Ontario's doctors' plans for delivering COVID vaccine more urgent in face of record 2,275 daily cases
TORONTO, Dec. 15, 2020 /CNW/ - Ontario's doctors expressed concern that a record 2,275 Ontarians have tested positive for COVID-19 in one day and call on the government to ensure that initial limited supplies of the vaccine are given to those most at risk of being exposed to the virus.
In addition to health-care workers and people who live and work in long-term care homes, the government needs to use real-time data to track geographic areas where the virus is spreading fast and give priority to their residents.
The Ontario Medical Association today released Shining a Light at the End of the Tunnel, a comprehensive set of recommendations to ensure as many people as possible get vaccinated.
Dr. Samantha Hill, president of the Ontario Medical Association, assured Ontarians that the COVID vaccines are safe and that getting vaccinated is one of the most important things they can do to protect themselves and others.
Until a large number of people are vaccinated, it's important to continue to practice good hygiene, including physical distancing, wearing a mask and frequent hand washing, Dr. Hill said.
The new OMA white paper also recommends:
Administering vaccines in convenient locations — such as hospitals for health-care workers, schools for staff and students and mobile vans for people unable to leave their homes.
Moving quickly to book arenas, convention centres and other large indoor and outdoor spaces with cold storage facilities and parking facilities or access to public transportation, as part of government's plans to prepare for possible mass vaccination clinics.
Planning should begin now in anticipation of an approved vaccine for children under 16.
Undertaking an education campaign to combat vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
Enabling the use of smart phones to make appointments to get the COVID vaccine and receive reminders if they need a booster shot. The smart phone system should align with each type of vaccination, advise primary care physicians when their patents get each dose and provide consent and other information and forms.
Developing security precautions to ensure vaccines are not stolen and to shut down criminal behaviour around the falsification or illegal advertising of vaccines, including fake websites, scams and false cures.
"The arrival of the first in what are expected to be a series of different COVID vaccines is an exciting development in what we all hope will be a return to a 'new normal' in 2021," said OMA CEO Allan O'Dette. "Until vaccines are broadly available, we must continue to follow the advice or our public health doctors to protect ourselves and each other. This is how we get our economy back on track."
About the OMA
The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario's 43,000-plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario's health-care system.
SOURCE Ontario Medical Association
CSACI Statement on potential adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines
OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 15, 2020 /CNW/ - The Canadian Society of Allergy & Clinical Immunology (CSACI) is aware of media reports of two healthcare workers at the National Health Services in the United Kingdom (UK) who experienced adverse reactions on December 8, 2020 after receiving the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19. This is the same vaccine that was approved for use in Canada on December 9, 2020. Subsequent to the UK reports, Public Health England in the UK made initial broad cautionary recommendations.
The CSACI is the largest national professional medical specialty organization representing Canadian physicians with special expertise in allergy and immunology and who are the preeminent experts in the diagnosis and management of allergic conditions, including vaccine allergy. The CSACI recognizes that the reports from the UK, along with the subsequent general recommendations, will undoubtedly and unfortunately lead to vaccine hesitancy. The CSACI would like to emphasize that the majority of individuals with a history of allergy will be able to safely receive vaccination for COVID-19.
The safety data in the clinical trials for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19 did not find a significant number of anaphylaxis events. As with any vaccine, the potential for adverse reactions, including allergic reactions, exists.
The NACI (National Advisory Committee on Immunization) has specifically identified polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a potential allergen in the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine; however, the CSACI would like to point out that as of this date, PEG has not been confirmed as the cause of reaction for the reported adverse reactions in the UK. PEG is found in multiple products that are tolerated safely on a daily basis by many individuals in Canada, including bowel preparation products for surgical procedures, certain laxatives and other medications, certain skin care products and cosmetics, and some food and drinks. In addition, although allergy to PEG has been reported, it is reassuring to note that no cases of anaphylaxis to PEG in foods and drinks have been reported.
As such, the CSACI would like to commend Health Canada's prudent advice regarding the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19, stating that ONLY those with known "…allergies to any of the ingredients in the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID 19 vaccine should not receive it…". Health Canada further recommends that individuals "who have experienced a serious allergic reaction to another vaccine, drug or food, …should talk to [their] health professional before [they] receive the vaccine".
The CSACI would like to reassure our fellow Canadians that unless one has a pre-existing allergy to a component of a vaccine, including the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, it is safe to proceed with vaccination for COVID-19. In addition, those with other allergic problems are no more likely to experience an allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine than the general population and should safely be able to receive this vaccine—this includes those with a history of serious allergic reactions or anaphylaxis to substances that are not an ingredient in this vaccine, and those with food allergy, eczema, allergic rhinitis (hayfever), asthma, or stinging insect allergy.
We continue to monitor these reports closely and will continue to update our website, www.csaci.ca, as new information arrives.
About the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (CSACI)
The CSACI is the largest national professional medical specialty organization in Canada representing physicians, allied health professionals and scientists with special expertise in the management of allergic and immunologic diseases. The Society is also dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with allergies through research, advocacy, continuing professional development and public education.
SOURCE Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology - CSACI
Loyalist College Ranks #1 For Industry Research Income as Percentage of Total Research Income
BELLEVILLE, ON, Dec. 15, 2020 /CNW/ - Loyalist College reached an institutional milestone today when it was recognized as one of Canada's top 50 research colleges. This is the first time Loyalist has ranked on Research Infosource Inc.'s annual list, placing first in the country for industry research income as a percentage of total research income and eighth for college research income growth.
"What an incredible achievement for Loyalist College, the Bay of Quinte region, and our industry partners," said Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President & CEO. "The continued growth and recognition of the College's Applied Research and Innovation Department strengthens our resolve as an institution of choice for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking analytical testing, method optimization, and product development in competitive marketplaces. This achievement reflects our deep commitment to advancing applied research in our region and contributing to a skilled Biosciences workforce to fuel economic growth, entrepreneurialism, and innovation."
Loyalist's Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis houses Canada's only federally supported Technology Access Centre for natural products and cannabis, and is a regional innovation hub for industry to access advanced instrumentation and subject-matter experts.
"Our Applied Research Centre provides student researchers with unprecedented access to work-integrated learning opportunities in a high-tech facility which broadens the range of their scientific aptitude and expands the breadth of their expertise," said Ron Byrne, Loyalist College Senior Vice-President Academic. "We directly connect Bioscience and Cannabis Applied Science students with industry so they can network with future employers and begin their careers."
The Applied Research Centre offers companies across Eastern Ontario a supportive, community-oriented platform from which to enhance their productivity, expand their reach and augment their competitiveness in the global market. In addition to income from industry partnerships, the Applied Research Centre is funded through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program, as well as the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Ontario Research Fund (ORF), and the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE).
To collaborate with Loyalist, one of Canada's top 50 research colleges, please visit loyalistappliedresearch.com.
About Loyalist College Loyalist is Ontario's Destination College, empowering students, faculty, staff, and partners through experiential, industry cluster-based education, training and applied research programs. The College provides job-ready graduates for, and knowledge transfer to, industry and the community. Of 2017-18 Loyalist graduates, 88.5 percent were employed within six months after graduation. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, the College is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Loyalist offers more than 70 full-time diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in biosciences, building sciences, business, community service, health and wellness, media studies, public safety, and skilled trades. Continuing education options are available through LoyalistFocus.com, including hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, and through the College's 100+ university transfer agreements. Loyalist is a key driver of social and economic health in eastern Ontario. It contributes 3.7 percent of the Gross Regional Product, representing $382 million annually to the regional economy – based on a March 2020 report by Emsi. For more information on Loyalist's Belleville, Bancroft and Toronto campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit YoureGoingPlaces.com.
SOURCE Loyalist College
QEII Foundation announces new chair holder in transplantation research
HALIFAX, NS, Dec. 14, 2020 /CNW/ - The QEII Foundation is pleased to announce Dr. Karthik Tennankore as the new chair holder of the QEII Foundation Endowed Chair in Transplantation Research, for a five-year term.
This Chair was first established in 2013, thanks to funding from Roche Canada, RBC, and other QEII Foundation donors, and Dr. Tennankore is the second individual to hold this Chair position.
"As a nephrologist and innovative researcher in the field of nephrology and kidney transplantation, Dr. Tennankore brings a wealth of expertise to this esteemed position," says Susan Mullin, President & CEO of the QEII Foundation. "With ongoing clinical work in kidney transplantation and a nationally-collaborative research network in place, we are confident in Dr. Tennankore's ability to make significant contributions to transplantation research and care in Nova Scotia, through this appointment."
Over the next five years, Dr. Tennankore's research will aim to improve outcomes for organ transplant patients in Nova Scotia, while increasing evidence-informed decision-making among healthcare providers in this critical area of care. Applying extensive expertise in kidney transplantation to a wide variety of organ transplant procedures, his work will focus on three core areas, including:
developing machine-learning models to identify novel risk factors and combinations of risk factors for patient outcomes after transplantation—in partnership with Dalhousie's Faculty of Computer Science;
incorporating measures of a patient's frailty into the transplant decision-making process in Nova Scotia, given new data distinguishing frailty from chronological age; and
developing behavioural interventions to increase physical activity in post-transplant patients, for improved recovery and quality of life—in partnership with colleagues in the Department of Medicine.
"An organ transplant is a gift that can be life-changing"" says Dr. Tennankore. "However, we need better models to understand each patient's unique risks and vulnerabilities, as well as better strategies to provide patients with the tools they need post-transplant, in order to derive the maximum benefit. I look forward to collaborating with experts across the country through my work in this Chair, to improve outcomes for transplant recipients in Nova Scotia and beyond."
Dr. Tennankore is a nephrologist and associate professor at Dalhousie University, in the Department of Medicine at the QEII Health Sciences Centre. He completed an undergraduate degree at Queen's University, a Medical Degree through the University of Western Ontario, and an Internal Medicine residency and Nephrology fellowship through Dalhousie University. He then completed a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology from Harvard University.
About QEII Health Sciences Centre Foundation The QEII Foundation inspires generosity to advance health care at the QEII. With financial support from all levels of the community, the QEII Foundation helps fund new technologies, medical research, innovation and professional education that contribute to life-changing moments experienced every day by patients and their loved ones. By working together with people who share a vision of better health, the Foundation strengthens care delivered at the QEII, improving the health and lives of Atlantic Canadians.
SOURCE QEII FOUNDATION
Nearly Half of U.S. Workers Say Employers Should Require COVID-19 Vaccines, New Eagle Hill Research Finds Employees Want Continued Employer Involvement in Parameters Around Masks, Social Distancing, Testing and Temperature Checks
Arlington, Va., December 14, 2020 – As the U.S. prepares to administer the coronavirus vaccine following Federal Drug Administration emergency approval last week, national research finds 49 percent of working Americans believe employers should require COVID-19 vaccines in the workplace. And even when a vaccine is in place, the vast majority of workers want employers to require or encourage masks, social distancing, COVID-19 testing and temperature checks.
These findings are contained in the 2020 Eagle Hill Consulting COVID-19 Vaccines and the Workplace Survey conducted by Ipsos from December 4 -8, 2020. The survey included 1005 respondents from a random sample of employees across the U.S. The research also finds that if employers require additional vaccinations following the initial round of inoculations, few believe employees should shoulder the cost (three percent). Instead, workers believe the federal government (38 percent), employers (25 percent), insurance providers (25 percent) or state/local government (eight percent) should pay for future required vaccinations. Also, more than half of employees (54 percent) believe that employers should pay for any required COVID-19 testing required by employers. “With COVID-19 vaccines in reach for workers, there indeed is reason to feel hopeful after a crushing year for families, businesses and the economy. But the road ahead will be complicated for employers, as our research indicates,” said Melissa Jezior, president and chief executive officer of Eagle Hill Consulting. “The workforce clearly is split on employer vaccine mandates, so it’s going to be contentious no matter where an employer lands on inoculation requirements.” Already, there are substantial concerns among Americans about a COVID-19 vaccine. And, previous Eagle Hill research indicates employees have low trust in their employers to manage through this crisis. Now, employers face many complex issues and decisions when it comes to vaccines. For example, should employers mandate vaccines before employees return to the workplace? Will employment be at risk if an employee refuses vaccination? Will certain employees be exempt? Who will pay for any future employer mandated COVID-19 testing and vaccines? “Employers must get in front of the vaccine issue today,” Jezior said. “There has never been a more crucial time for meaningful employee engagement, which could make or break organizations already struggling. It won’t be enough to just announce vaccine plans to employees. Instead, leaders are prudent to engage in conversations to understand the views of their workforce now to develop a vaccine strategy that is aligned with business goals and employee preferences.” “There isn’t a one-size-fits all approach,” Jezior added. “Different industries will have different needs, and employees clearly have differing views as evidenced by the research. And when there is meaningful employee engagement, employers may discover new approaches. For example, employee incentives rather than mandates might be more appealing to workers.” The research indicates that the level of support for compulsory workplace vaccinations varies by age and gender. Support among men is at 53 percent, and lower for women (44 percent). Younger workers are most supportive of employer mandated vaccines (62 percent), followed by Millennials (50 percent), GenX (46 percent) and Baby Boomers (46 percent). When asked about the role employers should play with COVID-19 precautions even after a vaccine is widely available, there was broad support for employer involvement. Regarding masks, 53 percent support an employer requirement and 32 percent support employers encouraging mask use. Regarding social distancing, 40 percent support an employer requirement and 45 percent support employers encouraging social distancing. Regarding personal protective equipment, 26 percent support an employer requirement and 38 percent support employers encouraging use of personal protective equipment. When it comes to requiring regular COVID-19 testing, 24 percent support employer mandates and 46 percent support employers encouraging testing. For temperature checks at the workplace, 44 percent of employees support mandates and 34 percent support employers encouraging temperature checks.
Eagle Hill Consulting LLC is a woman-owned business that provides unconventional management consulting services in the areas of Strategy & Performance, Talent, and Change. The company’s expertise in delivering innovative solutions to unique challenges spans across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, from financial services to healthcare to media & entertainment. Eagle Hill has offices in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Boston, MA and Seattle, WA. More information is available at www.eaglehillconsulting.com.
More than 115 million people took road trips to visit loved ones last holiday season. That was pre-Covid. This year, exponentially more people will be driving long distances in cars to avoid crowded airports and airplanes. There are folks who might be driving cross country or down the northeast coast and spending in excess of 10 hours in a cramped car. Even for those who don’t normally have back pain, this type of situation can cause it.
Below are some tips from NYC Area Orthopedic and Spinal Surgeon Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo on avoiding or mitigating back pain while driving this holiday season.
Get comfortable immediately
Take the time to make sure you're comfortable from the moment you set off on your trip. Discomfort at the beginning of your trip can turn into nagging pain later.
Keep your back pockets empty.
Sitting on your wallet, phone, or anything else may throw your spine out of alignment.
Mind your posture
Position your knees slightly higher than your hips, and keep your chin pulled in so that your head sits straight on top of your spine.
Sit a comfortable distance from the steering wheel.
Sit with your breastbone at least 10 inches from the steering wheel, and keeping your hands on the wheel at 9 and 3 (the sides rather than the top of the wheel). But don’t sit too far away either, which can cause you to reach too far for the wheel and places more stress on the lumbar spine, neck, shoulder, and wrists.
Shift in your seat periodically
When possible, try to move a little in your seat. Even 10 seconds of movement and stretching is preferable than sitting still. At a minimum adjust your seat and change your position slightly every 15 to 20 minutes. Pump your ankles to keep the blood flowing and provide a slight stretch in your hamstring muscles. Any movement that is safe to do in the car will help you alleviate back strain.
Make your ride as smooth as possible
Bumps in the road can jar your spine and increase pain. For a smoother ride, consider:
Aim for a Smooth Ride
Replacing worn shocks to limit the bounce in the car
Replacing worn tires to reduce vibration or shaking
Sit on a car seat pillow or coccyx cushion to provide more padding between you and the road.
Move yourself
Sitting in one position in a car will stiffen up your back muscles and can lead to achiness and possibly muscle spasms. Everyone should ideally take at least a 15-minute break for every 2 hours of driving. If you’re prone to back pain, you may want to take breaks more frequently, such as every 30 to 60 minutes.
What to do if you’re in pain
Cold therapy can help reduce inflammation and swelling. Consider bringing a cooler to store reusable ice packs or other cold therapy packs.
Heat therapy can help increase blood flow and relax the muscles. Various types of heat therapy are available to buy, such as heat wraps or heat pads.
Note about application: It is recommended to apply ice or heat for only 15 or 20 minutes at a time, then give your skin a rest to recover for at least a couple hours before the next application.
About the Doctor
Gbolahan Okubadejo, MD, FAAOS, leads The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care, with offices in the greater New York City area, as a spinal and orthopedic surgeon. Board-certified and fellowship-trained, Dr. Okubadejo specializes in the treatment of degenerative spinal disease, spinal deformity, and cervical, lumbar, and thoracic conditions.
Dr. Okubadejo earned his undergraduate degree at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. He completed his internship and orthopedic surgery residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. Okubadejo completed a spinal surgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh.
Dr. Okubadejo is a published research author and has presented his findings at several major spinal conferences around the globe. While a surgical resident, he won the Leonard Marmor Surgical Arthritis Foundation Resident Award for the best research project.
In 2017, Dr. Okubadejo formed company 360 Dynamized Core, which is focused on creating innovative, spine safe core fitness products and routines. The first patented product, 360
CoreBoard, launched to the market in 2020. Find out more at 360coreboard.com
Dr. Okubadejo believes in the power of preventive care, minimally invasive surgical procedures, open communication with patients, and personalized care. When he’s not caring for patients, he enjoys traveling, learning about different cultures and the arts, and playing golf.
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.
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These findings are contained in the 2020 Eagle Hill Consulting COVID-19 Vaccines and the Workplace Survey conducted by Ipsos from December 4 -8, 2020. The survey included 1005 respondents from a random sample of employees across the U.S.
