Antiracist Practice in Psychiatry: Principles and Recommendations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified mental health disparities among people of color, particularly for Black, Latinx, and American Indian populations. In addition to experiencing overt hostility and systemic injustice, people from marginalized racial-ethnic groups experience prejudice and bias from clinicians that has disrupted rapport and trust in mental health systems; these experiences, in turn, have deepened these health disparities. In this article, the authors describe factors that have served to perpetuate mental health disparities and outline key components of antiracist practice in psychiatry (and in mental health practice, more generally). With lessons learned in recent years, this article presents practical ways to incorporate antiracist practices into clinical care.

Reintroducing Flap Reconstruction: One Institution's Safe Return to Flap Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Prevention of nosocomial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection for patients undergoing flap-based reconstructive surgery is crucial to providing care and maintaining operative volume and income to support plastic surgery programs. We conducted this study to (1) determine the postoperative incidence of COVID-19 among patients undergoing flap reconstruction from December 1, 2019 to November 1, 2020 and (2) compare 30-day outcomes between patients who underwent surgery before and during the early pandemic. METHODS: We conducted an 11-month retrospective cohort study of all patients who underwent flap reconstruction across our institution. We abstracted patient demographics, intraoperative management, COVID-19 testing history, and 30-day postoperative complications from electronic health records. Nosocomial COVID-19 infection was defined as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) viral ribonucleic acid detection within 30 days of patients' postoperative course or during initial surgical admission. We used chi-squared tests to compare postoperative outcomes between patients who underwent surgery before (prior to March 12, 2021, when our institution admitted its first COVID-19 patient) versus during (on/after March 12, 2021) the pandemic. RESULTS: Among the 220 patients (mean [standard deviation] age = 53.8 [18.1] years; female = 54.8%) who underwent flap reconstruction, none had nosocomial COVID-19 infection. Five (2%) patients eventually tested COVID-19 positive (median time from surgery to diagnosis: 9 months, range: 1.5-11 months) with one developing partial flap loss while infected. Between patients who underwent free flap surgery before and during the pandemic, there were no significant differences in 30-day takebacks (15.6% vs. 16.6%, respectively; p > 0.999), readmissions (9.4% vs. 12.6%, respectively; p = 0.53), and surgical complications (e.g., total flap loss 1.6% vs. 2.1%, p = 0.81). CONCLUSION: Robust precautions can ensure the safety of patients undergoing flap surgeries across an academic medical institution, even during periods of high COVID-19 admission rates. Further studies are needed to generate evidence-based guidelines that optimize infection control and flap survival for patients undergoing reconstruction.

What About Me? The Importance of Teacher Social and Emotional Learning and Well-Being in the Classroom

Today's teachers experience high levels of stress and fatigue which can negatively affect their well-being. Teacher burnout is not a new educational phenomenon, but it has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, we discuss the prevalence of teacher stress and its impact on teacher well-being and student achievement. We call for more attention to the social and emotional learning of special education teachers of students with emotional and behavioral disorders. After addressing myths and misconceptions regarding current expectations for educators, we propose a new framework for establishing individual and systemic interventions to support teacher well-being.

Pilot Survey of Adoption of Telemedicine in Mohs Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The Covid-19 Pandemic prompted the widespread implementation of telemedicine across healthcare. OBJECTIVE: To analyze telemedicine adoption by Mohs Micrographic surgeons (MMS) during the COVID-19 pandemic; to analyze the attitudes and perceived barriers to its long-term continuation by MMS practices. METHODS AND MATERIALS: An online multiple-choice survey was distributed to members of the American College of Mohs Surgeons. RESULTS: 86.1% of surveyed Mohs surgeons initiated telemedicine during the pandemic surge. The most common uses for telemedicine amongst respondents were post-surgery management (77.4%), "spot checks" (60.9%), and surgical consultations (59.1%). 73.1% report patients were receptive to telemedicine. 68.6% believe that telemedicine has a place in dermatologic surgery; 49.5% plan to incorporate telemedicine into their surgical practices long-term. Physical exam limitations, fitting telemedicine into practice workflow, and patient reception/patient training were viewed as the most significant barriers to long-term implementation. CONCLUSIONS: While valuable use cases for telemedicine were identified with most Mohs surgeon respondents feeling that telemedicine has a place in their practices, there is uncertainty in how to implement telemedicine into the dermatologic surgery practice workflow.

Promoting resilience in persons with serious mental health conditions during the Coronavirus pandemic.

This article highlights the profound and far-reaching impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health crisis on persons with serious mental health conditions. To understand and mitigate against the negative effects of the crisis on this population, we offer a resilience intervention framework that attends to three key resilience processes, namely control, coherence, and connectedness (3Cs). We then detail interventions and associated evidence-informed intervention strategies at the individual, interpersonal, and systemic levels that behavioral health professionals can employ to bolster each of the 3Cs for persons with serious mental health conditions. These intervention strategies, which must be implemented in a flexible manner, are designed to enhance the biopsychosocial functioning of persons with serious mental health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond and strengthen their interpersonal and systemic environments. We conclude with recommendations for future directions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

What Is New in Occupational Allergic Contact Dermatitis in the Year of the COVID Pandemic?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article aims to summarize some recent trends in occupational allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), including dermatitis related to pandemic-level personal protective equipment in healthcare workers, hazards patients may experience when working from home, and occupational perspectives on the recent American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS) allergens of the year and ACDS Core Allergen Series updates. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent ACDS Allergens of the Year may be particularly relevant to healthcare workers, including isobornyl acrylate, which is present in glucose sensors and propylene glycol present in hand cleansers and disinfectants. Lavender, limonene, and linalool, all of which are new additions to the ACDS Core Allergen Series, have been reported as causes for occupational ACD in massage therapists and aromatherapists. Isothiazolinone allergy continues to rise in both consumer and occupational settings. Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a wave of occupational ACD in healthcare workers to personal protective equipment, and revealed new potential allergens for individuals working from home. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis continues to exert a significant occupational disease burden. Remaining aware of the current trends in allergens may allow for earlier recognition, diagnosis, and treatment, subsequently helping our patients to work in healthier and safer environments.

Supporting Virtual Dermatology Consultation in the Setting of COVID-19.

While telemedicine has been utilized with more frequency over the past two decades, there remained significant barriers to its broad implementation. The COVID-19 global pandemic served as a stimulus for rapid expansion and implementation of telemedicine services across medical institutions worldwide in order to maximize patient care delivery, minimize exposure risk among healthcare providers and patients alike, and avoid overcrowding of patient care facilities. In this experience report, we highlight the teledermatology initiatives executed by the Dermatology Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, with particular emphasis on image ingestion and potential for future automation and improvement.

Gianotti-crosti syndrome in the setting of recent coronavirus disease-19 infection.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the growing body of literature has largely focused on the adult population. Reported symptoms among children appear to be consistent with those in adults, including fever, respiratory symptoms, and gastrointestinal symptoms, though children may experience an overall milder disease course. Viral exanthems with possible association to COVID-19 have been reported in pediatric patients. We describe a 10-month-old boy with Gianotti-Crosti syndrome in the setting of recent SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive testing to increase physician awareness and add to the collection of cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19.

2020 Hurricane Season FAQ: Federal Disaster Assistance for Hurricanes During the COVID-19 Pandemic [June 1, 2020]

From the Summary: The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, and the peak months are mid-August through late October. The central Pacific hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with the peak months being July through October. The eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 through November 30, with July through September being the peak. Although in the central and eastern Pacific, near- or below-normal season are most likely, in the Atlantic, an 'above-normal' hurricane season is predicted for 2020. Regardless of the forecast, one hurricane or tropical storm can cause a disaster. [...] This report provides answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding: [1] emergency and major disaster declarations under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act [...]), including legal authorities and information related to the declaration request process;[2] types of assistance that may be available to state, territorial, and tribal governments, private nonprofit organizations, private entities, and individuals and households pursuant to a Stafford Act emergency or major disaster declaration;[3] considerations related to concurrently responding to a hurricane during the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic;[4] the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), the source of funding for the Stafford Act emergency and major disaster declarations;[5] other federal assistance that may be available through the Small Business Administration (SBA);and [6] additional references.COVID-19 (Disease);Hurricanes--Forecasting;Emergency management

2020 Wildfire Season: Brief Overview of FEMA Programs and Resources [August 21, 2020]

From the Document: "This Insight provides a brief overview of Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) declarations and federal assistance programs that may be available for wildfires on nonfederal lands."

Flattening the emotional distress curve: A behavioral health pandemic response strategy for COVID-19.

This article proposes a framework for managing the behavioral health impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic. This framework aligns and should be integrated with an existing public health pandemic intervals model. It includes six phases of a behavioral health pandemic response strategy: preplanning, response readiness, response mobilization, intervention, continuation, and amelioration. The ways behavioral health specialists can capitalize on their competence in the leadership, prevention, education, service, research, and advocacy domains within each behavioral health pandemic response phase are articulated. Behavioral health expertise can help ensure a more comprehensive, effective pandemic response that facilitates the flattening of the curve of disease spread, along with the corresponding emotional distress curve. A case illustration, the Caring Communities (CC) initiative, is offered as an exemplar of action steps in the leadership, prevention, education, service, research, and advocacy domains that behavioral health professionals can take within each of the behavioral health pandemic response phases. Key CC action steps include providing support groups, offering virtual wellness breaks, participating in educational outreach, creating and disseminating wellness guides, launching and leading a virtual behavioral health clinic for health care staff, participating in behavioral health research and program evaluation, and engaging in advocacy initiatives aimed at improving behavioral health care and addressing and reducing health disparities. Finally, recommendations for optimizing behavioral health contributions to future pandemic responses are proffered. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).