Screening for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Students at the Medical University of Warsaw, Poland Between November 15 and December 10, 2021 Using a Single Lateral Flow Test, the Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test.

BACKGROUND Education was significantly affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Online learning affects the quality of learning as well as the mental health status of students. Regular screening for COVID-19 may be crucial to provide practical classes during the pandemic. The present study aimed to analyze the usefulness of rapid antigen tests for on-campus COVID-19 screening in real-life conditions at a medical university in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS This screening study was carried out among students attending practical classes at the Medical University of Warsaw, Poland between November 15 and December 10, 2021, during which a series of rapid antigen tests (Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device, nasal) were performed by healthcare professionals (nurses). Out of 104 student groups selected for the study (n=1847 students), 423 individuals from 63 student groups were tested at least once (22.9% response rate). A total of 2295 samples were collected. RESULTS Among the participants, 3.4% (n=15) had positive test results. Out of 15 COVID-19 cases, 14 were vaccinated. At least 1 positive COVID-19 case was detected in 8 student groups. In 3 student groups, we observed ≥2 infections that occurred at intervals, which may suggest student-to-student SARS-CoV-2 transmission. CONCLUSIONS This study produced real-world data from a COVID-19 screening study and confirmed the usefulness of the rapid antigen test (Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device nasal) for on-campus COVID-19 screening prior to practical classes. Maintaining a high percentage of participants is crucial to ensuring the effectiveness of on-campus COVID-19 screening.

Evidence-based selection process to the Master of Public Health program at Medical University.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the predictive validity of selected sociodemographic factors and admission criteria for Master's studies in Public Health at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw (MUW). METHODS: For the evaluation purposes recruitment data and learning results of students enrolled between 2008 and 2012 were used (N = 605, average age 22.9 ± 3.01). The predictive analysis was performed using the multiple linear regression method. In the proposed regression model 12 predictors were selected, including: sex, age, professional degree (BA), the Bachelor's studies grade point average (GPA), total score of the preliminary examination broken down into five thematic areas. Depending on the tested model, one of two dependent variables was used: first-year GPA or cumulative GPA in the Master program. RESULTS: The regression model based on the result variable of Master's GPA program was better matched to data in comparison to the model based on the first year GPA (adjusted R2 0.413 versus 0.476 respectively). The Bachelor's studies GPA and each of the five subtests comprising the test entrance exam were significant predictors of success achieved by a student both after the first year and at the end of the course of studies. CONCLUSIONS: Criteria of admissions with total score of MCQs exam and Bachelor's studies GPA can be successfully used for selection of the candidates for Master's degree studies in Public Health. The high predictive validity of the recruitment system confirms the validity of the adopted admission policy at MUW.

Validation study of the Polish version of the Evidence-Based Practice Profile Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Decisions about patient care in clinical practice should be made based on proven scientific evidence of efficacy and safety (i.e., evidence-based practice [EBP]). Currently, there are no available tools in Poland for assessing the knowledge and attitudes of specialists in health sciences towards EBP. Therefore, by validating the Polish version of the original English Evidence-Based Practice Profile Questionnaire (EBP2Q), we may provide an appropriate instrument for assessing EBP. METHODS: The validation group consisted of 1,362 people, including nurses and midwives taking the specialization exam, second-degree students in nursing/midwifery, and staff of selected municipal and clinical hospitals in Warsaw, Pruszkow, and Chelm. The study was conducted from March to June 2014. The following psychometric properties of the EBP2Q were assessed: reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and test-retest), validity (exploratory factor analysis, Spearman's r correlation coefficient, and assessment of inter-group differences), as well as unidimensionality of domains (principal component analysis). RESULTS: All domains of the EBP2Q were characterized by high reliability (Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.800 to 0.972). The Polish version showed a strong similarity of factor structure with the original English EBP2Q, indicating that the condition for theoretical validity is fulfilled. Maintenance of the theoretical and discriminative validity and unidimensionality of five domains of the EBP2Q was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: The Polish version of the EBP2Q is comparable in terms of psychometry to the original English version. This questionnaire can be used to assess knowledge, attitudes, and skills concerning EBP among students and practicing professional nurses and midwives. The future validation of the EBP2Q in other groups of specialists in health sciences may increase the scope of applicability of this tool.

NURSE PRESCRIBING. KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES OF POLISH NURSES IN THE EVE OF EXTENDING THEIR PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCES: CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

In Poland, since 1 January 2016 nurses who graduated from the master studies or hold a title of a specialist may ordain and prescribe specific medicines ("independent nurse prescribing" - INP). Nurses, who completed bachelor studies or hold a title of a specialist are allowed to prescribe drugs to continue the patient's treatment as ordered by a physician ("supplementary nurse prescribing" - SNP). The aim of this paper was to analyze the knowledge and attitudes of the Polish nurse specialists to their new professional rights in the independent ordaining of some drugs and drug prescribing. Participants were 902 women and 26 men. The age average was 42.4 (min. 26, max. 65, SD = 7.56, median: 43, mode: 40). 300 respondents - secondary medical education, 325 - the bachelor degree, 277 - the master degree. Own, validated questionnaire. Attitudes with answers based on the Likert scale (1-5) assessed by the nonparametric ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis test with the post-hoc analysis. The same statistical model was used in the evaluation of potential differences for the total scale of knowledge and attitudes.On average less than half of answers about the knowledge were correct (average of difficulty index was 39%). Nurses believe that the introduction of nurse prescribing will increase the nurse's control of the therapeutic process (mean: 3.22/5). No significant differences between the attitudes of respondents with different education level (p = 0.206; H = 3.160). 55% of nurses supports the introduction of INP. Respondents with the master education significantly more frequently support INP than those with secondary education (p = 0.001; z = 3.685). The knowledge of nurses on the extension of their professional rights is unsatisfactory and requires urgent complementation. The health policy makers should consider an extensive information campaign, especially in the group of nurses with advanced practice who will have prescribing competences. Nurses' attitudes to nurse prescribing are generally positive. Concerns expressed are the same as in the opinions of nurses from countries where the professional rights underwent extension earlier.