scholarly journals A pilot study to determine whether undergraduate paramedics are able to retain basic resuscitation and respiratory physiology knowledge

2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziad Nehme ◽  
Malcolm Boyle

Introduction While suboptimal bag ventilation has been well documented during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), we often do not consider how operator knowledge of ventilation guidelines may contribute to this outcome. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate third year Monash University undergraduate paramedic students' knowledge of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) ventilation guidelines and basic respiratory physiology. Methods A cross-sectional study was used to elicit responses about ventilation rate, tidal volume and knowledge of lower oesophageal sphincter pressure in normal and cardiac arrest states for third year undergraduate paramedic students at Monash University. Ethics approval was granted Results There were 30 (41%) third year students who participated. Only 8 (27%) of the students who participated could identify the correct ventilation rate for an intubated patient in a cardiac arrest situation, with only 3 (10%) of students identifying the correct tidal volume. Overall, 27 (90%) of students had a poor knowledge of ventilation guidelines while 29 (97%) students were unable to recall basic lower oesophageal sphincter pressure values. Conclusion A greater emphasis on education of current ventilation guidelines, as well as the underpinning knowledge surrounding the guidelines, is needed to ensure students attain appropriate ventilation during CPR.

Author(s):  
Siddrah Irfan ◽  
Nor Sheereen Zulkefly

AbstractObjectivesThe present pilot study examined the associations between attachment relationships, psychological problems, and negative automatic thoughts among late adolescents in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.SubjectsA total of 98 participants (male = 49, female = 49) were recruited from government colleges in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.MethodsThe measures used to assess the research variables of this cross sectional study were the Inventory of Parent-Peer Attachment (IPPA-Urdu), Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-Urdu), and the Automatic Thought Questionnaire (ATQ-Urdu).ResultsAll of these measures had good reliabilities. Findings of the correlation analyses demonstrated that maternal, paternal and peer attachment relationships were negatively related to symptoms of depression and anxiety as well as to negative automatic thoughts. On the other hand, depressive and anxiety symptoms were positively associated with negative automatic thoughts. Additionally, findings suggested that future studies must investigate adolescents from two-parent households and exclude those with only one living parent.ConclusionThe results underscored the need for further investigations of the linkages between attachment relationships, negative automatic thoughts and psychological problems on larger samples.


2021 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Damla Cankurtaran ◽  
Nihal Tezel ◽  
Buse Ercan ◽  
Sadik Yigit Yildiz ◽  
Ece Unlu Akyuz

Abstract Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals faced psychological stress caused by fear and anxiety due to the high transmission and mortality rate of the disease, the social isolation, economic problems, and difficulties in reaching health services. Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic centralized pain sensitivity disorder. Psychological, physical and/or autoimmune stressors were found to increase FM symptoms. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the COVID-19 fear and anxiety level, and to examine their effect on disease severity, sleep quality, and mood in FM patients compared to control group. Methods This pilot study conducted as a cross-sectional study, and included 62 participants. Participants were divided into two groups: FM patient group (n = 31) and control group (n = 31). Symptom severity, sleep quality, and mood were determined using the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR), Pitsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), respectively. In order to evaluate the level of COVID-19 fear and anxiety, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) were used compared to control group. Results FIQR, PSQI, HAD-A, HAD-D, FCV-19S and CAS scores were significantly higher in the FM group (p = 0.01). A positive significant correlation was found between FCV-19S and CAS results and FIQR, PSQI, and HAD-anx results in FM patients (p < 0.05). Conclusion This pilot study showed that, the individuals with FM can be more affected by psychological stress, and this situation negatively affects the symptom severity, sleep quality, and mood in FM patients, so these patients should be closely monitored in terms of psychological stressors and their effects during pandemics. More studies with more participants are necessary to describe the challenges lived by fibromyalgia population.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e041917
Author(s):  
Fei Shao ◽  
Haibin Li ◽  
Shengkui Ma ◽  
Dou Li ◽  
Chunsheng Li

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess the trends in outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Beijing over 5 years.DesignCross-sectional study.MethodsAdult patients with OHCA of all aetiologies who were treated by the Beijing emergency medical service (EMS) between January 2013 and December 2017 were analysed. Data were collected using the Utstein Style. Cases were followed up for 1 year. Descriptive statistics were used to characterise the sample and logistic regression was performed.ResultsOverall, 5016 patients with OHCA underwent attempted resuscitation by the EMS in urban areas of Beijing during the study period. Survival to hospital discharge was 1.2% in 2013 and 1.6% in 2017 (adjusted rate ratio=1.0, p for trend=0.60). Survival to admission and neurological outcome at discharge did not significantly improve from 2013 to 2017. Patient characteristics and the aetiology and location of cardiac arrest were consistent, but there was a decrease in the initial shockable rhythm (from 6.5% to 5.6%) over the 5 years. The rate of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) increased steadily over the years (from 10.4% to 19.4%).ConclusionSurvival after OHCA in urban areas of Beijing did not improve significantly over 5 years, with long-term survival being unchanged, although the rate of bystander CPR increased steadily, which enhanced the outcomes of patients who underwent bystander CPR.


Author(s):  
Gurmeet Kaur ◽  
Sandeep Kaur ◽  
Geetika Gupta ◽  
Rajneet Kaur

Background: Obesity has long been recognized to have significant effect on respiratory functions. Many studies have reported exponential decrease in pulmonary function test (PFT) with increasing body mass index (BMI), which is a crude indicator of obesity. Also, the relationship between BMI and PFTs varies with age, race, geographical region and the different obesity standards used. To the best of our knowledge, not many studies have been done to examine the relationship between obesity and lung volumes among adults in our region, Jammu. This cross-sectional study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effect of obesity on lung function test in obese but otherwise healthy adults of Jammu region.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jammu region on subjects selected randomly from different colleges in the age group of 18-40 years. The study involved 300 subjects; divided into three groups of 100 each, based on BMI into normal, overweight and obese groups. Four respiratory parameters viz. FVC (Forced Vital Capacity), FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second), FEV3 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 3 seconds), and MVV (Maximum Voluntary Ventilation) were used to assess their lung functions.Results: All the respiratory parameters exhibited statistically significant decrease in obese groups as compared to normal and overweight groups.Conclusions: The present study suggests that obesity alters the respiratory physiology by producing a restrictive ventilatory pattern.


Gut ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 631-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Ceccatelli ◽  
J Janssens ◽  
G Vantrappen ◽  
S Cucchiara

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Hladek ◽  
Jessica Gill ◽  
Chen Lai ◽  
Kate Lorig ◽  
Sarah Szanton

Introduction/Background: Chronic diseases, like diabetes and heart disease, are considered inflammatory conditions with elevated levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). Disease progression is not consistent from person to person. Psychosocial factors are hypothesized to play a modifying role. Self-efficacy, the confidence in one’s ability to perform well in a specific life domain or at a specific task, is associated with better health outcomes. Coping self-efficacy is confidence in one’s ability to handle life’s problems through emotional regulation, problem-solving, and social support. Little is known about associations between coping self-efficacy and inflammation. Aim: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine associations between coping self-efficacy and IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α levels. Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted over two visits. Sociodemographic variables, chronic disease count, body mass index (BMI), and coping self-efficacy were collected. Inflammatory markers were collected via sweat using the sweat patch, a noninvasive collection device. Results: Higher TNF-α and IL-10 levels were significantly associated with low coping self-efficacy (β = −.03, p = .028; β = −.017, p = .007, respectively) after adjustment for age, sex, race, BMI, and chronic disease count. IL-6 trended toward significance after adjustment as well (β = −.22, p = .054). Conclusions: This pilot study showed that high coping self-efficacy was associated with lower IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α levels, indicating a potential buffering effect of high coping self-efficacy. Further longitudinal research with larger sample sizes is needed.


2008 ◽  
Vol 123 (6) ◽  
pp. 666-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
W Allan ◽  
L Burgess ◽  
A Hurren ◽  
R Marsh ◽  
P R Samuel ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectives:Patients who have undergone tracheoesophageal puncture for surgical voice restoration often use unnaturally high oesophageal air pressures during speech. This study examined the effect of high oesophageal air pressure on oesophageal body motility, lower oesophageal sphincter function and dyspeptic symptoms.Design:Cross-sectional study using several investigative tests of oesophageal function.Materials and methods:Sixteen patients who used tracheoesophageal fistula speech underwent several investigations, including: oesophageal manometry, videofluoroscopy, barium swallow, and tracheal pressure measurements during speech. The patients were also asked to complete a dyspepsia questionnaire.Results:We demonstrated that more than 50 per cent of these patients had subjective or objective disordered oesophageal function. Videofluoroscopy and manometry identified oesophageal dysmotility in the same patients.Conclusion:Oesophageal function appears to be altered by tracheoesophageal fistula speech. However, our study showed that there is no contraindication to proceeding with tracheoesophageal fistula voicing even in patients with a history of oesophageal dysfunction.


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