Volunteering among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: what should be taken into account? / Voluntariado entre estudantes de medicina durante a pandemia de COVID-19: o que devemos considerar?

Abstract: Introduction: during the COVID-19 pandemic, the universities suspended in-person activities and medical education adapted from the traditional format to virtual scenarios. Thus, the volunteering activities might improve the apprenticeship in critical situations and constitute a way to obtain competences and clinical skills. Objective: to identify the frequency of student volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated factors. Methods: a cross-sectional study was performed targeting medical students in their last 3 years at a medical school in Brazil. Three hundred and fifty invitations were sent by email to ask students to participate in a self-administered, anonymous electronic survey during the pandemic. The primary outcome was the frequency of volunteer activities. Sociodemographic variables and characteristics of the medical students' activities were the dependent variables for the multivariate analysis that calculated the factors associated with volunteering. Results: One hundred and twenty-five respondents (35.8% response rate) were included in the analysis (no missing data). The frequency of volunteering was 52% and most of the participants were females (63.2%) and all had access to online activities. Telemedicine was the most frequent activity (56/65). After the multivariate analysis, it was found that a family income of 5.1-10 minimal wages (OR=2.32[0.94-6.42]), expressing the ability and confidence in a pandemic situation (OR=4.91[1.49-16.2]) and considering e-learning important before the pandemic (OR=16.46[1.35-200.32]) and exposure of more than 120 minutes to social media platforms were less motivating for volunteering. Conclusion: About half of the medical students volunteered during the COVID-19 pandemic. The presence of self-confidence, with previous training in a pandemic situation motivated the students to volunteer.

Resumo: Introdução: Durante a pandemia da Covid-19, as universidades suspenderam as atividades presenciais e o ensino médico adaptou-se do formato tradicional para os cenários virtuais. Assim, as atividades de voluntariado podem melhorar a aprendizagem em situações críticas e são uma forma de obter competências e habilidades clínicas. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar a frequência do voluntariado nos estudantes durante a pandemia da Covid-19 e seus fatores associados. Método: Realizou-se um estudo transversal com estudantes de Medicina dos três anos finais de uma faculdade no Brasil. Trezentos e cinquenta alunos foram convidados via e-mail para uma pesquisa eletrônica anônima e autoaplicável, em meio à pandemia. O resultado primário foi a frequência das atividades voluntárias. Variáveis sociodemográficas e características da atividade dos estudantes foram as variáveis dependentes para análise multivariada dos fatores associados ao voluntariado. Resultado: Incluíram-se 125 alunos (taxa de resposta de 35,8%) na análise (sem dados ausentes). A frequência de voluntariado foi de 52%, a maioria dos participantes era do sexo feminino (63,2%), e todos tinham acesso a atividades on-line. A telemedicina foi a atividade mais frequente (56/65). Em análise multivariada, constatou-se que os seguintes fatores foram menos motivadores para o voluntariado: renda familiar entre 5,1 e dez salários mínimos (OR = 2,32 [0,94-6,42]), capacidade e confiança em atuar numa situação de pandemia (OR = 4,91 [1,49-16,2]), os alunos que consideraram importante uso do e-learning antes da pandemia (OR = 16,46 [1,35-200,32]) e exposição por mais de 120 minutos a plataformas de mídia social. Conclusão: Cerca de metade dos estudantes de Medicina foram voluntários durante a pandemia da Covid-10. A presença de autoconfiança com aconselhamento prévio em uma situação de pandemia motivou o aluno a se voluntariar.

A experiência do trabalho voluntário e colaborativo em saúde mental e atenção psicossocial na COVID-19 / La experiencia del trabajo voluntario y colaborativo en salud mental y atención psicosocial en COVID-19 / The experience with volunteer and collaborative work in mental health and psychosocial care during the COVID-19 pandemic

O Brasil é um dos países com maior número de casos e óbitos na pandemia por COVID-19, e seus impactos representam múltiplos desafios para a saúde mental. Esta comunicação relata a experiência de conformação emergencial do Grupo de Trabalho (GT) voluntário e colaborativo em saúde mental e atenção psicossocial, com objetivo de fornecer respostas rápidas aos serviços de saúde no contexto da COVID-19. O trabalho envolveu a identificação e sistematização de evidências atualizadas da literatura científica sobre saúde mental e atenção psicossocial em situações de emergências em saúde pública e pandemias, a constituição de uma rede envolvendo 117 pesquisadores e 25 instituições, além da organização de temas para elaboração de materiais, tendo como referência as fases de resposta em emergências em saúde pública e pandemias. Em menos de 60 dias foram publicados 18 documentos técnicos norteadores, englobando desde a organização e gestão dos serviços voltados aos diferentes grupos vulneráveis, ações que se tornaram referência em instituições e serviços de saúde, tendo sido também lançado um curso nacional sobre saúde mental e atenção psicossocial na COVID-19, com mais de 60 mil inscritos. Da experiência, são destacados tópicos para reflexão e contribuição para futuras ações, envolvendo translação do conhecimento nesta e em próximas emergências em saúde pública e pandemias: (1) combinar o trabalho voluntário e colaborativo com o envolvimento de profissionais experientes na organização de serviços e atenção em eventos passados; (2) contar com o suporte e recursos institucionais; (3) envolver a constituição de redes de profissionais e instituições para atingir rapidez e credibilidade no trabalho; (4) para as respostas às necessidades urgentes, deve-se envolver também a capacidade de moldar caminhos para a atenção e os cuidados em saúde mental e atenção psicossocial.

Brasil es uno de los países con mayor número de casos y óbitos en la pandemia por COVID-19 y sus impactos representan múltiples desafíos para la salud mental. Esta comunicación relata la experiencia de conformación de emergencia del Grupo de Trabajo (GT) voluntario y colaborativo en salud mental y atención psicosocial, con el objetivo de proporcionar respuestas rápidas a los servicios de salud en el contexto de la COVID-19. El trabajo implicó la identificación y sistematización de evidencias actualizadas de la literatura científica sobre salud mental y atención psicosocial en situaciones de emergencias en salud pública y pandemias, la constitución de una red implicando a 117 investigadores y 25 instituciones, la organización de temas para la elaboración de materiales, teniendo como referencia las fases de respuesta en emergencias en salud pública y pandemias. En menos de 60 días se publicaron 18 documentos técnicos orientativos, desde la organización de los servicios y gestión de los servicios a los diferentes grupos vulnerables, que se convirtieron en referencia en instituciones y servicios de salud, así como el lanzamiento de un curso nacional sobre salud mental y atención psicosocial en la COVID-19, con más de 60 mil inscritos. De la experiencia se destacan temas para reflexión y contribución para futuras experiencias, implicando translación del conocimiento en esta y en futuras emergencias en salud pública y pandemias: (1) combinar el trabajo voluntario y colaborativo con la implicación profesionales con experiencia en la organización de servicios y atención en eventos pasados; (2) contar con el apoyo y recursos institucionales; (3) la rapidez y la credibilidad del trabajo implica la constitución de redes de profesionales e instituciones; (4) las respuestas a las necesidades urgentes deben implicar también la capacidad de moldear caminos para la atención y los cuidados en salud mental y atención psicosocial.

Brazil is the country of the world with the second most COVID-19 cases and deaths, and the pandemic's impacts pose multiple challenges for mental health. This paper reports on experience with the emergency organization of the volunteer and collaborative Working Group (GT, in Portuguese) on mental health and psychosocial care aimed at producing rapid responses for health services in the context of COVID-19. The study involved the identification and systematization of current evidence in the scientific literature on mental health and psychosocial care in public health emergencies and pandemics, with the establishment of a network involving 117 researchers and 25 institutions, and the organization of themes for the elaboration of materials, referenced on the response phases in public health emergencies and pandemics. In less than 60 days, 18 technical documents were produced, ranging from services organization and management for different vulnerable groups. The materials became references in health institutions and services. A national course on mental health and psychosocial care in COVID-19 was also organized, with more than 60,000 people registered. The experience provides food for thought and a contribution for future experiences involving knowledge translation in the current pandemic and in future public health emergencies and pandemics, with the following: (1) combination of volunteer and collaborative work involving professionals with experience in the organization of services and care in past events; (2) reliance on institutional support and resources; (3) speed and credibility of work involving the establishment of networks of professionals and institutions; and (4) responses to the urgent needs with the capacity to shape paths for care in mental health and psychosocial care.

Validation of a scale to evaluate the abusive use of technologies (Computer, cell phone, tablet, among others)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Daily, prolonged interactivity of individuals with technologies (computer, cell phone, tablet, among others) impacts life and significantly changes habits, behaviors, personal and social relationships. Technologies lead to a multitude of advantages, but attention is required concerning possible damages. OBJECTIVE: Validation of a scale to evaluate the abuse use of technologies (TAUS). METHOD: TAUS validation was carried out in 5 phases: (1) initial scale construction with 20 questions, (2) expert evaluation, (3) application to 200 volunteers, (4) statistical analysis and results, (5) preparation of the final version of the validated TAUS. We used the R statistical program and the "dplyr" package version 3.4.2 to present descriptive statistics, to test hypotheses of means differences and for factorial analysis. Factor analysis was used for the orthogonal model. The method used was Principal Components based on Spearman's correlation matrix. RESULTS: The results provided a final, validated version of a TAUS suitable for clinical and research contexts. The last step of the study was to calculate Cronbach's alpha, in order to measure the internal consistency of the scale. The value found was 0.910, which is considered good. CONCLUSIONS: This Technology Abuse Scale may contribute to future studies, to the conscious use of technologies, to a reduction of physical and emotional damage and to an improvement of the subjects' quality of life.

Validation of a Scale to evaluate Pathological Digital Game Dependence

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Digital game or video game disorders have been recently (June 2018) included in ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases) by the World Health Organization (WHO). The disorder can occur with or without an internet connection. OBJECTIVE: Validation of a scale to evaluate the dependence of pathological digital game (PDGD). METHOD: Validation of the PDGD was performed in 5 phases: (1) initial scale construction with 20 questions, (2) expert assessment, (3) application to 200 volunteers, (4) statistical analysis and production of results using statistical programs, (5) elaboration of the final validated scale. RESULTS: We used the R statistical program Version 3.4.2 and the "dplyr" package to present the descriptive statistics, the hypotheses tests of differences of means and the factorial analysis. The last step was to calculate Cronbach's alpha, in order to measure the internal consistency of the questionnaire. The value found was 0.955, which is very good. CONCLUSIONS: This research allowed us to construct a final version of the PDGD suitable for the clinical contexts and usable in research on the dependence of digital games. This scale may contribute to future studies, conscious use of technologies, reduction of physical and emotional damage and improvement of the quality of life.

Scale validation to evaluate WhatsApp dependence (WADS)

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND INFORMATION: One of the most popular social networks is WhatsApp. Abusive use of this tool has produced significant changes in behavioral and social behaviors and habits of individuals. Therefore, research is needed to allow us to specifically evaluate the interaction of WhatsApp with the daily lives of individuals. OBJECTIVE: Production and validation of a scale to evaluate WhatsApp dependence (WADS). METHODS: Validation performed in 5 phases: 1- initial scale construction with 20 questions, 2- expert evaluation, 3- application in volunteers, 4- statistical analysis and results, and 5- elaboration of the final version of the validated WADS. RESULTS: We obtained a descriptive statistical analysis, a clear-cut separation of dependents vs. non-dependents and a successful factorial analysis. These results provided a validated version of WADS. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to construct a final version of WADS adequate to clinical contexts and to be used in future research to evaluate dependence of this digital tool. WADS will contribute to the conscious use of WhatsApp, hopefully reducing harmful effects and improving quality of life.

Validation of a scale to assess Facebook dependence

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Facebook is a social network that has become part of the everyday life of contemporary humanity and is notably the most accessed digital tool, worldwide; through it, one can simultaneously relate to millions of people, as a source of information, communication or entertainment. OBJECTIVE: To produce and validate a scale to evaluate Facebook dependence (FDS). METHOD: Validation was performed in 5 phases: 1- initial scale construction with 20 questions, 2- expert evaluation, 3- application in 200 volunteers, 4- statistical analysis and results, and 5- elaboration of the final 18-question validated version of FDS. RESULTS: We obtained a descriptive statistical analysis, a clear-cut separation of dependents vs. non-dependents and a successful factorial analysis. These results provided a validated version of FDS. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to construct the validated final version of FDS with 18 questions appropriate to the clinical contexts and to be used in conducting research on Facebook dependence. This scale will contribute to future research related to this specific digital dependence, hopefully reducing harmful effects and improving quality of life.

Validation of the scale to evaluate physical damages related to the Abusive Use of Technology in daily life (PDAUTS)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: New computer technologies, namely smart cellphones and tablets, among others, interacting along the daily life of individuals may contribute toward the rise of problems: depression, stress and physical damage (undue postures, upper and lower extremity disorders, vision problems, obesity), all of them related to excessive time spent on technological equipment; together with inadequate furniture, quality of life can be seriously affected. OBJECTIVE: To validate a scale to evaluate physical damage related to the Abusive Use of Technology (PDAUTS) in daily life. METHODS: Validation of the PDAUTS was performed through 5 phases: (1) initial scale construction with 20 questions; (2) expert evaluation of questions; (3) application to 200 volunteers; (4) statistical analysis of the results; (5) preparation of the final validated version, retaining the 20 questions. RESULTS: We used the R statistical program, version 3.4.2 and the "dplyr" package to present the descriptive statistics, the hypothesis tests of mean differences and the factor analysis. The results provided a validated final version for PDAUTS. The last step of the study was to calculate Cronbach's alpha parameter, in order to measure the internal consistency of the scale. The value found was 0.897, which in is considered very good. CONCLUSION: The validated PDAUTS allowed us to evaluate physical damage in each subject and design adequate training and treatment programs, reducing overall impairments and contributing to the improvement in quality of life.

Trabalho voluntário, características demográficas, socioeconômicas e autopercepção da saúde de idosos de Porto Alegre / Voluntary work, demographic, social and economic features and health self-perception by elderly people from Porto Alegre (Brazil) / Trabajo voluntario, características demográficas, socioeconómicas y autopercepción de la salud de ancianos en Porto Alegre (Brasil)

Trata-se de um estudo transversal e comparativo, que objetivou descrever as características demográficas, socioeconômicas e de saúde de idosos que realizam trabalho voluntário em uma Organização Não Governamental de Porto Alegre, e investigar a influência do trabalho voluntário e suas características sobre a autopercepção da saúde desse grupo de idosos, comparando-o com um grupo pareado de idosos que não realizam trabalho voluntário. Verificou-se, por meio de entrevistas, que 87,4 por cento dos idosos voluntários eram mulheres, com ensino médio completo, renda própria e adeptos a práticas religiosas e de saúde. Quando comparados os dados dos grupos de idosos voluntários e não-voluntários, foi mais frequente o relato de autopercepção da saúde ótima nos voluntários (30,5 por cento versus 6,1 por cento, p=0,054). Pela análise multivariada, realizar trabalho voluntário e possuir um número menor de doenças influenciaram a autopercepção positiva da saúde (p<0,05). Os resultados fornecem subsídios para a hipótese de que o trabalho voluntário atue como um mecanismo de promoção da saúde desses idosos.

The objective of this cross-sectional, comparative study was to describe the demographic, socioeconomic and health characteristics of elderly voluntary workers of a Non-governmental organization of Porto Alegre, and investigate the influence of voluntary work and the referred characteristics on the subjects' self-perception of health, compared to a paired group of elderly individuals who did not perform any voluntary work. Through interviews it was found that 87.4 percent of the elderly voluntary workers were women, with complete secondary education, had their own income and followed a religion and a healthy lifestyle. The comparison of data from both groups showed that self-perception of great health was more common among voluntary workers (30.5 percent compared to 6.1 percent, p=0.054). Multivariate analysis revealed that performing voluntary work and having fewer diseases influenced the individuals' having a positive self-perception of their health (p<0.05). Study results support the hypothesis that voluntary work may be a mechanism of health promotion among the elderly.

Se trata de un estudio transversal, comparativo, que apuntó a describir las características demográficas, socioeconómicas y de salud de ancianos que realizan trabajo voluntario en una Organización No Gubernamental de Porto Alegre (Brasil), e investigar la influencia del trabajo voluntario de tales características en la autopercepción de la salud de ese grupo de ancianos, comparándolo con un grupo testigo de ancianos que no realizan trabajo voluntario. Se verificó a través de entrevistas que el 87,4 por ciento de los ancianos voluntarios son mujeres, con enseñanza media completa, renta propia y adeptos a prácticas religiosas y de salud. Realizada la comparación de los datos obtenidos con los correspondientes al grupo testigo de no voluntarios, fue más frecuente el relato de autopercepción de salud óptima en los voluntarios (30,5 por ciento vs 6,1 por ciento, p=0,054). De acuerdo al análisis multivariado, realizar trabajo voluntario y poseer un número menor de enfermedades influenciaron la autopercepción positiva de la salud (p<0,05). Los resultados respaldan la hipótesis de que el trabajo voluntario actúa como un mecanismo de promoción de la salud de tales ancianos.

Beneficiários do trabalho voluntário: uma leitura a partir da bioética / Beneficiarios del trabajo voluntario: una lectura a partir de la bioética / Beneficiaries of volunteering: a bioethical perspective

OBJETIVO: Descrever a percepção dos voluntários sobre os beneficiários do trabalho voluntário no setor de saúde hospitalar e a influência que o tema dos benefícios exerce sobre as motivações. MÉTODOS: Estudo exploratório com abordagem qualitativa. Participaram 110 voluntários em serviços de saúde referências no tratamento de câncer no Rio de Janeiro (RJ), com coleta de dados de outubro a dezembro de 2001. Os dados foram obtidos por dois instrumentos: um questionário com perfil socioeconômico e sobre motivações para atividade voluntária; e entrevista semi-estruturada para obtenção de dados complementares. RESULTADOS: A visão dos voluntários sobre os beneficiários da atividade voluntária esteve centrada mais freqüentemente no paciente (50,5 por cento), no voluntário (41,9 por cento) e na instituição e sociedade (7,6 por cento). Paciente e voluntário foram considerados simultaneamente beneficiários, sendo o voluntário o que mais recebe benefícios. Foi relatada também uma compreensão do benefício social dessa atividade. CONCLUSÕES: Constatou-se que existe, entre os voluntários, uma noção da importância social do seu trabalho voluntário, faltando uma articulação maior entre motivações individuais e trabalho voluntário como espaço de enfrentamento de problemas sociais.

OBJECTIVE: To describe volunteers' perceptions of the beneficiaries of volunteering within the hospital setting and the influence that the theme of benefits exercises on their motivations. METHODS: This is an exploratory study with a qualitative approach. One hundred and ten volunteers working in health services that are references for the treatment of cancer in Rio de Janeiro (Southeastern Brazil) are the subjects of this study. Data was collected between October and December 2001. Data was obtained by two instruments - a questionnaire which identifies the socioeconomic profile and the motivations for undertaking voluntary activity; and a semi-structured interview that provided complementary information. RESULTS: According to the volunteers' perception, the beneficiaries of voluntary activity were, primarily, the patient, (50.5 percent); secondarily the volunteer him/herself (41.9 percent); and least of all, the institution and the society in which these benefits are obtained (7.6 percent). Both the patient and the volunteer were considered simultaneously beneficiaries, being that the volunteer tends to receive more benefits. A comprehension of the social benefits of this activity was also reported. CONCLUSIONS: A notion of the social importance of their volunteering was verified among the volunteers. However, the study indicates that a larger articulation is lacking between individual motivations and volunteer work as a setting within which social problems may be confronted.

OBJETIVO: Describir la percepción de los voluntarios sobre los beneficiarios del trabajo voluntario en el sector de salud hospitalaria y la influencia que el tema de los beneficios ejerce sobre las motivaciones. MÉTODOS: Se efectuó estudio exploratorio con abordaje cualitativo. Participaron 110 voluntarios en servicios de salud de referencia en el tratamiento de cáncer en la ciudad de Rio de Janeiro (Sureste de Brasil), con colecta de datos de octubre a diciembre de 2001. Los datos fueron obtenidos por dos instrumentos: un cuestionario con perfil socioeconómico y sobre motivaciones para actividad voluntaria; y entrevista semi-estructurada para la obtención de datos complementarios. RESULTADOS: La visión de los voluntarios sobre los beneficiarios de la actividad voluntaria estuvo centrada más frecuentemente en el paciente (50,5 por ciento), en el voluntario (41,9 por ciento) y en la institución y sociedad (7,6 por ciento). Paciente y voluntario fueron considerados simultáneamente beneficiarios, siendo el voluntario el que más recibe beneficios. Fue señalado también una comprensión del beneficio social de esa actividad. CONCLUSIONES: Se constató que existe, entre los voluntarios, una noción de la importancia social de su trabajo voluntario, faltando una articulación mayor entre motivaciones individuales y trabajo voluntario como espacio de enfrentamiento de problemas sociales.

Reconocimiento y aceptacion de la labor de promotora, por parte de la comunidad de Cogua, Cundinamarca / Recognition and acceptance of the health promotor work, by the community of Cogua, Cundinamarca

Se realizo una encuesta de opinion para saber el reconocimiento y la aceptacion que el trabajo de la promotora de salud tiene en la comunidad y un cuestionario abierto para conocer la imagen que tiene la promotora de salud de su labor. Para el primero, se tomo una muestra estratificada de 231 familias del area rural de Cogua. Se considero reconocimiento o aceptacion el porcentaje igual o mayor que 60%respecto al significado de la promotora de salud, el 87%la definio como una persona da servicios de salud y previene enfermedad, y el 13%no la reconoce como agente de salud. En cuanto al conocimiento que tiene la comunidad sobre las actividades de la promotora, el 14%nombro mas de 5 y el 86%menos de 5. En relacion a la calidad del servicio, el 87%opina que es bueno porque beneficia la salud de la comunidad y el bienestar de las personas, y el 13%considera que es mala. Explorando las espectativas de la comunidad en relacion a la labor, el 72%espera colaboracion, capacitacion, atencion de consulta, el 28%no manifesto espectativas. El 79%cree importante la presencia de la promotora en la vereda. En caso de enfermedad, el 43%acude al medico y el 57%a la promotora. El 79%aplica sus ensenanzas. En el analisis del cuestionario dirigido a las promotoras de salud se encontro que se identifican como "voceras de salud de la comunidad", "el vinculo entre la comunidad y las agencias de salud" estan satisfechas con su labor de ayuda y orientacion sobre servicios de salud.