Surviving Your Shift: Seven Things Healthcare Workers Can Do to Make It Through the Workday During COVID.
Healthcare Workers, These Mental Health Tune Ups Can Help You Weather COVID-19 Chaos.
Five Ways to Support the Frontline Healthcare Worker in Your Life.
When Anxiety Strikes at Work, Here Are Seven Ways to Calm Yourself Down.
Stamping Out the Stigma: 10 Ways Healthcare Leaders Can Bring Mental Health Issues Out of the Closet.
COVID-Related Stress and Burnout in Healthcare Workers: 11 Everyday Habits That Can Help.
A PTSD Pandemic Is on the Horizon: Here’s What Healthcare Workers Can Do to Protect Themselves.
Healthcare Workers and Trauma: Why COVID-19 Is the “Perfect Storm”
Healthcare workers are a gritty and resilient lot. But in the face of COVID-19, many are now struggling with PTSD. Mark Goulston, MD, and Diana Hendel, PharmD, explain why—and explore some of the “storm factors” that have come together in such a devastating way.
Nashville, TN (November 2020)—Healthcare professionals are no strangers to stress. They must regularly field huge challenges, rapid changes, and the unpredictability that comes with caring for human beings—and many thrive in this demanding environment. But COVID-19 is a new ball game. The deadly virus, currently in full surge mode, has healthcare workers struggling like never before—and many are showing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Psychiatrist Mark Goulston is not surprised. He says for almost a year now, workers have battled a “perfect storm” of factors that have overwhelmed them to an unprecedented degree.
“Fear, grief, and exhaustion are only part of it,” says Dr. Goulston, coauthor along with Diana Hendel, PharmD, of Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD(Harper Horizon, December 2020, ISBN: 978-0-7852-4462-2, $17.99). “COVID-19 has unfolded amid a backdrop of devastating political and cultural reactions as well as other factors that have coalesced in a way that’s deeply traumatizing.”
History has shown us that frontline workers may suffer from post-traumatic stress following a deadly outbreak. It happened following the SARS and Ebola epidemics, and early research shows it is happening with COVID-19 as well. Why Cope When You Can Heal? takes an empathetic, informed approach that helps people navigate traumatic stress and PTSD, process their experiences, and heal from the inside out.
“Traumatic stress is different from routine stress,” notes Dr. Hendel. “Stress is temporary. We can build the resilience to endure it. But trauma threatens our sense of safety and changes how we see the world. It can create long-lasting harm—and it must be approached in a different way from stress.”
The first step is understanding why this pandemic and the conditions surrounding it have proven to be so devastating. Drs. Goulston and Hendel list some of the factors that add up to a perfect storm for trauma and PTSD:
STORM FACTOR 1: It all happened so quickly. Reports of a pneumonia-like virus in Wuhan, China, began circulating in December 2019. The virus spread across the globe like wildfire, and by March 26, the U.S. had the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the world, with at least 81,321 infections and over 1,000 deaths.1 This was just the beginning of the surge in the U.S. A massive nationwide effort to “flatten the curve” went into effect. Nonessential businesses closed, and office workers set up shop at home. Education went online. Churches closed. Every aspect of normal life changed drastically…and it happened shockingly fast.
STORM FACTOR 2: Healthcare workers have faced (and continue to brace for) wartime conditions. Many have seen and done things that have scarred them for life. At the beginning, doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other healthcare workers braced for a massive influx of sick patients. Hospital leaders launched government-recommended, stringent infection control protocols as they went into “surge” mode, setting up triage tents and dedicating floors and wings for coronavirus patients. And they prepared for the grim likelihood that a shortage of beds and ICU equipment would force them to make impossible life-and-death decisions. Surge mode continues in current hot spots today, and healthcare workers everywhere are either bracing for either a resurgence or anticipating that they will become the next hot spot.
STORM FACTOR 3: Workday realities are harsh and upsetting. Healthcare workers experience intense, overwhelming, and unforgettable moments on the job. They face moral injury when having to make impossible life-or-death decisions. They grieve for patients who die alone with no soothing human touch, and comfort family members who must say goodbye via video screen (if at all). Plus, many healthcare workers must isolate from families, or if they must continue living at home, they must go to extreme measures to stop the spread of the virus and constantly worry that exposure could happen at any moment.
STORM FACTOR 4:Their own lives are at risk. While healthcare workers have been busy caring for their patients, they have been getting infected themselves. As of June 2020, nearly 600 healthcare workers had died.2 By September 2020, the latest report by one of the largest nurses unions, National Nurses United (NNU), has that number at more than 1,700.3
STORM FACTOR 5: They are running on fumes. Healthcare professionals work long shifts that they compare to living nightmares. They post photos of their exhausted faces marked by red and purple bruises caused by their PPE. Many have been working 24-hour shifts so they can make fewer trips home and lower the risk of passing the virus on to family members and other citizens. But what’s more, they don’t have time to hit pause—the need for healthcare workers is too great—and the shortage of available healthcare workers continues to grow. This means they don’t have the time or ability to pause, reflect, and process the crisis that continues grinding away at them.
STORM FACTOR 6: They have received a distressing lack of national and united support.From supply-chain issues, to clear and concise guidelines, to messaging and instructions to the public, there has been a lack of a cohesive plan for the country. Unfortunately, healthcare leaders and workers must do their incredibly difficult jobs inside a healthcare system that is often disjointed and fragmented and part of a deeply divided nation wracked by strife. And in the early days of the pandemic, America’s lack of readiness equated to equipment shortages of virus tests, ventilators, and PPE.
STORM FACTOR 7: The just-get-over-it culture in America AND in healthcare make matters worse. America’s just-get-over-it culture has created a double whammy for healthcare providers in terms of trauma. Exhibit A: the big push to quickly reopen the country and the divisiveness that has only intensified over the course of 2020. As more and more businesses reopened (too soon, in the eyes of many experts), the virus surged in many places. As a result, healthcare workers have gotten little relief from their workload and its heavy psychological toll.
Meanwhile, healthcare has its own version of the just-get-over-it culture. In some settings, workers are expected to buck up, figure it out, get it done with the equipment they have, and move on to the next patient. Trying to navigate a pandemic in such a culture (where burnout is already rife) is pushing workers to the breaking point.
It’s clear health workers need help. And while there are no clear or easy solutions, providing healing tools and plenty of empathetic support can go a long way, says Dr. Goulston.
“It’s imperative that symptoms that arise in the face of this trauma are not ignored, downplayed, or dismissed and that the stigma of PTSD is not perpetuated because of lack of knowledge or unwillingness to learn,” he says.
“With good leadership in healthcare, PTSD can be treated and managed,” adds Dr. Hendel. “We owe it to healthcare professionals to give them the tools and support they need to heal from the trauma they have faced and continue to face every day. We owe it to the patients they serve. And we owe it to the future of the healthcare industry, our nation, and our world.”
Dr. Mark Goulston is the coauthor of Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020) and Trauma to Triumph: A Roadmap for Leading Through Disruption and Thriving on the Other Side (HarperCollins Leadership, Spring 2021). He is a board-certified psychiatrist, fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, former assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA NPI, and a former FBI and police hostage negotiation trainer. He is the creator of Theory Y Executive Coaching—which he provides to CEOs, presidents, founders, and entrepreneurs—and is a TEDx and international keynote speaker.
He is the creator and developer of Surgical Empathy, a process to help people recover and heal from PTSD, prevent suicide in teenagers and young adults, and help organizations overcome implicit bias.
Dr. Goulston is the author or principal author of seven prior books, including PTSD for Dummies, Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior, Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone, Real Influence: Persuade Without Pushing and Gain Without Giving In,and Talking to Crazy: How to Deal with the Irrational and Impossible People in Your Life. He hosts the My Wakeup Call podcast, where he speaks with influencers about their purpose in life and the wakeup calls that led them there. He also is the co-creator and moderator of the multi-honored documentary Stay Alive: An Intimate Conversation About Suicide Prevention.
He appears frequently as a human psychology and behavior subject-area expert across all media, including news outlets ABC, NBC, CBS, and BBC News, as well as CNN, Today, Oprah, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune, Harvard Business Review, Business Insider, Fast Company, Huffington Post, and Westwood One. He was also featured in the PBS special “Just Listen.”
Diana Hendel, PharmD
Dr. Diana Hendel is the coauthor of Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020) and Trauma to Triumph: A Roadmap for Leading Through Disruption and Thriving on the Other Side (HarperCollins Leadership, Spring 2021). She is an executive coach and leadership consultant, former hospital CEO, and author of Responsible: A Memoir, a riveting and deeply personal account of leading during and through the aftermath of a deadly workplace trauma.
As the CEO of Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital, Hendel led one of the largest acute care, trauma, and teaching hospital complexes on the West Coast. She has served in leadership roles in numerous community organizations and professional associations, including chair of the California Children’s Hospital Association, executive committee member of the Hospital Association of Southern California, vice chair of the Southern California Leadership Council, chair of the Greater Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, board member of the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and leader-in-residence of the Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership at California State University Long Beach.
She earned a BS in biological sciences from UC Irvine and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from UC San Francisco. She has spoken about healthcare and leadership at regional and national conferences and at TEDx SoCal on the topic of “Childhood Obesity: Small Steps, Big Change.”
About the Book:
Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020, ISBN: 978-0-7852-4462-2, $17.99) is available in bookstores nationwide and from major online booksellers.
Canadian pilot study suggests prescription icosapent ethyl (VASCEPA®) might improve symptoms of COVID-19 and reduce inflammation
TORONTO, ON, Dec. 14, 2020 /CNW/ - The results of a Canadian study released this weekend provides encouraging data suggesting that the prescription strength omega-3 called icosapent ethyl (VASCEPA) may reduce inflammation and improve symptoms in patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19.
"This study provides the first evidence of an early anti-inflammatory effect of icosapent ethyl in symptomatic COVID-19 positive outpatients – who represent the majority of patients affected by this disease in the community", said Professor Deepak L. Bhatt, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
The study was conducted by The Canadian Medical and Surgical Knowledge Translation Research Group through an investigator-initiated grant from HLS Therapeutics and Amarin Pharmaceuticals. The study was presented by Professor Bhatt as a Late-Breaking Clinical Trial on December 12th at the National Lipid Association Conference.
"The large and significant improvement in patient-reported symptoms may provide a safe, well-tolerated, and relatively inexpensive option to impact upon COVID-19 related morbidity, though this finding should be confirmed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial," said Dr. Bhatt, during his presentation.
About the Study
The Health Canada approved study was conducted by The Canadian Medical & Surgical Knowledge Translation Research Group.
100 Canadian COVID-19 positive patients in the community were recruited through their family physicians. They had all been diagnosed as COVID-19 positive in the preceding 3 days. Patients were randomized to receive either VASCEPA or usual care (no treatment) in an open label study. VASCEPA, a highly purified omega-3 fatty acid available by prescription, was given at a dose of 8 grams daily for 3 days and then 4 grams daily for 11 days (total treatment 2 weeks).
Treatment with VASCEPA led to a 25% reduction in the inflammatory biomarker, high sensitivity C-Reactive protein (CRP), which was statistically significant. Treatment with VASCEPA also improved overall symptoms. At the end of the 14-day treatment period, the prevalence of FLU-PRO symptoms was significantly reduced from 100% (at baseline) to 48% - indicating a 52% reduction in symptoms compared to 24% in the untreated patients. The FLU-PRO score is a validated patient-reported outcome measure to evaluate the presence, severity and duration of flu symptoms. Treatment was well tolerated with no major side effects.
There were other, potentially significant benefits of VASCEPA noted with respect to the domains of body/systemic symptoms and chest/respiratory symptoms as assessed by FLU-PRO scores.
"For the vast majority of patients in my practice that are diagnosed with COVID-19 who have mild to moderate symptoms, this could provide a safe and potentially effective approach to consider" said Dr. Gus Meglis, a family physician and member of the steering committee who was involved in the study. Dr. Arthur Kushner, a family physician and steering committee member found the results to be "important" and that they could offer an option for the many patients in the community.
"These exciting results should be studied in a larger number of patients in a double-blind randomized fashion – and studies of this nature such as PREPARE-IT 1 and PREPARE-IT 2 are currently ongoing with VASCEPA," said Dr. Subodh Verma, a co-investigator of the study.
About the Canadian Medical and Surgical Knowledge Translation Research Group The Canadian Medical & Surgical Knowledge Translation Research Group is a federally incorporated not-for-profit academic physician research organization. Vascepa is not indicated for the treatment of COVID-19.
SOURCE Canadian Medical & Surgical Knowledge Translation Research Group
Arthritis patients see need for mental healthcare
VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 14, 2020 /CNW/ - A new Arthritis Research Canada study reveals individuals with arthritis have an increased perceived need for mental healthcare in comparison to the general population.
The findings specifically revealed that, among individuals with a mental disorder, arthritis is associated with 71 per cent higher odds of having a perceived need for mental healthcare, but a similar odds of receiving support for their mental disorders.
"The need for mental healthcare and the probability of receiving various forms of mental health support in individuals with arthritis are underappreciated," said Alyssa Howren, a research trainee at Arthritis Research Canada. "This is problematic, given the significant burden of mental disorders in people with arthritis."
Despite that burden, there is limited research on how arthritis independently affects an individual's perceived need and use of mental healthcare in the form of medications, professional services, and non-professional support for emotions, mental health or substance use, as compared to those without arthritis.
"This type of research is key to improving quality of care for individuals with arthritis who are struggling with their mental health," Howren said. "It will also help us explore the use of mental health support beyond medications, to include psychological treatment, online therapy, self-help groups, and informal support from friends or family."
The study showed that men with arthritis, in particular, had 2.69 times higher odds than men without arthritis in sensing a need for care.
"The potential role of traditional masculine norms in symptom recognition and healthcare seeking for mental disorders highlight additional opportunities for improving mental health in individuals with arthritis," Howren added.
To read the full research article, please click here.
* This research was co-supervised by Arthritis Research Canada's Drs. Mary De Vera and Antonio Aviña-Zubieta, co-authored by Arthritis Research Canada's Drs. Deborah Da Costa and Hui Xie and the University of British Columbia's Dr. Joseph Puyat, and funded by the Arthritis Society (SOG-18-0192).
ABOUT ARTHRITIS RESEARCH CANADA:Arthritis Research Canada is the largest clinical arthritis research institution in North America. Our mission is to transform the lives of people living with arthritis through research and engagement. Arthritis Research Canada's scientific director, Dr. Diane Lacaille is leading a team of over 100 researchers, trainees and staff whose world recognized research is creating a future where people living with arthritis are empowered to triumph over pain and disability. Arthritis Research Canada is conducting research across Canada in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec and is affiliated with five major universities: University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Calgary, Université Laval, and McGill University. Arthritis Research Canada is leading research aimed at arthritis prevention, early diagnosis, new and better treatment, and improved quality of life.
SOURCE Arthritis Research Canada
4 Supplements That Can Increase the Effectiveness of Your Exercise Routine
When you're trying to lose weight, build muscle or just improve your overall physical fitness, it's important to give yourself every advantage you can. One of the best ways to give yourself an edge in your workouts is to follow a good supplementation routine. Here are four of the top supplements that can increase the effectiveness of your exercise routine.
Fish Oil
One of the longtime staples of the health and wellness world, fish oil is a good all-around supplement for your entire body. In addition to its better-known benefits, though, fish oil can also help reduce muscle soreness and inflammation after intense workouts. This allows you to more easily return to the gym the next day and continue your routine without dealing with aching muscles.
Supplemental Protein
Depending on your current diet, it may be necessary to add supplemental protein to support your muscle growth. Protein powders are inexpensive and easy to use, making them a good choice if you're on the go. Adding protein is especially important if you're following a vegetarian or vegan diet, as you may not be getting enough protein from your regular food intake to support optimum muscle development. Be careful if you're already eating a high-protein diet, though, as too much protein can have long-term health consequences.
Canned Oxygen
As strange as it may sound,pure canned oxygen can be a lifesaver when it comes to workout recovery. Breathing in pure oxygen helps to replenish the oxygen lost during heavy exercise, giving you a quick boost and helping your muscles to recover faster. Oxygen can be particularly helpful after intense aerobic exercise.
L-carnitine
L-carnitine is arelative of the B vitamins that is essential in facilitating fat metabolism. This supplement can help to improve muscle development and speed up fat loss. If you want to get into better overall shape, an l-carnitine supplement is a good choice. Many people choose this supplement as part of a pre-workout stack, though it can be taken at any time of the day.
Using these four supplements, you can make your workouts better and more effective. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that supplementation is a replacement for a good workout routine, though. Although supplements can give you an edge in the gym, you'll still need to work hard and be consistent with your exercise program to see results.
Bounce back stronger in 2021 Small things you can do right now to make the new year better from the start.
Let’s face it, 2020 was tough. But we learned some things that can make life better in 2021. Most importantly, we learned how vital it is to take care of our mental and physical health to equip us to tackle life’s challenges.
Research shows Canadians have become even more sedentary and isolated than before because of pandemic restrictions. Abby Johnson-Bertran, team and performance specialist with GoodLife Fitness, says the first step to a better 2021 is to get moving, and the holiday season is a perfect time to do it. Johnson-Bertran suggests ways to bounce off the couch and into the new year, stronger than ever.
Fight the sedentary. Even if you’re making time for regular exercise, you’re likely still less active right now because of public health restrictions. Shortly after the pandemic started, a global study found a 27.3% mean decrease in daily steps on wearable devices. Johnson-Bertran suggests little things can make a difference -- stand up during meetings, get outside more, walk to the store instead of driving, and definitely build in some time for regular workouts. Moving more helps boost energy, improves posture and keeps us alert and mentally sharp.
Just start. The longer we’re stuck in pandemic lockdown, the less motivated many of us are to do things like exercise, cook healthy meals, spend time reading a good book or just decompress. Sometimes, you need to stop thinking about it and just start. Leave your workout clothes beside your bed so you’ll put them on and do your workout, find some recipes you want to try, stop doing other things and make time to focus on taking care of yourself.
Set goals and make a plan. Keep your goals manageable, especially when it comes to fitness. Set aside some time for regular physical activity and make sure you work with your natural tendencies. If you don’t like going outside when it’s dark, try a lunchtime walk or run. If you’re more inclined to skip your workout once the day is underway, do it in the morning when you first wake up.
Get help from the experts. Often people don’t exercise regularly because they just don’t know what to do. There are lots of experts available to help you figure out fitness, including live and on-demand online fitness classes for all interests and levels of endurance and experience, as well as pre-set workout programs you can do on your own.
Connect with a community. If you’re feeling isolated, look for ways to join others online or in a safe way outside. Take part in an online (or in-person depending where you are) boot camp or group fitness class. Connect with your friends via videoconference and dance, play a game, or cook a recipe. Or invite one of your family members to do the workout with you. Sharing an experience with others helps you feel more connected and motivated.
Keep going. It takes consistent behaviour and regular rewards to form a habit. With extra restrictions on social activities, you may actually have the time to get started with daily healthy behaviours. Use the extra time at home to try out some fitness classes, do some bodyweight exercises, or just get out and run or walk, then be sure to reward yourself. You earned it.
Abby Johnson-Bertran is available to suggest more small things you can do to build your physical and mental resilience and bounce back stronger in 2021. She can demonstrate quick, equipment-free moves that can be done anywhere during the holidays to burn stress, build motivation and confidence and prepare yourself for the year to come.
Can Your Employer Punish You for Traveling During the Holidays?
H.R. expert discusses employers’ rights and responsibilities this holiday season
Chicago, IL. Many employees were asked to sign waivers promising their employers that they would not travel or attend mass gatherings this Thanksgiving season. As we head into another round of holidays, it is expected that even more employers will ask employees to refrain from traveling or gathering with their families. But do employers have this right, and to what extent can companies enforce these COVID-19 policies?
“Yes, employers have the right to ask employees not to travel, and to even formally discipline if they do so,” says Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA and human resources expert. “For example, we have seen cases in which a worker has posted examples of their risky behavior on social media, such as going to a bar and not wearing a mask, or having a large party with friends indoors. When this is brought to employers’ attention, they have the right and even the responsibility to discuss this problematic issue with the employee and cut the worker’s hours or take them off the schedule until they are proven virus-free.”
This will be happening a lot as we get deeper in the holiday season, says Wilson, and employers should become well-versed on how to handle employees who boldly refuse to limit their social interactions.
“The first step is to ensure that your workers know your expectations. Send out an email or host a company-wide Zoom meeting in which you outline the CDC’s guidelines for the holidays, such as avoiding travel, not having large parties, and being cautious while shopping. You can ask your employees to sign a waiver acknowledging that they have been made aware of these guidelines, and you can set protocols that will enforce quarantine proceedings for any workers who choose to travel or gather with their extended families despite the warnings.”
For example, says Wilson, you can require all employees to quarantine for 2 weeks after the holidays if they travel, and not to return to the office until they have been given a negative COVID result.
“You don’t have to pay hourly employees for this time. If they choose to travel, they are making the choice to lose their place on the schedule,” says Wilson. “Salary workers could be required to use their vacation and sick days to make up for this time off.”
Wilson advises employers to be judicious when it comes to handling religious concerns around the holidays.
“As an employer you have the right to require a safe workplace for your staff, but be careful when handling issues like church and temple, as many people go to places of worship during the holiday season,” says Wilson. “Urge your workers to wear masks whenever they’re indoors and to practice social distancing, but remember this is a time of both cultural and religious significance for many people.”
Wilson also says that it’s better to lead with a carrot rather than a stick when it comes to encouraging safe behavior during the holidays.
“Rather than putting all of your energy into punishing employees who step out of line, reward workers who make smart choices and incentivize staying home by giving employees gift cards to InstaCart or DoorDash,” says Wilson.
Specialist centre generates state of the art research to advance the digital health agenda
11 December 2020 Dr Liz Breen from the University of Bradford has been named as the new director of the campus-based Digital Health Enterprise Zone (DHEZ).The facility, which is currently used to conduct Phase 3 trials of the Novovax covid-19 vaccine, houses state-of-the-art health facilities, business incubation space, research and teaching facilities.Dr Breen, an expert in Supply Chain Management and a Reader in the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences in the Faculty of Life Sciences, whose recent articles on the current Covid 19 vaccines cold supply chain gained international coverage, said there was huge potential to use the DHEZ in partnership with outside companies and explore new ways of forging closer community ties.She said: “We have this opportunity to be forward thinking in our research and teaching agendas.“Research conducted within the DHEZ, such as the Stage 3 Novovax vaccine trials, shows the calibre of our facilities and our reputation for excellent research. The DHEZ is a multi-functional innovation facility which aims to undertake state of the art research to benefit our local community. Through this facility we can inspire new teaching methods in relation to digital health, simulation experiences for students, offer testbeds for our researchers and present a warm and inviting space for our communities and patients accessing our onsite services.”Dr Breen said she also wanted to see the DHEZ’s facilities used in partnership with outside companies and to explore new ways of working with the local community. She added: “My role as director is to have those conversations within and external to our university to create teams to deliver pioneering research. We aim to respond to healthcare needs within Bradford and surrounding communities, working with our healthcare partners and patients to make healthcare services better for all. In doing so we can determine how digital solutions fit with community needs.”Part of the DHEZ is equipped with a simulated home environment which can be used for behavioural research and deployment of innovative technologies, as well as to train healthcare professionals. “We can use our facilities to predict what skills students will need in the future, get ahead of the curve and equip our students with those skills”.“Our students are the future generation of healthcare professionals and we aim to train them to be both capable and confident in doing their roles. A simple thing such as visiting a patient within their home can be daunting for a student. This visit can be simulated within the DHEZ Technology House and observed for training and development purposes, to build student confidence in undertaking this activity” “We have some lovely resources which we can use to deliver outputs which benefit our students, researchers and our community.”DHEZ is part of a £13m partnership led by the University of Bradford and the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, with £3.5m of funding from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership has supported DHEZ from the outset as the regional hub for digital health innovation.
Pictures: Dr Liz Breen, from the University of Bradford. Credit: University of Bradford.
adMare BioInnovations Welcomes the First Quebec Start-Ups in its Accelerate Program
adMare today unveiled the six companies selected under its new acceleration program supported by the Quebec Governmentand the City of Montreal.
MONTREAL, Dec. 10, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - adMare BioInnovations, Canada's global life sciences venture, is proud to announce the start-ups selected to join its new acceleration program for Quebec emerging companies. The Accelerate Program is designed to address a fundamental pillar of adMare's Mission: to support the scale-up of promising life sciences companies, and help them grow into new anchors for the industry.
With some 20 applications received, the Selection Committee, composed of representatives of leading organizations in the sector, such as Amplitude Ventures and the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, selected six Quebec start-up companies in the fields of therapeutic development and digital health.
The selected companies are:
Cura Therapeutics is developing innovative immunotherapies to cure cancer and infectious diseases. Their technologies harness cytokines to create multi-functional proteins with potent anti-cancer and antiviral properties;
In Vivo AI is an interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers out of Mila - Quebec AI institute developing new machine learning technologies for molecular design and optimization;
Modelis is accelerating drug discovery for rare genetic diseases;
Molecular Forecaster is a reliable, self-sustaining computational chemistry service provider, developing its own software for application in various drug discovery campaigns.
Targa Biomedical is a biotechnology company developing pharmacological assets optimizing the manufacturing quality and clinical impact of cell therapy and increasing opportunities for life-saving organ transplantation;
Trepso Therapeutics is developing novel therapeutics to reverse the structural deterioration associated with degenerative disc and articular joint diseases, such as osteoarthritis, and to reduce the associated pain and inflammation;
Thanks to contributions from the Government of Quebec, through Start-Up Quebec funding from the Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation, and the City of Montreal, the selected companies will benefit from $150,000 in customized access to adMare resources, such as laboratories and offices at reduced rates, scientific and business support, and training. With the support of our strategic partners BIOQuébec and Montréal InVivo, the participants will also access unique networking and mentoring opportunities, and increase their visibility in Quebec's life sciences community.
Gordon C. McCauley, President and Chief Executive Officer of adMare said, "adMare is very proud to be playing an integral role in the economic recovery and economic growth in Quebec and across Canada. The excitement generated by our Accelerate Program demonstrates the clear need start-up companies have in accessing specialized and dedicated infrastructure, expertise, and capital to amplify their growth."
"Thanks to the new adMare BioInnovations program, the six selected start-ups will have access to state-of-the-art infrastructure, while benefiting from advice and support in various domains related to life sciences. These promising companies will thus be able to better structure themselves, become more mature, and even more attractive to investors. Ultimately, the entire life sciences and health technology sector will benefit from the scientific breakthroughs advanced by this program," emphasized Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy and Innovation.
"We are happy to support this initiative aligned with a key piece of our strategic mission: Enabling the development and growth of companies in the life sciences sector," added Frank Béraud, Chief Executive Officer of Montréal InVivo. "Montréal InVivo has long believed in coaching entrepreneurs, and adMare BioInnovations' Accelerate Program will provide these promising companies with invaluable specialized support when they need it most – in the members start-up phase. The Accelerate Program will give these start-ups a chance to take off and participate in the growth of the life sciences and health technology sector and Quebec's economic recovery."
Anie Perrault, Executive Manager of BIOQuébec remarked, "BIOQuébec congratulates the six young companies selected, and is proud to welcome them as of our organization. We are pleased to offer them the services and privileges that come with this membership to support their growth. We look forward to getting to know them better this evening at our Holiday Networking Cocktail, which will bring together 180 key players in the life sciences sector."
About adMare BioInnovations adMare BioInnovations is Canada's global life sciences venture, building the Canadian life sciences industry from sea to sea. We do this by sourcing therapeutically and commercially promising research from leading academic and biotech partners to create new companies of scale, providing specialized expertise, infrastructure, and capital to help existing companies scale up, and driving the growth of those companies into Canadian anchors by training the next generation of highly qualified personnel. adMare's ~20 portfolio companies have attracted more than $1.15B of investment, and have a combined worth of over $2.3B. For more information, visit admarebio.com or contact info@admarebio.com.
SOURCE adMare BioInnovations
BECOMING A DOCTORS’ DOCTORNew Memoir by Michael F. Myers, MD, Lays Bare theMental Health Challenges of Physicians, Highlighting the Importance of Psychological Treatment for the Medical Community
Michael F. Myers, MD has devoted his life to the mental health of fellow physicians, having cared for hundreds of physician-patients and authored multiple books. In his new memoir, BECOMING A DOCTORS’ DOCTOR, Dr. Myers offers an insider’s look at the struggles doctors face as they shoulder the social and emotional costs of serving the community, and highlights the importance of mental health treatment for medical professionals. At the same time, he offers insight and hope to anyone coping with depression in themselves or in their loved ones.
Research estimates that roughly one quarter to a third of medical students develop symptoms of depression, including suicidal thinking. Moreover, practicing physicians have higher rates of depression than the general population. “Given the stigma in medicine associated with psychiatric illness and how hard it is to trust others, including psychiatrists, with what’s happening to you, many ailing medical students and most physicians are careful or strategic about whom they consult,” explains Dr. Myers. At the same time, when one is depressed, it can be difficult to reach out for professional help. “You feel vulnerable, frightened and unworthy, and you’re often sensitive to rejection or what you might misperceive as rejection,” he writes.
Dr. Myers’ interest in helping fellow doctors began when his roommate died by suicide during their first year of medical school. That was the start of his thirty-five-year career counseling both individual physicians and doctor-couples, and developing a deep understanding of the challenges these professionals face.
In BECOMING A DOCTORS’ DOCTOR, the author details his journey with authenticity and transparency, discussing his personal experiences and sharing vignettes of treating doctors for depression, bipolar disorder, alcoholism and more, as well as helping them to manage loss – of patients, relationships, and family members. In addition, he devotes a chapter to the AIDS crisis – when doctors faced enormous losses of patients along with the risk of infection themselves, not unlike the current Covid-19 crisis. Dr. Myers also addresses the painfully difficult subject of suicide, offering a unique understanding of those who see it as a reasonable avenue out of their pain.
Throughout, the book sheds light on the institution of medicine itself – and how it has evolved when it comes to expectations regarding doctors’ mental health, as well as in regard to such issues as gender and sexual identity. “As a doctors’ doctor I have spent decades listening to chilling and heartbreaking accounts of how shunned or judged my patients have felt by their peers and the institutional rules of the profession of medicine. Those of us who treat physicians have a moral responsibility to do everything in our power to fight these destructive forces by educating, advocating and working for policy change,” writes Dr. Myers.
Engaging and compulsively readable, BECOMING A DOCTORS’ DOCTOR shines a light on a subject that is little discussed. “Physicians are no different than other people. They too are subject to life’s challenges and curveballs,” attests Dr. Myers. By understanding what doctors are facing, we can better understand ourselves – and offer the support medical professionals need to be the best caregivers they can be.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DR. MICHAEL F. MYERS, author of BECOMING A DOCTOR’S DOCTOR, is Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and recent past Vice-Chair of Education and Director of Training in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at SUNY-Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, NY. He is the author or co-author of eight other books, including Why Physicians Die By Suicide, The Handbook of Physician Health and Doctors’ Marriages. His publications also include more than 150 articles covering such topics as marital therapy, men and reproductive technology, divorce, sexual assault of women and men, AIDS, the stigma of psychiatric illness, gender issues in training and medical practice, the treatment of medical students and physicians, boundary crossing in the doctor-patient relationship, and ethics in medical education and suicide. He has received multiple awards for excellence in teaching, and has served on the editorial boards of several medical journals. Along with his continuing clinical research, teaching and outreach in the field of suicide, Dr. Myers is a recent past President of the New York City Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Dr. Myers lectures widely throughout North America and beyond on these subjects.
It’s no secret that healthcare workers are struggling with high levels of exhaustion and traumatic stress (thanks, 2020). Now more than ever it’s important for them to try tactics that alleviate anxiety and help them develop resilience. These exercises from Drs. Mark Goulston and Diana Hendel, coauthors of Why Cope When You Can Heal? will help all healthcare workers relieve stress and avoid burnout. Give these powerful exercises a try today.
Grounding Exercise
Grounding is a great way to reduce anxiety and arrive in the here and now. Do it morning and evening as a way to begin and end the day. (It’s also a good way to recenter yourself when you feel triggered by upsetting memories or flashbacks.) When used daily, grounding will help you remain centered, grateful, and in touch with your calling to care for others. Here is a simple grounding exercise to try.
• Find a comfortable place to sit. A comfortable sofa or chair works best. • Rest your hands on the arms of the chair or, if the chair has no arms, place them on your legs. Feel the fabric of the chair or your clothing. Notice its color and texture. • Next, bring your awareness to your body. Stretch your neck from side to side. Relax your shoulders. Tense and relax your calves. Stomp your feet. • Look around and notice the sights, sounds, and scents around you for a few moments. • Name fifteen to twenty things you can see. For example, your phone, a lamp, a glass of water, or the carpet. • As you keep looking around, remind yourself that “The flashback or emotion I felt is in the past. Right now, in this moment, I’m safe.”
Distress Relief Exercise for COVID-Related “Triggers”
This distress relief exercise is a wonderful tool that you can use over and over to recognize your feelings and your reactions to your feelings anytime an upset (no matter how large or small) occurs. This tool is particularly useful when you feel triggered by anything that reminds you of the traumas of COVID-19, be it the noise of sirens, a COVID-related news story, the memory of a patient who died, etc. When a trigger occurs, mentally walk yourself through the steps listed below. You can also record your responses in a journal if you wish.
• Date/Time: ________ / _________ • What just happened? • What did you think when it happened? • What did you feel when it happened? • What does it make you want to do now? • Take a deep breath. • What would be a better thing to do now? • Why is that better?
The 12 Words Exercise
This exercise is a powerful tool for tapping into your feelings. It can be done on your own, in therapy with your practitioner, or as part of a group exercise. If alone, imagine a trusted friend or loved one gently and empathetically guiding you through the exercise. If in a group, the moderator can lead the exercise by speaking each word to the group, or to a single individual in the group. You don’t have to cover all the words at once. You can focus on just one or two words, take a break, and start on a new word later.
STEP 1: Read the following words out loud: Anxious, Afraid, Overwhelmed, Fragile, Depressed, Frustrated, Angry, Ashamed, Alone, Lonely, Exhausted, Numb. STEP 2: Pick one of these words that most captures what you’re feeling when you’re greatly stressed and then focus on it. STEP 3: Imagine feeling this feeling at its worst. STEP 4: What does this feeling make you want to impulsively do? STEP 5: Imagine saying what you want to do to a person who loves you, and picture them smiling with love and compassion and saying back to you, “I understand.” STEP 6: Imagine feeling their love taking some of the pain away. STEP 7: Imagine them asking you, “What would be a better thing to do?”
Add these exercises to your wellness toolkit today. They will help you maintain good mental and emotional health when you need it most.
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Abby Johnson-Bertran is available to suggest more small things you can do to build your physical and mental resilience and bounce back stronger in 2021. She can demonstrate quick, equipment-free moves that can be done anywhere during the holidays to burn stress, build motivation and confidence and prepare yourself for the year to come.
