1,721,001 research outputs found
Psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare leaders: a cross-sectional survey in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
No full textIntroduction Although several studies highlighted the psychological burden of 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, no data are available regarding professionals leading healthcare organisations. This study aims to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare leaders (HeLs), along with the leadership skills and coping strategies needed for successful leadership. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Italy) between October and November 2020. We assessed the presence of depressive symptoms (DS), anxiety symptoms (AS), perceived stress (PS) and insomnia using internationally validated tools. Coping strategies and skills needed to overcome the crisis were examined, along with the most challenging phases. Results A total of 48 HeLs participated. The prevalence of DS and AS was 14.6% and 12.5%, respectively. Moderate and severe insomnia was found in 12.5% and 6.3% of them, respectively. Leaders showed moderate (45.8%) and high 4,2%) level of PS. The two most challenging phases were recognised in early recognition (45.2%) and peak phase (31.0%). Concerning healthcare leaders' skills required to manage with pandemic, the most reported were communication (35.1%) and decision-making (25.5%). Conclusion The high level of PS, insomnia, DS and AS experienced by healthcare leaders shows the COVID-19 pandemic's psychological impact. The two most challenging phases identified enhances the importance of public health surveillance and monitoring systems, and communication appeared a critical success skill for healthcare leaders. Given the key role these professional play in addressing the current crisis in healthcare organisations, their mental health and well-being deserve greater attention
The most challenging COVID19 phases and the skills healthcare leaders need to face the pandemic
No full textIntroduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) pandemic is the most significant public health threat of the century, a crisis that have been challenging healthcare systems around the world. Assessment of leadership skills is needed in order to identify attributes of successful leadership during public health emergencies. This study aims to highlight the critical role played by healthcare leaders during this pandemic, assessing
the most challenging and demanding phases of the health crisis and the characteristics required for a healthcare leader.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out between October and November 2020, using online questionnaires, involving medical and nursing leaders working in the healthcare organizations of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region (Northeast of Italy). Professionals from hospital, community setting and regional level were asked about the two most challenging phases of the current pandemic among: crisis early recognition, peak of the emergency phase, declining epidemic, long tail. The most important healthcare leaders’ skills were investigated among competence, awareness, communication,
decision-making, inspiring trust and data interpretation.
Results: A total of 48 healthcare leaders participated. Women were 56.3%. Mean age was 53.4 7.9. According to the leaders interviewed, the two most challenging phases of such crisis were crisis early recognition (45%) and the peak phase (31%). Lesser important phases were recognized in the declining epidemic (15%) and the long tail phases (8%). Concerning healthcare leaders’ skills required to manage with pandemic, the most reported were communication (35%) and decisionmaking (26%); while lower importance was identified in inspiring confidence (5%).
Conclusions: The two most challenging phases identified by this study suggested the importance of public health surveillance and monitoring systems. Communication appeared a critical success factor for leaders in public health emergencies.
Key messages: Early recognition of the crisis and the emergency peak management are considered the most challenging phases of the COVID19 pandemic by healthcare leaders. Ability to communicate and decision-making emerged as the two most important crisis skills, and should be included
among public health leaders core competencies
Infodemic: analysis of global and local 2019-20 Coronavirus epidemic search flow
No full textBackground:
The excessive amount of information (infodemic) about SARS-COV2 is a global challenge for healthcare authorities in tackling misinformation. Aim of the study was to investigate SARS-COV2 global and Italian web search amount made through a reliable information source during 2019-20 SARS- COV2 epidemic.
Methods:
From December 15th, 2019 to February 23rd, 2020, we used Google Trends to analyze global changes in the volume of searches about ‘‘Coronavirus’’ in relation to reliable sources: ‘‘World Health Organization’’, ‘‘WHO’’ and the Italian equivalents of ‘‘Ministry of Health’’ and ‘‘National Institute of Health’’. Primary searches and associated queries (AQs) were analyzed by nation and Italian Region.
Results:
Global interest on ‘‘Coronavirus’’ progressively rose from mid- January, with 2 peaks on days 28th and 31st, fell on February 20th and rose again until day 23rd. ‘‘WHO’’ searches fluctuated with no clear pattern but increased on January 26th and February 3rd. ’WHO’ term was among the most frequent ‘‘Coronavirus’’ AQs and viceversa. Singapore, Italy and New Zealand were the most interested nations in ‘‘Coronavirus’’, while China was at first place in ‘‘Coronavirus+WHO’’ searches. In Italy from January 21st interest in ‘‘Coronavirus’’ gradually increased, with peaks on days 28th and 31st and a higher peak on February 21st. The other terms showed a fluctuating trend, with peaks on January 31st for ‘‘WHO’’ and ‘‘Ministry of Health’’ and on February 21st for all of them. ‘‘Coronavirus’’ was most frequently AQ to ‘‘Italy’’ and ‘‘China’’, while AQs for the other terms were ‘‘Coronavirus’’ and ‘‘WHO official website’’. The most interested Italian Regions for ‘‘Coronavirus’’ and ‘‘Coronavirus+WHO’’ were Lazio and Friuli Venezia-Giulia, respectively.
Conclusions:
Interest in SARS-COV2 globally increased during the con- sidered period, especially within most affected areas. The associations between terms thus highlighted seems to confirm that the general population relies on trustworthy information sources.
Key messages:
Infodemic can be at the same time a danger and an
opportunity during global and local health emergencies.
Health systems should take advantage of current search flow
in order to foster reliable information sharing
A wide range of strategies to cope with healthcare workers’ vaccine hesitancy in a North-Eastern Italian region: are they enough?
No full textThe recent pandemic reminded the world of the high risk of healthcare workers (HCWs) and patient contagiousness along with the healthcare services disruption related to nosocomial outbreaks. This study aims at describing vaccination campaigns within healthcare institutions of a North-Italian Region and comparing their effectiveness in term of vaccination coverage. In December 2019, we surveyed all healthcare institutions of Friuli Venezia Giulia Region throughout an email questionnaire with 15 questions investigating strategies adopted for the vaccination of HCWs against influenza and other vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), along with actions put in place in case of a VPD exposure. We found a strong heterogeneity in VPDs prevention and control policy and practice for HCWs, along with responsibility attribution ranging among different stakeholders. Strategies adopted to promote vaccination included a wide range of methods, but HCWs’ influenza vaccination coverage still ranged from 17.0 to 33.3%. Contact tracing after a VPD exposure did not always include medical residents and students and visitors/caregivers/extra personnel as possible contacts. Even if knowledge and complacency gaps among HCWs could be faced with education activities, more efforts should be done in identifying and implementing effective vaccination strategies, and mandatory vaccination for HCWs could be introduced to achieve host, herd, and healthcare immunity preventing possible hospital outbreaks
Psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare leaders in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
No full textIntroduction: The current pandemic scenario may cause psychological distress among healthcare workers (HCWs). Although several studies highlighted this issue as particularly affecting frontline HCWs, no data are available regarding professionals dealing with the governance of healthcare organizations. This study aims to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare leaders (HeLs).
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out between October and November 2020, among HeLs working within Friuli-Venezia Giulia healthcare system (Italy). HeLs included: heads of surgical or medical department, deans of hospital, heads of doctors and nurses working at regional level or in hospital/community settings. We collected demographic data and assessed the presence of depressive (DS) and anxiety symptoms (AS), perceived stress (PS) and insomnia using internationally validated tools. Relationship between mental health outcomes and professional role was analysed using nonparametric tests.
Results: A total of 48 HeLs participated; their mean age was 53.4±7.9, women were 56.3%. Most (45.8%) were heads of department, 16.7% deans of hospital, 8.3% heads of doctors, 29.2% heads of nurses. The majority (60.4%) worked in hospital setting, 22.9% in the community and 16.7% at regional level. The prevalence of DS and AS was 14.6% and 12.5%, respectively. Moderate insomnia was found in 12.5% of HeLs, while severe
insomnia in 6.3% of them. The 45.8% of HeLs showed moderate level of stress, whereas 4.2% high level. PS was significantly higher among deans of hospital. Moreover, lower PS correlated with lower DS, AS and insomnia (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: The high level of perceived stress, insomnia, depressive and anxious symptoms experienced by HeLs shows another issue of the COVID-19 pandemic psychological impact. Considered the key role of HeLs in leading healthcare organizations over the current crisis, mental health of these professionals is a major issue that needs higher attention.
Key messages: Psychological impact of COVID19 not only affects frontline HCWs, but also the professionals who are leading healthcare organization through the crisis. Promotion of mental well-being among HCWs should be improved at all levels of healthcare organizations, ensuring a healthier workplace for all professionals working for public health
Immunization programs for hospital healthcare workers in Northern-Italy, can we do more?
No full textBackground:
Coverage for vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Italy remains low, and WHO strongly recommends to tailor immunization programs to tackle hesitancy. Aim of the study was to investigate HCW- specific immunization programs within Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) Region in order to plan new common strategies. Methods:
In December 2019 we collected information about FVG hospitals and HCWs immunization programs conducted within each of them, including: number of HCWs employed, monitored VPDs, immunization assumption, vaccination strategies and refusers management.
Results:
We obtained data from 7/7 hospitals, for a total of 12,557 employed HCWs (average 1,794; range 467-3,922); 2 hospitals are academic centers, while 2 are research institutions. All hospitals have immunization programs for measles, mumps, rubella; the majority for hepatitis B (6/7); 5 for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, chicken pox. Presumptive evidence of immunity is established when written vaccination documenta- tion is available or in presence of laboratory evidence. HCWs immunization programs are responsibility of the occupational doctor in most hospitals (6/7). Vaccination promotion strategies include: mail or email personal invitation, training courses, video and notice display on hospital website, reminders. Most hospitals set up a dedicated vaccination service located in a hospital common area (4) or outside the hospital (2); one hospital also offered ward on-site vaccination. For airborne or droplets transmission diseases, refusers are asked to wear a mask during shift in 2 hospitals. Conclusions:
HCWs immunization programs in FVG Region are hetero- geneous, and their specific effectiveness has to be studied yet. This study represents the first step in the process of FVG hospitals engagement in sharing effective actions in order to plan a new regional strategy for HWCs immunization.
Key messages:
The investigation of effective strategies conducted in
different FVG hospitals is essential for their scaling-up
evaluation.
A common regional plan for healthcare workers immunization is needed to tackle hesitancy and reduce infectious risk within hospitals
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
- …
