Facilitating Personal Recovery Through Mindfulness-Based Intervention Among People With Mental Illness

Purpose: This pre-pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessed a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI, “REMIND1.0”) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Twenty mental health service users were allocated to either 8 weekly mixed-mode MBI (n = 10) or treatment-as-usual (TAU) (n = 10). Results: There were significant interactions between group and time (baseline T0, post-intervention T1, and 1-month follow-up T2) across all quantitative outcomes (personal recovery, trait mindfulness, self-compassion, resilience, moods, quality of life, and general health). The main themes that emerged from qualitative interviews at T1 are previous experience with MBIs, features of current MBI, and benefits of personal recovery and at T2 are recollection of MBI content, maintaining regular practice after MBI, and retained benefits of personal recovery. Conclusions: The current MBI is acceptable, feasible, and potentially effective in facilitating personal recovery. [ FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring channels and gaps in information dissemination and acquisition among energy scientists and the public: The southeast Asian context.

This study investigates the flow of energy-related information, which plays a vital role in promoting the public understanding and support for various energy sources. Through 12 focus group discussions with the public and energy experts, this study found that energy information flows from scientists to the public through both direct (e.g., roadshows, scientists' blogs) and indirect (via agents, e.g., school, news media) channels. However, communication gaps remain between scientists and the public. First, the public commonly obtains information from personal experience and the media but not directly from scientists. Second, while the public stressed the importance of mass media and social media, only a few experts reported writing news commentaries or making social media posts about energy. Third, while scientists emphasize their relationships with the government and other agencies in disseminating information, the public shows relatively weak trust in these agencies. Implications are made for future research and public communication on energy issues.

AN INTERPROFESSIONAL STUDENT-FACULTY COLLABORATIVE TELEHEALTH PROGRAM TO ADDRESS POORLY CONTROLLED DIABETES AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH EXACERBATED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM/QUESTION: Will a telehealth initiative improve poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and unmet social determinants of health (SDOH) needs exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic? DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM/INTERVENTION: Due to COVID-19, many patients with DM faced challenges accessing healthcare, as well as exacerbations of socioeconomic disparities regarding access to food, affordable housing, and safe places to exercise. To address these challenges, we adapted an existing student-faculty collaborative practice at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, to a telehealth platform to provide targeted DM management, and referrals to dietitians and community resource specialists. MEASURES OF SUCCESS: We assessed clinical outcomes, such as changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), LDL, and number of medication adjustments. Measured quality indicators included frequency of HbA1c, LDL, and microalbuminuria measurements, as well as prescription of cardiovascular/diabetic medications such as ACE inhibitors, statins, and aspirin within the year prior to enrollment and within 6 months after the final visit. To measure the role and intervenability of SDOH needs, we tracked the results of SDOH screens to identify key needs, as well as the number of dietitian and community resource specialist (CRS) referrals placed. FINDINGS TO DATE: Of 998 patients with non-insulin-dependent type 2 DM, 60 were enrolled in the program, of whom 42% were white and had a median BMI of 32.0 kg/m2 (IQR 28.3-36.1). Patients endorsed high motivation (8/10) and confidence (7/10) in managing their diabetes, but reported inadequate nutrition education (56.7% of cohort), as well as difficulty maintaining a healthy diet (76.7%) and exercising (78.3%). Analysis of baseline data and for those who completed the program thus far (n = 22, >6 months since last clinic visit), showed a significant decrease in mean HbA1c (mean ±SEM) from 8.72±0.15 to 8.09±0.22 (p = 0.03). LDL levels were not significantly different before and after the program, 90.3±5.4 vs 100.9±10.6 (p = 0.42). Lab draw frequency (HbA1c, LDL) and medication prescription (ACE inhibitors, statin, aspirin) and were not significantly different. Of patients who completed the program, 8 (36.4%) had their diabetes medications adjusted. 2 (9.1%) were referred to a CRS, and 2 (9.1%) were referred to a dietitian. KEY LESSONS FOR DISSEMINATION: Our ongoing study showed that the implementation of a telehealth diabetes program with SDOH screening can be an effective way to assist patients with uncontrolled diabetes. We identified significant patient needs for additional support and clinical care. Assessing socioeconomic burdens faced by patients and understanding the impact and key features of such a collaborative telehealth program can pave the way for the implementation of a similar model of care for other chronic conditions.

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 delta variant (AY.127) from pet hamsters to humans, leading to onward human-to-human transmission: a case study.

BACKGROUND: Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to other mammals, including pet animals, has been reported. However, with the exception of farmed mink, there is no previous evidence that these infected animals can infect humans, resulting in sustained human-to-human transmission. Following a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection of a pet shop worker, animals in the shop and the warehouse supplying it were tested for evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: In this case study, viral swabs and blood samples were collected from animals in a pet shop and its corresponding warehouse in Hong Kong. Nasal swab or saliva samples from human COVID-19 patients epidemiologically linked to the pet shop and from subsequent local cases confirmed to be infected by SARS-CoV-2 delta variant were collected. Oral swabs were tested by quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) for SARS-CoV-2 and blood samples were serologically tested by a surrogate virus neutralisation test and plaque reduction neutralisation test. The SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR positive samples were sequenced by next generation viral full genome sequencing using the ISeq sequencing platform (Illumina), and the viral genomes were phylogenetically analysed. FINDINGS: Eight (50%) of 16 individually tested Syrian hamsters in the pet shop and seven (58%) of 12 Syrian hamsters in the corresponding warehouse were positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection in RT-qPCR or serological tests. None of the dwarf hamsters (n=75), rabbits (n=246), guinea pigs (n=66), chinchillas (n=116), and mice (n=2) were confirmed positive for SARS-CoV-2 in RT-qPCR tests. SARS-CoV-2 viral genomes deduced from human and hamster cases in this incident all belong to the delta variant of concern (AY.127) that had not been circulating locally before this outbreak. The viral genomes obtained from hamsters were phylogenetically related with some sequence heterogeneity. Phylogenetic dating suggests infection in these hamsters occurred around Oct 14, 2021 (95% CI Sept 15 to Nov 9, 2021). Multiple zoonotic transmission events to humans were detected, leading to onward human-to-human transmission. INTERPRETATION: Pet hamsters can be naturally infected with SARS-CoV-2. The virus can circulate among hamsters and lead to human infections. Both genetic and epidemiological results strongly suggest that there was more than one hamster-to-human transmission event in this study. This incident also led to onward human transmission. Importation of SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters was a likely source of this outbreak. FUNDING: US National Institutes of Health, Research Grants Council of Hong Kong, Food and Health Bureau, and InnoHK.

“We” are in This Pandemic, but “You” can get Through This: The Effects of Pronouns on Likelihood to Stay-at-Home During COVID-19

We examine how first-person plural and second-person singular pronouns used in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) communications impact people's likelihood to follow stay-at-home recommendations. A 2 (first-person plural [“we”] vs. second-person singular [“you”]) by continuous trait self-control between-subjects experiment (N = 223) was used to examine individuals’ adherence to stay-at-home recommendations. Results suggest that “you”-based appeals may be more broadly effective in garnering stay-at-home adherence, whereas low self-control individuals are less responsive to “we” appeals. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

An Intervention to Increase Situational Awareness and the Culture of Mutual Care (Foco) and Its Effects During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial and Qualitative Analysis.

Situational awareness is especially important to decision-making in health care. Comprehending the situation is crucial for anticipating any change in the environment and delivering optimal care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a training to increase situational awareness and mutual care designed for health care workers (FoCo) in a randomized controlled trial with additional qualitative analysis. We also investigated the perception of the training for the COVID-19 pandemic moment, in May 2020, almost 6 months after we finished the data collection at the Emergency Care Unit, which became a COVID-19 treatment reference for the care of a population depending on the public health system, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. We conclude that FoCo training can be an important instrument for health care professionals both in times of pandemic and "normal times," to increase situational awareness, the culture of mutual care and decrease the possibility of occupational injuries and illnesses.

How School Closures Affected the Teaching and Learning of English during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The forced closure of South African schools left learners with many challenges, especially in language learning. This study aims to explore the perceptions of teachers teaching the same subject to the same grade during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose is to analyse learning losses and changes in the scholastic achievement of primary school learners during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative research design was chosen for this study because of its exploratory nature. Semi-structured open-ended interviews rendered data on the teachers' perceptions of academic losses as a result of the "COVID-19" pandemic. Homogenous purposeful sampling and semi-structured open-ended interviews were used to gather data, which were coded using the induction method to reveal codes, categories and subcategories within participant voices. This study reports on the challenges faced by teachers and learners, which include a lack of parental support, inadequate technological knowledge, and neglect of schoolwork. The findings and their relevance to teaching post-COVID-19 to mitigate academic losses are discussed. The conclusion is that different forms of support are needed to mitigate the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on learners' scholastic performance.