Psychological interventions for healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review.

Healthcare professionals were especially vulnerable to pandemic, both to become infected and to develop a psychological problem. The aim of this systematic review is to analyze the effectiveness of psychological interventions for healthcare professionals in reducing the experienced psychological impact. From the 405 identified studies, 10 were included in this review. Four databases were searched and the risk of bias of included studies was assessed. The studies considered were randomized controlled trials. The screening and selection process was conducted by two independent reviewers. All studies presented results related with depression, anxiety, and stress during pandemic. Six were delivered using new technologies. The most effective were two psychological interventions with frequent contact and feedback provided by a mental health professional. The psychological interventions compared with non-intervention groups presented more significant results than those compared with another intervention. The highlights of this systematic review were the urgency of designing effectiveness psychological interventions for healthcare professionals to reduce the emotional burden associate with this job. These interventions should be maintained over the time, supported by a professional and provided from the workplace. These proposals presented promising results but were more psychological resources than psychological interventions.

Adaptación al castellano del Emotional Processing Scale-25 / Spanish adaptation of the Emotional Processing Scale-25

El procesamiento emocional es el conjunto de estrategias que se dan desde que la emoción es percibida hasta que es expresada. Un correcto procesamiento promueve un desarrollo emocional sano y adaptativo, pero las dificultades en el mismo son un factor de riesgo para psicopatologías como la ansiedad o la depresión. El EPS-25 es un cuestionario de 5 factores que evalúa estas dificultades. El objetivo de este estudio fue validar la estructura factorial del EPS-25 en castellano y evaluar su fiabilidad y validez. La muestra, compuesta por 605 participantes (M = 18.30; DT = 1.75), provenía de diversos centros educativos. Se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio del instrumento que confirmó su estructura original en la adaptación al castellano, aunque un ítem fue eliminado y 2 cambiaron su factor correspondiente, lográndose de esta manera índices de consistencia interna aceptables (alfa = .91). Por lo tanto, se valida la estructura factorial del EPS-25 y se propone como un instrumento válido y fiable para medir el procesamiento emocional en castellano

Emotional processing refers to the set of strategies used from the moment an emotion is perceived until it is expressed. A correct emotional processing promotes a healthy and adaptive development whilst difficulties in processing have been linked to psychopathological problems like anxiety and depression. The EPS-25 is a five factor questionnaire that assesses these difficulties. The objective of the present study was to validate the factor structure of the EPS-25 in Spanish, as well as to assess its validity and reliability. The sample, 605 participants (M = 18.30; SD = 1.75), was recruited from Spanish schools and universities. A confirmatory factor analysis was carried out to confirm the questionnaire's original structure in its Spanish validation. The adapted version of the EPS-25 shows adequate internal consistency (alfa = .91). Therefore, the Spanish version of the EPS-25 is a valid and reliable five factor instrument to measure emotional processing

Uso del índice de cambio fiable en la evaluación de la efectividad de intervenciones clínicas: aplicación en un programa formativo en asma / Use of the reliable change index to evaluate the effectiveness of clinical interventions: Application of an asthma training program

OBJETIVO: Comparar 2 metodologías de evaluación de resultados para valorar la efectividad de una intervención de educación terapéutica en profesionales sobre el control del asma. DISEÑO: Estudio naturalístico de intervención en pacientes asmáticos donde los clínicos que atienden al grupo intervenido (GI) fueron sometidos a un programa de educación específico, y el grupo control (GC) recibió la asistencia de clínicos en lista de espera de la formación. Emplazamiento: Centros ambulatorios de una misma comarca. PARTICIPANTES: De una muestra inicial de 100 pacientes, 76 conforman la muestra final de análisis. De los cuales 37 son varones y 39 son mujeres, con de edades comprendidas entre 18 y 65 años (M = 41,2 años). Los 2 grupos del estudio resultaron ser homogéneos excepto en la variable sexo. Intervención: Programa de formación de clínicos para la adhesión al tratamiento. MEDICIONES PRINCIPALES: Índice esperiométrico (Peak flow) y entrevista estructurada. Análisis estadístico: Inicialmente los resultados se analizaron con técnicas clásicas basadas en modelos ANOVA robustos; como alternativa, se aplica la metodología de análisis del índice de cambio fiable (RCI, por sus siglas en inglés). RESULTADOS: Los modelos ANOVA, realizados independientemente para cada sexo, no reportaron diferencias significativas debido al tamaño muestral. Con la metodología del RCI se constataron diferencias significativas en el porcentaje de pacientes mejorados entre ambos grupos, además se observan los cambios clínicamente relevantes acontecidos a nivel individual. CONCLUSIONES: El método RCI se presenta como una alternativa atractiva a los métodos de análisis clásico que puede facilitar la toma de decisiones clínicas

INTRODUCTION: An adequate communication between levels of medical attention is the key point for optimal treatment and outcomes of the hypertensive population. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of the hypertensive patients' derivation from Primary Care to Specialized Care. As secondary objectives, the information registered on the derivation report was assessed and concordance between derivation reason and final diagnosis was analysed. DESIGN: This is an observational, descriptive, multicentre study. Site: Study conducted at the national level. PARTICIPANTS: Specialty Care Physicians receiving hypertensive patients referred from primary care. Principal measurements: On the baseline visit, the specialist physicians assessed the quality of the derivation records and attended the patient. After the study, final diagnosis and treatment is suggested on the final visit. RESULTS: 1769 subjects were included, mean aged 62,4 (13,6) years, 45% female. Time of diagnosis of hypertension was 8,0 (7,7) years. More than the half of the derivation records contained very good information (5,4%; CI 4,3-6,5) or sufficient (50,7%; CI 48,4-53,0). In 7,1% (IC 5,9-8,3) derivation cause was not specified.74,7% of the derivations were considered as appropriate, though 30% were late. Concordance between derivation reasons and final diagnosis was low (kappa index 0,208). CONCLUSIONS: A quarter of the hypertensive population is unnecessary derived to Secondary Care and 30% of the appropriately derived was late. We should improve the interrelation of attention in the hypertension and cardiovascular area between the both attention levels

[Use of the reliable change index to evaluate the effectiveness of clinical interventions: Application of an asthma training program]. / Uso del índice de cambio fiable en la evaluación de la efectividad de intervenciones clínicas: aplicación en un programa formativo en asma.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two methods for the evaluation of outcomes to assess effectiveness of a therapeutic intervention of a professional education program on asthma control. DESIGN: A naturalistic, intervention study in which asthmatic patients were attended by clinicians (IG group) who Had taken part in a special education program and a control group (CG) that received medical assistance from clinicians still waiting to be trained. LOCATION: Five urban Primary Care Health Centres of the same region. PARTICIPANTS: From an initial sample of 100 patients, 76 formed the final sample for analysis. The study included 37 males and 39 females, aged between 18 and 65 years (M=41.2 years). The two study groups were found to be homogeneous except for the sex variable. INTERVENTION: Training program for clinical treatment adherence. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Peak flow as spirometric index, and structured interview. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The results were initially analysed using classical techniques based on robust ANOVA models, and then by calculating the Reliable Change Index (RCI). RESULTS: ANOVA models, conducted separately for each sex, showed no significant differences, due to sample size. RCI methodology showed significant differences in the percentage of patients improved in both groups, as well as clinically relevant changes being observed individually. CONCLUSIONS: The RCI method is presented as an attractive alternative as regards the classical methods of analysis that can help in the clinical decision.