The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being, work conditions, and education of early career psychiatrists in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: study protocol

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic placed great strain on healthcare professionals, leading to a substantial impact and a redistribution of the workforce. Despite the active involvement of the Eastern Mediterranean Region Office (EMRO) and the World Health Organization in managing mental health crises, there is a knowledge gap concerning the working conditions and training opportunities available for early career psychiatrists (ECPs) during the pandemic period.ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ECPs and how it affected their well-being, employment, and educational opportunities.MethodsA mixed methods study has been conducted in Iran, Egypt, and Tunisia, three EMRO member countries. It includes a cross-sectional survey with self-reported questions, and a qualitative study with individual in-depth interviews.DiscussionThe findings of this study will raise awareness to the working conditions of ECPs within the EMRO region and its member societies, both during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The results will serve as a basis for encouraging supervisors and policymakers to mitigate the pandemic’s impact on psychiatric training, strengthen healthcare systems’ preparedness, and equip early career psychiatrists with the necessary skills to deal with the mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic

Management of tibial nonunion and osteoarthritis using a 3D-printed titanium cone: A case report

The use of customized 3D-printed structures has been gaining popularity in non-union management, as it allows for bypassing the defect while promoting osseointegration. Additionally, porous titanium implants minimize stress shielding due to their stiffness and elastic modulus being closer to that of bone. The interconnected channels increase the surface area and provide space for cell adhesion and proliferation. This study presents the case of a 62-year-old female patient with concomitant knee osteoarthritis recalcitrant aseptic atrophic nonunion in the tibial proximal metaphysis. Due to the small distance between the nonunion site and the joint line, nonunion treatment had to be included in the treatment plan, as it would result in a lack of mechanical stability of the tibial component, and techniques such as plating were not an option. A customized 3D-printed porous titanium cone was used to bypass the fracture site and support the stem used with the CCK prosthesis, allowing for simultaneous nonunion and osteoarthritis management