Comparison of the burnout among medical residents before and during the pandemic: not more exhausted but less accomplished

ObjectiveThis study aims to compare the level of burnout syndrome in medical residents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify potential risk factors. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on medical residents from three different university hospitals in Turkey in March 2021, one year after the pandemic hit Turkey. Burnout is measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory which assesses three dimensions of it: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Collected data were combined and compared with data from a previous study held in the same hospitals in December 2019, three months before the pandemic. Results412 medical residents from three universities participated. The mean age was 27.8{+/-}2.4 and half of them were female. Compared to pre-pandemic levels, no significant differences in emotional exhaustion (pre:19.0{+/-}7.6 post:18.8{+/-}7.8), depersonalization (pre:7.3{+/-}4.3 post:7.2{+/-}4.4), and personal accomplishment (pre:20.8{+/-}5.1 post:21.1{+/-}5) scores were observed one year after the pandemic. Adjusting for confounders, multiple linear regression models indicated that those who are female, are in a surgical speciality, have vulnerable cohabitants, and have more night shifts face higher emotional exhaustion. Depersonalisation is higher among those who spent more years in residency, have more night shifts, or have COVID-19 outpatient duty. Females and those who have vulnerable cohabitants have lower levels of Personal Achievement. ConclusionThis study does not support the hypothesis that pandemic increases the burnout levels. Yet it identifies a couple of pandemic-related factors that are associated with burnout and confirms the association of several previously known factors.

YouTube as an information source during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic

BakcgroundYouTube is an important online source of information. And its viewing numbers tend to increase exponentially in extraordinary situations. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the contents of the most frequently viewed YouTube videos during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsIn this study, contents of the most frequently viewed Turkish and English videos regarding COVID-19 pandemics are examined and scored with modified DISCERN, MICI and VPI. ResultsThe mean DISCERN score of Turkish videos is similar to English videos (2.55{+/-}1.40 and 2.43{+/-}1.25 respectively). Total MICI score tends to be higher in Turkish videos. 86.9% of all 168 videos and 65.2% of all 23 misleading videos were released by news channels. Average view counts, view ratios, and VPIs of misleading videos are higher than the useful videos. DiscussionSince there is not a peer-review system on YouTube, it is very important for the content of videos that are released through news channels to be accurate because the important messages can be spread among people in society through them. Especially some Turkish videos included many different rumors and faulty statements. During the extraordinary situations such as the pandemics, the videos of official health authorities and international institutions should be more visible in YouTube.

Effectiveness of some herbals on initial enamel caries lesion

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of herbal medicaments such as ginger, rosemary and honey on remineralization of initial enamel lesion. Methods Demineralized human enamel specimens were measured for baseline surface microhardness and fluorescence methods. Ten specimens in each of four groups were used in this in vitro recycling study with the following treatments which applied three times a day: 1) sodium fluoride toothpaste (Ipana, Procter & Gamble, Turkey), 2) ginger-honey (Arifoglu Herbals, Anzer Honey, Turkey), 3) ginger-honey-chocolate (Bind Chocolate, Turkey), 4) rosemary oil (Arifoglu Herbals, Turkey). Treatment regimens of demineralization and remineralization cycle were applied for 21 days. The post-treatment data were obtained by measurements of surface microhardness and fluorescence methods. Data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA test with Tukey's honest significant difference test. Results Enhanced remineralization was observed with several of the treatment systems including ginger + honey and rosemary. Significant differences between treatments were observed by microhardness and FluoreCam fluorescence assesment, compared to the positive control group (NaF dentifrice). Significantly, greater remineralization was observed with the honey + ginger treatment regimen. No significant differences between groups were observed using the fluorescence assessment method, quantitative light-induced fluorescence. Conclusions Herbals (ginger, honey and rosemary) have enhanced remineralization of initial enamel lesion.