ABSTRACT
Viruses are the leading causes of various viral infections in animals, including humans, ranging from mild to potentially fatal illnesses. Antiviral drugs or vaccines usually control these viral infections, but some viruses become resistant to antiviral drugs, demanding new antiviral remedies or cell-based antiviral therapies. Herbal medicines are usually targeting viral and cellular targets during viral replication. Interestingly, folk medicine has used clove as an essential herbal medication with promising antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Traditionally, clove extract, oil, or individual active ingredients (e.g., eugenol) have antithrombotic, immunostimulatory, and antibacterial effects, which may be additionally beneficial during severe viral infections. To these points, we aim in this chapter to discuss the potential broad-spectrum antiviral role of clove and its active constituents against emerging and re-emerging RNA and DNA viruses. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Aims: Since the start of pandemic, Virtual visiting (VV) has become especially important due to visiting restrictions in hospital and telemedicine has become more evident. This project aimed to determine VV's impact on staff and family members affected by COVID-19 and its applicability in the future. Methods: This quality improvement pilot study was conducted 16/04/ 2020 till 30/11/2020, using Attend Anywhere (AA) as VV tool on iPads. In five dedicated COVID-19 wards, family members could request a 10- minutes VV through email run by a dedicated administrative staff. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was described, and dedicated volunteers were recruited from a pool of existing hospital staff and physician associate students. An open-ended survey was emailed to staff and relatives following visits. The transcripts were coded into five themes and sub-themes and reviewed by two analysers independently. Thematic analysis was generated manually to form the conclusions. Results: There were 138 feedback responses, including 108 (78.3%) from relatives and 30 (21.7%) from staff). Twenty-seven codes assigned to the data were amalgamated into the five stated themes: appreciative factors (129, 93.5%), organisational skills (44, 31.9%), palliative care (38, 27.5%), communication from staff (14, 10.1%), and VV issues (11, 7.9%). Overall, 131 (94.9%) of total responses had generally positive comments (111 from relatives while 20 from staff). Conclusion: Virtual Visiting delivered to the front line has worked effectively with excellent reliability in a secure cyber environment. Despite these barriers or weaknesses, VV can be potentially implemented in the hospital wards even beyond post-pandemic era.
ABSTRACT
Aims: To assess medical students' perception of online teaching to suggest transforming the future curriculum in low-economic countries. Study Design: Cross-sectional online interview study. Place and Duration of Study: A team of collaborators interviewed final year medical and dental students of Pakistan from 07/08/2020 till 17/09/2020. Methodology: A questionnaire was developed based on open and close-ended questions in Google forms;focusing on institutional preparedness, views on online education, the institute's closure and COVID-19, and long-term effects of closure of the institute. Independent fellow researchers systematically analyzed the unaltered transcripts of the responses, and themes were then identified and coded to conclude the results. SPSS version 23 used for analysis. As this study was based on final year students. Results: In response to an invitation email, 2442/2661 (91.77%) students voluntarily participate in this qualitative study. Most participants were females (1614, 66.10%). Closing down institutes was directly linked to a lack of motivation and feel of helplessness. As most showed dissatisfaction with online teaching compounded by psychological effects, students feared losing clinical skills and life during the pandemic. Conclusion: The psychological impact of the crisis led to resistance to accepting the change for a better outcome. Incorporating telemedicine, different interactive learning style to online teaching, and resilience training would result in fruitful outcomes. Developed countries may also guide build infrastructure in developing countries to develop a more robust online teaching methodology in the long-run.
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has altered the expectations of team leaders by team members while they seek clear and efficient decisions. We aim to assess the perception of leadership by the surgical team members and their perception of the most important quality of leadership. We conducted an online national cross-sectional survey among the surgical doctors working in the National Health Service United Kingdom, between 15th July 2020 till 31st August 2020. The questionnaire, based on rating scale items, focused on effects of changes in work-pattern, support and communication at workplace, the status of leadership and understanding of different leadership attributes. Out of two hundred and thirteen participants, majority of respondents were middle-grade registrars (n= 92, 43.7%). Most of the doctors (147,81.7%) were never re-deployed to the high-risk areas. 85(39.9%) expressed that COVID-19 brought distress affecting their morale. 106(49.8%) thought that arrangement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the responsibility of the Head of Department. The majority, of those who fell ill, felt adequately supported by their seniors. Most participants identified departmental leadership as satisfactory (n=126, 59.2%). There was a mixed response to the importance of leadership attributes defined by the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management. Stress at the workplace with reduced morale, during a crisis like COVID-19 pandemic, can significantly compromise leadership perception among team members. Understanding of basics of leadership by the team members can improve departmental efficiency and as a result improve patient care.