Stress and a burn-out syndrome at work among paramedics

Paramedics are one of the professions where the risk of exposure to stress is high as well as the risk of occurrence of the burnout syndrome. The aim of the study was to analyze methods of stress reduction and symptoms of the burnout syndrome among 122 paramedics from Kraków and surrounding area. The most prevalent symptom was severe tiredness after working hours. The majority of respondents (64%) confirmed using 44 constructive methods of stress reduction, however potentially dangerous use of alcohol, cigarettes was also observed especially in difficult situations. The results showed that in the research group the occurrence of alarming symptoms of the burnout syndrome was numerous. Therefore there is a need to define and implement appropriate activities aiming at stress reduction training - like debriefing, training on resilience or support of physical activity. It is highly important since the outcomes of burnout will affect not only paramedics themselves, but also their employers and patients

Nowe prawa i obowiązki ratowników medycznych w świetle nowelizacji ustawy o PRM = New rights and duties of paramedics according to the updated Law on National Medical Emergency Services

Mikos Marcin, Juszczyk Grzegorz, Czerw Aleksandra. Nowe prawa i obowiązki ratowników medycznych w świetle nowelizacji ustawy o PRM = New rights and duties of paramedics according to the updated Law on National Medical Emergency Services. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2016;6(2):311-315. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.46832http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/3409https://pbn.nauka.gov.pl/works/717768 The journal has had 7 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education parametric evaluation. Part B item 755 (23.12.2015).755 Journal of Education, Health and Sport eISSN 2391-8306 7© The Author (s) 2016;This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, PolandOpen Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,provided the original author(s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercialuse, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.Received: 05.01.2016. Revised 12.02.2016. Accepted: 27.02.2016.  Nowe prawa i obowiązki ratowników medycznych w świetle nowelizacji ustawy o PRMNew rights and duties of paramedics according to the updated Law on National Medical Emergency Services Marcin Mikos (1), Grzegorz Juszczyk (2), Aleksandra Czerw(2) (1)   Polskie Towarzystwo Prawa Medycznego(2)   Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Zakład Zdrowia Publicznego Słowa kluczowe: ratownik medyczny, Państwowe Ratownictwo Medyczne.Key words: medical profession of paramedics, The Law on National Medical Emergency Services.StreszczenieZmiany w prawie dotyczące wykonywania zawodu ratownika medycznego są źródłem nowych praw i obowiązków w zakresie wykonywania tego zawodu w Polsce. Nowe przepisy wprowadzają także ustawowe gwarancje przestrzegania praw pacjenta przez ratowników medycznych. W pracy opisane zostały najważniejsze zmiany wynikające z nowelizacji z dnia 25 września 2015 roku  ustawy o Państwowym Ratownictwie Medycznym mające bezpośredni wpływ na uwarunkowania zawodowe paramedyków. AbstractChanges in the law regulating medical profession of paramedics are fundamental sources of new rights and duties of this occupation in Poland. New regulations introduce legal boundaries for obeying the patients’ rights by paramedics. The paper describes the key changes based on the update of the Law on National Medical Emergency Services form 25th of September 2015, which directly influence occupational duties of paramedics in Poland

Incidence and mortality rates in breast, corpus uteri, and ovarian cancers in Poland (1980-2013) : an analysis of population-based data in relation to socioeconomic changes

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze incidence and mortality trends in breast cancer (BC), corpus uteri cancer (CUC), and ovarian cancer (OC) in Poland in the context of sociodemographic changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Incidence and mortality data (1980–2013) were retrieved from the Polish National Cancer Registry, while socioeconomic data (1960–2013) were obtained from the World Bank. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates were calculated by direct standardization, and join-point regression was performed to describe trends using the average annual percentage change (AAPC). RESULTS: A significant decrease in birth and fertility rates and a large increase in gross domestic product were observed together with a decrease in the total mortality rate among women, as well as an increase in life expectancy for women. A large, significant increase in BC incidence was observed (AAPC(1980–1990) 2.14, AAPC(1990–1996) 4.71, AAPC(1996–2013) 2.21), with a small but significant decrease in mortality after a slight increase (AAPC(1980–1994) 0.52, AAPC(1994–2013) −0.66). During the period 1980–2013, a significant increase in CUC incidence (AAPC(1980–1994) 3.7, AAPC(1994–2013) 1.93) was observed, with an initial mortality-rate reduction followed by a significant increase (AAPC(1980–2006) −1.12, AAPC(2006–2013) 3.74). After the initial increase of both OC incidence and mortality from 1994, the incidence rate decreased significantly (AAPC(1980–1994) 2.98, AAPC(1994–2013) −0.49), as did the mortality rate (AAPC(1980–1994) 0.52, AAPC(1994–2013) −0.66). CONCLUSION: After 1994, a decrease in OC incidence was found, while the incidence of BC and CUC continued to increase. A reduction in mortality rate was observed for BC and OC predominantly at the end of the study period, while for CUC, after a long decreasing mortality trend, a significant increase was observed

Occupational risks for SARS-CoV-2 infection : the Polish experience

The disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), termed COVID-19, is asymptomatic or mild in most cases. These patients do not need treatment in hospital and can be isolated at home. To date, most studies have been conducted among inpatients with severe COVID-19. In this study, the authors surveyed patients with mild COVID-19 who remained in home isolation, and analyzed the sources and occupational risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infections. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on April 17-18, 2020, among patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 who remained in home isolation in Poland. Data were acquired through a structured interview that included questions about the isolation course, symptoms, comorbidities, infection source, household characteristics, occupation, and workplace. Data were presented with descriptive statistics. Results: Of the 4878 patients in home isolation, the authors were able to contact 3313. Of them, 1191 patients declined their invitation, and 2122 agreed to take part. The median age of the patients included in the study was 50 years; 59% were female. Most patients (92%) had not been abroad before the infection. More than half (55%) knew how they became infected; of them, 75% became infected at work. Of all patients, 70% were occupationally active. Nearly half of the occupationally active patients (48%) worked in healthcare, 3% worked in public administration or defense, 3% worked in transportation, and 2% worked in education. Sixty-five percent of the occupationally active patients worked in companies with >100 employees. Conclusions: Most of the patients with COVID-19 in home isolation in Poland were occupationally active, wherein the majority of people who were aware of the source of SARS-CoV-2 infection worked in healthcare. As most of the infected patients worked in companies with >100 employees, which is not a Polish employment pattern, the authors expect that smaller companies may have a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infections

Formy przekazu kampanii społecznych w Polsce i Wielkiej Brytanii – badanie porównawcze = Forms of social media campaigns in Poland and the UK - a comparative study

Skaruz Daria, Olejniczak Dominik, Skonieczna Joanna, Juszczyk Grzegorz. Formy przekazu kampanii społecznych w Polsce i Wielkiej Brytanii – badanie porównawcze = Forms of social media campaigns in Poland and the UK - a comparative study. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2015;5(8):285-294. ISSN 2391-8306. DOI 10.5281/zenodo.28750http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.28750http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/2015%3B5%288%29%3A285-294https://pbn.nauka.gov.pl/works/611023POL-index https://pbn.nauka.gov.pl/polindex/browse/article/article-72158a19-900f-4c93-8df4-69e2d4d39aeeFormerly Journal of Health Sciences. ISSN 1429-9623 / 2300-665X. Archives 2011–2014 http://journal.rsw.edu.pl/index.php/JHS/issue/archive Deklaracja.Specyfika i zawartość merytoryczna czasopisma nie ulega zmianie.Zgodnie z informacją MNiSW z dnia 2 czerwca 2014 r., że w roku 2014 nie będzie przeprowadzana ocena czasopism naukowych; czasopismo o zmienionym tytule otrzymuje tyle samo punktów co na wykazie czasopism naukowych z dnia 31 grudnia 2014 r.The journal has had 5 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland parametric evaluation. Part B item 1089. (31.12.2014).© The Author (s) 2015;This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland and Radom University in Radom, PolandOpen Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercialuse, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.Received: 15.08.2015. Revised 21.08.2015. Accepted: 21.08.2015. Formy przekazu kampanii społecznych w Polsce i Wielkiej Brytanii – badanie porównawczeForms of social media campaigns in Poland and the UK - a comparative study Skaruz Daria, Olejniczak Dominik, Skonieczna Joanna, Juszczyk Grzegorz Zakład Zdrowia Publicznego, Warszawski Uniwersytet MedycznyPublic Health Department, Medical University of Warsaw Słowa kluczowe: kampanie zdrowotne, promocja zdrowia, reklama społeczna.Key words: social advertising, health campaigns, health promotion. Streszczenie            Wprowadzenie: Kampania społeczna to rodzaj społecznej komunikacji. Polega na promowaniu społecznie właściwych i wartościowych wzorców zachowań, postaw, a także na zwróceniu uwagi społeczeństwa na istotne i trudne do rozwiązanie problemy.            Cel pracy: Ukazanie różnic występujących w odbiorze wybranych kampanii społecznych przez respondentów.            Materiał i metoda: Zastosowano metodę sondażu diagnostycznego i autorski kwestionariusze. Udzielanie odpowiedzi przez respondentów poprzedzono wyświetleniem nagrania wideo poszczególnych reklam społecznych. W badaniu wykorzystano reklamy społeczne z Wielkiej Brytanii i Polski. Grupą badaną byli uczniowie drugich i trzecich klas Liceum Ogólnokształcącego. W badaniu wzięło udział 209 uczniów,            Wyniki: Blisko 38% badanych osób uważa, że udział dzieci w reklamach społecznych to dobry pomysł.  Blisko 58% licealistów odpowiedziało, że widok krwi nie zraża ich do dalszego oglądania spotu. Obraz nagiego ciała nie przeszkadzał 88% badanych, a ponad 93% badanych odpowiedziało, że sceny z podtekstem erotycznym nie wywołały u nich oburzenia.            Wnioski: W procesie planowania kampanii społecznej istotne jest precyzyjne określenie grupy docelowej i sposobu dotarcia do niej w celu osiągnięcia  pozytywnych rezultatów. Przekaz powinien w sposób jednoznaczny opisywać problem i  być łatwy do zrozumienia. Warto rozważyć przygotowanie kontrowersyjnego spotu, gdyż w ten sposób można zwiększyć szansę na przykucie uwagi odbiorcy i wzbudzenie w nim chęci zapoznania się z podejmowanym problemem społecznym. Kampania społeczna powinna wzbudzać w odbiorcach emocje. Im większe emocje u odbiory, tym reklama lepiej zostanie zapamiętana, co może przełożyć się na zmianę zachowania odbiorcy.Abstract            Introduction: The social campaign is a kind of social communication. It promotes socially relevant, valuable patterns of behavior and draws attention on important social problems.            Aim: To show differences in perception of selected social campaigns.            Material and Methods: The study was conducted using a questionnaire designed by the author. Completing the questionnaire was prelude by displaying the Polish and English social advertising. The study covered 209 secondary school students.            Results: Nearly 38% of respondents believe that children's participation in social advertising is a good idea. Nearly 58% of high school students answered that the blood on-screen does not estrange them to continue watching advertisement. The nakedness is not disturbed 88% of respondents. More than 93% of respondents don't feel outraged because of eroticism in advertising.            Conclusions: Defining target group is essential in the process of planning a social campaign to achieve positive results. The advertising message should clearly describe the problem and be easy to understand. Controversial advertisement can increase a chance of gaining the attention to undertaken social problem. Social campaign should arouse emotion in the advertising addressee

Epidemiological Study of Acute Poisoning for Antiepileptic Drugs: A 2-Year Retrospective Study in Cracow, Poland

The aim of this study was designed to examine the rate of occurrence of antiepileptic drug overdose in 2002 and 2012 in Cracow, Poland, and analyze the demographics and clinical features of the patients Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) intoxication. A retrospective study included all the patients admitted in to the Toxicology Units in Cracow for AED intoxications in 2002 and in 2012. Patients were identified of discharge diagnoses (ICD-10). AED intoxication were 5.40% of the total admissions. Mean age of the patients was 35.88 ± 12.54 years. The female-to-male ratio was 1:1.7. The most frequent AED was carbamazepine (n = 140), followed by valproate (n = 31). The most frequent motivation was intentional intoxication (n = 166, 94.86%). Ethanol was coingested by 51 patients (29.14%). Most of the patients ingested other drugs (32%). Antiepileptic drugs intoxication accounted for only of 7.13% of all cases admitted to the abovementioned toxicology units in 2002 and 2012 in Cracow. Our studies show that most of the AED poisoning cases in those years were caused by drugs belonging to the old generation antiepileptic drugs, including carbamazepine and valproic acid. The majority of the intoxication cases was related to suicidal poisoning and commonest identified reason of self-intoxication were issues with self including attention-seeking behavior

Immunity to hepatitis A virus among working professionals in Poland - Results of a 3-year serological survey 2013-2015

Introduction Hepatitis A (HA) is caused by infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The differential etiological diagnosis of acute hepatitis is based on a positive result of the serological test detecting IgM class anti-HAV. For epidemiological studies on past infection and seroprevalence of HAV in populations, the tests measuring IgG class anti-HAV or total anti-HAV are used. Since the 1990s, specific prophylaxis is possible by vaccination against HA. In Poland, vaccination is recommended and in majority is performed at own cost. Material and methods Database was obtained from electronic medical records of the 2 major private health care providers networks (Luxmed and Medicover) operating in Poland. During a 3-year period (2013–2015), 1,124 persons with unknown status of anti-HA vaccination were tested for the presence of total anti-HAV. Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-HAV among working professionals in Poland. Results Anti-HAV were detected in 603 (53.6%) persons, while 521 (46.3%) tested negative. The study group was divided into 2 subgroups: 25–44 and 45–64-years-old. For detailed statistical analysis, the presence of anti-HAV was considered as a dependent variable, and its predictors were gender, age and the year of the test performance. The presence of anti-HAV was significantly more prevalent in older age group. The lack of specific antibodies was more prevalent in younger age group. Conclusions Results of the study show increasing susceptibility to HAV infection in the younger age group, compared with the older age group of corporate professional employees in large cities in Poland. Since the epidemiological situation of HA is currently changing with increasing number of symptomatic cases of HA, it is suggested that employers might consider including an additional procedure of vaccination against HA into their private health insurance portfolio

Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Suicide Among Adult Patients with Epilepsy

Suicides constitute a serious public health issue worldwide. The number of suicide victims has been increasing over the years. Susceptibility to suicidal behaviour depends on the interaction of a number of factors. The reasons for taking a decision on committing suicide may objectively seem prosaic, and yet, according to the victim, cannot be resolved in any other way. Very often, it is the disease which is a risk factor for suicide. Suicidal thoughts, suicidal behaviours and suicide attempts as well as committed suicides occur far more frequently in epileptic patients than in the general population. There are many reasons for suicides committed by patients suffering from epilepsy. This paper presents basic data on epidemiology and risk factors of suicide attempts among patients with epilepsy. Risk factors in this group of patients include, inter alia, prior suicide attempts, co-morbidity of epilepsy with depression and other mental disorders, early onset (before 18 years of age), type and frequency of epileptic seizures and the use of anti-epileptic drugs, particularly in polytherapy