ABSTRACT
Background: Understanding psychosocial factors which impact responses to emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) is vital in managing epidemics and pandemics. Two under-researched areas in this field are the interactive roles of optimistic bias (underestimation of the likelihood of negative events occurring to the self, relative to others) and group membership (a factor observed to be psychologically protective, but infection risk enhancing). Aims: The current study aimed to test the relationships between optimistic bias and membership of multiple groups upon EID-related emotional and psychological responses and behavioral intentions. Methods: Participants from the UK and US (N = 360) rated how they would evaluate and respond to a fictitious EID immediately before the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns in a correlational study. Results: Negative relationships were observed between optimistic bias and perceived infection vulnerability, infection prevention strategies, and perceived EID severity. Multiple group membership correlated negatively with germ avoidance, but positively with emotional responses such as disgust and increased perceived vulnerability to infection - factors linked to avoiding infection. Multiple group memberships and optimistic bias were unrelated. Limitations: The study focussed on a fictitious disease and relies on cross-sectional data and behavioral intentions. Conclusions: These findings build upon the small evidence base on the role of optimistic bias in EID management and suggest that multiple group membership is unlikely to increase optimistic bias. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings for EID management are discussed. © 2023 Hogrefe Publishing.
ABSTRACT
The improvement in the delivery of health care services in geographically remote and rural areas is one of the most promising and clearly demonstrated applications of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in sustainable development. Evidence suggests that improved health outcomes have been achieved through various applications of ICT solutions. In particular, ICT is being used in many developing countries and communities to facilitate: (a) remote consultation, diagnosis and treatment through the use of digital cameras to download images onto a computer and transfer them to doctors in nearby towns;(b) collaboration and information exchange among physicians;(c) ICT-based medical research through the use of a network of satellites and ground stations to submit data for clinical trials;(d) medical training through ICT-enabled delivery mechanisms;and (e) access to centralized data repositories connected to ICT networks that enable remote healthcare professionals to keep abreast of medical knowledge. Moreover, ICT provides considerable benefits and capabilities when applied to disease prevention and response efforts during epidemics and pandemics. ICT is an effective means to disseminate public health messages and disease prevention techniques in developing countries. It also enables better monitoring and response mechanisms. Also, ICT is helping improve the efficiency of public health systems and medical facilities by, for example, streamlining medical procurement or creating and managing patient records. The expansion of the COVID-19 outbreak that began in Wuhan, China, alerted all the countries of the world from the beginning of 2020 and reached Latin America in mid-February 2020. In this paper VERIS, an Ecuadorian successful practice of telemedicine during the COVID-19 times, is presented. VERIS allows remote consultation with a certified Doctor, following the WHO protocol, and other relevant services provided also remotely. The VERIS experience is particularly relevant during the present COVID-19 pandemic, because it eliminates the risks of contagion deriving from visiting hospitals in person, and could be particularly useful for emerging economies, with practical implications for mature ones. © 2020 Academic Conferences Limited. All rights reserved.