Saudi Med J
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which was initially reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan has now spread unprecedented all over the world, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The World Health Organization declared this outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern during late January 2020 while the announcement of this viral infectious condition was made as COVID-19 disease during February 2020. As of late May 2020, the global death rate due to COVID-19 was 357,714 and 441 in KSA alone. This review provides an overview of COVID-19 and the public health measures adopted by KSA in the context of COVID-19.
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To analyze the clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positive medical staff compared with those of public. Methods: A total of 108 COVID-19-positive medical staff patients were included in the study from March 23, 2020 to June 15, 2020. Patients were analyzed for demographic data, clinical presentations, and in-hospital outcomes and compared against 661 COVID-19-infected patients of non-medical personel. Results: Mean age of medical staff patients was 44.05±13.9 years, most of whom were women (63.9%). The infected medical staff members consisted of 63 nurses (58.3%), 37 physicians (34.3%), 5 technicians (4.6%), and 3 pharmacists (2.8%). ⋯ Male gender with odds ratios (OR) of 7.771 and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of 0.837-72.195 and a history of chronic kidney disease of (OR=10.778, 95% CI: 1.503-77.287) were predictors of death among the medical staff group. Conclusion: The incidence of COVID-19 infection among medical staff is quite high, but the occurrence of extreme illness and death is significantly low compared with the general community. Training should be implemented for all hospital staff on infection prevention techniques. Reliable and quick access for testing medical personnel is essential to maintain health, safety, and availability of health care workers during this pandemic.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The impact of an Education-Based Intervention Program (EBIP) on dyspnea and chronic self-care management among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. A randomized controlled study.
To evaluate the impact of dyspnea and chronic self-care management outcomes of an Education-Based Intervention Program (EBIP) compared to routine care. Methods: The population of the study consisted of self-care management scale of 61 patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) stage 2 and within one month after discharge. A total of 51 conforming patients were divided into experimental and control groups for a single-blind randomized trial. Data were collected using an introductory information form, the baseline dyspnea index (BDI), pulmonary function test (PFT), the self-care management process in chronic illness (SCMP-G) scale and body mass index (BMI). ⋯ The data were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests, χ2, Mann Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. p less than 0.05 was statistically significant. Results: The study was completed with a total of 40 COPD patients. The effect of the EBIP training program on BDI, PFT, and SCMP-G scores in the intervention group was statistically proven (p less than 0.05). However, the differences between the groups in the BDI sub-dimension of functional impairment and PFT were not statistically significant (p greater than 0.05). Conclusion: Providing patients with illness-related education through EBIP provided a partial improvement in dyspnea and a significant improvement in chronic care management among COPD patients.
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To evaluate the impact of coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic and its consequences on general surgery residents. Methods: Cross-sectional, survey based study including surgical residents in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kingdom of Bahrain. ⋯ Coronavirus-19 pandemic has a serious effect on all healthcare workers and surgical residents have experienced a considerable amount of stress. Accordingly, this psychological burden should be appropriately addressed in organizations planning strategies. We suggest formulating guidelines to help surgical trainees to continue their learning process with least psychological burden.
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To investigate the prevalence and determinants of burnout syndrome and depression among medical students at Unaizah College of Medicine (UCM), Qassim University, Qassim, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: A cross-sectional study of all Saudi medical students studying at UCM, Qassim University, Al Qassim, KSA, between February to March 2020. Results: Of the total 305 students sampled, 153 (50.2%) fit the category of depression. Concerning burnout, only 5.6% of the total population met the Maslach Burnout Inventorydiagnostic criteria for burnout, with those determined to have burnout having ranked high on the emotional exhaustion and cynicism subscales, and low on the academic efficacy subscale. Male was strongly associated with burnout, while female gender and raising children were strongly associated with the presence of depression. Emotional exhaustion and high cynicism as determinants of burnout elevate the risk of depression. Conclusion: Our results highlight the high rate of depression and burnout, as well as the need for psychological intervention programs at medical schools to prevent the deterioration of student's mental health that has been associated with advancement in medical school.