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This study presents the perception of Higher Education students on the effect of the use of the technological tool Wooclap on their learning experience, after returning to the classroom after the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, 74 students of Geography subjects of the Primary Education Degree and the Tourism Degree of the University of Seville completed an online survey -using the SurveyMonkey survey platform -on their perception of the use of the Wooclap tool in class. Most of the students felt that Wooclap was a dynamic and easy-to-use tool, that it had helped them to concentrate better, that its use had facilitated the learning process and had allowed them to interact more with the teacher. These results demonstrate how the use of the Wooclap technology tool can facilitate the learning process, as well as communication between students and teachers. However, most students prefer to be assessed by combining classical assessment with technological tools (and not only by being assessed by combining classical assessment with technological tools). The results of the present study corroborate the benefits of promoting the use of the Wooclap tool in graduate teaching.
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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced signifcant changes in the workplace, implementing teleworking as an effective solution to reduce contagion Objectives: We sought to explore the impact of working from home on people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: REUMAVID is an international cross-sectional study collecting data through an online survey in seven European countries led by the Health & Territory Research group of the University of Seville, together with a multidisciplinary team including patient representatives, rheumatologists, and health researchers. Data were collected in two phases, the frst (P1) between April-July 2020 and the second (P2) between February-April 2021. Demographics, health behaviors, employment status, access to healthcare services, disease characteristics, WHO-5 Well-Being Index and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were collected. Workplace conditions including internet connection, computer, workstation, webcam, telephone, light, noise, calmness, and temperature were assessed (on a scale of 0 to 5, being 5 the best condition). Pearson's Chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney test were used to explore association with working from home. Results: There were a total of 3,802 participants across both phases (mean age 52.6 (P1) vs. 55.0 years (P2);80.2% female (P1) vs 83.7% (P2);69.6% married (P1) vs 68.3% (P2), 48.6% university educated (P1) vs 47.8% (P2), 34.7% employed (P1) vs 38.1 (P2)). Most prevalent RMD was axial spondyloarthritis in P1 (37.2%), and rheumatoid arthritis in P2 (53.1%). Rates of working from home were consistent (P1: 39.8% vs P2: 39.9%). In P2, 37.4% of those working from home had a home office, while 38.5% worked from their living room or kitchen. Work-related aspects at home were assessed, with the worst rated being the workplace (3.2) and the best being the computer (4.0). Compared to patients with good well-being and without anxiety and depression, patients with poorer well-being and at higher risk of anxiety or depression reported more frequently poorer rating of work from home issues, such as workplace (3.0 vs. 3.5;2.9 vs. 3.6;2.9 vs. 3.4;p<0.001), light (3.6 vs. 4.0;3.6 vs. 4.0;3.5 vs. 4.0;p<0.001), noise (3.3 vs. 3.8;3.2 vs. 3.9;3.2 vs. 3.8;p<0.001) and calmness (3.3 vs. 4.0;3.2 vs. 3.9;3.1 vs. 3.9;p<0.001;Table 1). Conclusion: Patients with poorer well-being, at higher risk of anxiety or depression reported poorer ratings of workspace-related aspects. Therefore, although work from home has helped to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the conditions under which RMD patients work from home must be considered, as these may affect the well-being and mental health of an already vulnerable group. It is necessary to assess the conditions of home-based workspaces-especially for workers with chronic diseases such as RMD patients-to ensure that it is feasible to work from home and that employers provide the necessary equipment for healthy work.
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Background: The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a collapse of healthcare systems that was difficult to manage. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on RMD patients' healthcare utilization. Methods: REUMAVID is an international cross-sectional study collecting data through an online survey on RMD in seven European countries led by the Health & Territory Research group of the University of Seville, together with a multidisciplinary team including patient representatives, rheumatolo-gists, and health researchers. Data were collected in two phases, the frst (P1) between April-July 2020 and the second (P2) between February-April 2021. Demographics, health behaviours, employment status, access to healthcare services, disease characteristics, WHO-5 Well-Being Index and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were collected in the survey. Healthcare utilization includes scheduled appointments and attendance at the rheumatol-ogist, consultation of possible treatment effects if COVID-19 is contracted with the rheumatologist, primary health care and psychological care. Descriptive analysis and Mann-Whitney test was used to explore association with healthcare utilization in both phases of REUMAVID. Results: There were a total of 2,002 participants across both phases with comparable demographic characteristics [mean age 52.6 (P1) vs. 55.0 years (P2);80.2% female (P1) vs 83.7% (P2);69.6% married (P1) vs 68.3% (P2), 48.6% university educated (P1) vs 47.8% (P2)]. Most prevalent RMD was axial spondyloarthritis in P1 (37.2%), and rheumatoid arthritis in P2 (53.1%). Only 39.2% could have a scheduled appointment with their rheumatologist during P1, compared to 72.5% of patients in P2 (p<0.001). In this sense, only 41.6% of participants in the P1 attended such an appointment while in P2 this figure was 61.5% (p<0.001). The majority of patients (83%) had their scheduled face-to-face appointment changed to an online or telephone phone in the P2, although this proportion was lower in the P1 (54.4%). The most frequent reason for canceling the face-to-face appointment was the alternative of making it by phone or online (54.4% in P1 vs. 83.0% in P2, p<0.001). Although, in P1, 38.1% of participants could contact with their rheumatolo-gist by phone or online, this proportion was 64.3% in P2 (p<0.001). In P1, 64.0% of patients were able to consult with their rheumatologist about the possible effects of treatment in case of contracting COVID-19 (vs. 41.2% in P2;p<0.001). With respect to general practitioners, 57.6% of patients in P1 declared to had accessed primary care or general practitioner (vs. 77.5% in P2;p<0.001). Furthermore, in P2, a higher proportion of participants (63.2%) were able to continue their psychological or psychiatric therapy either online or by phone (vs. 48.3% in P1;p<0.001;Figure 1) Conclusion: During the frst year of COVID-19 pandemic, RMD patients had easier access to the healthcare system, specifcally to their rheumatologist. This access was improved through phone and online care. In addition, access to primary care as well as psychological care improved during the second year of pandemic.
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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated uncertainties and concerns along with expectations and hopes that may be of relevance to patients with rheumatic diseases. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess changes in the fears and hopes of patients with rheumatic diseases throughout the two phases of REUMAVID. Methods: REUMAVID is an international cross-sectional study collecting data through an online survey in seven European countries led by the Health & Territory Research group of the University of Seville, together with a multidisciplinary team including patient representatives, rheumatologists, and health researchers. Data were collected in two phases: Phase 1 (P1) between April-July 2020 and Phase 2 (P2) between February-April 2021. Demographics, health behaviours, employment status, access to healthcare services, disease characteristics, WHO-5 Well-Being Index and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Participants rated a series of fears (infection, medication consequences, lack of medication, impact on healthcare, lost job, civil disorder) on a scale from zero ('no concern at all') to five ('extremely concerned') and hopes (treatment/vaccine availability, going outside, travel, economic situation, treatment continuation, health status) on a scale from zero ('no hopeful at all') to five ('extremely hopeful'). Descriptive analysis and Mann-Whitney test were used to explore fears and hopes in both phases of REUMAVID. Results: A total of 3,802 participants were recruited across both phases in REU-MAVID with comparable demographic characteristics: mean age 52.6 (P1) vs. 55.0 years (P2), 80.2% female (P1) vs. 83.7% (P2), 69.6% married (P1) vs. 68.3% (P2), and 48.6% university educated (P1) vs. 47.8% (P2). Most prevalent RMD was axial spondyloarthritis in P1 (37.2%), and rheumatoid arthritis in P2 (53.1%). In P1 and P2 the major concern was the impact on healthcare in the future (3.1 and 3.2 out of 5, p=0.051). Compared to P1, patients in P2 had less fears about RMD medications not reaching the country (2.4 vs. 1.9, p<0.001), civil disorders (2.0 vs. 1.8, p=0.001), or losing their jobs (1.4 vs. 1.5, p=0.003). Comparing hopes with P1, patients in P2 had greater hopes about availability of treatments or vaccines suitable for COVID-19 (3.2 vs. 3.9, p<0.001), to be able to go out as before the pandemic (3.1 vs. 3.5, p<0.001), to be able to travel as before the pandemic (2.8 vs. 3.3, p<0.001), maintain and even improve the current economic situation after the pandemic (2.6 vs. 3.0, p<0.001), and to be able to continue their treatment as usual (3.8 vs. 3.8, p=0.049;Table 1) Conclusion: During the frst phase of REUMAVID at the beginning of the pandemic, patients with RMDs were more fearful and less hopeful compared to the second phase. These fears were notable in terms of lack of medication for their RMD, while during the second phase, patients were hopeful of a treatment or vaccine against COVID-19, and of being able to go out and travel as before.
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This paper addresses the role of living spaces, neighborhood environments, and access to nearby nature in shaping individual experiences of health and well-being during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key data is drawn from the GreenCOVID study across Spain, England and Ireland. The survey gathered contextual information about home environments, neighborhood spaces, and access to nature elements, and standardized measures of health and wellbeing between April and July 2020 (n = 3,127). The paper used qualitative data from the survey to document flows between home and nearby nature. These were framed as barriers/mediators with specific focus on differing interpretations of home as both trap and refuge, with additional dimensions of loss, disruption and interruption shaping the broad responses to the pandemic. By contrast nearby nature was an enabler/moderator of health and wellbeing, offering healthy flows between home and nature as well as respite and additional health-enabling factors. Differences were identified between the three countries but important commonalities emerged too, recognising the role nature plays as an asset both within and immediately beyond the home. The use of flow as metaphor also recognises the importance of embodiment and the elastic nature of connections between home and nearby nature for wellbeing. More broadly, flow provides a valuable way to trace affective relational geographers to develop a wider understanding of assemblages of health during pandemics.
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Given the impact of COVID-19 on populations, especially under lockdown conditions, there has been more attention than ever focused on the role of nature, including green and blue spaces, to act as a form of health-enabler across societies. Access to green space, with its potential for physical activity and mental health support has been specifically identified within the literature as an important asset for neighbourhood and citizen health and wellbeing. The established positive relationships between access to and benefits from green and blue space are variable over space, both in terms of the kinds of built environments in which people live, but also the availability nearby of natural assets like parks, coasts, rivers, etc.;as well as ease of access to those spaces for all citizens. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, most countries have developed as part of their public health strategies, a series of lockdown measures in which citizens have either been confined to home, or at best, a small catchment area immediately surrounding their homes. As part of a flurry of recent research on such relationships, the GreenCOVID study was carried out by a group of researchers in Spain, the UK and Ireland, all broadly operating to a similar framework and collecting information from the general adult population in each of the three countries. This short commentary introduces the survey alongside preliminary Irish results specifically focused on household characteristics, access to nearby green space as well as a measure of psychological wellbeing.
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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted health, lifestyle, treatment and healthcare of European patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). Objectives: The aim is to evaluate gender differences on the impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the wellbeing, life habits, treatment, and healthcare access of European patients with RMDs. Methods: REUMAVID is an international collaboration led by the Health & Territory Research at the University of Seville, together with a multidisciplinary team including patient organisations and rheumatologists. This cross-sectional study consisting of an online survey gathering data from 1,800 patients with a diagnosis of 15 RMDs, recruited by patient organisations in Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom during the first phase of the pandemic (April-July 2020). Mann-Whitney and χ2 tests were used to analyse differences between gender regarding sociodemographic characteristics, life style, treatment, healthcare, and patient-reported outcomes. Results: 1,797 patients were included in this analysis. 80.2% were female and a mean age of 52.6 years. The most common diagnosis was inflammatory arthritis (81.7% male vs 73.8% female). There was a higher prevalence of fibromyalgia among females (20% vs 7.0% male). Overall, females reported worse self-perceived health (67.0% vs 51.4%, p<0.001), higher risk of anxiety (59.5% vs 48.1%, p<0.001), and depression (48.0% vs 37.2%, p<0.001). Females reported a greater increase in smoking (26.5% vs 17.5%, p=0.001), although they were less likely to drink alcohol (34.5% vs 25.4%, p=0.013), and also engaged less in physical activity (53.0% vs 60.3%, p=0.045). Overall, females were more likely to keep their scheduled rheumatology appointment (43.3% vs 34.1% of males (p=0.049;Table 1) with a higher proportion of females having their rheumatic treatment changed (17.0% vs 10.7%, p=0.005). Conclusion: The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and the containment measures have worsened self-perceived health status of patients with RMDs, affecting genders differently. Females reported worse psychological health and life habits such as increased smoking and reduced physical activity, while males increased their alcohol consumption and were less likely to attend their rheumatology appointments.
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Background: The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a rapidly evolving global crisis characterized by major uncertainty. Objectives: The objective is to assess COVID-19-related fears and hopes in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) during the first wave of the pandemic. Methods: REUMAVID is an international collaboration led by the Health & Territory Research group at the University of Seville, together with a multidisciplinary team including patient organisations and rheumatologists. This cross-sectional study consisting of an online survey gathering data from 1,800 patients with a diagnosis of 15 RMDs recruited by patient organisations in Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and, the United Kingdom. Data are collected in two phases, the first phase between April and July 2020, the second in 2021. Participants rated a series of fears (infection, medication consequences, lack of medication, impact on healthcare, job loss, civil disorder) on a Likert scale from zero (no concern at all) to five (extremely concerned) and their hopes (treatment/vaccine availability, going outside, travel, economic situation, treatment continuation, health status) on a Likert scale from zero (not hopeful at all) to five (extremely hopeful). The Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to analyse the different fears and hopes according to socio-demographics characteristics, disease and health status. Results: 1,800 patients participated in the first phase of REUMAVID. The most frequent RMDs group was inflammatory arthritis (75.4%), the mean age was 52.6 years and 80.1% were female. The most important fear for patients was the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare (3.1 out of 5), particularly for those younger in age (3.0 vs 3.2, p=0.004), female gender (3.2 vs 2. 9 of men, p=0.003), experiencing greater pain (3.1 vs 2.8, p=0.007), with higher risk of anxiety (3.3 vs 2.9 of without anxiety, p<0.001) and depression (3.3 vs 2.9 without depression, p<0.001). The possible impact of anti-rheumatic medication and the development of severe disease if they became infected with COVID-19,was mostly feared (2.8 out of 5), by those receiving biological therapy (3.1 vs 2.5 not biological therapy, p<0.001) or those with underlying anxiety (2.9 vs 2.6 without anxiety, p=0.007). The risk of contracting COVID-19 due to their condition (2.8 out of 5), was especially feared by those with vasculitis (3.2 out of 5), who were female (2.9 vs 2.5, p<0.001), using biologics (2. 9 vs 2.7 of no use, p=0.003), in greater pain (2.8 vs 2.4, p<0.001), with a risk of anxiety (3.0 vs 2.6 without anxiety, p=0.004), and risk of depression (3.0 vs 2.6 without depression, p<0.001). The major hopes were to be able to continue with their treatment as usual (3.7 out of 5), particularly for those taking biologics (3.8 vs 3.6 not taking, p=0.026), those with a better well-being (3.8 vs 3.6 with worse well-being, p=0.021), without anxiety (3.8 vs 3.6 at risk, p=0.004) and without depression (3.8 vs 3.6 at risk, p=0.007). Hoping not to become infected with COVID-19 and to maintain the same health status, were especially those who were older (3.6 vs 3.4 p=0.018) without anxiety (3.4 vs 3.6 at risk, p=0.005), and without depression (3.6 vs 3.4 at risk, p=0.006). Another important hope was the availability of a treatment or vaccine for COVID-19, which was important for patients experiencing better well-being (3.3 vs 3.0 with worse well-being, p<0.001;Figure 1). Conclusion: The outstanding COVID-19-related fear expressed by European patients with RMDs was its impact on healthcare, while the greatest hope was to be able to continue treatment. Younger patients reported more fears while older patients were more hopeful. Those receiving biologics had greater fears and hopes associated with their treatment. In addition, patients at risk of mental disorders presented greater fears and less hopes.
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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the wellbeing of patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMDs). Objectives: The aim is to assess emotional well-being and its associated factors in patients with RMDs during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: REUMAVID is an international collaboration led by the Health & Territory Research group at the University of Seville, together with a multidisciplinary team including patient organisations and rheumatologists. This cross-sectional study consisting of an online survey gathering data from patients with a diagnosis of 15 RMDs in Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom. 1,800 participants were recruited by patient organisations. Data was collected between April and July 2020. Participants were divided into two groups: 1) Participants with poor wellbeing (World Health Organization-Five Wellbeing Index (WHO-5) ≤ 50), 2) Participants with good wellbeing (WHO-5 ≥50). The Mann-Whitney and χ2 tests were used to analyse possible relations between sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, and outdoor contact with wellbeing during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression was used to determine the impact of the independent variables associated with poor wellbeing. Results: 1,777 patients with 15 different RMDs were included. The mean age was 52.7, 80.2% female, 48.7% had a university degree, and 69.7% were married or in a relationship. The most frequent diagnoses were inflammatory arthritis (75.4%). 49.0% reported poor wellbeing. 57.7% of patients who belonged to a patient organisation reported good wellbeing (vs 46.3% who did not, p<0.001). Those who reported poor wellbeing had higher disease activity (51.4% vs 41.3%, p<0.001), a higher risk of anxiety (54.3% vs 41.7%, p<0.001) and depression (57.0% vs 42.1%, p<0.001), and poorer self-perceived health (53.0% vs 41.8%, p<0.001), compared to those who did not. A higher proportion of those who engaged in physical activity presented good wellbeing (54.0% vs 46.5%, p=0.012). 57.4% of the patients who were unable to attend their appointment with their rheumatologist reported poor wellbeing, compared to 48.2% who did attend (p=0.027). Patients who did not walk outside (56.2%) or who lacked elements in their home to facilitate outside contact (63.3%) experienced poor wellbeing (p<0.001). The factors associated with poor wellbeing were lack of elements in the home enabling contact with the outside world (OR=2.10), not belonging to a patient organisation (OR=1.51), risk of depression (OR=1.49), and not walking outside (OR=1.36) during the COVID-19 pandemic (Table 1). Conclusion: Almost half of the patients with RMDs reported poor emotional wellbeing during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lack of elements in the home that facilitate outdoor contact, not belonging to a patient organisation, the presence of anxiety, and not walking outside during the pandemic increase the probability of poor emotional well-being. These results highlight the importance of environmental factors and the role of patient organisations in addressing the effects of the pandemic and its containment measures.
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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every aspect of life of European patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). Objectives: The aim is to evaluate country differences on the impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on life habits, healthcare access, health status, mental health and wellbeing in European patients with RMDs. Methods: REUMAVID is an international collaboration led by the Health & Territory Research group at the University of Seville, together with a multidisciplinary team including patient organisations and rheumatologists. This cross-sectional study consisting of an online survey gathering data from patients with a diagnosis of 15 RMDs in Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Participants were recruited by patient organisations (April-July 2020). The Kruskal-Wallis and χ2 tests were used to analyse differences between countries and independent variables. Results: 1,800 patients participated in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (REUMAVID). 37.8% of Spanish patients increased their smoking consumption during the pandemic followed by Cyprus (32.1%) and Portugal (31.0%), while alcohol consumption was higher in the UK (36.3%) and France (27.0%). 82.3% of patients in Spain unable to attend their appointment with their rheumatologist, either due to cancellations or other personal reasons. Access to primary care was most limited in Portugal and Italy, where only 45.0% and 51.6% got access. 61.9% in Italy and 53.3% in Spain experienced a worsening of their health during the pandemic. 68.5% in Spain and 67.8% in Portugal were at risk of anxiety. The highest proportion at risk of depression was found in Greece (55.4%), Cyprus (55.1%), and Italy (54.8%). 66.9% of patients in Spain reported poor wellbeing, compared to 23.8% in Italy and 30.1% in Portugal (Table 1). Conclusion: The first wave of the pandemic and the related containment measures heterogeneously affected patients with RMDs across European countries, who overall increased harmful habits, experienced more difficulties in accessing healthcare and, reported poor mental health and well-being.