Using a chatbot as a digital tool at the primary health care level.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To analyze the feasibility of utilizing a digital tool such as a chatbot at the primary health care level as part of a health program. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: With the involvement of a general practitioner and the use of a digital tool, a chatbot, a three-month health program was conducted for employees of an IT company. The chatbot was used to collect information, monitor the health status of participants and provide personalized health recommendations. To evaluate the program's effectiveness survey was conducted to compare participants answers before and after using standardized evaluation scales. A questionnaire based on the Evaluation and Management Services Guide was created to collect medical information on the health status of participants before and after the program. RESULTS: Results: After the program, the average total score of participants' health complaints and symptoms decreased (from 27.1 to 16.1, p=0.019). The average severity of the chief complaint on a scale of 0 to 10 decreased from 5.08 to 2.27, or by 55.3% (p=0.00676). The frequency of individual complaints such as eye pain, decreased concentration, increased fatigue and irritability also dropped. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The chatbot enabled the primary care physician to respond promptly to participants' health complaints. The results demonstrated the potential of chatbots as innovative and accessible digital tools at the primary health care level for providing recommendations, monitoring health, and contacting a primary care physician in a timely manner.

SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL READINESS FOR MANAGEMENT OF FUTURE HEALTH CARE MANAGERS.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To determine the content, components and levels of formation of social and psychological readiness of future managers of the health care system for management activities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The research was conducted among students of master's programs that prepare future managers for the health care system of Ukraine. The basic motivators of their social and psychological activity as a person, the formation of metacognitive strategies, the diagnosis of communicative and characterological features of personality and signs of leadership are determined. RESULTS: Results: These studies indicate the readiness of students for future activities. 80% of respondents were diagnosed with a high level of such potential, 20% - medium. The results indicate that the respondents have a significant potential of communicative and characterological abilities that can affect their further professional activity: intellectual (4,11±0,66) and volitional (4,17±0,33) traits, attitude to themselves (4,02 ± 0,36), focus on achieving goals (4,22 ± 0,42). The evaluation of the above characteristics was made on a 5-point scale. Future managers have formed a metacognitive "profile", identified high levels of metacognitive abilities (47,6 ± 4,182 points). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: It is established that the respondents have a high and appropriate moderate level of formation of the main components of readiness for managerial activity and have the appropriate managerial potential.

EATING BEHAVIOUR OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN UKRAINE.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: Investigate the eating behaviour of international students in Ukraine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: A cross-sectional quantitative research approach was taken in conducting this study. 193 international students (98 males, 95 females) filled the questionnaire assessing their diet for the past 7 days, perceived changes made to their diet since their arrival to Ukraine, knowledge of healthy dietary habits, and perceived barriers to maintaining a healthy diet. At the time of this study, the students were between the ages of 18 and 36 years, of 11 nationalities, and enrolled at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in 12 Ukrainian tertiary institutions. RESULTS: Results: Assessment of the students' diet quality reveals that 75.1% of the students consume fruits at least 2 times/day and 73.1% consume vegetables at least 3 times/day. More students consume poultry daily and fish at least twice a week than beef and pork daily. More than half of the students consume starchy foods, mostly rice daily. Only 7.3% of the students consume up to 1 alcoholic beverage daily. Gender significantly affects the consumption of alcohol, dairy products, low fat milk and milk products, and marginally affects beef and dark chocolate. 95 % of the student have made changes to their diet since coming to Ukraine. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The dietary behaviour of international students in Ukraine is characterized by: high consumption of fruits and vegetables, high intake of lean meats and fish, higher consumption of unsaturated fats and oils than saturated ones, and low consumption of soft and alcoholic drinks.

Factors of working environment influencing occupational stress among primary health care doctors in Ukraine.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Stress is considered to be a very common pathology among primary care doctors, since practically any professional activity requires significant emotional, mental and practical efforts. The aim has determined the factors associated with occupational stress and compare the difference of behavior patterns which is used to reduce stress among primary care doctors in Ukraine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The authors used medical-statistical methods as well as analyzed questionnaires of the sociological survey conducted among general practitioners and family doctors of the primary care level from various regions of Ukraine. RESULTS: Results: Occupational stress is a common symptom among primary care physicians of different ages and genders in Ukraine. For primary care doctors the most common symptoms related to occupational stress were found to be burnout (n=93), poor night's sleep (n=84) and tiredness (n=84). Female doctors experience more often symptoms such as frequent headaches tiredness, burnout, whilst for male doctors feelings of irritation and anxiety are more common indicators of occupational stress. Work experience also has a strong association with experiencing stress related to "unrealistic expectations from their patients with complex medical and social problems" (s.df=.082). Young doctors with work experience of less than 5 years and those who have worked for more than 20 years in the industry similarly find it stressful to deal with such "complex patients". CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Primary care doctors in Ukraine, from many different demographic backgrounds, experience high levels of occupational stress; this is a common health condition, which can have devastating personal and professional consequences.