Telemedicine in Service of Family Doctors in North Macedonia: Search for the New Frontier for Medical Professionals.

Introduction: Innovative medical technologies such as telemedicine, telehealth, and artificial intelligence have great potential in North Macedonia. Our nation was a leader in the region in advancing internet connections. A key barrier to wider adoption has been human resources. Material and Methods: Family doctors are skilled and trained enough to accept and use these technologies in everyday work. In our School of Family Medicine, we thought that additional training was necessary. This was the key objective of our task-if telemedicine and telehealth are presented to a critical mass of doctors as yet another tool that will make their day-to-day work easier, the "chain reaction" of adopting and applying telemedicine and telehealth would not be stopped. Discussion: To further study this objective, we started with a pilot project with a course in telemedicine and telehealth for future family medicine specialists. Telepsychiatry and teledermatology were the first modules to be taught. In addition, telehealth care equipment was also presented to participants. Conclusion: Participants' reactions were very positive.

Subjective Quality of Life of Women in the Perinatal Period: A Post Covid-19 Pandemic Exploration in North Macedonia.

Subjective quality of life could be considered one of the indicators of health behavior and wellbeing of women in the perinatal period. Accordingly, the aim of this paper was to examine how women in perinatal period perceive quality of life in various domains. Its relationship to age, number of pregnancies, course of pregnancies, and method of delivery and experience with Covid-19 pandemic was investigated, as well. Our sample consisted of 366 pregnant women in any period of pregnancy who came in for regular outpatient examinations and control, those who were hospitalized due to pathological pregnancy or due to the need for intensive care, as well as women in their postnatal period, one year after delivery, who were seeking professional advice from a gynecologist. The majority were aged 20 to 30 years (53.8%). The findings showed that assessed domains of subjective quality of life were related to a variety of experiences with the Covid-19 pandemic. The results are presented and discussed in detail. Implications and limitations are given, as well.

Psychometric Characteristics of the Macedonian Version of Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms (CAINS).

BACKGROUND: Despite the importance of effective assessment and treatment of negative symptoms among patients with psychosis, no validated instruments are available in the Republic of North Macedonia. The aim of this paper was to explore psychometric properties, namely factorial structure, internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity of the Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms (CAINS). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study 82 outpatients diagnosed with psychosis (64 with schizophrenia and 18 with bipolar disorder; female=34, mean age=41.05±10.09) were assessed. RESULTS: The exploratory factor analysis revealed two factorial structure of the negative symptoms as measured by the CAINS, i.e. 'expression and motivation' and 'pleasure'. Two items aimed to measure motivation for family relations and motivation for work/school activities loaded on the expression factor instead on motivation and pleasure factor which differs from the original version of the CAINS. Convergent validity was proven by positive relationship to negative symptoms as measured by the BPRS. Positive, but weak correlation with BPRS positive symptoms demonstrated its discriminant validity. Internal consistency of overall CAINS scale and its two subscales was very high. CONCLUSION: The CAINS can be used to assess negative symptoms in individuals with psychosis in the Macedonian clinical context. Consequently, this work can provide a foundation for further clinical advancement and research of negative symptoms in Macedonian healthcare.

Patient Satisfaction with Use of Telemedicine in University Clinic of Psychiatry: Skopje, North Macedonia During COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: There is increasing interest in the use of telemedicine as a means of health care delivery especially in circumstances of pandemics. This is partly because technological advances have made the equipment less expensive and simpler to use and partly because increasing health care costs and patient expectations have increased the need to find alternative modes of health care delivery. Introduction: Telemedicine and telepsychiatry, in particular, are rapidly becoming important delivery approaches to providing clinical care and information to patients in cases wherein the medical resources and the patients are very hard to be brought together with respect to rules of behavior in case of epidemics. The reliance on technology to bridge the obstacles between the patients (consumers) and medical resources (providers) can create problems that impact service delivery and outcomes, but in cases such as this (COVID-19 pandemics), this is virtually the only tool for providing clinical care and information to patients. Materials and Methods: A client satisfaction survey was undertaken in a daily hospital (a part of University Clinic of Psychiatry in Skopje). The anonymous modified self-report questionnaire (short form patient satisfaction questionnaire [PSQ-18]) covering demographic, gender, and age variables was endorsed by 28 participants. The mean age of the subjects was 40.25 ± 22 years, with a small majority of men (18 participants) versus women (11 participants). Results: Overall satisfaction with psychiatric care was high (80.22%). None of the demographic or other variables correlated significantly with satisfaction. Discussion: We had to reduce rate and time length of our face-to-face contacts with patients as a result of pandemics but they were able to reach their doctors virtually at all times. Conclusions: Many mental health professionals are using widely available, commercial software downloaded from the internet to provide care directly to a patient's home.

Treatment of Depressive Conditions in Pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Mother's mental state during pregnancy is of substantial importance for the mother, but also for the infant and his/her future growth and development. Depressive maternal disorders during pregnancy have a significant influence on the development of the baby during pregnancy as well as on the future development and mother-baby relation, the breastfeeding process and care for the baby. AIM: This study aimed to determine the influence of SSRI antidepressant therapy and psychosocial and therapeutic interventions on depression during pregnancy. It was also our aim to determine the relation between severity of depression and sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS: The study included 40 women, with diagnosis F32 and F33 according to ICD 10, that is, with severe depressive disorder within depressive episodes or recurrent depressive disorder. Patients were evaluated at the beginning of the treatment and 3 months after antidepressant treatment. They were followed-up for two years. RESULTS: The results obtained have shown that a larger number of mothers treated with antidepressant medications, had normal childbirth with the unremarkable condition of both, the mother and the newborn baby. CONCLUSION: A well-combined treatment of maternal depression during pregnancy reduces the risk of postpartum depression, which is by itself a prerequisite for normal emotional and behavioural development of the child.

Prescribing practices in Southeastern Europe - focus on benzodiazepine prescription at discharge from nine university psychiatric hospitals.

There is much concern about the widespread long-term use of benzodiazepines. Our manuscript addressed its use in the region of Southeastern Europe, which seems extensive, but insufficiently explored. At nine university psychiatric hospitals (Croatia, Macedonia and Serbia), we retrospectively analyzed discharge summary documents to find the prevalence of discharge benzodiazepine prescriptions and the prescribed benzodiazepine doses. This study included 1047 adult subjects and showed that 81.9% of them had benzodiazepines prescribed in the discharge summary document, with high mean daily dose of around 5mg lorazepam equivalents. Factors associated with the prescriptions were exclusively clinical factors (diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, more lifetime hospitalizations, psychiatric comorbidity, co-prescription of antidepressant or mood stabilizer, shorter duration of the hospitalization), while socio-demographic factors were not found to influence benzodiazepine discharge prescriptions. Similarly, factors which influenced the prescription of higher daily benzodiazepine dose were more lifetime psychiatric hospitalizations and co-prescription of antidepressant or mood stabilizer, as well as the diagnosis of mental/behavioral disorders due to substance use and co-prescribed antipsychotic. Our data are emphasizing an urgent need for guidelines and improved education of both health care professionals and patients, in order to prevent long term benzodiazepine (mis)use and related side-effects.

Personality Characteristics as Predictive Factors for the Occurrence of Depressive Disorder.

BACKGROUND: The depressive disorder is one of the most frequent mental disorders, which is often associated with severe dysfunctionality. Personality traits are considered as important factors for the occurrence of depressive disorder. AIM: To determine the specificity of personality dimensions as predictive factors of depressive disorder. METHODS: This research was conducted at the University Psychiatric Clinic Skopje as a "case-control" study. TCI-R (temperament and character inventory - revised) was used as the main research instrument. RESULTS: There are specific personality traits expressed through high scores of Harm Avoidance and low scores of Self -Directedness traits as predictive factors related to an incidence of the depressive disorder. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that certain personal traits, and more specific HA and SD, are with a specific predictability of the depressive disorder.

Character and Temperament Dimensions in Subjects with Depressive Disorder: Impact of the Affective State on Their Expression.

BACKGROUND: The depression is a cross-cultural condition that occurs in all cultures and within all nations with certain specificities, even though there are some differences in its manifestation. The hereditary load is of major importance, but also the individual personality factors, in the form of risk factors, are associated with the occurrence of depression. Personality characteristics have a significant impact on the occurrence of the recurrent depressive disorder and the outcome of the treatment as well. AIM: To identify the specific personality traits in people with the recurrent depressive disorder and the impact of the affective state on them. METHODS: Three questionnaires were used: a general questionnaire, Beck's scale of depressive symptoms, and TCI-R (inventory for temperament and character). RESULTS: The most indicative differences in the dimensions are found in the Harm avoidance and the Self-direction dimensions, and most variable dimensions dependent on effective state are Novelty seeking and Reward dependence. CONCLUSION: The people with the recurrent depressive disorder have a different profile of personality traits (temperament and character) compared with the control group, and their characteristics depend on their current affective state.

Patients with Schizophrenia and Social Contacts.

BACKGROUND: Patients with schizophrenia have severe problems with personal and social relations which affect their quality of life. AIM: The aim of the paper was to monitor personal and social relations in patients with schizophrenia and to find out the differences regarding socio-demographic characteristics and ambulatory and day hospital treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The investigation included 120 subjects each with diagnosis F20 according to ICD 10 criteria; divided into two groups of 60 patients regarding their actual treatment (the first group received ambulatory care whereas those from the second group had a day hospital treatment). Patients were of different age and gender, receiving regular antipsychotic therapy. They were included in individual and group psychosocial therapeutic procedures during the day hospital treatment. The investigation utilised the following diagnostic instruments: standardised clinical interview and Personal and social performance scale (PSP scale), a non-standardized questionnaire of socio-demographic data, family support and existence of mental disorder in other family members. RESULTS: The results have shown better personal and social functioning in patients who had family support, in those who are employed, in those with no mental disorder in other family members and in patients on day hospital treatment against patients receiving ambulatory care. CONCLUSION: Day hospital treatment, family support and social support improve the ability for personal and social contacts of patients with schizophrenia.

The Impact of the Nasal Trauma in Childhood on the Development of the Nose in Future.

AIM: To prevent and to treat nasal trauma in children properly, because it can lead to displacement or depression of the nasal bones or septum. Second, our aim was, for the patient to recognise and create a mature decision for eventual nose changes which will be made with the operative intervention or they are not mature enough and the decisions were made by their parents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our retrospective study was made at University Clinic for Ear, Nose and Throat, Faculty of Medicine, Ss Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje in the period of 6 years (2005-2016). Seventy-three patients were admitted with recent or previous nasal trauma or nasal deformity. The first group of 32 were children and adolescents from 6-14 years old who were admitted to our hospital because of recent nasal trauma. The second group of 41 children and adolescents from 6-14 years old were admitted to our hospital because of previous nasal trauma, which was not treated on time, or it was not treated properly. They were admitted to our clinic for surgical intervention septo/rhinoplasty. The second group of patients fills the brief psychological questioner prepared by Clinical psychiatrist from University Clinic of Psychiatry, in Skopje, and their psychological reactions were taken into consideration. RESULTS: Eleven of the children and adolescents who had nasal fracture without dislocation, who have no symptoms, minimal swelling, and no septal deviation or hematoma, were observed with a specific follow-up: 3 days after nasal fracture, then every week in the first month, after 1 month, and after 3 months period. Sixteen of children and adolescents who had a nasal fracture with subluxation of nasal septum were operated with closed reduction (repositio nasi) under general anaesthesia. The others with septal hematomas and subperichondrial abscess were treated as in adults' patients. The second group of 41 children and adolescents from 6-14 years old consisted with with the previous nasal trauma which was not treated on time or it was improperly treated. In 24 (58.54%) of these patients septoplasty was performed and in 17 (41.46%) was performed rhino septoplasty. CONCLUSION: Often, difficult septal deformations in children are followed with deformation of the nasal pyramid (rhino scoliosis, rhino lordosis). In those cases, we cannot solve septal pathology without nasal pyramid intervention in the same time and opposite. Clinical reports have not produced solid evidence for the statement that septal surgery has no negative effect on nasal growth or can serve for correcting abnormal growth. The functional and esthetic problems of the patient, however, mean a continuous stimulus for further clinical and experimental investigations.

Enduring Personality Changes after Intense Stressful Event: Case Report.

BACKGROUND: World statistical data show that a large number of individuals suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after exposure to the intense traumatic event. PTSD can have a chronic course with enduring changes in the functioning of the person. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we report two adult individuals of different gender and education who were exposed to the extremely severe stressful event after which difficulties in psychological functioning developed. The first case we present is a 46-year-old man, with completed high education, divorced, father of two children, who lives with his parents, and is retired. Disorders appeared 20 years ago when he was exposed to extremely severe stressful events in war circumstances that included captivity, torture, and loss of fellow soldiers. The second case is a 50-year-old female patient, with a university degree, professor of art, married, and mother of two children of whom the son died six years ago. She suffered from disorders after the sudden injury of her son that ended with his death. CONCLUSION: Posttraumatic stress disorder after the intense stress is a risk of development enduring personality changes with serious individual and social consequences.

Mental Health Legislation and Involuntary Hospitalization in the Republic of Macedonia.

As psychiatrists, we are often obliged to provide non-consensual treatment. This institute comprises the rights of the patients with mental health disorders. The aim of this paper is to explain the contemporary mental health legislation in our country the Republic of Macedonia and the problems with the implementation of involuntary hospitalisation. This could be overcome with close cooperation between the judicial and health care system.

Psychological Patient Reactions after Septorhinoplasty - Our Personal View.

AIM: The aim of our study is to observe adequate and inadequate psychological reactions in patients who are candidates for septorhinoplasty, before and after surgery and to create an adequate psychological model of a person suitable for septorhinoplasty in this group of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, 140 patients with nasal septal deviation (deviatio septi nasi), alone or together with other nasal deformities, were observed in the period of 4 years (2011-2015 year). Our patients were psychologically observed using two standard psychological tests: Patients selection for septorhinoplasty and their psychological abilities ("Self-body image" questionnaire) and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) test. RESULTS: Most of the patients 43 (39.8%), thought that after rhinoseptoplasty their self-confidence arise, 32 (29.63%) expected changing's in their life's, few of them 9 (8, 3%) thought that the environment will act different with them. The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) in women group was shown that most of the women patients presented symptoms of somatisation; 23 (23.33%) and 15 (25%) one year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The patients made a sound decision for intervention, which was useful for the surgeon too, because it helped them choose an adequate operative technique and especially helped them in the postoperative period.