching manual and the results were analysed.RESULTS:Among 461 healthcare professionals,141(30.6%) were practicing physicians,268(58.1%) were nurses and 52(11.3%) supporting staff.The maximum achievable score was 20(BLS15/ACLS 5).The mean score amongst all healthcare professionals was 8.9±4.7.The mean score among physicians,nurses and support staff were 8.6±3.4,9±3.6 and 9±3.3 respectively.The majority of healthcare professionals scored <50%(237,51.4%);204(44.3%) scored 51%-80%and 20(4.34%)scored >80%.Mean scores decreased with age,male sex and across occupation.Nurses who underwent BLS/ACLS training previously had significantly higher mean scores(10.2±3.4) than untrained(8.2±3.6,P=0.001).Physicians with <5 years experience(P=0.002) and nurses in the private sector(P=0.003)had significantly higher scores.One hundred and sixty three(35.3%) healthcare professionals knew the correct airway opening manoeuvres like head tilt,chin lift and jaw thrust.Only 54(11.7%) respondents were aware that atropine is not used in ACLS for cardiac arrest resuscitation and 79(17.1%) correctly opted ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia as shockable rhythms.The majority of healthcare professionals(356,77.2%) suggested that BLS/ACLS be included in academic curriculum.CONCLUSION:Inadequate knowledge of BLS/ACLS principles amongst healthcare professionals,especially physicians,illuminate lacunae in existing training systems and merit urgent redressal.

Knowledge and skills of neonatal resuscitation of health professionals at a university teaching hospital of Northwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND:Competency in neonatal resuscitation is critical in the delivery rooms,neonatology units and pediatrics intensive care units to ensure the safety and health of neonates. Each year,millions of babies do not breathe immediately at birth,and among them the majority require basic neonatal resuscitation. Perinatal asphyxia is a major contributor to neonatal deaths worldwide in resource-limited settings. Neonatal resuscitation is effective only when health professionals have sufficient knowledge and skills. But malpractices by health professionals are frequent in the resuscitation of neonates. The present study was to assess the knowledge and skills of health professionals about neonatal resuscitation.METHODS:An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted in our hospital from February15 to April 30,2014. All nurses,midwives and residents from obstetrics-gynecology(obsgyn),midwifery and pediatric departments were included. The mean scores of knowledge and skills were compared for sex,age,type of profession,qualification,year of service and previous place of work of the participants by using Student's t test and ANOVA with Scheffe's test. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS:One hundred and thirty-five of 150 participants were included in this study with a response rate of 90.0%. The overall mean scores of knowledge and skills of midwives,nurses and residents were 19.9(SD=3.1) and 6.8(SD=3.9) respectively. The mean knowledge scores of midwives,nurses,pediatric residents and obs-gyn residents were 19.7(SD=3.03),20.2(SD=2.94),19.7(SD=4.4) and 19.6(SD=3.3) respectively. Whereas the mean scores of skills of midwives,nurses,pediatric residents and obs-gyn residents were 7.1(SD=4.17),6.7(SD=3.75),5.7(SD=4.17) and 6.6(SD=3.97) respectively.CONCLUSIONS:The knowledge and skills of midwives,nurses and residents about neonatal resuscitation were substandardized. Training of neonatal resuscitation for midwives,nurses and residents should be emphasized.

The Impact of Self-Efficacy and Work Engagement on Healthcare Professionals’ Proactive Behavior

Job crafting (JC) is a form of proactive behavior and refers to the initiatives employees that could take to change their tasks or other job characteristics to achieve the best person-job fit. JC consists of six dimensions: seeking structural and social job resources, as well as challenges, hindering job demands, optimizing job demands, and delegating tasks. The aim of the present study was to explore the impact of self-efficacy and work engagement on healthcare professionals’ (HP) proactive behavior. A convenience sample of 295 HP working in Primary and Secondary healthcare structures of Northern Greece completed a questionnaire that included: 1) demographic/occupational characteristics, 2) the Job Crafting Scale, 3) the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) and 4) the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). Increased age was found to be associated with decreased levels of seeking social job resources (p < 0.01). Education level was positively associated with increased levels of seeking structural job resources (p < 0.01), seeking challenges (p < 0.05), and optimizing job demands (p < 0.05), while job position was found to be negatively related to delegating tasks (p < 0.01). Self-efficacy was positively associated with increased levels of seeking structural resources (p < 0.001), challenges (p < 0.001), and increased levels of optimizing job demands (p < 0.001), while it was positively associated with decreased levels of delegating tasks (p < 0.05). In addition, increased work engagement was found to be associated with increased levels of seeking social job resources (p < 0.05), challenges (p < 0.01), and optimizing job demands (p < 0.01). Findings highlight the importance of self-efficacy, work engagement and individual characteristics in the realization of a resourceful work environment and HP’ adjustment in the organization. Thus, interventions that promote HP’ JC proactive behaviors should be encouraged.

Socio-ecological insights into the development of agrarian professionals

There is a lack of information about the factors responsible for the effectiveness of environmental policies in Brazilian agriculture.This study aimed at identifying the perception and practices of agrarian professionals.The data analysis was carried out using a survey and methodological approaches focusing on environmental complexity and categorization of environmental actions.Quantitative analysis was based on descriptive statistics.Atmospheric problems were perceived as the main problems for the current and next two generations,while hydrological problems were indicated as those deserving most urgent solutions.On the other hand,the main developed actions and those planned to be carried out were classified within the responsibility category.Because of the reductionist perceptions,introduction of the concept of a socio-ecological system is indicated by means of methodological interventions during the development of agrarian professionals;also,in order to stimulate actions related to the competence and citizenship category,a methodological intervention focusing on resilience thinking is proposed.Typical actions of individuals with either reductionist or complex conceptions of the environment can be captured and,therefore,educational strategies can be traced based on the profiles obtained.

Violence at work and its relationship with burnout, depression and anxiety in healthcare professionals of the emergency services

The aim of this study was to examine the possible relationship between physical and psychological aggression suffered in the workplace and professional burnout, depression and anxiety suffered by healthcare professionals of the emergency services. Methods: 315 physicians, nurses, orderlies and ambulance drivers of Critical Care and Emergency Devices (CCED) in the Andalusian Public Health System, in the province of Granada (Spain) participated. They were interviewed about the exposure to violence at work and answered a battery of questions that measured burnout, depression and anxiety. Results: Physical aggression was significantly related to emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment at work, depression and anxiety. Psychological aggression was associated with personal accomplishment. Logistic regression showed that the CCED professionals who have suffered physical aggression were 4.2 and 2.6 times more likely to have suffered anxiety and reduced personal accomplishment, respectively, than those who did not suffer physical aggression. On the other hand, feelings of anxiety and reduced personal accomplishment increase the professionals’ risk (3.4 and 2.1 times more likely, respectively) of suffering from physical aggression. Conclusion: The results suggest that exposure to violence is related to the other psychological problems tested: emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment (two components of burnout), depression and anxiety. In addition, physical violence is a risk factor for anxiety and diminished personal accomplishment of the CCED professionals.

Levels of vocational satisfaction,burnout and compassion fatigue of health professionals working in pediatric clinics

BACKGROUND Burnout and compassion fatigue are affecting the quality of professional life.AIM To investigate the levels of vocational satisfaction,burnout,and compassion fatigue and factors that may be related to health professionals working in children’s clinics.METHODS The study sample was in the west of Turkey.Data were collected using the questionnaire form and the quality of life scale for employees.RESULTS The findings obtained in this study showed that the level of vocational satisfaction of female health professionals and the burnout level of male health professionals were higher.The professional satisfaction of the doctors was lower than that of the nurses and midwives,and the mean score of burnout and fatigue was high.CONCLUSION Further studies are needed on this topic to help improve the factors that may affect the professional quality of life of health professionals.

Compliance with Hand Hygiene among Health Professionals in the Medical-Surgical Emergency Department of the Donka National Hospital

Introduction: The transmission of infectious agents through the hands of nursing staff during care is the main cause of nosocomial infections. Hand hygiene has been recognized for over a century as an effective measure to prevent healthcare associated infections in healthcare settings, the objective of this study was to appreciate the practice of hand hygiene during care by health professionals in the medical-surgical emergency department of the Donka National Hospital. Methods: It was a cross-sectional, analytical study. Data collection took place from March 1 to April 30, 2021. The study covered all health professionals, namely doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, radiography technicians, pharmacists, students, stretcher bearers, surfactants who were present at the time of the study period. Results: During the study period, out of a total of 104 registered health professionals, we surveyed 99, which is a rate of 95%. The most represented age group was [30 - 39 years] with an average of 37.17 ± 10.34 years, and extremes of 22 years to 65 years. The male sex was the most dominant or 59.60% compared to the female sex or 40.40% with a sex ratio of 1.47. The hand hygiene compliance rate was low at 21%. The practice of hand hygiene during care for 100% of health professionals was very low, at 8.08%. No factors influence the observance of the practice of hand hygiene and the socio-professional characteristics of the conditions of provision of care activities. Conclusion: Hand hygiene during care is an essential aspect that must be considered as an essential measure in the prevention of infections in this period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

THE PLAN FOR THE PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION FOR INTERNATIONAL ACUPUNCTURE AND MOXIBUSTION PROFESSIONALS(FOR TRIAL IMPLEMENTATION)

1.Purposes of the Examination1.1 To make the education and exami-nation system of Acupuncture andMoxibustion(A & M)gradually be formaland standard,so as to improve the profes-sional quality of international A & M profes-sionals with continuous efforts.

The healthcare environment—The importance of aesthetic surroundings: Health professionals’ experiences from a surgical ward in Finland

There is a growing acceptance of the vital role patient centered design plays in shaping the environment. Art can be of use in every area of health care. It is within the power of each person to share and interpret experience by means of the arts, by viewing the work of others, and by using feelings and imagination. Health professionals [n = 24 of a total of n = 35], answered the Wheel Questionnaire test instrument. It measures structure, motivation/engagement, and degree of emotional investment in a situation. Participants were requested to describe, in their own words, their perception of the enrichment of the ward interiordesign and the double-sided photos with a short poetic text, and the photo-book placed at each patient room. The results demonstrate that participants are motivated, structured and emotionally engaged when describing the new enrichment. The domains and themes are: Social interaction domain;rising thoughts and conversations. Comfort domain;atmosphere. Aesthetic do main;enrichment of the working environment. It could be concluded that the surgical ward environmental enrichment stimulated conversations between health professionals and between health professionals and patients and should be regarded as an important aspect in hospital planning.

Current Situation,Problems and Countermeasures of International Shipping Professionals

Present situation and problems of international shipping professionals in China were analyzed,and then some countermeasures and suggestions were put forward to improve the comprehensive level of international shipping professionals in China.

Caring for Individuals with Early-Onset Dementia and Their Family Caregivers: The Perspective of Health Care Professionals

The phenomenon of early-onset dementia remains an under-researched subject from the perspective of health care professionals. The aim of this qualitative study was to document the experiences and service needs of patients and their family caregivers for optimal clinical management of early-onset dementia from the perspective of health care professionals. A sample of 13 health care professionals from various disciplines, who worked with individuals who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders and their family caregivers, took part in focus groups or semi-structured individual interviews, based on a life course perspective. Three recurrent themes emerged from the data collected from health care professionals and are related to: 1) identification with the difficult experiences of caregivers and powerlessness in view of the lack of services;2) gaps in the care and services offered, including the lack of clinical tools to ensure that patients under age 65 were diagnosed and received follow-up care, and 3) solutions for care and services that were tailored to the needs of the caregiver-patient dyads and health care professionals, the most important being that the residual abilities of younger patients be taken into account, that flexible forms of respite be offered to family caregivers and that training be provided to health care professionals. The results of this study provided some innovative guidelines for optimal clinical management of early-onset dementia in terms of the caregiver-patient dyad.

Study of the Conditions Surrounding Fatigue That Are Common to Medical Professionals Working in Emergency and Critical Care Centers in Japan

This study aimed to clarify the conditions surrounding fatigue that are common to medical professionals working in emergency and critical care centers in Japan. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight professionals ranging from doctors, nurses and pharmacists to clinical engineering technologists and radiation technologists. Their narratives were analyzed using the qualitative descriptive approach to determine fatigue common to all professionals and the reasons behind it. The five categories that emerged as the reasons for fatigue common to the subjects were [playing one’s role in treatment and procedures for emergency and critical patients], [accommodating the patient’s background and coming to terms with the outcome], [difficulties in liaising with other professionals], [feeling pressure as a responsible professional in emergency care] and [loss of sense of time caused by variable working hours]. The results revealed that fatigue common to all of the subjects was related to dealing with patients, coordinating with other professionals, having professional responsibilities and the working environment. This study suggests that arrangements to improve the working environment, ensure adequate staffing, and provide mental health support for the well-being of medical professionals working in emergency and critical care centers are necessary.

Body mass index estimation and measurement by healthcare professionals

Background: Severe obesity has increased more than three-fold in prevalence over the past fifteen years in Europe and the United States. Correctly identifying severe obesity permits access to mortality-reducing interventions. We aimed to determine the accuracy of healthcare professionals (HCPs) in recognising severe obesity and the frequency of body mass index (BMI) assessment by HCPs. Methods: We performed two cross-sectional surveys: one of 206 HCPs in Ireland and Canada and another of 515 Irish hospital healthcare records. The first survey evaluated BMI estimation from photographs and the second examined recording of weight and height during outpatient clinic visits. Results: HCPs underestimated the BMI of severely obese people by an average of 22% to 39%. For a patient with a BMI of 52 kg/m2, 35.4% of family physicians appreciated that the patient was severely obese (BMI > 40 kg/m2) compared with 81.0% of endocrinologists. During clinic visits only 18.1% (n = 75), 1% (n = 4) and 0% (n = 0) of patients had their respective weights, heights and BMIs recorded. Conclusions: HCPs frequently fail to recognise severe obesity from photographs and, in our centre, do not routinely record weight or height. Whether patient outcomes can be improved by measuring weight and height during every HCP encounter warrants further study.