Category: Pandemic

At the end of 2019, a novel coronavirus, now known as COVID-19, was detected in China. Despite international efforts to contain the virus, it has spread across the globe, forcing World Health Organization to declare a pandemic (WHO Director-General’s opening remarks, 2020). The majority of the confirmed cases are now in the United States – by April, 28 this figure has exceeded 1 million with more than 50,000 people dead (The US has now passed 1 million confirmed Covid-19 cases, 2020). This almost unprecedented global danger has led to the introduction of unprecedented measures.

Fighting the pandemic requires a contribution from every citizen in every country of the world. For the majority of people, it means complying with the demands of social distancing and taking the necessary precautions and sanitary measures. It is, indeed, a difficult time for everyone – so, supporting the ones around, doing something for those who cannot take care of themselves properly in this time of danger is also essential. During the pandemic, many people face numerous concerns and stress factors every day, for example, worrying about their older family members getting the virus or being infected themselves, about losing their job or searching for a new one.

However, while the whole world is now facing and fighting this crisis, the particular burden lies on the shoulders of health professionals working with COVID-19 patients – doctors, nurses, interns, and even yesterday’s students. They are the ones who are directly exposed to the danger of getting infected on the everyday basis. Moreover, the majority of them cannot see their friends and family members in person. Health professionals working with infected patients experience high levels of stress and are burdened by the sense of responsibility seeing people’s sufferings and concerns.

Yet, even during the time of COVID-19 pandemic, there are other health issues that should be attended to. Some people may need urgent surgical treatment; others are already recovering and require medical surveillance. There are people with injuries and chronic illnesses, as well as people with addictions and life-threatening mental disorders (such as anorexia nervosa or clinical depression). Many of these issues can also be exacerbated by involuntary isolation and high levels of stress. In such a situation, when people can meet with their doctor only under serious circumstances, telehealth services are essential.

Telemedicine involves resorting to electronic equipment for exchanging medical information (Health Resources Services Administration, 2012, as cited in Billings & Halstead, 2015). The practice of home-based monitoring has been increasingly introduced in various health facilities in the US in recent years. Some healthcare systems use telehealth in order to eliminate problems connected to personnel shortages, to provide medical advice after the established clinic hours, and to reduce patients travel burdens (Dorsey & Topol, 2016). The last aspect is particularly acute for people with disabilities and ones living in distant rural areas. On that ground, the need for enhancement of providing telehealth services for treating various medical conditions had been widely suggested even before the pandemic (Dorsey & Topol, 2016). Some studies emphasized that the issue lay not in whether health systems should introduce telemedicine, but more in how they should do it (Olson et al., 2018). Besides, there have been suggestions what telehealth should also be implemented in medical education practices since it allows students to get a clinical experience they cannot gain otherwise (Billings & Halstead, 2015). Thus, introducing elements of telehealth, such as video conferencing, both in clinical practice and in medical education had already been discussed before the pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, from an advisable measure promoting telehealth has become a necessity. Surgeries cannot, obviously, be performed without physical contact, but post-operative consultations can. Videocalls, or “a combination of telephone calls and wound images taken by patients” can be sufficient in many cases (Hakim et al., 2020, p. 2). Diagnosing some conditions, creating treatment plans, and sharing updates can be operated via videoconferencing, telephone calls, and by instant messaging. Mental health consultations and even AA meetings can also be performed online. Introducing widely such practices will allow to reduce social contacts, which is vital during this time of crisis. Hakim et al. (2020) suggest that while the pandemic has become a serious challenge for healthcare systems, in general, and telemedicine, in particular, it can help to advance the implementation of new technological tools in clinical practice.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many established routines: government operations, educational services, and work of healthcare systems were particularly affected. Many educational facilities and medical institutions had to accelerate the transition to providing their services through various technological devices. This situation highlights the importance of putting emphasis on the more extensive introduction of technologies in medical education so as to prepare specialists who are ready to provide high-quality healthcare services without face-to-face contact.

With the spread of COVID-19, humanity faces numerous dangers and challenges. Every person should do what is in their power to help to overcome the crisis. However, as people fight the current threat, they can also learn new tools and practices which can both be helpful right now and prove valuable in the future. The world is unlikely to be the same after the pandemic: more companies will consider increasing opportunities for working from home, many educational institutions – for distant learning; healthcare systems are likely to change too. This situation, tough, undoubtfully, dangerous and tragic, can, among other things, allow healthcare systems to facilitate the introduction of telemedicine and, therefore, become more prepared for future emergencies.

References

1. Billings, D. M. & Halstead, J. A. (2015). Teaching in nursing: A guide for faculty (5^th ed.). Elsevier.
2. Dorsey, E. R., & Topol, E. J. (2016). State of telehealth. New England Journal of Medicine, 375(2), 154–161.
3. Hakim, A. A., Kellish, A. S., Atabek, U., Spitz, F. R., & Hong, Y. K. (2020). Implications for the use of telehealth in surgical patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Journal of Surgery.
4. Olson, C. A., McSwain, S. D., Curfman, A. L., & Chuo, J. (2018). The current pediatric telehealth landscape.Pediatrics, 141(3), e20172334. Web.
5. The US has now passed 1 million confirmed Covid-19 cases. (2020). Web.
6. WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 – March 11 2020. (2020). World Health Organization. Web.

COVID-19 outbreak has undoubtedly affected the lives of millions, and there are several important lessons that healthcare professionals and healthcare educators can learn from this pandemic. Most importantly, it highlighted the fact that despite the medical advancements that were made over the years, the United States is not well-equipped to address a serious health crisis. It is possible, however, that through education and the use of this experience with COVID-19, some changes will be made to the way healthcare is perceived.

Personal Reflection

Firstly, it is necessary to point out the severe problems that nursing professionals experienced as a result of the pandemic in the inability of hospitals to provide protective equipment to employees who work with COVID-19 patients. This is one of the essentials that every medical professional should have access to, yet Chiu (2020) highlights the protests and lawsuits filed by nurses because of the inability to have protection, and Stockman and Baker (2020) report that nurses have to “beg for protective gear and better planning” (para. 1). Apart from safety concerns, it is unethical to force people to work in dangerous conditions, knowingly subjecting them and their families to the danger of being infected.

Apart from that, very little research exists on the topic of protective gear, such as masks, making it difficult for people to make at-home masks that would be effective for protecting themselves and others. Although CDC does provide some recommendations and standards of medical masks, it also highlights the need not to buy protective masks for the general population to make them available to medical professionals (Koehler & Rule, 2020). However, little advice is given to individuals who will follow the advice but still want to have protection – such as a design and materials that can be used to create an effective at-home mask is not provided. Therefore, the pandemic also offers an opportunity of addressing a severe gap in medical research and the need to create ways for the general population to take care of their health while not adversely affecting the availability of masks.

The crisis is the result of improper planning since such an occurrence as a global pandemic is not usually a concern for hospital management and policymakers. It is possible that educational institutions will pay more attention to preparing future healthcare employees and policymakers to fighting the unlikely but dangerous events such as COVID-19. Additionally, the general population will know more about personal hygiene and ways to protect themselves from the virus, which will help address other health concerns as well. Therefore, although COVID-19 is a serious matter that the states globally were unprepared to address, it has a positive impact on education both on the institutional and personal levels.

Educational Applications

Educational applications provide an opportunity to access knowledge in a convenient manner and to quickly disseminate new findings to different populations, which prove to be essential during the times of the pandemic. Education philosophy is focused on “the nature and aims of education and the philosophical problems arising from educational theory and practice” (“Philosophy of education, 2018, para. 1). COVID-19 is an opportunity for the medical community to learn from the mistakes that were made, and that resulted in a need to shut down entire states, affecting the economy and personal lives of people adversely.

Educational applications can help promote the health of individuals and families by giving them access to verified information about the virus and ways to protect themselves. During the first weeks of the pandemic, a lot of misinformation was spread by the media regarding the virus and how it spreads, which lead to certain superstitions. Moreover, as was discussed, individuals and families do not receive information about the protective equipment they can buy or make from the authorities, which can also be addressed through educational applications.

Students are a population that is seriously affected by the virus because their studies had to be postponed or transformed into online lectures due to COVID-19. Here, educational applications can help by using the situation to create new practices and opportunities, adding to the theoretical knowledge. Health professionals can learn fro these events by looking at the gaps in research and practice, many of which were discussed in the previous section, and addressing them by using evidence to improve their work or conducting more research. Higher government authorities should and other institutions and individuals, based on the philosophy of education principles, should use this practical situation and design policies and regulations, including those concerning medical education and the education of the general public to address the insufficiencies, such as unavailability of resources. Therefore, all individuals and institutions can use the pandemic as a lesson that teaches them about personal hygiene and protection from contamination and the issues within the healthcare system of the State.

Conclusion

To sum up, the educational philosophy is concerned with the nature and scope of education, and in the case of COVID-19, its principles can be used to make conclusions about the existing issues and transform what is taught to the general public and medical professionals. For example, lack of research and protection gear highlights a gap that needs to be addressed by changing the education practices. The population can use education applications to learn more about the virus and ways of protecting themselves from it.

References

1. Chiu, A. (2020). ‘We’re beyond angered’: Fed-up nurses file lawsuits, plan protest at White House over lack of coronavirus protections. The Washington Post. Web.
2. Koehler, K. & Rule, A. (2020). Can a mask protect me? Putting homemade masks in the hierarchy of controls. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School Of Public Health. Web.
3. Philosophy of education. (2018). Web.
4. Stockman, F. & Baler, M. (2020). Nurses battling coronavirus beg for protective gear and better planning. Web.

Introduction

Personal protection equipment (PPE) is assigned a critical role in healthcare interventions, and its effectiveness is rarely questioned. With COVID-19 case numbers exploding, not a single day passes away without news about healthcare facilities lacking personal protection equipment. While these concerns are not entirely ungrounded, they overshadow the often ignored aspect of the problem: how PPE itself is exploited by healthcare workers. Formally, full-body PPE sets for medical workers treating COVID-19 patients have been found to protect from 99.99% of particles (Holland, Zaloga & Friderici, 2020). The reasonable question arises as to whether doctors, nurses, and the rest of the medical staff can use PPE – including taking it on and off – without contaminating themselves. There is a possibility of existing gaps in PPE use that should be eliminated to turn this tool from almost symbolic to working. This article provides evidence that the efficiency of PPE decreases without proper safety strategies and in-service education.

Search Strategy

To achieve the goal of writing this literature review, the researchers sought to locate recent (less than five years old), peer-reviewed articles from reputable journals on three topics: (1) efficiency of PPE use; (2) difficulties in using personal protective equipment; (3) interventions for improving the efficiency of PPE use. Limiting the search strategy to these domains allowed us to understand the actual empirical usefulness of PPE and gain insights into difficulties encountered by medical staff when using PPE. Apart from that, researchers were able to get a grasp on what intervention techniques were effective in improving the outcomes of PPE use.

For this search strategy, the researchers used Google and Google Scholar. The latter has a feature of filtering articles by the time of publications, which allowed for only displaying recent articles on the topic. The keyword search for “use of personal protective equipment” returned 63,610 results, but many of them were irrelevant. From then on, the researchers used more specific keywords such as: “efficiency”, “efficiency healthcare”, “difficulties”, “barriers”, “mers”, “sars”, and “covid.” After further filtering sources by relevance and contents, the researchers were able to locate eight articles to be used in the present literature review.

Literature Review

The Efficiency of PPE Use

At the moment, very little is known about how medical workers use personal protective equipment and what actions lead to contamination. Kang et al. (2017) videotaped healthcare personnel at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and ran simulations using fluorescent powder. The results have shown that the vast majority of medical workers were contaminated during either donning or doffing of PPE. Kang et al. (2017) report that out of the totality of 130 observed simulations, the overall contamination rate was 80% or 103 simulations. Out of 60 simple set PPE contaminations, 40% were categorized as minor and the rest as obvious. The full-body set results were a bit better: two-thirds of PPE contaminations were minor. The study demonstrated the ubiquitousness of PPE contaminations with a significant share of them being potentially dangerous. However, the scope of the study was limited to one medical facility, which compromises the chances of the results being inferred on broader populations.

The concerns regarding the efficiency of PPE have become especially acute during the global COVID-2019 outbreak. Today, it is known that COVID-19 is spread by four means: contact, droplet infection, airborne, and faeco-oral (World Health Organization, 2020). Greenhalgh et al. (2020) reported that the official UK guidance published in February 2020 stated that both standard and respirator masks showed 80% protection against SARS-CoV-2. Greenhalgh et al. (2020) express doubts regarding the claimed efficiency rate as it is based on a 2017 systematic review that was conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic and included trials that revolved around seasonal influenza. Based on this information, Greenhalgh et al. (2020) suppose that the actual protection rate may be much lower, especially given that COVID-19 is significantly more contagious than seasonal influenza. To conclude, the efficiency of PPE itself is questionable and is further compromised by inappropriate use in clinical settings.

Difficulties in Using Personal Protective Equipment

Even if a hospital is properly funded and has PPE available in adequate numbers, its efficiency might still be compromised. Kang et al. (2018) investigated the difficulties experienced by nurses when using personal protective equipment during the 2015 outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome in Korea. The researchers conducted focus group interviews in one of the Korean hospitals with themes discovered in the interviews further ranked by frequency, specificity, emotion, and extensiveness. Participants complained about the ill-fitting PPE sizes: smaller females were frustrated by the baggy fits while bigger males disliked the tightness of the overalls (Kang et al., 2018). They interviewed medical staff who experienced anxiety and confusion over ambiguous, unstandardized protocols and the questionable quality and effectiveness of PPE. Lastly, the study participants reported the complexity of using different PPE types at the same time (Kang et al., 2018). The study’s findings are worthwhile because they show that the problem of using PPE is both personal, organizational, and systemic.

Rozenbojm, Nichol, Spielmann, and Holness (2015) highlight the importance of organizational factors in nurses’ adherence to PPE guidelines. Rozenbojm et al. (2015) state that despite the existence of protocols, nurses’ commitment to following them in clinical settings remains suboptimal. The researchers challenge the commonly held belief that safety behaviors are mainly contingent on individual knowledge and beliefs. For their study, Rozenbojm et al. (2015) investigated the safety climate of hospital units. They operated on the premise that “units [differed] by type of patients, acuity, pace of clinical care activities, workload, as well as by staff composition, local leadership, and organizational structure.” The inner climate of discrete units was operationalized through measuring factors such as availability of PPE, job barriers, cleanliness, and communication. Apart from that, Rozenbojm et al. (2015) gauged the level of organizational support for health and safety, the availability of safety-related training, and fit testing. The study discovered that the quality of the safety climate at a unit predicted the proper use of PPE.

The research conducted by Rozenbojm et al. (2015), however, does not diminish the importance of individual knowledge of safety guidelines. Chughtai et al. (2015) carried out a qualitative study that engaged 20 focus groups of healthcare workers from seven hospitals. The purpose of the study was to learn about the perceived barriers to the proper use of PPE and gauge participants’ knowledge of safety guidelines. Chughtai et al. (2015) discovered that healthcare workers often experienced shortages in PPE even during non-emergency situations. For this reason, some workers routinely resorted to reusing face masks. Their beliefs about such a practice varied: some medical workers were against reusing while others thought that it did not pose any threat to the caregiver. In summation, poor use of PPE is a complex issue that has roots in both individual issues such as lack of knowledge as well as organizational problems.

Interventions for Improving the Efficiency of PPE Use

The question arises as to how individual and organizational shortcomings could be addressed to improve the efficiency of personal protection equipment. Radonovich et al. (2016) write that healthcare personnel (HCP) are subject to routine exposure to respiratory pathogens such as COVID-19. Because of the risks of contracting the disease and being a transmitter, Radonovich et al. (2016) highlight the importance of choosing an appropriate method of personal protection. Medical masks may seem like a suboptimal option as compared to respirators. However, in their randomized trial, Radonovich et al. (2016) discovered that respirators were not any more efficient than medical masks. Besides, as it turned out, healthcare workers were more prone to removing respirators and having adverse side effects from prolonged wear, which defeated their purpose. Therefore, the practical implication is to test the efficiency of PPE before its use and avoid enforcing wearing cumbersome sets with unproven advantages.

Addressing the lack of knowledge about the proper use of PPE should also be one of the key priorities when devising a strategy to improve the efficiency of PPE. Al-Tawfiq, Rothwell, Mcgregor, and Khouri (2018) conducted an intervention study in which they applied a multi-faceted approach of nursing-led education in response to MERS-CoV infection. Before the start of the training, nurses studied Mosby’s Nursing Skills, took up an online skill module, and revised materials about donning and doffing of PPE and the process for obtaining a nasopharyngeal swab. After that, Al-Tawfiq (2018) conducted a four-day training that relied on engaging teaching methods such as group discussions and simulation on a mannequin. As a result, nurses reported a better understanding of the proper use of PPE. For all its advantages, Al-Tawfiq et al. (2018) did not provide any follow-up data on whether the training had brought about any sustainable changes.

The study by Al-Tawfiq et al. (2018) has many important implications for healthcare facilities and how they should address outbreaks of respiratory diseases. Firstly, the researchers demonstrated that an organizational response to emerging infectious diseases requires an interdisciplinary approach and a united effort of experts in various fields. Secondly, healthcare workers need to adhere to recommendations from national and international health authorities, which should make part of the training. Lastly, some measures cannot be incidental: practices such as fit testing should become mandatory.

Conclusion

The global public health catastrophe that is the COVID-19 outbreak raised concerns about the effectiveness of personal protection equipment. This literature review demonstrated that face masks and respirators themselves do not guarantee full protection from particles. However, what aggravates the situation is healthcare workers’ improper use of PPE that leads to a contamination rate of as high as 80%. Recent studies show that the problem with poor use of PPE that endangers the lives of primary caregivers stems from both individual and systemic shortcomings. On the one hand, healthcare workers might hold erroneous beliefs about the proper use of PPE. On the other hand, healthcare facilities do not help to uphold a safety culture by failing to do fit testing, issuing comprehensive protocols, and providing enough PPE. The problem of poor use of PPE should be addressed by assessing the efficiency of different options available. Facilities should not enforce the use of specific equipment, especially if it is considered inconvenient if there is no solid evidence of its advantages. Apart from that, handling the problem requires an interdisciplinary approach, adherence to national and global guidelines, and continuing education.

References

1. Al-Tawfiq, J. A., Rothwell, S., Mcgregor, H. A., & Khouri, Z. A. (2018). A multi-faceted approach of a nursing led education in response to MERS-CoV infection. Journal of Infection and Public Health, 11(2), 260-264.
2. Chughtai, A. A., Seale, H., Chi Dung, T., Maher, L., Nga, P. T., & MacIntyre, C. R. (2015). Current practices and barriers to the use of face masks and respirators among hospital-based health care workers in Vietnam. American Journal of Infection Control, 43(1), 72–77.
3. Greenhalgh, T., Chan, X. H., Khunti, K., Durand-Moreau, Q., Straube, S., Devane, D.,… & Ireland, C. (2020). What is the efficacy of standard face masks compared to respirator masks in preventing COVID-type respiratory illnesses in primary care staff? CEBM Research, 1-8.
4. Holland, M., Zaloga, D. J., & Friderici, C. S. (2020). COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the emergency physician. Visual Journal of Emergency Medicine, 19, 100740.
5. Kang, J., Kim, E. J., Choi, J. H., Hong, H. K., Han, S. H., Choi, I. S.,… & Park, E. S. (2018). Difficulties in using personal protective equipment: Training experiences with the 2015 outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome in Korea. American Journal of Infection Control, 46(2), 235-237.
6. Kang, J., O’Donnell, J. M., Colaianne, B., Bircher, N., Ren, D., & Smith, K. J. (2017). Use of personal protective equipment among health care personnel: results of clinical observations and simulations. American Journal of Infection Control, 45(1), 17-23.
7. Radonovich, L. J., Bessesen, M. T., Cummings, D. A., Eagan, A., Gaydos, C., Gibert, C.,… & Savor-Price, C. (2016). The Respiratory Protection Effectiveness Clinical Trial (ResPECT): A cluster-randomized comparison of respirator and medical mask effectiveness against respiratory infections in healthcare personnel. BMC Infectious Diseases, 16(1), 243.
8. Rozenbojm, M. D., Nichol, K., Spielmann, S., & Holness, D. L. (2015). Hospital unit safety climate: relationship with nurses’ adherence to recommended use of facial protective equipment. American Journal of Infection Control, 43(2), 115-120.
9. World Health Organization. (2020). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – Situation report –73. Web.

Introduction

A pandemic is a dangerous and critical situation for all areas of healthcare. It forces doctors to pay much more attention to safety measures than before, so as not to infect patients and not to become ill themselves. However, the personal protective equipment (PPE) they use does not always provide an adequate level of safety. Healthcare workers should take many other measures to protect themselves from infection. Ali, Alradhawi, Shubber, and Abbas (2020) argue that “in response to growing concerns regarding the shortage of PPE, innovations in protective equipment are increasingly important” (p. 71). The purpose of this paper is to study and discuss literature on the use of PPE during pandemics, and to draw conclusions useful for medical practice.

Literature Search Methods

The search was carried out in the Cochrane system, which contains numerous articles on medical topics. Based on the results of the “PPE” query, the search engine returned three articles, two of which were written recently and are directly related to the COVID-19. Then, the research was also conducted with the use of the system Pubmed. The search query was the same and was limited to the last five years. As a result, 1296 articles were found, many of which, however, do not correspond exactly to the given subject of the work. In addition to the use of protective clothing during the pandemic, they are dedicated to surgery, innovations in the development of PPE, and other topics. However, many of them look at the studied problem from different angles, allowing a comprehensive analysis.

Problem Statement

One of the crucial issues that are now being raised in the field of healthcare is related to the use of PPE when working with people infected with COVID-19. First of all, the biggest problem is the lack of this equipment. The load on its production and use at the moment is so high that manufacturers often do not have time to deliver new batches. This leads to the need to use improvised tools and invent new methods of protection. In particular, one of them is protective masks printed on 3D printers, which, however, can only be a temporary solution because of the price and inconvenience.

There is a great risk of infection for each of the doctors working with people infected by COVID-19. According to Verbeek et al. (2020), everyone with COVID-19 disease infects from two to three people, whereas the SARS epidemic in 2003 had an R0 = 3 without control measures and was reduced to 0.4. Unfortunately, COVID-19 is spreading at a high speed, so it is not the fault of medical workers. Most likely, the main problem is the simplicity of its transmission among people, even despite the use of protective equipment. To prevent the transmission of infection, doctors need to have detailed instructions and always responsibly follow safety and hygiene rules.

However, there is a problem with the proper use of PPE. There are instructions according to which it must be worn and removed to avoid infection, but not all doctors follow them. Unfortunately, this attitude towards PPE can cause irreparable harm to patients, not only COVID-19 infected, but also others. In particular, this issue is essential to consider, for example, in the field of surgery and traumatology. Hirschmann et al. (2020) state that “the major aim of our efforts should be to avoid an occupational transmission of COVID-19 by aerosolization of blood or other body fluids and hence adequate personal protective equipment should be available and used during surgery” (p. 9). It means that doctors should use much more methods of protection at the moment. Thus, each epidemic (such as SARS or MERS) leads to a change in treatment approach and attitude to self-defense. The main factors to consider are the sufficient amount of PPE and its proper use.

Methods of Researches

One of the standard methods of studied researches is a literature review. It allows scientists to collect the most relevant data on specific problems and draw conclusions about them. In literature reviews, researchers compare various pandemics and also collect information about different ways of protecting doctors during these periods and the benefits of certain types of PPE. This data set is the basis for new approaches to the development and use of PPEs suitable for the current situation.

Another method of research is the creation and testing of new PPEs. Using different materials and methods of creation, researchers have made several different protective devices. For example, Wesemann et al. (2020) used the capabilities of a 3D printer to create new types of masks. This measure, undoubtedly, is urgent and forced, since ordinary face masks are not enough for doctors at the moment. Thus, this work is practical, offering real methods of protection against infection. However, unfortunately, the results of this development cannot be used everywhere in the future, since they may be expensive and not always convenient.

Other studies are partly psychological, as they use direct communication with practicing doctors as a method. In the course of these studies, researchers have learned about their working conditions, attitudes towards infection, and the use of PPEs. With the help of this survey, researchers were able to see a general picture of modern hospitals and find their weaknesses. In particular, this allows people to determine how the state and the management of hospitals contribute to supporting doctors. This, in turn, makes it possible to correct weaknesses and pay attention to strengths.

Main Outcomes of the Researches

First of all, most studies claim that currently, there is a critical lack of protection against viral infections. This forces people to develop new PPEs and modify old ones. The use of 3D printing for these purposes is interesting because it allows for creating masks that protect the entire face. This method is advantageous, but it does not protect the rest of the body and can be expensive and inconvenient to use.

The study by Lockhart, Duggan, Wax, Saad, and Grocott (2020) is devoted to the various combinations of PPE that protect the whole body. With their use, doctors can protect the eyes, neck, hands, and other potentially vulnerable parts of their bodies. Verbeek et al. (2020) also suggest using various types of equipment such as gowns with gloves attached at the cuff. This allows doctors to remove gloves and gowns together and cover the wrist. Indeed, it is necessary, especially if these doctors perform complex surgeries. In these situations, patients are much more susceptible to contracting various infections, and all measures must be taken to protect them.

A study by Khan and Parab (2020) proposed a method to reduce the usage of PPE because now its amount is critically small. Scientists offer a way to create makeshift masks available to most modern hospitals. They claim that “such masks can be prepared by the hospital staff within the hospital itself and can be sterilized too as mentioned in quantity as required by the staff. So it would not increase the burden on the economy of the country and makes the health care workers self-sufficient” (Khan & Parab 2020, p. 5). Indeed, this can now greatly facilitate the work of doctors and reduce the expenses of hospitals. Each hospital can also invent its methods of protection based on the availability of sufficient materials.

It is worth noting the importance of the atmosphere in hospitals, as it affects the psychological state of doctors. In particular, the mood and mindset of medical workers can make them approach the use of PPE more or less responsibly. First of all, it depends on intrinsic motivation, as “healthcare workers felt motivated to follow the guidance because of fear of infecting themselves and their families, or because they felt responsible for their patients” (Houghton et al., 2020, p. 1). However, often “healthcare workers found it difficult to use masks and other equipment when it made patients feel isolated, frightened or stigmatized. Healthcare workers also found masks and other equipment uncomfortable to use” (Houghton et al., 2020, p. 1). Indeed, this may be important for doctors, but this approach can be considered irresponsible during the pandemic. The critical decision is the maintenance of organizational culture and the education of doctors. Often, because of their profession, they are not much afraid of getting sick, but they need to remember to preserve the health of each patient.

Ways of Solving Current Problems

The results of the studies show that, in general, current problems can be solved, which will simplify the work with COVID-19 patients and help in the fight against the pandemic. It is important to remember that the use of PPE must be responsible and consistent. Only in this way it will bring benefits and prevent the spread of the virus. This means that doctors should not neglect PPE, but wear and change it regularly. The more body parts are protected, the better the effect it will give.

Doctors and hospital managers should also consider alternative methods of protection. Some of them were proposed in the studied papers: they are 3D printing and the use of improvised tools. However, each medical institution can invent special PPE that will help to cope with the pandemic with fewer costs. It will also protect patients and doctors from potential infection much more successfully. Another basic idea is to reduce the use of PPE if it is possible (Ip, Özelsel, Sondekoppam, & Tsui, 2020). It will also be helpful regarding expenses and the availability of necessary protection.

An essential step is the education of doctors because, first of all, it concerns their work inside hospitals. Corporate culture should cultivate responsibility among healthcare providers, especially now. Despite their views on communicating with patients and their comfort, protective equipment should now come first. In addition, this approach should be used at the stage of the training of future doctors. One of its key points should be the idea that they are responsible for the health status of people. For this reason, they should approach their job as responsibly as possible and anticipate and prevent any potential illness.

Conclusion

A large number of studies dedicated to the use of PPE during a pandemic show that scientists around the world are interested in streamlining this process. They agree that right now, there are not enough remedies and medical institutions need new ones. Some researchers propose modifying existing PPEs; some offer new, sometimes, innovative, means of protection. However, most agree that their benefits are manifested only if they are used responsibly. Therefore, it is necessary to use them consistently, no matter what physical and psychological discomfort they may cause. These steps will slow the spread of the pandemic and reduce the burden on the health system process.

References

1. Ali, Y., Alradhawi, M., Shubber, N., & Abbas, A. R. (2020). Personal protective equipment in the response to the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak [Letter to the editor]. International Journal of Surgery, 78, 66-67.
2. Hirschmann, M. T., Hart, A., Henckel, J., Sadoghi, P., Seil, R., & Mouton, C. (2020). COVID-19 coronavirus: recommended personal protective equipment for the orthopaedic and trauma surgeon. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy: Official Journal of the ESSKA, 1-9. Web.
3. Houghton, C., Meskell, P., Delaney, H., Smalle, M., Glenton, C., Booth, A., Chan, X. S., Devane, D., & Biesty, L. M. (2020). Barriers and facilitators to healthcare workers’ adherence with infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines for respiratory infectious diseases: A rapid qualitative evidence synthesis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020, 4, CD013582.
4. Ip, V., Özelsel, T., Sondekoppam, R. V., & Tsui, B. (2020). COVID-19 pandemic: The 3R’s (reduce, refine, and replace) of personal protective equipment (PPE) sustainability. Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia, 1-2. Web.
5. Khan, M. M., & Parab, S. R. (2020). Simple economical solution for personal protection equipment (face mask/shield) for health care staff during COVID 19. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery: Official Publication of the Association of Otolaryngologists of India, 1-5. Web.
6. Lockhart, S. L., Duggan, L. V., Wax, R. S., Saad, S., & Grocott, H. P. (2020). Personal protective equipment (PPE) for both anesthesiologists and other airway managers: Principles and practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia, 1-11. Web.
7. Verbeek, J. H., Rajamaki, B., Ijaz, S., Sauni, R., Toomey, E., Blackwood, B., … Kilinc Balci, F.S. (2020). Personal protective equipment for preventing highly infectious diseases due to exposure to contaminated body fluids in healthcare staff. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020, 4, CD011621.
8. Wesemann, C., Pieralli, S., Fretwurst, T., Nold, J., Nelson, K., Schmelzeisen, R., … Spies, B.C. (2020). 3-D printed protective equipment during COVID-19 pandemic. Materials, 13(8), 1997.

This review of an article on the jail and prison settings during the COVID-19 pandemic (Barnert, E., Ahalt, C., & Williams, B., 2020) discusses the main points of the article. The points include the custodial settings’ vulnerability to COVID-19, community and occupational health, and planning for the future safety of jails and prisons during the pandemic. The authors of the article took the responsibility to define some of the most valuable resources to address when speaking of custodial settings’ vulnerability to the pandemic. A personal attitude to the issue discussed will also be outlined in terms of the review.

Since the beginning of the year, the COVID-19 epidemic has been one of the most discussed issues modern society is facing. Hence, the more information available to the broad audience, the more predictions and investigations are held in order to define some fundamental patterns of disease transmission and impact on human health. In order to reach a broader understanding of the global threat, various researchers emphasized their studies on the most vulnerable social groups in terms of the virus. Thus, E. Barnett, C. Ahalt, & B. Williams (2020), in their article called “Prisons: Amplifiers of the COVID-19 Pandemic Hiding in Plain Sight,” decided to dwell upon the problem of COVID-19 vulnerability in the context of the prison system.

The very introduction to the article requires specific attention due to the issue discussed. The authors made an opening to the study by providing the statistics of the infection rates in the Chinese prison system to later compare it with the current situation in the US. Such a comparison, to my mind, was extremely beneficial regarding the fact these two states have consecutively become the two leading states in terms of the COVID-19 instance rate. According to the data found, researchers estimated that the New York jail healthcare department constituted an unprecedented infection rate when comparing to the rest of the city. Such overwhelming statistics have become the foundation for future research on the matter of infection containment in custodial facilities.

To explicitly address the issue, authors state that while people are not quite preoccupied with the prison inmates’ health conditions, they forget that thousands of prison officers and staff workers are also exposed to high infection risk. However, whereas inmates remain in custody most of the time, staff employees continue to communicate with many people, increasing the COVID-19 transmission probability. Hence, it is crucial for healthcare facilities and custodial leaders to take immediate measures to prevent the whole state from catastrophe.

The first part of the discussion is dedicated to the issue of the US custodial vulnerability in terms of COVID-19 expansion. I strongly agree with the relevance of this argument, as overcrowding in the US detention facilities has already achieved an unprecedented rate, limiting one’s access to healthcare, training, and education (Lugo & Wooldredge, 2017). Besides the high population density, however, some individual characteristics crucial for the pandemic thriving were considered in the article:

• Health morbidity of the incarcerated individuals;
• Many inmates are 60+ years old, constituting the major COVID-19 risk group;
• Poor ventilation in overcrowded prison cells;
• Poor hygiene patterns;
• High stress level among inmates that leads to immune system weakening;
• The constant flow of individuals who are placed in prison;
• Lack of proper medical equipment;
• Poor respiratory care;
• Overcrowded facilities being understaffed (Barnert, Ahalt, & Williams, 2020).

Bearing in mind such a variety of issues leading to the COVID-19 outbreak, authors decided to address the ways to contain this tendency by using already existing tools created by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The latter, in fact, issued detailed guidance for the issue, considering that the US has one of the highest rates of imprisonment in the world (CDC, 2020).

According to the authors, one of the most widespread strategies to combat the issue is to release some inmates who supposedly do not pose any severe safety threats. However, it was noted that this action is not efficient when evaluating the number of lives at stake. In fact, it would be more beneficial to reconsider the overall facilities’ policy in terms of healthcare and infection control to make an impact in terms of the current situation.

When addressing the issue of community and occupational health, authors emphasize the overall benefit society obtains once prison inmates are taken care of in terms of preventative health. The community health concerns thousands of people being released from custodial settings. Quite often, such people are exposed to the risk of being infected with COVID-19 due to poor living standards and the immune system as a result of incarceration. The issue of occupational health is, by all means, a severe one, as hundreds of staff workers are at risk of being infected on a daily basis with little possibility to be replaced, as nobody wants to settle for a voluntary risk. Moreover, these people are potential infection carriers in their households.

When coming up with an article conclusion, it was estimated that the issue of custodial settings’ vulnerability to the COVID-19 spreading could not be ignored due to the threat society is exposed to as a result. Hence, instead of merely releasing some of the inmates, the overall incarceration system should be reconsidered in terms of existing healthcare policies. Taking the following article into consideration, it may be concluded that while addressing a serious issue, the text itself lacks specification. If the authors defined some detailed strategies on the subject of risk decrease, the paper would have a more practical value. In the current edition, however, the article poses a foundation for future empirical research.

References

Barnert, E., Ahalt, C., & Williams, B. (2020). Prisons: Amplifiers of the COVID-19 pandemic hiding in plain sight. AJPH, 110(7), 964-966.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Interim guidance on management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in correctional and detention facilities. Web.

Lugo, M. A., & Wooldredge, J. (2017). Overcrowding in prisons. The Encyclopedia of Corrections, 1-8.

Summary

This research’s specific objectives are to analyze the contemporary global pandemic, discover the most effective means to limit the spread of COVID-19, and prevent another epidemic from happening. The method used to study these objectives is secondary source research, focusing on defining the problem and describing the preventive measures worldwide and the UAE in particular. All of the above led to individual recommendations through the evaluation of the methods mentioned above. The paper’s central findings are the need for creative solutions to the prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic and the overall cooperation between nations to stop the new epidemic from emerging. In conclusion, the UAE’s response to the pandemic was highly effective due to extensive testing and AI use. Lastly, the central recommendations are constant global health monitoring, execution of sanctions for perpetrators, and technology implementation.

Introduction

The COVID-19 virus has spread to nearly every state on Earth, with significant outbreaks in a number of countries. COVID-19 has been a test of many countries’ ability to deal with rapid increases in medical patient numbers and their ability to limit the spread of a virus. Understanding how this virus spreads is the first step in limiting future outbreaks. Researching regional approaches, particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to outbreak prevention can help determine which methods are most effective. Similarly, global responses must also be analyzed to understand how a pandemic can be limited through international cooperation. Several potential solutions can be synthesized from the available data, which can then be evaluated to determine which methods are most effective. Additionally, recommendations for pandemic prevention can be formulated to guide government officials and medical professionals.

The Description of the Situation

A cluster of unknown pneumonia with unexplored etiology emerged in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province of China. It was known that some of the initial patients visited a seafood market, where people were selling various wildlife species. The following virus separation from human subjects and a molecular study revealed that the pathogen was a novel coronavirus (CoV), initially called 2019-nCoV (Sun et al., 2020). Afterward, the World Health Organization (WHO) changed the name of the disease to COVID-19. This new CoV is currently the seventh Coronaviridae that can be transmitted to people. The virus started to grow rapidly due to the critical increase of cases.

The second phase occurred on January 13 and was highlighted by the accelerated expansion of cases due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 in hospitals and families. During this phase, the virus reached areas outside of Wuhan and Hubei Province. Subsequently, by the end of January, the virus reached 29 provinces and six foreign countries with a total of 846 cases of the disease (Sun et al., 2020). Lastly, the third phase started shortly after, because of the unprecedented increase of cluster cases. On January 30, the WHO announced that this outbreak is a new public health emergency of international concern (Sun et al., 2020). The initial case of COVID-19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was verified on January 29, 2020 (Moonesar et al., 2020). Consequently, the quantity of infected individuals has continued to expand further. Overall, the COVID-19 expansion was very rapid, as it is a highly contagious disease spread around the globe over several months.

The Significance of the Problem

Additionally, the problem’s seriousness has undoubtedly provoked all countries to mobilize and implement specific preventive measures. The WHO has declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, indicating that it will continue to spread actively (Moonesar et al., 2020). Besides, nations must prepare for the occurrence of extensive community transmission. Thus, the situation’s rapid development led to the subsequent serious changes to the state of global affairs, as the ability to move freely around the world has ended. Furthermore, different governments had to impose various regulations that limit citizens’ everyday lives. The virus’s contagious nature and the disease’s respiratory essence had affected many individuals within the UAE and beyond. Therefore, government officials have been dealing with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic for over half a year, due to lack of appropriate medical treatment or vaccination.

Solutions to Prevent Global Pandemic

Solutions Implemented Worldwide

COVID-19 pandemic does not yet have a cure or a vaccine; thus, the preventive measures are the prevailing way of limiting the spread of the infection. Early testing, diagnosis, subsequent isolation, and treatment are essential to limit further spread. The most crucial approach for the individuals in the community to undertake is to routinely wash their hands, use hand sanitizer, and restrain from touching faces after being in possibly contaminated surroundings. Furthermore, social distancing is recommended, especially in areas that have community transmission. Some states had to implement strict measures, including event cancellation, prohibition or restriction of mass gatherings, border closures, and quarantine laws for entire areas or states (Güner, Hasanoğlu, and Aktaş, 2020). Lastly, to reduce COVID-19 transmission from asymptomatic subjects, the WHO promotes the usage of face masks.

Solutions Implemented in the UAE

The UAE response to COVID-19 has been heavy-handed, involving wide-spread testing, early recognition measures, and travel restrictions. By April 2020, the country had already conducted over a million COVID-19 tests, both for incoming travellers and at drive-in locations (Moonesar et al., 2020). The UAE has an efficient, well-financed healthcare system that could take on and contain the influx of new infections. Throughout the country, the spread of COVID-19 was limited by mandatory quarantines enforced with punitive measures, closing public areas, and limits on mass gatherings.

The UAE has also succeeded in implementing various creative and effective solutions during the fight with the global pandemic. The UAE has utilized the laser-based DPI technology, which allowed for large-scale testing within seconds and applied virtual chatbot that enabled people to learn more about their symptoms (Smart solutions to fight COVID-19, 2020). Moreover, the country had used the ALHOSN UAE app, which allowed individuals to receive test results directly to their smartphones. The government also used electronic wristbands to track individuals’ geographical location on self-isolation. Finally, the state used AI to trace compliance with COVID-19 regulations (Smart solutions to fight COVID-19, 2020). Overall, the UAE utilized various technologies, including smartphone apps, to reinforce COVID-19 rules and spread information.

Solutions to Prevent Pandemic in the Future

Some lessons can be learned from the current COVID-19 outbreak and the 2002 SARS outbreak to prevent a future global pandemic. Rapid communication between governments and international health organizations, in particular, was key to limiting the spread of SARS in 2002 (Wilder-Smith, Chiew, and Lee, 2020). This information can inform travel bans and limitations that can facilitate the barriers of the spread of any future disease. The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network was vital to communication during the SARS and the COVID-19 outbreak (Wilder-Smith et al., 2020). This organization, along with the WHO, should be expanded and better-financed to facilitate their work.

Evaluation of the Outcomes

The global response to the COVID-19 pandemic has mainly been mixed, with different states adopting various measures to limit or contain the spread. Worldwide, such measures as travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines have some effect; however, the UAE’s response has some unique qualities. Firstly, the implementation of technology in preventative measures, from AI surveillance to robots on the street. The UAE has demonstrated an effective way to fight the virus using its considerable resources and technological know-how. While this solution may not be possible for all countries, it proves novel possibilities for the containment of COVID-19 and future pandemics.

Conclusion

To conclude, COVID-19 is a highly-contagious disease that received global pandemic status in March of 2020. The virus became wide-spread and forced governments from various counties to implement specific preventive measures to protect their civilians’ lives. The UAE was exceptionally efficient in containing the virus’s spread due to the excellent large-scale testing and quarantine enforcement measures. Furthermore, apart from implementing the standard recommendations utilized globally, the UAE used creative solutions through AI and other contemporary technologies. The further development of various robots, mobile apps, and other innovative measures can ensure the successful way of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Lastly, the cooperation between the Gulf States and the rest of the world is essential to prevent another epidemic.

Recommendations

Reforming international institutions and implementing technology can help limit the spread of COVID-19 and fight future pandemics. Such organizations as the WHO should be able to monitor research labs that might have a disease risk. The WHO should be empowered to sanction states that permit potentially dangerous research. Sanctions should also be extended to countries that do not report and communicate about new diseases to ensure the reporting is less damaging than lying about an outbreak. Such technology as data science and AI can supplement researchers in tracking and analysing new infections to limit the spread and provide governments with actionable information.

Reference List

Güner, R., Hasanoğlu, I. and Aktaş, F. (2020) ‘COVID-19: Prevention and control measures in community’, Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences, 50(SI-1), pp. 571-577.

Moonesar, I., A. et al. (2020) ‘Rapid response: Informing United Arab Emirates’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic’, 52^nd Technical Report of the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, pp. 1-51.

Smart solutions to fight COVID-19 (2020) Web.

Sun, J. et al. (2020) ‘COVID-19: Epidemiology, evolution, and cross-disciplinary perspectives’, Trends in Molecular Medicine, 26(5), pp. 483-495.

Wilder-Smith, A., Chiew, C. J. and Lee, V. J. (2020) ‘Can we contain the COVID-19 outbreak with the same measures as for SARS?’, The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 20(5), pp. 102-107.

Nowadays, the pandemic is a term that is heard worldwide due to the current COVID-19 situation. The coronavirus has had an impact on the entire planet, paralyzing global processes for months. Nevertheless, COVID-19 is not the first pandemic the world has faced, even in the 21^st century. However, the current situation has become especially concerning for a variety of reasons. In fact, it is not only the disease itself that caused such serious consequences, as the unprecedented level of globalization has contributed to the issue.

According to the general understanding, if the outbreak of a potentially lethal disease reaches a significant magnitude and spreads beyond national borders, the term pandemic is used. Over the course of its history, the world has faced several deadly pandemics. The list includes various instances starting from the Ancient era and including The Black Death, Spanish Flu, and H1N1 Swine Flu. In addition, some pandemics are not necessarily rapid in terms of the death toll increase. For example, AIDS spreading has been considered a pandemic, too, due to its global nature. However, COVID-19 is different from its 21^st-century predecessors in several aspects. First of all, its international death toll is alarmingly high, making it one of the most severe crises since the end of WWII. Secondly, the virus spreads rapidly worldwide, and it has managed to paralyze multiple nations’ economies and infrastructures. Finally, it directly affected millions of lives, as there is not a corner left in the world untouched by the coronavirus.

Overall, the aspects mentioned above highlight the level of globalization in the modern world. Countries and continents have established strong economic, political, and social ties, making them dependant on one another. Additionally, international communication and transportation are easier than ever due to modern technological advancements. Similarly to the majority of phenomena, globalization has its advantages and disadvantages. While it contributes to the overall growth and development, the current pandemic showed significant flaws of a globalized, yet unprepared world.

Introduction

Diabetes can be described as a condition in which the body is unable to manufacture or use insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced or manufactured by a body organ known as the self-management in assists the body to breakdown glucose, which is a form of simple sugar, into a form that can be absorbed by body cells easily. Type 2 diabetes is Australia’s fast, growing chronic disease and has affected many people in the country in the recent past. The disease can be prevented by eating the right diet and performing regular body exercises. Obesity and failure to practice physical exercise have been reported to be the major causes of diabetes. Indeed, poor diet and lack of physical exercise are factors responsible for nearly 95% of diabetes cases in the United States. According to the CDC, individuals with type 2 diabetes can live a full and active life (Roper, 2006).

The presence of excessive glucose (blood sugar) in the blood leads to a condition referred to as hyperglycemia. Some of the symptoms associated with hyperglycemia include impaired or blurred vision and frequent need to urinate. In addition, a person feels hungry after a short while. Also, there is a general increase in the frequency of thirst feeling among the victims. Some people may experience irritability, numbness of hands and feet. In some cases, patients have extremely dry skin. The condition can also be exhibited by wounds that take long to heal. Individuals suffering from type 2 diabetes also experience frequent gum, skin and bladder infections (Fasanmade, 2008; Roper, 2006).

There are five types of diabetes that include pre-diabetes, type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes, latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA) maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY). However, type 2 diabetes is the most common (Howard, 2011). For the purpose of this essay, the focus will be on type 2 diabetes.

Chronic condition defined and described

Type 2 diabetes is also referred to as diabetes mellitus. It was formerly referred to non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult onset diabetes. This condition is characterized by high blood sugar level with relative insulin deficiency. The body produces insulin but not to the required quantity that the body needs. This is in contrast to type 1 diabetes in which there is a total failure of the pancreas to produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that facilitates the breakdown of body sugars. It is also important to note that the human body has many cells. The body breaks complex food components into small units that can be absorbed by the body. Most of the food that a human being consumes is broken down into glucose. This is the simplest form of food, which is absorbed into the cells of the body. After absorption, glucose is transported through the bloodstream to the cells of the body where it can be used to provide the energy that the body needs for daily activities (Kumar, et al, 2005).

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, and it affects 80%-90% of all cases of people reported with diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is commonly associated with the older population. However, in the recent past, there have been many cases reported where young people are affected by this condition. It is reported that diabetes attacks the pancreas of children or a healthy mature person (Diabetes Australia, 2011).

In the recent past, it was rare to come across children with type 2 diabetes. Nonetheless, there have been reported incidences where many young individuals have been diagnosed with both type 1 and type 2 diabetic conditions (WebMD, LLC, 2012). The causes of type 2 diabetes are classified into two: environmental aspects and genetic factors. Environmental factors can be controlled by the individual, and they include obesity, exercises and eating a balanced diet among others. On the other hand, genetic factors cannot be easily controlled by the individual. Some of the lifestyle trends that encourage diabetes include lack of physical exercise, poor diet, stress and anxiety (Touma & Pannain, 2011). Genetic factors include genes that make up of the individual also known as DNA. This means that if the parents suffered from diabetes, then the children are at high risk of suffering from the same. In monozygotic twins, it is noted that if one suffers from diabetes then the other will develop the same complication at a later stage in his/her life (Gardner, Shoback & Greenspan, 2007).

There are various types of anti diabetes medication available in the market. This includes metformin, which is usually administered as a first line form of treatment. From research, it has been revealed that metformin has no adverse effect on the mortality of the patient. Incase the drug is not effective; a second drug may be administered. Precautions should be taken not to administer metformin to persons with kidney or liver failure. It has been noted that many people do not need insulin. However, when it is used, a long acting formulation is used at night (Waugh, et al 2010).

In some cases, surgery has been used to control obesity through weight loss surgery. In practice, it has not been seen to have adverse effects on mortality of patients who undergo this procedure. Many patients have been noted to maintain low blood sugar levels without medication after going through surgery. However, it is recommended that only those individuals who are unable to control their body weight and blood sugar levels, should go through this operation (Dixon, le Roux, Rubino & Zimmet, 2012).

Common experiences of those living with the condition discussed

There are several symptoms associated with this form of diabetes. The individuals suffering from type 2 diabetes are faced with a constant feeling of hunger and acute thirst. In this case, an individual feels like he/she cannot get enough of water and food. There is also increased urination whereby a patient urinates frequently after short periods (Vijan, 2010). It is common for people with diabetes to feel weakness and fatigue in their limbs and body. This is caused by lack of glucose in the cells to produce energy (Campbell & Rubin, 2012). Cases of mood swings have also been reported. There is gradual gaining of weight, coupled with feeling dizzy and frequent headaches (Diabetes Australia, 2011).

Discrimination and stigma has also been reported among individuals suffering from type 2 diabetes. This is due to the symptoms of diabetes that make individuals feel weak due to lack of energy. There is also dizziness due to lack of glucose in the brain cells hence low metabolic rate. People with diabetes also suffer from impaired eyesight and tend to be mocked by their colleagues when they cannot have clear vision of distant objects (Vijan, 2010).

Beneficial self management activities detailed

Patients living with diabetes encounter a lot of challenges in their day to day life as they try to manage their blood sugar levels. For one to manage his/her blood sugar levels, he/she must have undergone a complete medical diagnosis from a qualified medical officer so as to understand their condition. Management of type 2 diabetes involves controlling the eating habits, maintaining blood sugar levels in the required range, and lowering of other cardiovascular factors (Vijan 2010).

Patients are encouraged to monitor their blood sugar levels especially those on multi-dose insulin (American Diabetes Association, 1997). Management of other cardiovascular factors including high cholesterol and hypertension is said to increase a patient’s life expectancy by a sizeable margin. It is also argued that intensive sugar lowering as opposed to standard sugar lowering procedures does not seem to have any adverse effect on mortality (Ripsin, Kang & Urban, 2009).

The most fundamental factors of diabetes management include getting a proper diet and enough body exercise. It is argued that a lot of exercise brings out better results good examples are resistance training and aerobics. A combination of these two brings out the most effective result. Patients are encouraged to follow diets that promote weight loss although there in no unique diet proposed (Zanuso, Jimenez, Pugliese, Corigliano and Balducci 2010; Soneral, 2000).

Community support organizations’ identified

Researchers have found out that patients who belong to community of support groups are more confident, less depressed and less stressed. This is because they are properly equipped by their groups with knowledge of how to control their blood sugar levels. The groups also provide moral support and provides for diabetic patients to share their experiences. There are various community based organizations that currently offer various services and help patients with type 2 diabetes. Some of the community support groups for individuals with type 2 diabetes include: Ararat Diabetes Support Group; Bairnsdale Diabetes Support Group; Ballarat Eureka Diabetes Support Group; Banyule Diabetes Support Group; Beaufort Diabetes Support Group; Benalla Diabetes Support Group; Bendigo Diabetes Support Group; Birchip Diabetes Support Group; Brimbank Diabetes Support Group; Broadmeadows Diabetes Support Group; and Cardinia Awareness Group. Other groups include: Casterton Diabetes Support Group; Charlton Diabetes Support Group; Chelsea Diabetes Support Group; Cobden Diabetes Support Group; Cohuna Diabetes Support Group; Colac Branch; Corryong Diabetes Support Group; Craigieburn and District Diabetes Support Group; Croydon Diabetes Support Group – Sugarbeats; Dandenong & District Diabetes Support Group; Darebin Diabetes Support Group; Diamond Valley Diabetes Support Group, Benalla Bendigo Diabetes Support Group ; Birchip Diabetes Support Group, Brimbank Diabetes Support Group, Glenroy Cardinia Awareness Group.

Conclusion

Type 2 diabetes has emerged to be one of the biggest pandemics to hit mankind in the recent past. Many people suffer from diabetes. However, most of the people do not realize that they suffer from this condition due to ignorance and failure to undergo medical screening. Diabetes can be controlled and managed if it is detected and diagnosed early enough. This is a great challenge in third world countries where healthcare provision is still below international standards coupled by lack of enough medical personnel who have specialized in this field. Parents are advised to take constant note of the development of their children so as to detect diabetes in young children.

References

American Diabetes Association. (1997). Type II diabetes: Your healthy living guide: tips, techniques, and practical advice for living well with diabetes. Alexandria, Va: American Diabetes Association.

Campbell, L., & Rubin, A. L. (2012). Type 2 Diabetes For Dummies. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.

Diabetes Australia (2011). Awareness, prevention, detection, management and cure. Web.

Diabetes Australia-Vic. (2008). Community Network Programs Support Groups. Web.

Dixon, JB; le Roux, CW; Rubino, F. and Zimmet, P (2012). Bariatric surgery for type 2 diabetes. Lancet 379 (9833): 2300-1.

Fasanmade, O.A.; Odeniyi, IA, Ogbera, AO (2008). Diabetic ketoacidosis: diagnosis and management. African journal of medicine and medical sciences, 37 (2): 99–105.

Gardner, D. G., Shoback, D. M., & Greenspan, F. S. (2007). Greenspan’s basic & clinical endocrinology. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical.

Howard, S. (2011). Diabetes Care.Net. Web.

Kumar, V. Fausto, N. Abbas A. K., Cotran, R. S. and Robbins, S. L. (2005). Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease (7th ed.). Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders.

Ripsin C.M, Kang H., & Urban R.J (2009). Management of blood glucose in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Am Fam Physician, 79 (1): 29–36.

Roper, M. R. (2006). Type 2 diabetes: The adrenal gland disease: the cause of type 2 diabetes and a nutrition program that takes control!. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse.

Soneral, L. M. (2000). The type 2 diabetes desserts cookbook. Los Angeles: Lowell House.

Touma, C. and Pannain, S (2011). Does lack of sleep cause diabetes? Cleveland Clinic journal of medicine, 78 (8): 549–58.

Vijan, S. (2010). “Type 2 diabetes”. Annals of internal medicine 152 (5): ITC31–15.

Waugh, N. et al. (2010). Newer agents for blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes: systematic review and economic evaluation. Health technology assessment (Winchester, England) 14 (36): 1–248.

WebMD, LLC. (2012). Diabetes community. Web.

Zanuso S, Jimenez A, Pugliese G, Corigliano G, and Balducci S. (2010). Exercise for the management of type 2 diabetes: a review of the evidence. Acta Diabetol. 47(1):15-22.

Covid-19 has become a critical issue for discussion worldwide. It touched all spheres of life, including medicine, education, business, and tourism among others. All people were directly or implicitly impacted by the consequences of the lockdown and pandemic in general. Life has changed, and society has to adapt to new circumstances. On the one hand, these harsh conditions granted many opportunities for development and growth for some, however, many hospitals realized that there are not enough resources to treat people under such pressure. This article aims at answering the question of how the globe responds to Covid-19.

Although the pandemic has spread worldwide, the measures taken by different countries have similar components. The governments try to implement various policies, some of which were successful, and other states adopted the ideas in their prevention programs. World Health Organization (WHO) has created a plan with the objectives which help reduce the risks and control the current situation (United Nations, 2020). These goals involve collecting more information and data on the status of Covid-19 worldwide.

Moreover, the organization urges to provide them access to medical services, which must be “affordable, safe, effective, and easily administered” (United Nations, 2020, p. 7). The governments should deliver humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable households and address the needs of various communities (United Nations, 2020, p. 8). Finally, it is crucial to create a recovery plan for the future sustainable development of the countries and the planet in general. Thus, the report addresses the essential topics and points to different spheres of life.

The examples of how countries began to fight the virus vary from one state to another; however, there are some similarities. First, many countries started to conduct research studies to develop the vaccine. Moreover, some people such as medical workers have already been vaccinated. Nonetheless, it takes much time for the data analyses and clinical placebo-control trials. Thus, governments focus on prevention measures and providing the access to medical treatment.

Second, the lockdown was the initial practical attempt to control the virus. The implementation of lockdowns at an early stage by Australia, New Zealand, and China, among others, helped prevent the spread of Covid-19 and give time for the development of vaccines (Osier et al., 2020). Another measure of prevention taken was to educate the population about risks and consequences as well as protection means. For instance, the WHO created an Information Network for Epidemics to provide regular resources and updates on the current situation (United Nations, 2020). Furthermore, there were a few collaborations between countries to deliver necessary biomedical equipment, masks, and gloves. The United Nations and its partners organized the shipment of essential supplies to more than 130 countries (United Nations, 2020). Therefore, the response to Covid-19 on the international scale involved the collaboration and mutual support of different countries and organizations.

Finally, the plan for future disease control and prevention which includes several issues has been delivered. First, the standardized alert system’s development to avert the spread of viruses is on the international agenda (United Nations, 2020). Second, operational and technical guidance should be in priority for further collaborations of organizations. As a result, these measures will help organize medical treatment access, up-to-date information, and the usage of necessary tools to fight diseases and viruses.

To conclude, the current pandemic has changed the way politicians and researchers develop clinical placebo-control trials and adopt practical measures to fight viruses worldwide. Covid-19 proved that countries have to cooperate and share relevant information promptly to achieve more effective results in disease prevention. The essential steps which can be taken include providing accurate information immediately, delivering necessary equipment, and further developing of recovery plans to help mitigate the outcomes of virus spread.

References

United Nations. (2020). United Nations comprehensive response to Covid-19: saving lives, protecting societies, recovering better. Web.

Osier F, Ting, P Y.J, Suchard, M., Lambreht, B.N, Romano, M., Gazzinell, R.T., Bortoluci, K.R., Zamboni, D.S., Akbar, A.N., Evans, J., Brown, D.E., Pate, K.D., Wu, Y., Perez, A.B., Perez, O., Kamradt, T., Falk, C., Barda-Saad, M., … Suchard, M. (2020). The global response to the COVID-19 pandemic: How have immunology societies contributed?Nature Reviews Immunology, 20, 594-602. Web.

Nurses and other healthcare professionals need to apply their competencies when pursuing their goals in different capacities. They can complete various projects in an attempt to present meaningful insights that can improve beneficiaries’ experiences. Throughout such exercises, it is appropriate to consider ethical issues that can make every study practical, meaningful, and replicable in different settings to improve people’s experiences. The current exercise is aimed at analyzing the effectiveness of a mindfulness program targeting patients and other community members who are at risk of an ongoing pandemic.

Important Considerations

Many projects in healthcare settings are usually complex and involve human subjects. Such studies target members of the public to provide timely information that can support the decision-making processes and deliver meaningful insights to improve their experiences. The intended mindfulness program will only succeed if the involved subjects are treated in an ethical manner. First, the issue of ethics is critical and will become the guiding principle for the entire study. To protect the involved human subjects, it will be essential to seek informed consent before enrolling the identified individuals in the study (Weinbaum et al., 2019). Such a practice is essential since it will ensure that only those interested in the process are involved and encouraged to provide their views. The identified individuals should provide the relevant consent to allow the use of the recorded personal information. This strategy will make the study acceptable and relevant to the identified situation.

Second, the inclusion of underage children’s data is a practice that needs reconsideration if the intended study is capable of protecting the rights of the intended human subjects. Such society members are vulnerable and might not be aware of the intentions and goals of the study. Should the need to have several children in the study arise, the most ethical strategy is ensuring that their parents and guardians are aware of the process or involved (Surmiak, 2018). Such a practice will support the protection of all involved participants and ensure that the acquired information remains relevant and acceptable to the greatest majority.

Third, confidentiality is a critical principle that results in a high-quality and ethical research that protects human subjects and confidential data. In this case study, the information acquired throughout the process will be handled effectively in accordance with the outlined guidelines. For instance, no personal or private data should be shared with unauthorized or third-party users (Weinbaum et al., 2019). Additionally, it would be inappropriate to share real names and personal details that could amount to unethical practice. Such a process will make the entire study ethical, capable of protecting the identified subjects, and eventually deliver timely ideas for supporting more citizens throughout the pandemic period.

Project Status: Ethical and Protective Process

The intended project is a case study focusing on mindfulness as a powerful practice for helping people whenever there is a disease outbreak. The specific program will mainly rely on past studies completed on the topic and present a comprehensive summary that could guide psychologists, health professionals, and policymakers to consider superior ways of improving patients’ experiences (Surmiak, 2018). Since the project will be a case study focusing on a specified site, IRB approval would be unnecessary.

As the lead researcher, I will consider some of the best initiatives to assure a protective and ethical process for those involved. The first group of individuals is that of patients in the targeted institution. Ethical guidelines will support the entire process whereby the participants will have to acknowledge the study by providing informed consent (Weinbaum et al., 2019). Similarly, the health leaders in every department or community will be requested to be involved and increase the participants’ confidence. The considerations outlined above will be essential to maximize the ethicality of the entire exercise.

The data collectors and analysts involved in the case study will receive timely rules regarding how they can handle the acquired information, the manner in which they relate with the recruited subjects, and the decisions they will make throughout the process. The consideration of an oath will be essential to compel all participants to follow the outlined guidelines. It is appropriate to complete the case study in such a way that the collected data is handled effectively and not shared with individuals who are not part of the process. The unique protocols associated with studies involving human subjects will ensure that positive results are recorded (Surmiak, 2018). After completing the study, it will be necessary to proofread and crosscheck the final report to ensure that it does not contain confidential information of both the selected stakeholders and patients.

Conclusion

The proposed case study seeks to learn more about the effectiveness of mindfulness in dealing with various pandemics. The above discussion has outlined some of the key ethical principles and procedures that researchers need to take seriously in order to protect the rights of the targeted patients and other key stakeholders. The description has also identified the best practices for handling and communicating confidential information after the successful completion of the targeted case study.

References

Surmiak, A. (2018). Confidentiality in qualitative research involving vulnerable participants: Researchers’ perspectives. Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 19(3). Web.

Weinbaum, C., Landree, E., Blumenthal, M. S., Piquado, T., & Gutierrez, C. I. (2019). Ethics in scientific research: An examination of ethical principles and emerging topics. Rand Corporation.