The Role of Resilience as an Emotional Protective Factor to Mental Fatigue During the COVID-19 Lockdown: The Experience of Undergraduate Medical Students in Oman

The impact of COVID-19 on mental health across the globe has been colossal. Student mental health and well- being during the pandemic has caused increasing concern due to the drastic transition to online classes, lowered opportunities for socialization and stress related to COVID-19. The aim of the present study was to explore the prevalence of mental fatigue among undergraduate medical students at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences (COMHS), National University of Science and Technology, Sultanate of Oman and study the impact of resilience as a protective factor during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results indicated that participants experienced mild levels of mental fatigue. Normal levels of resilience capacity were seen among medical students. Significant negative correlation was seen between Mental Fatigue and Resilience. Linear regression analysis indicated that gender was a moderate predictive factor in the experience of mental fatigue. Post-lockdown survey results indicated that medical students continued to experience signs of mental fatigue, though restrictions have eased. They also continued to exhibit normal levels of resilience capacity. Students at the COMHS experienced mild levels of mental fatigue during the pandemic lockdown period. Normal level of resilience capacity effectively contributed as an emotional protective factor. Medical students continue to experience mild levels of mental fatigue, though lockdown restrictions have eased. Enhancing campus-based counselling support services to target COVID-19 related psychological distress and improve resiliency capacity is vital

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population