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

Background: Community pharmacists play a strategic and indispensable role as healthcare professionals with direct patient access during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, there had been no studies that document the challenges, adaptive measures, and opportunities of community pharmacy practice in the country during such period. Objectives: This study aimed to describe the challenges encountered and adaptive measures implemented by community pharmacies, and to explore opportunities of community pharmacy practice brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. Methods: The study employed a qualitative, cross-sectional study design. Convenience sampling was conducted representative of chain and independent drug stores, online and other stores with service variations, and pharmacy organizations. Recruitment was pursued until data saturation with a total of 16 participants. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed through thematic analysis using NVivo 12. The study received ethical clearance for implementation from the UP Manila Research Ethics Board. Results: Results showed there were various challenges that affected both the supply- and demand- side of pharmacy operations in the community pharmacy practice during the pandemic. Due to the adaptive role of the pharmacy profession during the pandemic, there has been an increased relevance of pharmacists in public health. Furthermore, the pandemic has exhibited the need to shift to the use of e-prescriptions. However, there are limitations to its current use, such as ensuring the validity of the prescription when presented in a pharmacy. Conclusion There are several challenges encountered by community pharmacists during the pandemic. These challenges led to several adaptive measures being implemented that also became an opportunity to emphasize the vital role community pharmacists play in the healthcare system.
COVID-19 ; pandemics

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a public health emergency causing changes that may pose a greater risk of behavioral and psychosocial problems for children. Children of healthcare workers are possibly at increased risk of mental health problems due to their parent’s constant exposure to COVID-19. The Pediatric Symptoms Checklist-35 (PSC-35) is one of the validated psychosocial screening tools that helps identify emotional, cognitive, and behavior problems in children. Objective: To determine the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 pandemic on 6-16 years old children of healthcare workers using the PSC-35. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional analytic study. Demographic and clinical data were collected. PSC-35 were administered from June 2023-September 2023 to the healthcare worker parents with children aged 6-16 years old. Using this validated PSC-35, questions are a series of signs and symptoms related to impairments in cognitive, emotional, and/or behavioral well-being of children. This 35-item questionnaire was rated and scored as 0 for Never,1 for Sometimes, and 2 for Often. The total scores were evaluated, calculated, and interpreted. A cut off score of 28 or higher indicates a high possibility psychosocial impairment that warrant further investigation or referral to a specialist. Results and Conclusions Out of 372 respondents, 4.57% (n=17) children were found at risk of psychosocial impairment with PSC-35 score of 28 and higher. Two demographic factors were found to have a significant correlation with scores above the cutoff: maternal occupation (p-value 0.018) and the presence of comorbidity in the parent (p-value 0.000). Children found to be at risk were advised consultation with a specialist.
COVID-19 ; Pandemics