Influence of Previous Mental State on Psychological Outcomes of Spanish Out-of-Hospital Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study aimed to describe factors relating to the psychological distress of healthcare workers (HCWs) in Spanish out-of-hospital emergency medical services (EMS), according to the previous or non-use of psychotropic drugs or psychotherapy. A multicentre, cross-sectional descriptive study was designed. The study population were all physicians, nurses, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) working in any Spanish out-of-hospital EMS between February and April 2021. The main outcomes were the levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and self-efficacy, assessed by DASS-21 and G-SES. Differences in levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and self-efficacy, according to sex, age, previous use of psychotropic drug or psychotherapy, work experience, professional category, type of work, and modification of working conditions were measured using the Student's t-test for independent samples, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, or 2-factor analysis of covariance. A total of 1636 HCWs were included, of whom one in three had severe mental disorders because of the pandemic. The interaction of the previous or non-use of psychotropic drugs or psychotherapy with the rest of the factors considered did not modify the levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and self-efficacy. However, HCWs with a history of psychotropic drug or psychotherapy use had a more intense negative emotional response and lower self-efficacy, regardless of their sex, professional category, type of work, or change in the working conditions. These HCWs are considered particularly vulnerable to the development or recurrence of new disorders or other comorbidities; therefore, the implementation of monitoring and follow-up strategies should be a priority.

Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Out-of-Hospital Health Professionals: A Living Systematic Review.

Health professionals (HPs), especially those working in the front line, have been one of the groups most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study is to identify the best available scientific evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of out-of-hospital HPs in terms of stress, anxiety, depression, and self-efficacy. A living systematic review of the literature was designed, consulting the electronic online versions of the CINHAL, Cochrane Library, Cuiden, IBECS, JBI, LILACS, Medline PyscoDoc, PsycoINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science databases in November 2021. Original research was selected, published in either English, Spanish, French, Italian, or Portuguese. In total, 2082 publications were identified, of which 16 were included in this review. The mental health of out-of-hospital HPs was affected. Being a woman or having direct contact with patients showing suspicious signs of COVID-19 or confirmed cases were the factors related to a greater risk of developing high levels of stress and anxiety; in the case of depressive symptoms, it was having a clinical history of illnesses that could weaken their defenses against infection. Stopping unpleasant emotions and thoughts was the coping strategy most frequently used by these HPs.

[Tobacco cessation. Action-stage result as a predictor of successful long-term maintenance]. / Deshabituación tabáquica. Valor del resultado en la fase de acción sobre el resultado en la fase de consolidación.

OBJECTIVE: The paucity of long-term studies makes it difficult to evaluate the sustained abstinence over time of smokers who quit. The objective of the present study was to determine to what extent the results of tobacco cessation interventions are maintained after 5 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a longitudinal prospective study of 502 smokers. The design was quasi-experimental given that therapy was allocated according to the level of the patients' nicotine dependence: routine minimum intervention for smokers with mild addiction and those not in the preparation stage, and nicotine replacement therapy for patients with moderate-to-high dependence and/or a high level of tobacco consumption. RESULTS: Of the 267 patients followed for 5 years, 29.6% quit and were still abstinent at 1 year, and 18.0% remained abstinent after 5 years. Of those who had managed to stop smoking within 2 months of starting the intervention, 47.4% were still abstinent on follow-up at 5 years while 88.1% of those who failed to quit within 2 months were still smoking 5 years later. CONCLUSIONS: The results observed during the action stage could be of use in reorienting the treatment approach, and a planned schedule of follow-up contacts could help patients maintain the abstinence achieved in the course of the intervention.

Deshabituación tabáquica. Valor del resultado en la fase de acción sobre el resultado en la fase de consolidación / Tobacco cessation: action-stage result as a predictor of successful long-term maintenance

Objetivo: La escasez de estudios a largo plazo dificulta la valoración de la abstinencia mantenida en el tiempo de los fumadores que consiguen dejar de fumar. El objetivo de nuestro estudio ha sido determinar en qué medida los resultados obtenidos tras la intervención para dejar de fumar se consolidan en el tiempo, al cabo de 5 años. Pacientes y métodos: Se ha realizado un estudio longitudinal y prospectivo sobre 502 fumadores, cuasi experimental, al considerar el grado de dependencia nicotínica como criterio para la asignación del tratamiento: intervención mínima sistematizada en los fumadores con dependencia baja o que aún no se encontraban en fase de preparación, y tratamiento sustitutivo con nicotina en aquéllos con dependencia moderada-alta y/o alto consumo de cigarrillos. Resultados: De los 267 pacientes que completaron el seguimiento a los 5 años, el 29,6% dejó de fumar y se mantuvo abstinente al año de seguimiento, y el 18,0% a los 5 años. De los que consiguieron dejar de fumar a los 2 meses de la intervención el 47,4% consolidó su abstinencia al cabo de los 5 años de seguimiento, y de los que no lo consiguieron seguía fumando el 88,1%. Conclusiones: Los resultados observados en la fase de acción pueden considerarse un elemento de ayuda para reorientar la actitud terapéutica, y quizá el planteamiento de controles programados en el tiempo ayude a consolidar la abstinencia tabáquica conseguida durante la intervención

Objective: The paucity of long-term studies makes it difficult to evaluate the sustained abstinence over time of smokers who quit. The objective of the present study was to determine to what extent the results of tobacco cessation interventions are maintained after 5 years. Patients and methods: This was a longitudinal prospective study of 502 smokers. The design was quasi-experimental given that therapy was allocated according to the level of the patients' nicotine dependence: routine minimum intervention for smokers with mild addiction and those not in the preparation stage, and nicotine replacement therapy for patients with moderate-to-high dependence and/or a high level of tobacco consumption. Results: Of the 267 patients followed for 5 years, 29.6% quit and were still abstinent at 1 year, and 18.0% remained abstinent after 5 years. Of those who had managed to stop smoking within 2 months of starting the intervention, 47.4% were still abstinent on follow-up at 5 years while 88.1% of those who failed to quit within 2 months were still smoking 5 years later. Conclusions: The results observed during the action stage could be of use in reorienting the treatment approach, and a planned schedule of follow-up contacts could help patients maintain the abstinence achieved in the course of the intervention