Readiness for interprofessional education among healthcare students in Oman: Results of a cross-sectional survey.

Interprofessional education (IPE) is a promising educational strategy to strengthen the healthcare system in Oman. This study aimed to evaluate the perception and readiness of nursing and medical students for IPE in Oman. Students enrolled in medical and nursing programs at Sultan Qaboos University were invited to participate in this study by completing the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS). A total of 390 (180 nursing and 210 medical) students completed the survey. The RIPLS scores of nursing and medical students were high. Medical students had significantly higher scores in the Negative Professional Identity subscale. Gender and GPA correlated with total scores. Medical and nursing students demonstrated positive perceptions and readiness for IPE. Efforts should be directed to facilitate its implementation in the curriculum.

Public knowledge, attitude, practices, and level of anxiety toward the COVID-19 pandemic among people living in Oman.

The purpose was to examine knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices, as well as anxiety and stress of people living in a Gulf country with a diverse population toward the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A descriptive cross-sectional, exploratory design was used to meet the aims of this study. The target population was all individuals aged 18 years and older and who can read and write Arabic, English, or Hindi. The results showed that most individuals demonstrated a high level of knowledge regarding COVID-19. Most individuals believed that COVID-19 is not fatal and that countries can control the COVID-19 virus. Despite the lower levels of anxiety and stress among this population, many individuals reported high levels of stress and anxiety. Higher levels of anxiety, higher levels of knowledge, and being married were associated with more preventive practices. This study showed that the level of knowledge is positively associated with compliance with preventive measures. Providing the public with accurate and consistent information regarding COVID-19 may enhance their compliance with preventive measures. Using different risk communication strategies will ensure collaboration from the public and encourage them to be active members when facing contagious diseases.

Symptom Clusters Predictive of Quality of Life Among Jordanian Women with Breast Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to explore symptom clusters among women with breast cancer in Jordan. DATA SOURCES: A cross-sectional survey of 516 women with breast cancer who were recruited from three hospitals. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that women with breast cancer experienced several symptoms at the same time. These symptoms tend to cluster in five main groups, and patients experiencing the psychological, nausea and vomiting, and pain clusters are expected to have a lower mean score of quality of life. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses need to assess and manage symptoms as clusters to improve the quality of life of women with breast cancer. Symptoms clusters should guide symptoms management practice and be given a priority equal to the active treatment of cancer. Symptoms management and cancer treatment should be started simultaneously.

Heart Failure in Oman: Current Statistics and Recommendations.

This review aims to explore the status of heart failure (HF) practice and research in Oman. Extensive search of databases (Arab World Research Source, EBSCOhost, Medline, and Google Scholar) yielded eight published literatures in the last two decades in Oman. The escalation of HF among older adults in Oman has been documented across the two decades. Ischemic heart disease continues to dominate as the cause for HF among the Omani population. Recent researchers have highlighted that acute coronary syndrome and noncompliance with medications are factors which precipitate an acute HF. One-year follow-up of HF patients in Oman has estimated their mortality rate at 25%. Our knowledge of HF is very limited by the few published research and data sets. However, the prevalence of HF is increasing, and is expected to dramatically increase with the rise in the Omani population in hypertension and diabetes. More research is needed in the area of HF on the Omani population.

Syrian Refugees in Jordan: Barriers to Receiving Optimal Cancer Care.

Of several barriers that hamper use of available healthcare services, Syrian refugees report that the financial barrier remains the major obstacle to receiving optimal cancer care. Increasing the international fund remains the mainstay to reduce the suffering of Syrian refugees with cancer and their families. Nurses can have crucial roles in reducing the burden of cancer in refugees, including screening and early detection efforts, direct patient care and management, and palliative care.

Prevalence and Predictors of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among Youth at the Time of COVID-19: An Online Cross-Sectional Multicountry Study.

Depression and anxiety are prevalent mental illnesses among young people. Crisis like the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may increase the current prevalence of these illnesses. A cross-sectional, descriptive design was used to (1) explore the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among youth and (2) identify to what extent certain variables related to COVID-19 could predict depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) among young people in six different countries. Participants were requested to complete an online survey including demographics and the DAS scale. A total of 1,057 participants from Oman (n = 155), Saudi Arabia (n = 121), Jordan (n = 332), Iraq (n = 117), United Arab Emirates (n = 147), and Egypt (n = 182) completed the study. The total prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 57%, 40.5%, and 38.1%, respectively, with no significant differences between countries. Significant predictors of stress, anxiety, and depression were being female, being in contact with a friend and/or a family member with mental illness, being quarantined for 14 days, and using the internet. In conclusion, COVID-19 is an epidemiological crisis that is casting a shadow on youths' DAS. The restrictions and prolonged lockdowns imposed by COVID-19 are negatively impacting their level of DAS. Healthcare organisations, in collaboration with various sectors, are recommended to apply psychological first aid and design appropriate educational programmes to improve the mental health of youth.