ABSTRACT
Background Communication is essential in the medical sector, particularly in the emergency departments (ED), to provide appropriate patient care. Lack of patient history and large patient numbers, cultural variations, inadequate health literacy, and language difficulties can impact effective communication. Aim This study aims to examine language and communication barriers experienced by ED physicians in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, as well as to determine the effect of language barriers on patient care and explore possible methods to deal with language and communication barriers. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from April 8 to June 6, 2023. A total of 136 responses were collected from ED physicians at the six Ministry of Health Hospitals (MOH) in Makkah through a validated online survey. The data analysis was implemented using RStudio (R version 4.1.1). Result In this study, 136 participants' data were examined. Of note, one-quarter of ED physicians (25%; n=34) under study stated that they always experienced language barriers, whereas 64.7% (n=88) of them sometimes experienced these difficulties. More than half of the ED physicians (54.4%; n=74) stated that their patients had poor outcomes because of poor communication. Among those who responded positively to poor outcomes, ED physicians' suggestions to improve communication with patients included providing labels of the common scientific terminologies in different languages (59.6%; n=81) and providing courses to communicate in foreign languages (48.5%; n=66). Conclusion Exposure to language barriers among ED physicians in Makkah was slightly high. This may impact the patient's outcomes. Therefore, strategies to improve patient-physician communication are needed.
ABSTRACT
Background A stroke is an abrupt neurological deficit that occurs due to a vascular origin. Stroke is one of the main causes of functional disability and irreversible brain damage globally. Following cancer and ischemic heart disease, stroke ranks as the third-highest contributor to adult mortality. According to studies conducted in Saudi Arabia, the estimated annual incidence of stroke was 29.8 per 100,000 individuals. Patients who are at risk for stroke and their families should be aware of the danger of stroke and be familiar with the symptoms. Stroke warning signs include abrupt weakness in the face or limbs, confusion, speech slurring, vision problems, difficulty in walking, and severe headache with no obvious explanation. The burden of stroke consequences can be greatly reduced by early detection of stroke symptoms and prompt treatment for acute attacks. A delay in seeking medical attention following a stroke attack has been linked to poor knowledge of stroke symptoms and risk factors. Furthermore, an important factor in reducing the incidence of stroke is public awareness of risk factors, symptoms, and prevention strategies. General awareness of stroke leads to a proper response to stroke, pursuit of medical treatment, and a better outcome. Aim The aim of this study is to assess the awareness of acute stroke among the general population in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 in the western region of Saudi Arabia. An online, validated, self-administered questionnaire was distributed randomly. The estimated sample size was 385, and 539 were the collected responses. Results More than half of the respondents were females (66.0%) (n=356), aged 20 to 29 years (50.3%) (n=271). In general, the majority of respondents had correctly identified that the elderly are at high risk for stroke (92.8%) (n=500) and that stroke can cause death (81.6%) (n=440). More than half of the population under study (59.9%) (n=323) correctly indicated that stroke is preventable. However, only (11.3%) (n=61) of them stated that the ideal timeframe to initiate thrombolysis in acute cases is 4.5 hours. Regarding the risk factors of stroke, the most frequently identified factors included hypertension (84.4%) (n=455) and heart disease (64.6%) (n=347). When the participants were asked about the warning signs and symptoms of stroke, the most commonly identified response was confusion (70.3%) (n=379). A good knowledge level was prevalent among 311 participants (57.7%, 95% CI, 53.4 to 61.9). Good knowledge levels were significantly higher among participants aged 20 to 29 years (63.5%) (n=172) and 60 years or more (65.2%) (n=15) compared to other categories. A significantly higher proportion of non-Saudis had higher knowledge levels ((75.9%) (n=22) versus (56.7%) (n=289), p = 0.042). Results of the multivariate analysis showed that participants aged 40 to 49 years (OR = 0.54, 95% CI, 0.33-0.89; p = 0.016) and 50 to 59 years (OR = 0.37, 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.63, p < 0.001) were less likely to have good knowledge levels. Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that (57%) (n=307) of participants had adequate knowledge of acute stroke. However, public education programs are still required to further expand this knowledge.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order is a medical order issued by a doctor. It directs medical professionals to refrain from performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if a patient's breathing or heartbeat ceases. Patients can refuse CPR in an emergency if they have a DNR order. The DNR order includes precise directives about CPR. Instructions for extra therapies like nourishment, other drugs, or painkillers are not included. AIM: The aim of the study is to learn more about the western region's general population's knowledge and attitudes toward DNR orders and identify any challenges that may arise when dealing with DNR patients. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 in the western region of Saudi Arabia. An online, self-administered questionnaire was distributed randomly from April 8, 2023 to June 6, 2023. The estimated sample size was 384, and 604 were the collected responses. RESULTS: A total of 383 (63.4%) participants were females, and 221 (36.6%) were males. Regarding the knowledge and attitude of the general population about DNR orders in the western region of Saudi Arabia, 276 (45.7%) study participants had satisfactory knowledge and awareness, while 328 (54.3%) had inadequate knowledge. A total of 343 (56.8%) participants thought that DNR is important; 255 (42.2%) felt that the DNR has reduced the pain of their relatives, and 181 (30%) believed that it has reduced the stress felt by the patient's families. Of participants aged 20-30 years, 58.4% had satisfactory knowledge about DNR orders compared with those aged 50 and above; 76.1% of healthcare workers had satisfactory knowledge versus 26.5% of unemployed participants (P=.001). CONCLUSION: We recommend increasing awareness and knowledge about DNR by conducting educational events about the concept and how to deal with patients who choose to acquire a DNR order.
