Changes in Clinical Training for Nursing Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review.

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has cost social, economic, cultural, and educational life, distressing nursing training and practice. This study aimed to map the literature on changes in clinical training for nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: A scoping review was conducted according to JBI methodology's latest guidance. A set of relevant electronic databases and grey literature was searched to report results published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. (3) Results: A total of 12 studies were included in the study, addressing changes in clinical training in undergraduate nursing students due to COVID-19 pandemic activity, published between 2020 and 2022. (4) Conclusions: Nursing schools made an effort to replace traditional clinical training with several activities, primarily based on simulation or virtual activities. However, contact with others is essential, and simulation programs or scenarios cannot provide it.

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the frequency of emergency department visits in Portugal: An interrupted time series analysis until July 2021.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the frequency of emergency department (ED) visits in Portugal between March 2020 and July 2021. Methods: We used data on the monthly number of visits for all public hospitals' EDs from mainland Portugal between January 2017 and July 2021. We studied the impact of the pandemic overall, by type of ED (general, pediatric, and obstetric) and by Manchester Triage System color (red, orange, yellow, green, and blue) using an interrupted time series analysis. The prepandemic period corresponded to the months from January 2017 to February 2020 and the pandemic period to the months from March 2020 to July 2021. Results: We observed over 26 million ED visits, the majority in general EDs (74.0%) and triaged yellow (48.4%) or green (38.4%). During the pandemic period, ED visits decreased 45.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: -39.8% to -51.2%) and pediatric ED visits decreased by 72.4% (95% CI: -64.6% to -78.6%). A decrease was observed for all colors but tended to be progressively smaller as the priority increased. There was an increase in ED visits during the pandemic period (2.3%; 95% CI: 1.4% to 3.2%), eventually returning to prepandemic values. Conclusion: Our data indicate a considerable and long-lasting effect of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting mainly pediatric and milder cases, which were returning toward prepandemic values as the pandemic progressed. In a country with frequent use of EDs, the health system may need to be prepared to respond to prepandemic baseline ED demand, together with additional demand because of long-term sequels of COVID-19 cases and delayed care for chronic and acute conditions.

COVID-19 and Lockdown, as Lived and Felt by University Students.

In the last 2 years, the COVID-19 pandemic has spread all over the world, forcing the closure of universities, among other unusual measures in recent history. (1) Background: This work is based on the study HOUSE-ULisbon, a survey carried out during the second confinement (March-May 2021) in Portugal with the collaboration of all the Faculties of the University of Lisbon (UL). The present work aims to explore gender differences in how first-year college students experienced and felt COVID-19 and the second confinement. (2) Methods: A questionnaire was carried out. In total, 976 university students (19.66 years (SD = 4.033); Min = 17 and Max = 65) from the first year of the UL were included, of which 69.5% (n = 678) were female, and 30.5% were male (n = 298). SPSS v. 26 was used for quantitative data and MAXQDA 2020 for qualitative data. (3) Results: Overall, students reported various symptoms of physical and mental discomfort (especially females). Statistically significant differences were found in the problems that could arise from the pandemic, such as the prevalence of higher anxiety and worries by females, and online gaming by males. In coping strategies, differences were found in leisure and family relationships, with greater difficulty on the female side. Social interaction was perceived as difficult or very difficult by both genders. As strategies for future pandemics, they highlighted a concerted effort between the government and media in the transmission of messages to the population, facilitating information, knowledge and adoption of protective behaviors. (4) Conclusions: These results are important data for activating or maintaining resources and services for first-year university students, who in some university institutions were supported during the pandemic by psychological, material (e.g., computers, internet), and financial support measures, which are now diminished or extinct. The impacts on their lives will certainly not be extinguished post-pandemic, and health, education, and public policy measures should be prioritized for this group. These results are important data for activating resources and services for students, informing health and education professionals, and supporting public policies.

Helmet-Noninvasive Ventilation for Hospitalized Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: Has Vaccination and the New Variants Changed Evidence?

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is a technique for breathing support that significantly improves gas exchange and vital signs, reducing intubation and mortality rates. Helmets, unlike facemasks, allow for longer-term treatment and better ventilation, also being more cost-effective. As of today, we have found no reviews addressing this topic. This review aims to identify, map, and describe the characteristics of the use of noninvasive ventilation through helmet interface in critically ill COVID-19 adult patients hospitalized in acute care settings throughout the multiple moments that defined the COVID-19 pandemic. This scoping review will follow the methodology for scoping reviews proposed by JBI. A set of relevant electronic databases will be searched using terms such as COVID-19, helmet, and noninvasive ventilation. Two reviewers will independently perform the study selection regarding their eligibility. Data extraction will be accomplished using a researcher's developed tool considering the review questions. Findings will be presented in tables and a narrative description that aligns with the review's objective. This scoping review will consider any quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods studies and systematic review designs for inclusion, focusing on the use of helmet on critically ill adult patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in acute care settings.

Changes in Clinical Training for Nursing Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review Protocol.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had consequences for social, economic, cultural and educational life, affecting nursing training and practice. To date, no previous scoping reviews addressing this objective have been found. This study aims to map the literature related to changes in clinical training for nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A scoping review will be carried out according to the Joanna Briggs Institute's latest guidance regarding methodology. A set of relevant electronic databases and grey literature will be searched using terms such as clinical practice, nursing students, COVID-19. Results: This scoping review will consider any type of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods study and systematic review designs for inclusion, focusing on changes in clinical training for nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Pedagogical criteria had to be changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially face-to-face clinical training for nursing students. Identifying the changes in clinical training for nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic will help educators to understand the potential impact of this specific context and trace possible gaps. This protocol is registered at Open Science Framework.

Relactation: promote breastfeeding in mothers separated from children due to covid-19

Objetivo: Analisar a produção científica relativa à relactação como intervenção promotora da amamentação em mulheres que se viram privadas de amamentar os seus filhos. Método: Revisão Integrativa da Literatura. Colheita de dados realizada entre março e abril de 2020 nas bases de dados Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, MedicLatina e MEDLINE, artigos publicados entre 2015 e 2020. Resultados: Após se ter efetuado análise de conteúdo aos cinco artigos selecionados emergiram três temáticas: fatores que comprometem a lactação;fatores que contribuem para o sucesso da relactação e dificuldades no processo de relactação. Se a mulher tiver o desejo de amamentar é possível incrementar a produção de leite por um processo de relactação. A estimulação frequente da mama e a sucção do bebé, a motivação da mãe e o apoio da família e dos enfermeiros são essenciais ao sucesso desta prática, que as mulheres consideram importante, mas difícil. Conclusões: A relactação é uma intervenção, que apesar de não ser isenta de dificuldades, é eficaz na promoção da amamentação em mulheres que se viram privadas de amamentar os seus filhos. É alcançável se as mulheres estiverem motivadas e se for facultado apoio da família e dos enfermeiros. (AU) Objective: To analyze the scientific production related to relactation as a breastfeeding intervention in women who were deprived of breastfeeding their children. Method: Integrative Literature review. Data collection performed between March and April 2020 in the databases Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, Mediclatina and MEDLINE, articles published between 2015 and 2020. Results: After content analyze of the five select articles, three themes emerged from the analysis of the articles: factors that compromise lactation;factors that contribute to relactation success and difficulties in relactation process. If woman has the desire to breastfeed it is possible to increase milk production through a relactation process. The frequent breast stimulation and the baby's suction, the mother's motivation and the family and nurses'support are essential for the success of this practice, which women consider important, but hard to accomplish. Conclusion: Relactation is an intervention, not free from difficulties, but effective in promoting breastfeeding in women who have been deprived of breastfeeding their children. It is achievable if women are motivated and if support from the family and nurses is provided. (AU) Objetivo: Analizar la producción científica relativa a la relactación como intervención promotora de la lactancia materna en mujeres que se vieron privadas de dar el pecho a sus hijos. Método: Revisión integrativa de la literatura. Recolección de datos realizada entre marzo y abril del 2020 en las bases de datos Búsqueda Académica Completa, CINAHL, Mediclatina y MEDLINE, artículos publicados entre 2015 y 2020. Resultados: Del analisis de los articulos surgieron tres temas: factores que comprometen la lactancia, factores que contribuyen al éxito de la relactanción y dificultades en el proceso de relactación. Si la mujer tiene el deseo de dar el pecho es posible aumentar la producción de leche por un proceso de relactación. La estimulación frecuente del pecho y la succión del bebe, la motivación de la madre y el apoyo de la familia y de los enfermeros son esenciales para el éxito de esta práctica, la cual las mujeres consideran importante, pero difícil. Conclusiones: La relactación es una intervención, no exenta de dificultades, pero eficaz en la promoción de la lactancia en mujeres que han sido privadas de amamantar a sus hijos. Se puede lograr si las mujeres están motivadas y si se cuenta con el apoyo de la familia y las enfermeras. (AU)

A procura de serviços de urgência hospitalar: tendências durante o primeiro mês de resposta à COVID-19

Introduction: Since December 2019, more than 925,000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported worldwide, 8,251 cases in Portugal by the end of March. Previous studies related to the SARS pandemic showed a decrease up to 80% in the emergency care episodes. Hence, the objective of this study is to analyze the use of emergency services during the first pandemic month, compared to historical records. - Methods: Data from emergency episodes in mainland Portugal, from January 2014 to March 2020, were downloaded from the National Health Service (NHS) Transparency Portal and the NHS monitoring website. The evolution of emergency services from March to September 2020 was forecasted based on historical data from January 2014 to February 2020. Information for March 2020 was forecasted globally, by the Regional Health Administration (RHA) and Manchester Triage System (MTS). - Results: Compared with forecasted values, there was a 48% reduction in the number of emergency episodes in March 2020. In the analysis by the RHA, Alentejo had the smallest decrease in the number of episodes;interestingly, Alentejo is also the area with fewer COVID-19 cases in mainland Portugal. In the analysis by the MTS, the episodes classified as yellow showed the highest reduction (50%). For episodes classified as urgent, there is a difference of about 144,000 episodes during March 2020. - Discussion: The results of this preliminary study are aligned with the evidence produced for previous pandemics. Data about the use of emergency services, demographic and clinical characteristics of the episodes would be relevant to analyze this reduction. - Conclusion: There was a significant drop in the number of emergency service use in March 2020, and although the causes of this reduction are not determined, the association between the beginning of the pandemic and the reduction of demand is evident. Understanding this phenomenon is crucial to plan interventions to avoid unnecessary morbidities or deaths, caused by a delayed visit to the emergency department.