Frontiers in public health
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Front Public Health · Jan 2018
Improvements in Heart Rate Variability, Baroreflex Sensitivity, and Sleep After Use of Closed-Loop Allostatic Neurotechnology by a Heterogeneous Cohort.
Heart rate variability (HRV) is an indicator of dynamic adaptability of the autonomic nervous system. Few interventions target upstream, cerebral cortex components of the heart-brain system for autonomic management. We report changes in HRV and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), associated with use of a noninvasive, closed-loop, allostatic, computer-guided, acoustic stimulation neurotechnology. ⋯ These findings indicate that use of a noninvasive, allostatic, closed-loop neurotechnology appears to have robust potential for public health efforts to support greater flexibility in autonomic cardiovascular regulation, through self-optimization of electrical activity at the level of the brain.
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Front Public Health · Jan 2018
The Impact of an In-service Educational Program on Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Pain Management in an Ethiopian University Hospital.
Background: Although pain control for hospitalized patients is a central issue for all health care providers, nurses' knowledge, and attitudes are the major barriers. Educational program is a strategy to improve nurses' knowledge and attitudes on pain management. However, there is paucity of information on how in-service education program influences nurses' knowledge and attitudes score for pain management in Ethiopia. ⋯ The mean rank score of nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding pain significantly improved following participation in the educational program (Z = -9.08, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The educational program improved nurses' scores for pain management knowledge and attitudes. This may lead to more effective pain management by nurses.
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Front Public Health · Jan 2018
Combating Vaccine Hesitancy: Teaching the Next Generation to Navigate Through the Post Truth Era.
Despite scientific evidence supporting the fact that vaccines are fundamental tools for preventing infectious diseases, a percentage of the population still refuses some or all of them. Vaccine hesitancy has become a widespread issue, and its complexity lies in the great variety of factors that can influence decisions about immunization, which are not just vaccine-related concerns, but also involve personal and societal levels. Our research group performed an extensive literature review to analyze: (1) different age groups, their relation to the problem and their characteristics; (2) the most important information (key messages) about immunization that could be used to counteract hesitancy; and (3) best approaches to transmit the messages to the target groups. We propose a long-term approach to overcome vaccine hesitancy that involves the education of children and adolescents on the basics about immunization and critical thinking, using different communication channels.
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Front Public Health · Jan 2018
Point-Of-Care Testing Curriculum and Accreditation for Public Health-Enabling Preparedness, Response, and Higher Standards of Care at Points of Need.
Objectives: To develop awareness of benefits of point-of-care testing (POCT) education in schools of public health, to identify learning objectives for teaching POCT, to enable public health professionals and emergency responders to perform evidence-based diagnosis and triage effectively and efficiently at points of need, and to better improve future standards of care for public health practice, including in limited-resource settings and crisis situations. Methods: We surveyed all U. S. schools of public health, colleges of public health, and public health schools accredited by the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH). ⋯ Conclusions: Enhancing accreditation requirements, academic training, board certification, and field experience will generate public health healthcare professionals who will rely upon evidence-based medical decision making at points of care, including during crises when time is of the essence. A POCT-enabled public health workforce can help prevent and stop outbreaks. Public health-based medical professionals urgently need the skills necessary to perform POCT and prepare America and other nations for threats portending significant adverse medical, economic, social, and cultural impact.
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Front Public Health · Jan 2018
Experiences of Public Doctors on Managing Work Difficulties and Maintaining Professional Enthusiasm in Acute General Hospitals: A Qualitative Study.
Overseas studies suggest that 10-20% of doctors are depressed, 30-45% have burnout, and many report dissatisfaction with work-life balance. A local study on public doctors showed that 31.4% of the respondents satisfied the criteria for high burnout. Young, but moderately experienced doctors who need to work shifts appeared most vulnerable. This study aims to explore the experiences of those public doctors who have managed their work difficulties and maintained professional enthusiasm for references in medical education and continuing professional training. ⋯ Some implications for medical education include, developing good communication skill for medical students and junior doctors, preparing senior doctors to be mentors, and exploring the motivating force of spirituality/religion.