ABSTRACT
Background: Infectious diseases have posed a major threat to human survival for centu-ries and can devastate entire populations. Recently, the global outbreak of COVID-19 has increased exponentially, affecting more than 200 countries and millions of lives since the fall of 2019, largely due to the ineffectiveness of existing antiviral therapies. WHO announced it a public health emer-gency of international concern. A significant waiting period in antiviral therapy hindered by the rapid evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 aggravated the situation ensuing imposition of strict laws (e.g., communal dissociation, international travel restrictions, and mainte-nance of hygiene) that would help in inhibiting further outspread of COVID-19. Ayurveda system of medicine offers a holistic approach to the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective(s): This review aims to highlight the potential of medicinal herbs and Ayurvedic drugs as the remedial approach for viral diseases, such as COVID-19. Method(s): We reviewed the literature from journal publication websites and electronic databases, such as Bentham, Science Direct, Pub Med, Scopus, USFDA, etc. Result(s): The drugs used in the traditional system of medicine have the potential to prevent and cure the infected patient. Ayurvedic therapies are known for regulating immunity and rejuvenation properties that behold much promise in the management of COVID-19 disease. Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH recommends some precautionary fitness measures and an increase in immunity with special reference to respiratory health. Conclusion(s): While there is no medication for COVID-19 as of now, taking preventive measures and boosting body immunity is highly recommended. A number of medicinal plants that play an im-portant role in revitalizing the immune system are easily accessible in home remedies.Copyright © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.
ABSTRACT
This study utilizes Social Information Processing (SIP) theory to investigate the relationship between organizational preventive actions (substantive vs. symbolic), employee preventive behavior, the mediating role of conspiracy beliefs, and moderating role of leadership integrity in the context of Covid-19. The study explains leadership integrity as a boundary condition to facilitate or hinder the mediated relationship between organizational actions and employee preventive behavior (EPB). The hypothesized model was tested using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) on two-wave data collected from 281 respondents. The results revealed that substantive actions do not predict EPB directly but through conspiracy beliefs. Contrary to these, symbolic actions negatively predict EPB directly. Leadership integrity moderates the relationship between substantive actions and conspiracy beliefs, while the interaction effect with symbolic actions is not supported. The findings of this study caution managers to walk their talk because employees critically observe the most apparent actions, especially when management fails to practice them. The study contributes to social information processing theory by pointing to leadership integrity as a source of authenticity to curb the negative impact of symbolic actions and catalyst the effect of substantive actions on employee preventive behavior.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the training of dental students and the impact can be felt not just by the students, but patients seen at dental school operated clinics. We used the modified-Delphi method to investigate the response from deans of all Malaysian dental schools on the impact of COVID-19, and to solicit their views on policy recommendations to sustain quality dental education during and beyond the infectious disease outbreak. Our analysis revealed that all dental deans are in agreement with strong consensus to 10 out of fifteen items listed to be the challenges they faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic particularly these three items: “Patients under care of students experienced interrupted dental treatment which increases their risk of having their dental and overall wellbeing affected”;“Increased clinical budget for daily operations of Students’ clinics to cater for extra PPE and related expenses,” and;“The Students’ ability to meet clinical requirements for safe and competent practice.” All deans agreed with a strong consensus to the policy statements formulated based on the WHO’s Six Building Blocks to sustain quality dental education. In view of the results, we further discussed the importance of acknowledging that university-led dental clinics as an important part of the national healthcare system. Hence, we proposed that dental education need to have clear policies on having adequate number of trained staff, sufficient funds, information, supplies, transport, communications and overall guidance, and direction to function. Having a National Dental Education Policy that addresses the unique challenges identified in this study will serve as a monumental cornerstone to sustain quality dental education during times of calamity. Copyright © 2022 Mohd-Dom, Lim, Rani and Yew.
ABSTRACT
The whole world is combating the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected mankind in enormous ways. To limit its pervasive expansion, many measures were taken up by the Indian government, as a result of which colleges were closed, and education was imparted through the online mode. The pandemic has induced psychological strain in the minds of students. The present study analyses the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on engineering undergraduates in south India, who are in the age group of 19 to 22. A survey from 365 students was analyzed during the second wave of COVID-19. Data revealed that although there is an overall increased awareness about the outbreak, there is a considerable inclination towards depression, anxiety, and stress in students. Amongst the participants, 116 (31.78%) screened positive for depression, 79 (21.64%) for anxiety, and 53 (14.52%) for stress. Besides, 46 (12.60%) participants had comorbid conditions, with moderate, severe, or extremely severe levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. The Center of Excellence in AI&ML at the study center implemented a multilingual chatbot to provide mental health support during the pandemic and deployed the bot in Facebook and Web modes. © 2022, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
ABSTRACT
The clinical management of patients with inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs) includes medical nutrition therapy (MNT) by a registered dietitian (RD). We utilized an online quantitative and qualitative survey to characterize the practices of RDs treating patients with IMDs during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify challenges and unmet needs. We received responses from 117 RDs. Results indicate that RDs are using alternate methods to engage this vulnerable population and provide MNT during the pandemic, including offering telemedicine appointments. Barriers to implementation of telemedicine include the limitations of virtual visits (inability to conduct physical exams and collect blood samples), time, patient knowledge of technology, audio problems, and patient access to internet, computers, or smartphones. RDs have addressed these barriers by extending prescriptions without a medical exam, relying on local facilities for blood draws, increasing the number of patients that use at-home filter papers for blood monitoring, and expanding the use of phone calls and emails. RDs identified patient education materials to facilitate telemedicine visits as a primary unmet need. Despite the reported barriers and limitations of telemedicine for MNT of IMDs, there was widespread satisfaction with the approach among RDs, with 96.9% reporting that they were somewhat or very satisfied with telemedicine. Although this survey focused on barriers, benefits of telemedicine for both RDs and patients were also reported. Identification of barriers and unmet needs can help clinics plan strategies to maximize telemedicine delivery models, to improve efficiency and patient outcomes, and to support sustained use of telemedicine post-pandemic.