Dr. Google: Physicians-The Web-Patients Triangle: Digital Skills and Attitudes towards e-Health Solutions among Physicians in South Eastern Poland-A Cross-Sectional Study in a Pre-COVID-19 Era.

The investment in digital e-health services is a priority direction in the development of global healthcare systems. While people are increasingly using the Web for health information, it is not entirely clear what physicians' attitudes are towards digital transformation, as well as the acceptance of new technologies in healthcare. The aim of this cross-sectional survey study was to investigate physicians' self-digital skills and their opinions on obtaining online health knowledge by patients, as well as the recognition of physicians' attitudes towards e-health solutions. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to emerge the variables from self-designed questionnaire and cross-sectional analysis, comparing descriptive statistics and correlations for dependent variables using the one-way ANOVA (F-test). A total of 307 physicians participated in the study, reported as using the internet mainly several times a day (66.8%). Most participants (70.4%) were familiar with new technologies and rated their e-health literacy high, although 84.0% reported the need for additional training in this field and reported a need to introduce a larger number of subjects shaping digital skills (75.9%). 53.4% of physicians perceived Internet-sourced information as sometimes reliable and, in general, assessed the effects of its use by their patients negatively (41.7%). Digital skills increased significantly with frequency of internet use (F = 13.167; p = 0.0001) and decreased with physicians' age and the need for training. Those who claimed that patients often experienced health benefits from online health showed higher digital skills (-1.06). Physicians most often recommended their patients to obtain laboratory test results online (32.2%) and to arrange medical appointments via the Internet (27.0%). Along with the deterioration of physicians' digital skills, the recommendation of e-health solutions decreased (r = 0.413) and lowered the assessment of e-health solutions for the patient (r = 0.449). Physicians perceive digitization as a sign of the times and frequently use its tools in daily practice. The evaluation of Dr. Google's phenomenon and online health is directly related to their own e-health literacy skills, but there is still a need for practical training to deal with the digital revolution.

Evaluating the Psychometric Properties of the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) among Polish Social Media Users.

Social media have become mainstream online tools that allow individuals to connect and share information. Such platforms also influence people's health behavior in the way they communicate about personal health, treatment, or physicians. Individuals' ability to find and apply online health information on specific health problems can be measured using a valid and reliable instrument, the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS). The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric aspects of the Polish version of this instrument (eHEALS-Pl) among social media users, which has not been explored so far. We examined the translated version of the eHEALS in a representative sample of Polish social media users (n = 1527). CAWI (computer-assisted web interviews) was a method to collect data. The reliability of the eHEALS-Pl was measured by calculating the Cronbach alpha coefficients and analyzing the principal components. Exploratory factor analysis and hypothesis testing was used to assess the construct validity of the instrument. The internal consistency of the eHEALS-Pl was sufficient: Cronbach alpha = 0.84. The item-to-total correlations ranged from r = 0.514 to 0.666. EFA revealed a single structure explaining 47.42% of the variance, with high factor loadings of the item ranging from 0.623 to 0.769. Hypothesis testing also supported the validity of eHEALS-Pl. The eHEALS-Pl evaluation supported by social media users reviled its equivalence to the original instrument developed by Norman and Skinner in 2006 and it can be used to measure e-health literacy. Since there is no prior validation of the eHEALS among social media users, these findings may indicate important directions in evaluating digital skills, especially in relation to the current challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Polish Nurses' Attitude to e-Health Solutions and Self-Assessment of Their IT Competence.

In many countries, the implementation and dissemination of e-services for healthcare systems are important aspects of projects and strategies, as they contribute to significantly improving the access to such a system. The aim of the study is to analyze nurses' opinions on the application of the e-health solutions at work and the self-assessment of their IT competence. A linear stepwise regression allowed for the visualization of independent variables significantly influencing considerably the level of IT competency. Reduced IT competency was found in the group of nurses who rated the impact of the Internet and the new technologies as lower on the health care and general lives of modern people (ß = 0.203; p < 0.0001), recommended e-health solutions to a lesser extent (ß = 0.175; p < 0.0001), rated e-health solutions lower in relation to the patient (ß = 0.149; p < 0.0001), and were older in age (ß = 0.095; p = 0.0032). IT competence has become an indispensable requirement for nurses in fulfilling their professional roles. The quality of using new technologies in the work of nurses depends on their IT competence.

Use of Selected Telemedicine Tools in Monitoring Quality of In-Hospital Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Prospective Observational Pilot Simulation Study.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the quality of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation components performed by nurses under simulated conditions, with the use of selected telemedicine tools. MATERIAL AND METHODS This prospective observational pilot simulation study was carried out with a group of 48 nurses working in hospital wards specializing in conservative treatment (HOS/C=22; mean age of 30.27 years; SD 9.30) or interventional therapy (HOS/I=26 nurses; mean age of 30.35 years; SD 9.77). Each nurse performed CPR for two minutes (a sequence of 30 compressions: 2 breaths) on a Laerdal Resusci-Anne manikin that was positioned on an examination couch using a self-inflating bag and face mask in accordance with their knowledge of and skills related to in-hospital resuscitation. The study was conducted in two stages, separated with an intervention (refresh online training by using Polycom RealPresence Group Devices). Analyses of selected chest compression and relaxation parameters were performed with the use of the TrueCPR Coaching Device. RESULTS The finding showed improved compression depth (HOS/C: 46.68 mm vs. 51.50 mm; HOS/I: 46.92 mm vs. 50.57 mm), improved full recoil (HOS/C: 81.68% vs. 94.67%; HOS/I: 75.92% vs. 82.13%), and sustained standard compression rate (HOS/C: 115.23/min vs. 105.11/min; HOS/I: 113.65/min vs. 111.04/min) in the study group, 2 months after the intervention. A significant difference between the groups was observed in the rate of chest compressions with complete recoil (HOS/C: 94.67% vs. HOS/I: 82.13%; p<0.042). CONCLUSIONS The use of selected telemedicine tools leads to improved chest compression  and relaxation parameters during in-hospital sudden cardiac arrest.

Readiness of Polish Nurses for Prescribing and the Level of Professional Burnout.

Those in the medical profession, due to close contact and the emotional commitment of caring for patients, are particularly vulnerable to the occurrence of a phenomenon known as occupational 'burnout'. The presented work deals with the problem of burnout and its relationship with new tasks undertaken by nurses. The aim of the study was an analysis of the relationship between the level of professional burnout of the nurses examined and their readiness to take on new duties related to writing prescriptions. The study was conducted among primary health care (PHC) and outpatient specialist care (OSC) nurses. The author's questionnaire and the standardized Link Burnout Questionnaire (LBQ) were used. The highest level of occupational burnout was related to psychophysical exhaustion (16.00 ± 6.21). Higher results of occupational burnout among the nurses surveyed were matched by the lower readiness of the nurses to administer medicines and write prescriptions.

The quality of life and readiness of Polish nurses to take new competences of drug prescribing.

Satisfaction with life in the case of nurses is closely related to their professional work and is an important factor affecting the quality of work and patient care.An analysis of the readiness of Polish nurses depending on the level of life satisfaction.The study was conducted from January to November 2016 in randomly selected 13 health care facilities and 756 nurses in the South-Eastern part of Poland. The study used the satisfaction with life scale and the author's questionnaire.Nearly 75% of the nurses surveyed declared (reported) a low and average level of satisfaction. The level of satisfaction significantly influenced the readiness of nurses to administer medicines and write prescriptions. Nurses who had a higher level of life satisfaction were also more prepared to prescribe foodstuffs for particular nutritional uses (rho = 0.095, P = .0092), medical devices (rho = 0.117, P = .0012), potent drugs (rho = 0.138, P = .0001), intoxicants (rho = 0.078, P = .0311), and psychotropic drugs (rho = 0.085, P = .0196).Nurses who had a higher level of life satisfaction were also more prepared to administer medicines, especially foodstuffs for particular nutritional uses, medical devices, potent drugs, narcotic drugs, and psychotropic drugs.

Nurse prescribing in Poland: Opinions expressed by primary care doctors, nurses, and patients.

The aim of this study was to identify and examine the differences in opinions held by health care professionals and the general public concerning the right to administer and prescribe medication which has been awarded to nurses and midwives in Poland.The study was conducted from December 1, 2014 to July 1, 2015, in randomly selected primary health care clinics, among 2227 individuals, including 849 subjects representing medical personnel of primary health care and 1378 patients receiving primary care services. The study used 2 versions of a questionnaire. The relationships were examined with χ test for independence and Kruskal-Wallis test.Health professionals do not believe the new rights awarded to nurses and midwives will reduce the waiting time for medical consultations (P < 0.001). Nurses' qualifications for the new tasks were most highly rated by patients, whereas the least favorable opinion was expressed by doctors (P < 0.001).To introduce nurse prescribing it is necessary to develop a suitable strategy enabling implementation of the government's initiative and facilitating the process of taking up the new task by nurses.

Pro-health behaviours - a sense of coherence as the key to a healthy lifestyle in rural areas?

BACKGROUND: Health-related behaviours and lifestyle are related to the salutogenic concept of health, whereas the major public health problems faced in rural areas include difficulties in encouraging people to a healthy lifestyle. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to explore mutual relationships between psychosocial-demographic factors and a sense of coherence. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Two-stage sampling was applied. Data were collected with the use of the Juczynski Health Behaviours Inventory and Antonovsky's SOC-29 (Sense of Coherence Questionnaire). The study was conducted among 668 adults. Data were statistically prepared using one-way ANOVA test, linear correlation analysis, and linear regression model. RESULTS: A higher level of pro-health behaviours is associated with gender, self-rated health, sense of coherence and age. Almost half of the farmers were characterized by a low level of pro-health attitudes. A higher level of pro-health behaviours was demonstrated by less than one-fifth of the farmers. CONCLUSIONS: There is a strong association between sense of coherence and pro-health behaviours. Farmers have bad habits and pro-health attitudes to health and poorer self-assessment of their health. There is a great need to monitor health-related behaviour, increase the effectiveness of health promotion and health education in shaping a pro-health lifestyle among residents of rural areas, particularly among farmers.

[Coexistence of risky behaviors amongst group of students. Tendencies of changes between 2009-2012. Prospective studies]. / Wspólwystepowanie zachowan ryzykownych w grupie mlodziezy akademickiej--tendencje zmian w latach 2009-2012. Badania prospektywne.

AIM OF STUDY: Aim of conducted studies was to asses changes in time and coexistence of improper behavior patterns among students in year 2009 and 2012. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 905 students of the University of Rzeszow and Rzeszow University of Technology who have studied on medical, humanistic and science fields. Research was conducted by diagnostic sounding with usage of survey technique. In statistical elaboration squared-chi test and logical regression models were used. The study was conducted between October and December 2009 (study T1). It was repeated in 2012 among the same group of students (T2). RESULTS: Conducted in year 2009 and 2012 studies indicated that over half of surveyed students did not smoke cigarettes (T1 67.8%; T2 66.5%) and that daily smoking was declared only by 11.5% (T1) and 10.9% (T2) of asked youths. Majority of examined youth academic people drank alcohol once a month (T1 30.7%; T2 32.1%). Only 4.7% (T1) i 6.3% (T2) declared themselves as abstainers. Research pointed on significant increase of systematic drugs use (T1 0.4%; T2 1.7%). Vast majority of surveyed youths did not use legal highs in both research periods (89.3%--T2 and 91.5%--T2). There were no differences shown on the level of statistical significance in neither category (tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, usage of drugs and legal highs). Students who smokes have bigger chance to addict themselves to alcohol, legal highs and drugs then the ones who do not smoke cigarettes. CONCLUSIONS: Conducted studies shows that tobacco smoking is a predictor of risky behaviors. Students who smoke are more exposed to addiction to alcohol, drugs and legal highs then those who reject tobacco.

[Analisys of changes of risky behaviors among students from south-eastern Poland. Long-term prospective study]. / Analiza zmian w zachowaniach ryzykownych w grupie mlodziezy akademickiej w Polsce poludniowo - wschodniej. Dlugookresowe badania prospektywne.

AIM OF STUDY: The aim of this study was a comparative evaluation of the dynamics of change during selected behavior patterns related to students health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study covered a total of 1.496 students from University of Rzeszów and Rzeszów University of Technology, studying following disciplines: medical, humanities and exact sciences. The study was performed by using a diagnostic survey questionnaire technique. The study used a statistical test of independence chi-square. It was conducted from October to December 2009. Afterwards the study was repeated in 2012 in the same group of students. The percentage of students who were in class on the day of the study reached 59.1% of the assumed research sample. RESULTS: The research found that in 2009 and 2012, in the scope of selected unhealthy behavior, the respondents did not differ in the level of statistical significance in any of following categories: drinking alcohol (p=0.4951); drug usage (p=0.2968); tobacco smoking (p=0.6053) and usage of psychoactive substances (p=0.6581). Students used the drugs occasionally, mostly at social events in order to achieve pleasure. If it comes to sex of respondents who presented risky behaviors men occurred more often (5.3% [2009] vs. 2.2% [2012]). University students derived from municipal areas had frequent contact with drugs (14.2% vs. 8.0%). Students of non-medical fields consumed alcohol more often than the ones from medical fields of studies (11.7%, 7.9%). Repeated study shows in this category increase towards medical studies (23.2% vs. 8.9%). The same study (2012) indicates statistical differences between field of study and smoking (p = 0.0064) in reference to students of medical sciences (respectively 38.2% and 27.5%). ONCLUSIONS: This work showed that the stabilization prevalence of risky behaviors considerina students. may be the result of positive changes and prevention pro. grams aimed at children and teenagers, constantly put on the national and regional level.

The opinions of Polish nurses and patients on nursing protests.

The aim of this study is to explore nurses' and patients' opinions about nurses in Poland going on strike. The study was carried out in Poland between January and June 2009, using 150 nurses and 150 hospitalized patients. The study was conducted using two questionnaire surveys. The main reasons why nursing strikes are organized, in the opinions of nurses, are: higher wages, the improvement of working conditions and the improvement of the image of the nursing profession. The main reasons why nursing strikes are organized, in the opinions of patients, are: higher wages, not abiding standards of employment by government and the improvement of the image of the nursing profession. The main reasons for a lack of active participation in strikes are holidays and occupational and economic matters. Patients and nurses support nursing strikes. Both nurses (53.3%) and patients (42%) said that organizing nursing strikes is right and might improve the occupational situation of nurses.

Methods used by female nurses and lay women for everyday pain management.

There are numerous types of pain, with different clinical meanings. Everyday pain might be experienced by everyone under different stressors, such as lack of sleep, alcohol overuse, stay in a stuffy room, and physical overstressors. It also might be related to a job character or attitudes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the methods for the management of everyday pain used by female nurses and lay women. Headaches and back pain were the most common pains reported among the female population included in this study. Analgesic use was the most common method for management of everyday pain. Nurses used prescription medicine and other methods. Lay women used over-the-counter analgesics more often. There is a significant tendency to exceed the maximum analgesic dose when treating migraines, total body pain, and toothaches. The majority of all of the women included in this study used analgesics according to recommendations. Nurses were found to underuse analgesics and lay women to overuse the recommended dose. Speed and safety were identified as key factors driving studied respondents' decisions when treating pain.

Counterfeit medicines in Poland: opinions of primary healthcare physicians, nurses and lay persons.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To gain information concerning disparities in the understanding of the counterfeit medicines phenomenon between healthcare workers and lay persons. BACKGROUND: Central-eastern Europe is facing significant challenges in combating a multi-billion euro, and often lethal, trade in counterfeit medicines. It is a major challenge especially for primary healthcare workers to expand the understanding of counterfeit medicines to the benefit of patients. DESIGN: Use of questionnaires. Two separate questionnaires were distributed, one for healthcare professionals and the other for lay persons. METHODS: Conducted between September 2009-May 2010. One thousand and seventy-eight primary healthcare professionals and 377 lay persons were surveyed. RESULTS: Findings revealed less awareness among healthcare professionals than lay persons about the danger of purchasing illegal medicines or dietary supplements outside pharmacies. Healthcare professionals have lower levels of awareness about the scale of counterfeit medicines as well as threats of counterfeit medicines to health than lay persons. The majority of medical workers do not know the procedure for reporting suspicious medicine and do not warn their patients against purchasing medicine from unknown sources. CONCLUSIONS: Primary healthcare workers have less awareness of the scale of the counterfeit medicines phenomenon than lay persons. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses and physician need to become aware of the counterfeit medicines phenomenon. Nurses are well positioned to assume the active role in educating patients about the threat of the presence of counterfeit medicines so as to enhance safety for their patients. However, to accomplish that aim, these findings suggest that healthcare professionals need to become better educated about counterfeit medicines and need to be trained in skills to identify counterfeit medicines.

Secular trends in BMI changes among the military population between 2000 and 2010 in Poland - a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate secular trends in body mass index among the young military population. This involved a comparison of changes in the body mass index (BMI) and height among 19-year-old males from 11 successive birth cohorts. DESIGN: Samples of a total of 37,934 conscripts between 2000 and 2010 were examined using the BMI defined as weight (kg)/ height (m2). SETTING: The analysis included each medical record for all recruits reporting for examination between 2000 and 2010 to the Military Headquarters in south-east of Poland. Underweight, overweight and obesity were estimated according to World Health Organization criteria. Means of the BMI, body mass and height were calculated for the following three subgroups: (1) rural resident; (2) urban resident (towns with population of 10,000+); and, (3) urban resident (cities with populations of 100,000+). RESULTS: Secular trends in body mass index have changed significantly between 2000 and 2010. A statistically significant increase in both the prevalence of overweight (10.5% to 15.6%) and obesity (2.5% to 3.8%) were observed. However, the prevalence of underweight also increased from 8.3% to 10.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Secular trends in BMI have been unfavourable for the military population over the last 10 years studied and, therefore, the need for promotion of health among recruits is very important.

What Polish hospital healthcare workers and lay persons know about counterfeit medicine products?

AIM: To report on Polish hospital health care workers' and lay persons' knowledge about counterfeit medicine products. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional design was used. Two types of questionnaire survey about counterfeit medicine, separate for health care professionals and lay persons were completed by 201 physicians and nurses, and 450 adult Polish residents between October 2008 and January 2009. RESULTS: Physicians and nurses working in hospitals are more aware of counterfeit medicine than lay persons and more often notice the presence of drugs from unknown sources. Nearly 90% of physicians, 80% of nurses, and more than 40% of representatives of the lay persons had heard about the possibility of importing illegal medicine from Ukraine or China. The majority of medical workers does not know the procedure for reporting suspicious medicine and do not warn their patients against purchasing medicine from unknown sources. CONCLUSIONS: Increase education of nurses and physicians about counterfeit medicine particularly including the procedure of reporting suspicious medicine from unknown sources. In practice, reinforce a role of nurses and physicians in warning their patients against purchasing medicine from unknown sources and educate them about possible health hazards and life risks.

Sense of coherence and health-related behaviour among university students--a questionnaire survey.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the relation between a sense of coherence and intensity of health-related behaviour among 521 Polish university students. The study was conducted using validated instruments with two questionnaires: Antonovsky's SOC-29 and the Inventory of Health-Related Behaviour. The mean value of SOC amounted to 125.2. More than half of the studied group were characterized by the average level of SOC. No statistical differences were found between the faculty of study and SOC (p = 0.107). A low intensity of health-related behaviour characterized a large group of students. Students of particular faculties differ among themselves in a statistically significant way in the level of health-related behaviour (p = 0.015). SOC is related to healthy behaviour (p < 0.001). University students are often characterized by an average level of SOC and a low intensity of health-related behaviour. Medical students are characterized by higher level of health-related behaviour in comparison with humanistic and science students. SOC correlates positively with a tendency to health-related behaviour. The higher the level of coherence, the higher is the tendency towards pro-health behaviour.

[Nurses and doctors--prognosis for the future]. / Pielegniarki i lekarze--zycie codzienne i prognozy na przyszlosc.

Mutual cooperation between medical doctor and nurses are presented, while analizing new trends in the European Union. Nurse family practice and specialist training are discussed as well as new specializations, i.e. Study nurse trained for participation in clinical trials.

[Prevalence of tobacco smoking university students and health locus of control]. / Rozpowszechnienie palenia tytoniu wsród studentów a umiejscowienie kontroli zdrowia.

Global spread of diseases of civilization, such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic diseases, cancers, caused, that individual or group healthy behaviours, have become, for practitioners and researches, a basic area of interest. Healthy behaviours are the effect of shaped attitude against health, and particular against a sense of responsibility for owns health and co-responsibility for others health. Health Locus of Control theory indicates, that there exist relations between owns health locus of control and providing pro-health activities, for example reduce tobacco smoking. The aim of the study was the assessment of relation between prevalence of tobacco smoking among university students and health locus of control. The study was carried out among 457 university students from Podkarpackie Region- University of Rzeszow PWSZ Krosno and PWSZ Sanok. The survey was conducted by means of diagnostic survey with the use of questionnaire and Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale Form B- MHCL-B. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and chi-square test were used in statistic analyzes. The study proved that the majority of students has never smoked and does not smoke. Place of residence turned out to be a differentiation factor of tobacco smoking, and there were more smokers among students living in cities. There were observed no characteristic differences in the group of smokers and non-smokers and health locus of control. Internal control, in the opinion of studied group, was recognized to be the most important factor, more less role was attributed to the impact of others and a chance. Faculty of study turned out to different the assessment of importance of internal control and a chance for health state. Internal control was the least emphasized by nursing students, and a chance by obstetrics students.

[Socio-demographic factors and the prevalence of tobacco smoking in the workplace]. / Czynniki socjodemograficzne a rozpowszechnienie palenia tytoniu w miejscu pracy.

Tobacco smoking constitutes to be the main cause of health risk in Poland and is one of the most harmful elements of human's lifestyle. Workplace was recognized as a major source of tobacco smoke exposure for others. There should be keep in mind, that in present, it is a task of both employers and employees to create and maintain a safe work environment. The aim of the paper is to assess the prevalence of tobacco smoke among employees of one of the biggest works in Podkarpackie Region, with regard to age, gender, education and performed function. The study was carried out between January and March 2008 in the biggest works on Podkarpackie Region, within the programme "Smoke-free workplace". On the first stage of the study the prevalence of tobacco smoking was assessed, and the opinions of employees of 1291 about the problem of tobacco smoking were known. The survey was conducted by means of diagnostic survey with the use of questionnaire. The chi-square test was used in statistic analyzes. It results from the study, that the majority of studied employees never has smoked and do not smoke. The problem of tobacco smoking among studied group in general did not considered women. A large group of studied employees (smokers and non-smokers) indicated, that only occasionally is exposured on passive smoking, or this problem did not consider them at all. It was stated, that there are differences in gender, age, education and tobacco smoking. More than a half of studied men do not smoke, and represents younger and better educated group. A position also differentiated studied employees in the scope of tobacco smoking. People on high managing positions smoked slightly more frequent.