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Objectives: To research HTA procedures used to assess COVID-19 technologies in US, Canada, and EU5;to assess whether HTA procedures for COVID-19 technologies differ from established HTA procedures for that country and which COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) have been assessed. Method(s): Information relating to HTA procedures, mAbs, and outcomes (if available) were identified and extracted from each agency's website and qualitatively assessed. Result(s): Two countries with decentralized HTA procedures (Italy, Spain) were excluded from analysis. Five countries have HTA agencies assessing COVID-19 technologies. Adapted HTA procedures are used by three (NICE, CADTH, ICER), and procedures are unclear for two (HAS, G-BA) it is unclear what procedures are used. Of nine mAbs available for treatment and prevention of COVID-19, four are the subject of HTA: * Casirivimab & Imdevimab: HAS (published;early access granted), CADTH (published;unable to make a decision), NICE (in progress), G-BA (in progress) * Lenzilumab: NICE (in progress) * Sotrovimab: HAS (published;opinion in favor of reimbursement), CADTH (published;no decision) NICE (in progress), G-BA (in progress) * Tocilizumab: NICE (in progress), CADTH (published;no decision) No HTAs were identified for the remaining five mAbs: bebtelovimab, bamlanivimab & etesevimab, regdanvimab, sarilumab, and tixagevimab & cilgavimab. Conclusion(s): Agencies are applying HTA procedures to COVID-19 technologies. Assessments, particularly for COVID-19 mAbs, will face challenges. Differing trial designs, definitions and outcomes, and a lack of standard-of-care treatments early in the pandemic may render estimates of comparative effectiveness invalid. Clinical and cost-effectiveness estimates will be affected by a number of other factors, including trial timing, prevalence of variants and their susceptibility to different mAbs, and the proportion of patients remaining vulnerable to severe disease after vaccine rollout. These variables may not be captured in traditional trial-based evidence, rendering HTA reliant on real-world evidence, and HTA decisions may lack longevity and will require frequent updates. Copyright © 2022
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Introduction: As of April 2022, the COVID19 global pandemic has resulted in over six million deaths globally, and over 81 million cases of COVID19 in the United States. Objective(s): The objective of the presentation is to share estimated direct and indirect costs due to COVID19 infection juxtaposed with the costs of COVID19 vaccine administration in the United States. Method(s): A literature review was conducted to identify potential cost savings from being immunized against COVID19. The costs of COVID19 vaccinations, direct costs related to healthcare and types of indirect costs were noted. Result(s): After reviewing over 40 resources, several costs were identified. The cost of COVID19 vaccine series, as defined by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), is currently USD40 for single-dose and USD40 per dose in a multiple-dose series. It is estimated that the average hospitalisation stay of an uninsured inpatient was ~USD7000-USD10,000 per day. The average cost of 12 major metropolitan cities in the United States were estimated for primary care facilities, urgent care facilities, and emergency room visits at USD195, USD239, USD1,425, respectively. As of April 2, 2022, 77% of the US have received at least one dose of COVID19 vaccine and 66% are considered to be fully vaccinated against COVID19 primary series. Conclusion(s): According to the data, the cost reduction in healthcare is consequential and cost-effective in vaccinating the population. This analysis contributes to the limited reports of a national cost-benefit analysis.
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This article recounts the founding of the Southern Food & Beverage Museum in New Orleans, LA with a special emphasis on the obstacles that the organization faced and the commitment to overcome those obstacles through tenacity and creativity. The journey to the present goes from the concept and kitchen table brainstorming to a functioning and growing institution that has begun to be recognized within the industry. The obstacles include Hurricane Katrina, the BP Oil Spill, and the COVID 19 pandemic.
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Background and objectives: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed an unprecedented challenge to the public healthcare system worldwide like none before, producing far-reaching global economic, humanitarian, and social crises. It is estimated to have affected more than 1.8 million people worldwide. India has faced two phases of the pandemic, being the country with 2nd most number of deaths with varying mortality patterns across the two waves. In this study, we compare the patterns of mortality between the two phases of pandemics in association with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 deaths. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study at a tertiary care center in Central India was carried out. Demographic patterns of mortality have been studied in each of the groups, and a comparative analysis was done between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 mortality patterns in each phase of the study, that is, from 20th March 2020 to 19th September 2020 and from 20th September 2020 to May 2021, as well as between the two phases.
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Work has been continuously changing throughout history. The most severe changes to work occurred because of the industrial revolutions, and we are living in one of these moments. To allow us to address these changes as early as possible, mitigating important problems before they occur, we need to explore the future of work. As such, our purpose in this paper is to discuss the main global trends and provide a likely scenario for work in 2050 that takes into consideration the recent changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was performed by thirteen researchers with different backgrounds divided into five topics that were analyzed individually using four future studies methods: Bibliometrics, Brainstorming, Futures Wheel, and Scenarios. As the study was done before COVID-19, seven researchers of the original group later updated the most likely scenario with new Bibliometrics and Brainstorming. Our findings include that computerization advances will further reduce the demand for low-skill and low-wage jobs;non-standard employment tends to be better regulated;new technologies will allow a transition to a personalized education process;workers will receive knowledge-intensive training, making them more adaptable to new types of jobs;self-employment and entrepreneurship will grow in the global labor market;and universal basic income would not reach its full potential, but income transfer programs will be implemented for the most vulnerable population. Finally, we highlight that this study explores the future of work in 2050 while considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has a huge impact on the provision of mental health care. Particularly the limitations of faceto- face contacts and the access to treatment facilities can be expected to have significant negative effects on the practice of psychiatric treatment and outcomes. To date the extent and the severity of these effects in people with severe mental illnesses are rarely investigated in Germany. Objective(s): We investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and service use of people with severe mental illness in Germany. Method(s): As part of a pragmatic randomized trial on the effectiveness of an integrated community mental health care program that started immediately after the first COVID-19 wave in June 2020, 1000 people with severe mental illness from different regions in Germany have been asked for the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their mental health care and on their general living conditions. Multivariate regression models were computed to estimate the effects of the patients' COVID-19 experiences on the outcome parameters empowerment (EPAS), psychosocial impairment (HoNOS) and unmet needs (CAN). Result(s): Using prospective data in a large sample of people with mental illness, we will be able to examine the extent to which the pandemic has affected participants' mental health, their social lives, but also the use of mental health care services. Conclusion(s): The data will help to examine the impact of the pandemic on people with severe mental illness in a comprehensive way and will provide evidence where immediate action is needed to reduce further burdens and inequities.
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Self-practice/self-reflection (SP/SR) supports understanding and delivery of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in participants by facilitating reflection on the practice of CBT techniques on personally relevant experiences. To date, little is known about the online potential of SP/SR training, particularly relevant through the course of the COVID-19 pandemic which saw an increase in online teaching and training delivery. The present study examined the perspectives of ten trainee therapists and three clinical educators (facilitators) on the experience, benefits, and challenges of participating in and facilitating an online CBT group integrating SP/SR principles. Reflective thematic analysis of semistructured interviews led to two trainee themes ("experiencing the other chair" and "learning to be a CBT therapist") and two facilitator themes ("learning to facilitate online" and "reflections on unexpected gains"). Facilitators and trainees described the online platform as a suitable delivery format, providing a comparable experience to in-person teaching and an authentic therapeutic experience to facilitate trainees' understanding of delivering CBT generally and in a telehealth context. Some trainees noted challenges being vulnerable online and all facilitators noted being less likely to push trainees to experience and express difficult thoughts and emotions online. Recommendations are provided to enhance learning in similar groups in psychology training. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement This is the first study to explore the experience, benefits and challenges of an online cognitive behavioral therapy group using self-practice/self-reflection principles. Findings indicated that the online group facilitated a comparable personal and professional experience to the traditional delivery of in-person groups, with the added benefit of trainees and facilitators learning how to adapt therapy to a telehealth setting. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
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Introduction: Balance impairments are common in multiple sclerosis (MS). Pilates is a popular alternative method for balance performance maintenance and improvement that may reduce the rapid symptoms worsening frequently associated with physical inactivity. An Italian network of fifteen experts in MS rehabilitation developed through a User-Centered Design approach the MS-FIT exergame, a Kinect-based tool, to autonomously train balance through Pilates exercises. The MS-FIT user executes the exercises shown by a teacher's avatar and improves the performances through the feedbacks on the execution correctness. Aim(s): This study (Clinical.Trials.gov, NCT04011579) aims at evaluating the feasibility of an at-home intervention with MS-FIT. Method(s): Feasibility was investigated in terms of adherence (sessions number), usability (usability items of Tele-healthcare Satisfaction Questionnaire, u-TSQ, satisfaction (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire, CSQ-8), safety (adverse events), and physical effectiveness (Timed UP-&-GO, TUG;Timed 25-Foot Walk, T25FW;2-Minutes Walking Test, 2MWT). Result(s): Forty-five people with MS (PwMS) were enrolled and randomized into the experimental (EXP, n=23) and control (CTRL, n=22) groups. During the 6 weeks of the study, only the usual physical activities were admitted (rehabilitation excluded) and, in addition, EXP had to practice MS-FIT at least three times a week. Due to organizational consequences of COVID pandemic, 8 subjects dropped-out (EXP, n=17;CTRL, n=20). The sample analysed showed the following characteristics: gender (EXP: 6M;CTRL: 7M), age (EXP: 41.9+/-9.6y;CTRL: 43.3+/-10.5y), course (EXP: 94.4% and CTRL: 95.0% relapsing-remitting), disease duration (EXP: 9.9+/-7.2y;CTRL: 12.5+/-9.8y) and EDSS (EXP: 2.6+/-0.8;CTRL: 2.6+/-0.8). EXP highly adhered to the MS-FIT training (23.6+/-6.1 sessions);the tool was usable (u-TSQ: 3.01/4);satisfaction was medium-tohigh (CSQ-8: 25.1/32);the training with MS-FIT was safe (no adverse events). The groups did not differ in TUG, T25FW and 2MWT. An analysis separate for each group showed a significant improvement only in EXP (TUG: pre 7.5+/-1.2s, post 7.0+/-1.2s, p<0.05;T25FW: pre 6.1+/-1.5s, post 5.0+/-1.2s, p<0.01;2MWT: pre 175.4+/-51.0m, post 194.1+/-56.9m, p<0.01). Conclusion(s): MS-FIT is well-accepted and effective and could be a complement of traditional MS interventions. Based on the results and participants' feedbacks MS-FIT has been refined and is used in an ongoing randomized controlled trial.
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Introduction: It is well known that university students are at high risk for developing sleep problems due to the unique challenges of early adulthood. The COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying infection control measures, including university closures and home schooling, imposed additional challenges to healthy sleep of university students around the world. The aim of our study was to evaluate the characteristics of Slovenian students' sleep habits during the first and second wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Slovenia. We also aimed to investigate the possible role of sleep hygiene in predicting the sleep quality of students during the epidemic. Method(s): This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted during the first wave of the epidemic in Slovenia (spring 2020) and one year later, when the epidemic was declared for the second time (spring 2021). Slovenian university students responded to sleeprelated, change-specific questions in an online survey. Result(s): 541 participants (80% women) responded to the survey in the first wave and 719 (81% women) in the second wave. Our preliminary results show that most students slept within the recommended time frame of at least 7 h per night during both the first (73.2%) and second wave (63.8%), and most students reported sleeping more or the same amount of time during the epidemic compared to the preepidemic period. On the other hand, sleep quality worsened for a large proportion of participants during the first (37.2%) and second wave (41%), and many experienced less consistent sleep-wake cycles during both the first (48.6%) and second wave (52.1%) compared with the pre-epidemic period. Multiple regression analyses revealed that sleep hygiene predicted overall sleep quality during the epidemic in both waves, even after controlling for relevant variables that might affect sleep (demographic variables, presence or absence of physical illness or mental disorders, stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms). Conclusion(s): Our data confirm evidence of sleep changes previously observed in other studies during the pandemic and demonstrate the vulnerability of university students to decreased sleep quality and regularity during the COVID-19 epidemic. Our preliminary results also suggest the potential role of sleep hygiene in predicting sleep quality across the pandemic waves.
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Objective: To improve compliance of post-stroke patients attending outpatient rehabilitation from 65% to 80% after discharged from an acute inpatient rehabilitation unit within a 1-year period. Design(s): Quality improvement project Setting: Acute inpatient rehabilitation unit Participants: Rehabilitation team members and poststroke patients Interventions: Root causes were identified by fish bone analysis. The most important root causes were subsequently determined by Pareto vote. Using a tree diagram and prioritization matrix, 2 specific interventions were developed. Firstly, on a specific day of the week, assigned rehabilitation nurses would check if outpatient referral to local rehabilitation center was completed and submitted by the team. This intervention was presented at the department meeting to promote awareness among staff about the importance of timely referral. Secondly, when a patient with stroke was identified to be suitable for outpatient rehabilitation, he/she would be briefed by the team about the importance for outpatient rehabilitation and given an education pamphlet. Main Outcome Measure(s): Compliance, measured by percentage of patients with an arranged appointment for outpatient rehabilitation services within a week of discharge Time, measured as time taken for outpatient referral creation to submission of referral. Result(s): Compliance improved from 65% at baseline to 75%. Time taken for creation of referral to submission was reduced from 7.8 days to 1.4 days. Conclusion(s): We did not achieve our goal of 80% compliance rate likely due to small sample size and COVID-19 pandemic with concerns of safety for elderly to attend outpatient rehabilitation. The improvement was 10% which could have been partially accounted by the suspension of outpatient rehabilitation services during the circuit breaker period which was a nationwide partial lockdown, instituted by the government, to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Singapore. Nonetheless, the improvement is still of significance, as studies had showed functional improvements gained while in inpatient rehabilitation were reinforced and maintained in outpatient rehabilitation.
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Objectives. Although various mental health -re-lated consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have been documented, there has been far less attention given to potential protective factors. Questions and hypotheses. In the present study, authors examined the role of three types of positive expectancies -optimism, hope, and self-efficacy -as predictors of well-being and anxiety. Furthermore, authors examined the role of coping strategies as a potential mediator between expectancies and criterion variables. Sample and settings. The present study was con-ducted during the COVID-19 outbreak in Slo-vakia after a national emergency was declared (N=1011). Additionally, longitudinal follow up was conducted after a national lockdown (N=391). Statistical analysis. Multi-model linear regres-sion (the Bayesian approach) and simple me-diation analysis (the Frequentist approach) were used to answer research questions. Results. In the main study with N=1011 partici-pants sampled after a national emergency was declared, the role of optimism in predicting anx-iety and well-being was corroborated. Moreo-ver, this finding was replicated after a national lockdown and the degree to which Coronavirus was considered dangerous served as a potential mediator. Besides optimism, self-efficacy nega-tively predicted anxiety, and subscales of hope predicted well-being. Additionally, the role of coping strategies as potential mediator was examined. In follow up with N=391 respondents who decided to participate after the national lockdown, authors found an indirect effect of optimism on well-being and anxiety through dysfunctional coping. Limitations. The present study has some limita-tions that should be reflected upon. For exam-ple, convenience sampling was used. Moreover, interpretations related to causality should be avoided and the specificity of the effect in re-lation to pandemic situation should be further examined in future research.
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Several recent studies have investigated if support for Jair Bolsonaro in the presidential election of 2018 is positively associated with COVID-19 infections and deaths in Brazil. In these studies, COVID-19 outcomes in 2020 and 2021 are the dependent variables, and votes for Jair Bolsonaro in the 2018 presidential election (as a proxy for ideology) are the key explanatory variable. This article discusses why ecological research designs are difficult to test empirically. We discuss why correlations between vote shares and COVID-19 outcomes using aggregate data can produce biased inferences, and we specifically focus on measurement error, aggregation bias, and spatial and temporal dynamics.
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Prior to the spring 2020, education in the United States looked very similar to how it had always looked ... students attended brick-and-mortar schools, used technology in their classrooms and homes to supplement their learning, and relied on the support of teachers as needed or wanted. Parents, for their part, were involved in the traditional supportive roles of checking over homework, monitoring attendance, and providing encouragement as warranted, and worked to balance this role with professional and community obligations and responsibilities. The COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, and parents as well as teachers were suddenly thrust into different and less familiar roles, as teaching and learning transitioned to a virtual experience. In examining this transition, a team consisting of researchers from Florida and North Carolina sought to determine the effectiveness of the parent roles in schooling from the educator perspective. In this chapter, the findings of this study are explored and analyzed, with recommendations made for research moving forward in this area. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
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This paper develops a scale that measures the perceived service quality of hospitals during a pandemic. To develop the scale, data from 206 respondents from India, was subjected to exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The newly developed scale was named PAND-SERVQUAL, which includes factors namely, assistance, facility & layout, trust, empathy, promptness, and knowledge. The resulting scale is likely to be useful for researchers exploring service quality research and health care quality as well. Findings will facilitate understanding patient's expectations regarding the service quality of hospitals during a pandemic.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/00185868.2021.1939827 .