While the regular evaluation of academic courses is an essential exercise for qualityassurance and improvement, among other purposes, the courses developed and offeredin the abrupt shift to remote learning during the pandemic merit monitoring andevaluation. An implementation assessment is recommended and the use of anIlluminative Approach is illustrated.
Pandemics

Background: With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, pregnant women may turn to online information searches regarding COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination. Objective: We aimed to determine global online interest in COVID-19 infection and COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy. Materials and Methods: We utilized Google Trends data to determine the global search volume index (SVI) for the search terms “COVID-19 in pregnancy” and “COVID vaccine pregnancy” from January 1, 2020, to February 12, 2022, and ranked the top 15 search queries via their individual SVIs to assess the worldwide distribution of interest. Using Pearson correlation, we correlated several economic and pandemic-related country-specific data with the SVIs for the two search terms, while we utilized a one-way analysis of variance to country income groups with the SVIs using ANOVA. Significant correlations were denoted with P < 0.05. Results: SVI for “COVID-19” in pregnancy showed a minimal and nonsignificant downward trend in 2022. SVI for this search term was positively correlated with the SVI for “COVID vaccine pregnancy” (P < 0.05). On the other hand, SVI for “COVID vaccine in pregnancy” showed an exponential decline from November 2020 to 2022. SVI for this search term was also negatively correlated with deaths per 100,000 cases (P < 0.05). Although this was nonsignificant, high-income countries showed higher online interest with the two search terms than low- to low-middle-income countries. There were no significant correlations among specific economic and pandemic-related country-specific data and SVI for both search terms. Conclusion We observed a constant online interest in COVID-19 in pregnancy during the time period of the study, which may reflect the watchful engagement of people in the absence of face-to-face physician consultations. Peak online interest in COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy declined steadily, which may reflect either vaccine hesitancy or an increase in public knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines. High-income countries have apparently higher online interest in COVID-19 vaccines, which may be due to access to early mass administration to the general public. These data can be used as a reference regarding future policy-making in the setting of potentially massive public health emergency in the future.
Infodemiology ; Pandemics

No abstract available.
Influenza, Human ; Pandemics

No abstract available.
Influenza, Human* ; Pandemics*

No abstract available.
Influenza, Human ; Pandemics

No abstract available.
Influenza, Human ; Pandemics

No abstract available.
Influenza, Human ; Pandemics

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only resulted in a public health crisis but has also strained hospital services. The provision of surgical care should therefore also be guided by ethical, and whenever applicable, also legal, principles. Methods. An integrative approach that covers clinical and ethical dimensions, as well as spans the spectrum of surgical care, is therefore necessary. This action research involved three key steps: 1) identification of ethical dilemmas related to the provision of surgical care during the COVID-19 pandemic; 2) preparation of clinical scenarios that highlight these dilemmas; and 3) determination of the appropriate options for the said scenarios, based on the best available evidence as well as most applicable ethical principles. Results. Ethical theories included utilitarianism, human rights, and communitarianism. Ethical principles included non-maleficence, justice, autonomy, and beneficence. Values considered were duty, reciprocity, human life, efficiency, fairness, fidelity, ownership, social value, and fair innings. Also incorporated were informed consent, allocation principles, resource allocation, and triage. In terms of operational issues and surgical technical concerns, the following were considered: phased standards of care, categorization of interventions, prioritization, surgical approaches, infection control, diagnostics, patient welfare, staff welfare, operations protocols, surgical training, and communication. Key points derived from the ethical and technical considerations of surgical care delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic are presented. Conclusion. This action research involving a review of the literature and stakeholder engagement has provided a concise ethical and technical resource for surgical administrators, practitioners, and trainees.
COVID-19 ; Pandemics

Objective: The purposes of this study were to (1) describe the perceptions and practices of telemedicine among ophthalmologists in a tertiary hospital; and (2) evaluate knowledge, satisfaction, and perceived patient outcomes in using telemedicine to provide eye care in a time of a global pandemic. Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study using a self-administered online survey. Thirty-two (32) ophthalmology consultants and residents-in-training in a single tertiary, private hospital who practiced telemedicine participated in this study. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the data. Responses to open-ended questions were analyzed thematically Results: The respondents were somewhat knowledgeable (75%) and somewhat confident (72%) in using telemedicine. Respondents strongly conveyed their satisfaction with telemedicine outcomes (56%). Majority also believed that their patients were satisfied with teleconsults (69%). Majority agreed that telemedicine can be effective for select types of care [i.e., chronic condition management (66%), follow- up care (62%), and acute non-emergency care (53%)]. Telemedicine also proved to be a boon during a pandemic due to its convenience (59%) and efficiency (63%). However, it is limited by the imperative need for face-to-face consults (69%) and technological constraints (44%). Conclusions Telemedicine was perceived to be a valuable solution during the present pandemic due to its convenience, safety, and ability to provide remote diagnosis and management of urgent and non-urgent cases. Although the current practice of telemedicine still has plenty of room for improvements in the standardization of training, connectivity and technological constraints, and addressing liability concerns, it can serve as an adjunct to face-to face consultations to provide optimal care for patients.
Telemedicine ; COVID-19 ; Pandemics

Background: Being at the frontline, nurses working in hospital settings are vulnerable to a range of experiences that impact their wellbeing. Measures to protect their health and welfare during the COVID-19 pandemic have been the focus of discussion among policymakers and administrators. There is a need to collectively understand their personal experiences to inform relevant policy decisions. Objective: To synthesize and present the best available evidence describing the experiences of nurses working in hospital settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: This is a rapid review using Tricco's seven stage process. Data sources: A structured search using PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and a local database Herdin was conducted. Review Methods: A rapid review of studies published from January to August 2020, describing nurses' experiences of working in hospital facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic were included regardless of methodology. Following data screening and extraction, a narrative synthesis of the findings was conducted. Results: Nineteen articles were included in the review. The experiences of nurses described in these articles generated a total of fifteen categories, based on similarities of meaning. Four synthesized findings were identified from the categories: (a) supportive nursing culture; (b) physical, emotional, and psychological impact of frontline work; (c) organizational responsiveness; (d) and maintaining standards of care. Conclusions Nurses' experiences working in hospital settings during the COVID-19 pandemic are diverse, profound, and dependent on the context of practice and prevailing healthcare system and organization. These experiences reflect personal encounters and shifts in healthcare delivery that ensure protection and safety while maintaining standards of care. Robust studies are needed to capture and explore the breadth of these experiences and heighten the discussions that advocate for nurses' welfare and safety during pandemics.
COVID-19 ; Pandemics