ABSTRACT
Introduction: Long-COVID is associated with restrictions in neuropsychological health e.g., depression, anxiety, or cognitive impairments leading to deficits in work ability. Rehabilitation could improve these symptoms but less is known about the benefits of rehabilitation in patients acquiring COVID-19 in the workplace, e.g., healthcare professionals. Aims and objectives: The current study investigates the outcomes of a disease-specific rehabilitation on neuropsychological health in patients after acute COVID-19 acquiring in the workplace. We assumed that neuropsychological health will be improved after rehabilitation. Method(s): Until now, 49 patients (female n=38, age: M=50.86 years) acquiring COVID-19 in the workplace were recruited within a longitudinal study. At the beginning (T1) and the end (T2) of an inpatient rehabilitation (duration: at least 3 weeks) in the German BG Hospital Bad Reichenhall the following measurements were implemented: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (for depression and anxiety), and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (for processing speed). Paired T-tests were used for analysis. Result(s): At T2 patients showed significant improvements in depression (T1: M=7.98, T2: M=7.02;T(1,45)=2.277, p=0.028, d=0.336), anxiety (T1: M=7.00, T2: M=6.02;T(1,45)=2.268, p=0.028, d=0.330), and processing speed (T1: M=47.14, T2: M=52.57;T(1,44)=2.852, p=0.007, d=-0.430). Conclusion(s): The results indicated that rehabilitation in patients acquiring COVID-19 in the workplace has positive effects on neuropsychological health. For long-term results, measurements will be repeated 6 and 12 months after T1.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To assess the perception of Latin American ophthalmology practitioners regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exposure risk, knowledge about personal protection measures, and prioritization of patients. METHODS: Self-administered voluntary anonymous survey (Google Drive forms) was distributed via text message to ophthalmology practitioners from May 01 to May 05, 2020. RESULTS: Three hundred seventy-one practitioners (45% response rate) comprising 118 (27.6%) residents, 111 (40.5%) ophthalmologists, and 142 (32.8%) sub-specialists completed the survey. Among them, 106 (32.6%) thought that they were at a high risk of acquiring COVID-19 during the course of work. Furthermore, 273 (69.1%) believed that the current guidelines were insufficient to identify COVID-19 patients. The survey also revealed that 265 (59.5%) were not trained to use personal protective equipment (PPE), and even with its correct use, 341 (91.5%) still felt that they were at risk of acquiring COVID-19. Moreover, 80% of the respondents were of the view that staff members were not knowledgeable about national protocols for attending COVID-19 patients. However, only 9 (2%) considered changing their profession to ameliorate COVID-19 contagion risk. CONCLUSION: This survey has revealed the issues faced by ophthalmology practitioners in Latin America during their routine practice. These concerns and anxiety about COVID- 19 pandemic seem to be the same worldwide. It is important to reinforce the confidence of ophthalmology practitioners on current guidelines for attending COVID-19 patients. It is also necessary to conduct training programs on PPE usage and ensure that PPE items are available at all times to enhance the quality of care and minimize the spread of the disease.