ABSTRACT
Introduction: With the Covid-19 pandemic numerous questions about the behaviour of gambling addicts have risen, with the lockdown causing a lack of structure, peer supervision and support. The first reports have suggested an increase in activity and riskier choices. Objective(s): Our aim was to explore how the Covid-19 pandemic has influenced gambling habits. Method(s): Data was collected from companies in Germany and Croatia which provide online gambling services, and statistically analyzed. Result(s): In Germany in April 2020, there was a 51.19% decrease in number of players when compared to April 2019, but a 116.46% rise in the number of tickets per player. In comparison, in April 2021 a rise of 704.43% occurred in number of active players compared to April 2020, with a 277.56% increase in ballots and a decrease in number of tickets per player by 53%. Additional results showed a 1.2% decrease in spendings on sports events in April 2020 compared to April 2019, but a 277.88% increase for sporting events spendings in April 2021. Preliminary results from Croatia show an increase in online gambling activities. Conclusion(s): In 2020, despite a drop in active players, the increase in stakes and frequency of play resulted only in a slight decrease in sporting events spendings. In 2021 the recorded increase in all categories except in frequency, points to the idea that restoring life to usual rhythm reduces the frequency of an individual's play. In conclusion, further research and monitoring of gambling addicts' behaviour in the "new normal" is needed.
ABSTRACT
IntroductionThe global pandemic of corona virus has brought on the imperative of swift organisational changes within mental health care institutions. Outpatient psychiatric care system with all its complex features was organized online. Patient’s adjustment to different modality of treatment, and their benefit, was of our primary concern. Mental health professionals had many challenges in this process as well. Couple of months into providing this form of treatment, we were interested in therapist experience.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to highlight challenges faced by the various mental health professionals that were a part of interdisciplinary team at University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče.MethodsWe used self-assessment scales to assess mental health professionals experience and to recognize some of the possible difficulties in this process. We have examined satisfaction with available technology, suitability of different psychotherapeutic background when providing online treatment, therapists competencies for this kind of treatment and levels of perceived stress. Mental health treatment comprised individual and group approach, and was provided by interdisciplinary teams of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, social workers, social pedagogues, psychiatric nurses, and work therapists.ResultsThe results show differences between professional’s psychotherapy background, educational level and previous experience in perceived efficiency and experienced stress in the process of providing online treatment.ConclusionsThe findings of this study have proven that professionals perceive technical, organisational standards, previous experience, and education to be important for their efficiency. This should be taken into account when developing standards in online treatment within mental health institutions.Conflict of interestNo significant relationships.
ABSTRACT
The Working group of the Croatian Society for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders of the Croatian Medical Association has prepared recommendations for people with diabetes and healthcare professionals in the age of COVID-19 pandemic. The recommendations emphasized the scale of the pandemic and the possible consequences for those suffering from diabetes. Enclosed are clinical presentation and directions of the National civil protection headquarters on the methods that enable people with diabetes to protect themselves, and maintain their blood glucose in target range as well. Measures have been proposed to be implemented by healthcare facilities that deliver care for patients with diabetes, and the principles of glycemic control in emergency department and during hospitalization. © 2020 Hrvatski Lijecnicki Zbor. All rights reserved.