Insight into the Occurrence of Common Non-communicable Diseases at a Population Level and the Potential Impact During the Coronavirus Pandemic - a Need for a Syndemic Healthcare Approach?

Re-engineering the Cypriot General Healthcare System for Syndemics

To date in Cyprus, there is no dedicated “Quality Improvement” body or Public Health authority. The long-awaited general healthcare system (known as GeSy or GHS) has been completed, mid-stream of the COVID-19 pandemic. A recently proposed resilience plan in response to the lessons learnt from the pandemic was put forward by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to strengthen the capacity of the GHS and support public health defense. The negotiator of GeSy and Health Minister 2015–2018 also provided his view that the health system needs a holistic transformation of service provision. Recognizing failures and thinking from a syndemogenesis perspective how the envisioned patient-centric healthcare delivery can be achieved, we propose that the public health response could also be linked to a politico-economic one in shielding GeSy. We make such case for a syndemic strategy (simultaneous management of COVID-19 and pre-existing epidemics on the island) and the development of the five-district model where each main district hospital is to complement the activities of the GHS through developing: 1. A training Center for training and sharing of best practices for COVID-19 and other public emergencies. 2. A public health body. 3. A quality improvement institute. 4. A commissioning center on planning and streamlining healthcare services. 5. A clinical trial platform. The rationale is based on the management literature and use of existing resources and capabilities for transforming the GeSy and generating value.

A Year of COVID-19 Pandemic Roller-Coaster: The Malta Experience, Lessons Learnt, and the Future

OBJECTIVE

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a global impact. The study explores the various COVID-19 experiences in Malta over the past year and provides a snapshot of acute and post-acute COVID-19 symptoms, as well as national vaccination roll-out and hesitancy.

METHODS

Data on medical access, lifestyle habits, acute and post-acute COVID-19 symptoms, and vaccination hesitancy was gathered through a social media survey targeting adults of Malta. COVID-19 data were gathered from the Malta Ministry of Health COVID-19 dashboard.

RESULTS

Malta controlled COVID-19 spread exceptionally well initially. Since August 2020, the positivity rate, mortality, and hospital admission rates saw a fluctuating incline. From COVID-19 onset, a decrease in physical activity and an increase in body weight was reported. Most participants acquiring COVID-19 were asymptomatic but nontrivial proportion experienced post-acute symptoms. The majority opted to take the COVID-19 vaccine with only a minority expressing safety concerns.

CONCLUSIONS

Malta has experienced roller coaster events over a year. The population faced elevated levels of morbidity, mortality, and economic hardship along with negative and positive risk-associated behaviors. Vaccination in combination with population adherence to social distancing, mask wearing, and personal hygiene are expected to be the beacons of hope in the coming months.

The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Orthodontic Treatments: A Survey Analysis

Coronavirus disease 2019 represents the pandemic of the 21st century that has negatively affected the lives of the whole of humanity. For many months, the only weapons to fight against this infection were protective masks and social isolation. During recent months, fear of the virus has led people to avoid crowded environments and events, and to reduce medical checks, limiting them only to emergencies. Outpatient clinics, doctors’ offices, and all closed-in environments were required to limit the patients’ access. Nowadays, the presence of specific protocols around the world, and the extended vaccination campaign, have allowed a reduction of many restrictions. Unfortunately, the virus is still widespread, and dental practice and dental treatments suffer the consequences. Dental therapies in general, and in particular orthodontics, are not considered lifesaving. Due to this, orthodontists, in this historical time, must find solutions for motivating patients to start or continue therapies, while providing a safe way for them to do so. There are orthodontists who have developed, during this period, different ways to help them in treating and communicating with patients. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the influence of the pandemic on the choice to start orthodontic treatment, oral health care, and the importance placed on the appearance of dental occlusions. Materials and Methods: This study is a survey analysis of 159 people, which was posted in Facebook groups of adult orthodontic patients. The timestamps and answers of responses were analyzed to avoid duplicated or interrupted questionnaires. Conclusions: This study found that the current health emergency has not reduced the demand for orthodontic care, while some patients’ behaviors are changing in relation to oral hygiene and the importance that they attribute to dental health. It seems that dentists’ availability plays a key role in this period of sanitary emergency.

Post-Traumatic Growth in Professionals Caring for People with Intellectual Disabilities during COVID-19: A Psychological Intervention

BACKGROUND

Health professionals present a greater vulnerability to the effects of COVID-19 on their mental health, especially those who work with vulnerable groups such as those who suffer from intellectual disability (ID). The objective of the present research was to develop and verify the effectiveness of a psychological intervention for professionals in the field of ID to improve their mental health during this health crisis.

METHODS

A total of 32 professionals participated. The variables measured were: post-traumatic growth, mental health, burnout, coping strategies, resilience, life satisfaction, optimism, and cognitive and affective empathy.

RESULTS

The results revealed statistically significant differences in the post-traumatic growth variable. In the rest of the variables (mental health, burnout, coping strategies, resilience, vital satisfaction, optimism, and empathy), no significant differences between groups were found.

CONCLUSIONS

An increase in the levels of post-traumatic growth was observed in the intervention group after a brief online psychological intervention. However, given the small sample size, these results should be taken with caution. Institutions should foster and promote interventions aimed at reducing the high emotional impact produced by COVID-19 in professionals that care for people diagnosed with ID.