Articles: pandemics.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Impact of Hydrocolloid Dressing and Moisturizing Cream as Facial Skin Protectants Among Health Care Workers.
During the novel coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, health care workers experienced facial problems from prolonged use of N95 masks, including skin irritation, pigmentation changes, and contact dermatitis. We assessed the use of hydrocolloid dressing versus dimethicone cream to prevent skin breakdown among military health care workers while wearing an N95. ⋯ Using a skin protectant with an N95 may prevent adverse skin reactions while preserving health care workers' ability to safely and competently care for patients in routine and pandemic conditions.
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The National Guard (NG) served as a critical component of the U.S. response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Understanding the impact of types of pandemic-related disaster work on mental health responses can aid in sustaining NG service members' health and preparation for subsequent activations and future pandemics. ⋯ Identifying work tasks associated with high levels of stress can help detect individuals at risk for adverse mental health responses post-exposure. Distinguishing features of high-stress work conditions can be generalized to other types of work conditions and disaster response and are important targets for planning and preventive efforts.
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In military training settings, stress can improve focus and motivation fostering effective learning. However, high perceived stress can be debilitating resulting in poor learning and clinical errors. Multiple studies have focused on medical residency stress; but there has been minimal focus on dental residents and even less on the impact of the unique stressors from the COVID-19 pandemic. The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perceived stress of residents in a military dental residency training program and explore the association among perceived stress and anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and social support. ⋯ Based on pre-pandemic perceived stress, participants responded differently to the impact of the pandemic shutdown. The low baseline stress participants may have a more robust sense of grit and resilience. These findings suggest that postgraduate dental training programs should integrate coping skills training opportunities, especially for residents reporting high perceived stress before residency.
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To understand the mechanisms of injury and demographic risk factors associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients among active and reserve service members in the U.S. Military before and during the COVID-10 pandemic. ⋯ Military leaders should consider how different causes of injury are associated with differing TBI severities and how certain demographic groups were vulnerable to specific TBI severities when developing injury prevention programs.