Journal of interprofessional care
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The first cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) were reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Globally millions of people have been diagnosed with the virus whilst thousands have died. As the virus kept spreading health and social care frontline workers (HSCFW) were faced with difficulties when discharging their duties. ⋯ The data were thematically analyzed, and the emergent themes were supported by quotes from the interviews held with participants. Following data analysis the research study found that lack of pandemic preparedness, shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), anxiety and fear amongst professionals, challenges in enforcing social distancing, challenges in fulfilling social shielding responsibility, anxiety and fear amongst residents and service users, delay in testing, evolving PPE guidance and shortage of staff were challenges faced by frontline health and social care workers during COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the current study point to a need for adequate pandemic preparedness within the health and social care sector to protect both frontline workers and the individuals they look after.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has instigated significant changes for health care systems. With clinician burnout rising, efforts to promote clinician resilience are essential. Within this quality improvement project, an interprofessional debriefing program (Brigham Resilience in COVID-19-pandemic Emergency Forum-BRIEF) was developed within two emergency departments (EDs). ⋯ Feedback supported quality improvement initiatives within the ED and greater mental health support for staff. Clinicians and administrators provided positive feedback regarding the program's impact on clinician morale, and clinical processes that promoted the safety and quality of patient care. Optional debriefing with receptive departmental leadership may be a successful tool to support clinicians and hospitals during critical events.
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The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on higher education and interprofessional education programs in particular is yet to be determined, however, it is clear that this pandemic is changing the way we live, learn, and work. Online education is becoming the new normal in academia, but it is a development that may be posing a conundrum to some. Teachers of interprofessional education are expected to employ online education, but some may lack the knowledge and expertise to create and facilitate an engaging, positive, and supportive online environment for their students. This report discusses the application of Meaningful Discourse and the Community of Inquiry principles on developing online learning communities in interprofessional education.
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Crises such as pandemics create stresses on the health-care system that often produce innovation and changes in roles and delivery methods. In the current pandemic, and with the interruption of organized sport activities, athletic trainers have moved beyond traditional hierarchies and scopes of practice to roles that fully leverage their knowledge, skills, and abilities. ⋯ The authors also present key questions as the health-care system moves forward through these challenges. In the future, there could be a new paradigm in the health-care system that values athletic trainers on interprofessional teams which focus on health and wellness to improve outcomes for individuals and society.
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Since the World Health Organisation declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic in early March 2020, the virus has been linked with serious illness, death, and social disruption around the world. The scope of the outbreak is rapidly evolving and ever changing. Many countries, cities and towns declared major closures and issued shelter-in-place orders. ⋯ It is widely accepted that healthcare education and practice, including interprofessional education and collaborative practice, has been and will continue to be affected in profound ways. However, the severity and extent of the impact is yet to be determined and is likely to vary internationally. The study protocol reported here is a first attempt to systematically capture observations, experiences, and reflections globally with a view to identifying priorities for interprofessional education and collaborative practice research and development in the years to come, as well as inform future pandemic preparedness.