ABSTRACT
PurposeThe interruption of on-campus teaching and learning, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, forced universities around the globe to rethink their pedagogical models and adopt innovative strategies and approaches that enabled continuity of learning. Engineering schools and faculties were faced with the challenge of how to continue to engage students with the practical component of coursework, especially in terms of lab work and experimentation, which are mandatory requirements for degree awards.Design/methodology/approachThis study documents how the Faculty of Engineering in a university in Oman engaged students with the practical component of their course during the pandemic by launching the remote DoIt@Home Lab. The DoIt@Home Lab approach included the design and development of video recorded labs, virtual labs, simulation exercises and DoIt@Home experiments which were provided to students as teaching tools and guides to conducting home experiments remotely.FindingsThis study presents the DoIt@Home Lab approach introduced to Year 2 Chemistry for engineering students. Students' grades improved by 11% over the previous year when the course was delivered face-to-face. Failure rates dropped by 8% while the number of students earning a 3.25 grade point average (GPA) or higher increased by 18%.Originality/valueThe DoIt@Home Lab for engineering courses could enhance students' learning experience and create an effective remote learning environment. While the DoIt@Home Lab was created to supplement on-campus activity in the event of a temporary disruption, it can also be used to supplement regular face-to-face program delivery.
ABSTRACT
Background: The planet has been hit by the novel coronavirus since December 2019, which has not only affected the day-to-day activities but has also affected the health-seeking approach of the general population. The reports from the National Institute on Drug Abuse survey hint toward a rise in opioid use in the states. Even in India, the utilization of health services, especially the outpatient department (OPD) and opioid substitution clinics have been affected due to the impact of COVID-19 and subsequent national and regional lockdowns. The Indian studies reflect upon the experience and measures to continue the treatment facilities in substance users, yet none are available to reflect upon the impact of COVID-19 on the pattern of opioid use or functionality of OPD services. Objective: The objective of this study is to study the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on treatment seeking among opioid users from OPD-based opioid treatment centers: a retrospective study. Methodology: A retrospective study was done in an OPD-based opioid treatment center of a tertiary care hospital to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on treatment-seeking opioid users by comparing the data of pre-COVID-19 (April 2019-March 2020) and during COVID-19 (April 2020-March 2021) OPD visits by opioid users. The OPD visits data were collected, including the number of visits, the total number of buprenorphine tablets dispensed, and the dose of buprenorphine consumed per month. The data collected were further analyzed for the descriptive and analytic statistics using the SPSS software version 23.0. Results: During the pre-COVID-19 (April 2019-March 2020) duration, there were a total of 1104 (average 92/month) OPD visits and 4818 (Average 401/month) buprenorphine tablets were dispensed;whereas during the COVID-19 year (April 2020-March 2021), it was 980 (average 81.66/month) visits and 5174 (431/month) tablets. The results were further compared using the paired t-test, which was found to be statistically significant for the number of tablets dispensed, whereas not statistically significant for the number of OPD visits and doses. Conclusion: Although the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the feasibility to seek treatment in opioid users, it has not significantly affected OPD visits for opioid treatment at our center. Although the policy changes such as Indian Psychiatry Society (IPS) interim guidelines for opioid substitution therapy have been beneficial to facilitate the harm reduction and treatment-seeking attitude and have not affected the treatment seeking as expected due to lockdown and transportation which have been a hurdle. Further regulations on opioid treatment OPD, Tele-consultation services and mobile mental health services may be helpful to ensure continuity of treatment and harm reduction among the opioid users.
ABSTRACT
Background: The coronavirus pandemic has impacted the globe, altering lives of people in all domains, and added insecurity, thereby taking a toll on their mental health. Addressing the parallel surge of psychological problems and identifying the vulnerable population is of equal concern. This study aims at assessing the symptoms of anxiety and depression in the population during the coronavirus pandemic. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional methodological web-based survey to assess psychological influence of the coronavirus pandemic. A sociodemographic pro forma, validated questionnaire consisting questions about awareness regarding coronavirus, and Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale were included in the survey. Results: A total of 1027 participants completed the survey questionnaire. Clinically significant anxiety and depressive symptoms were found in 17.9% and 40.7%, respectively. There was statistically significant difference in prevalence of anxiety symptoms by gender (P = 0.009), age group (P = 0.030), marital status (P = 0.001), and occupation (P = 0.012). Depressive symptoms also significantly differed across age group (P = 0.001), marital status (P = 0.000), education (P = 0.020), occupation (P = 0.009), income group (P = 0.038), and place of living (P = 0.039). A significant difference of knowledge (about COVID-19) was seen between the groups with and without clinically significant depressive symptoms. Distress was noted mostly with information overload and the fear of contracting coronavirus infection. Conclusion: More than one-third of participants had clinically significant psychological symptoms. This suggests the requirement of more structured and long-term studies, and the need for appropriate mental health services to masses. © 2022 Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth ;Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow.