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OBJECTIVE To translate and validate the heat wave knowledge, awareness, practice and behavior scale (HWKAPBS) in Greek. METHOD We conducted a cross-sectional study in Greece with a convenience sample of 147 individuals. We assessed test-retest reliability, internal reliability, face validity and construct validity. We calculated intraclass correlation coefficients, the Kuder-Richardson Formula 20, and Cronbach's coefficient alpha. Moreover, we performed confirmatory factor analysis to assess the construct validity of the HWKAPBS. RESULTS Intraclass correlation coefficients for the four constructs (knowledge, awareness, practice, behavior) ranged from 0.918 to 0.993 (p<0.001 in all cases). All model fit indices in the confirmatory factor analysis were acceptable. Thus, confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the structure of the original version of the HWKAPBS with the four structures: knowledge, awareness, practice and behavior. Correlations between awareness, practice and behavior constructs were very high and statistically significant (p<0.001 in all cases). Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 for the knowledge construct was 0.611. Moreover, Cronbach's coefficients alpha for the awareness, practice and behavior constructs were 0.929, 0.866, and 0.766, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The HWKAPBS is a brief, reliable and valid tool to measure knowledge, attitudes and practice of the general public about heat waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To quantitatively and qualitatively explore the emergency calls received by the National Center of Emergency Care (Greek acronym: EKAB) in the region of Attica for the period 2019-2021. METHOD Retrospective descriptive analysis of the database recording calls to EKAB for the peri-pandemic and pandemic period. RESULTS The average number of calls per year was 350,000, two thirds of which resulted in the further use of emergency services. In the first year of the pandemic crisis (2020), calls decreased by 14% compared to 2019. During the first lockdown calls decreased by 33%. Considerable reductions were observed for calls related to trauma and motor vehicle accidents (21%) and cardiovascular events (22%). The proportion of calls resulting in refusals of transportation to hospital increased. Moreover, calls for "psychiatric/suicide attempts" increased in 2020. CONCLUSIONS This was the first study using realworld data to explore the response of EKAB to the demand for emergency medical services (EMS) before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic crisis. The study shed light to the composition of demand and the changes induced by SARS-CoV-2. The findings were consistent with the reported experience of other emergency services across the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To identify an appropriate cut-off point for the "Quiet Quitting" Scale (QQS), in order to discriminate quiet quitters from those with a low level of quiet quitting. METHOD A cross-sectional study in Greece during June 2023 was conducted. We recruited adult employees from every job sector and achieved to obtain a convenience sample. The Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis was used to calculate the best cut-off point for the QQS. In that case, "Job Satisfaction Survey" (JSS), "Copenhagen Burnout Inventory" (CBI), "Single Item Burnout" (SIB) measure, and turnover intention score as external criterions were used. For each criterion, a dichotomous variable was created with the use of medians or suggested values from the literature as cut-off points. RESULTS A significant predictive power of QQS for job satisfaction assessed by JSS, and for job burnout assessed by CBI and SIB measure were found. The best cut-off point for the QQS was found to be 2.06. In that case, the highest values for Youden's index (0.34) and AUC (0.73) were found, while the 95% confidence interval for the AUC ranged from 0.70 to 0.76. Sensitivity and specificity of QQS were 0.68 and 0.66, respectively (p<0.001). Therefore, employees with QQS score ≥2.06 as quiet quitters, and those with QQS score <2.06 as non-quiet quitters were considered. CONCLUSIONS The best cut-off point for the QQS was 2.06. Employees with QQS score ≥2.06 as quiet quitters can be described as quiet quitters. Further research should be conducted to validate the present results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To highlight the best practices of the implementation of the National Action Plan for Public Health in Greece, by strengthening prevention, health promotion strategies, and social policy in current epidemiological challenges. METHOD Asthma patients from the community enrolled in the "Asthma School", where they were screened, diagnosed and trained. Best practices of the outpatient Pulmonology Unit of the Model Health Center of the urban type of Peristeri were evaluated, highlighting the primary health care (PHC) reorientation policy. The Pulmonology Unit has developed a strategy for preventing respiratory problems and providing health education. This strategy was implemented in collaboration with the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, now the Hellenic National Public Health Organization, the Municipality of Peristeri, and the Ministry of Health. RESULTS A total of 113 people attended the "Asthma School", of which 69.03% were women and the mean age was 51.07±14.59 years. The Pulmonology Unit operated to high standards, with the vision of developing a dynamic system, according to National Health Policy. Emphasis was placed on the quality of PHC, as respiratory problems concern a major public health problem for society. The majority of participants reported that their asthma was well controlled in the last four weeks (p<0.05). Improvement was recorded in terms of adopting prevention, with an increase of 30% in patients visiting the Health Center for preventive measures. CONCLUSIONS Targeted education of asthma patients is important in PHC, leading to better compliance and treatment effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of leadership styles on strategic leadership, as well as the integration and commitment to a change plan within a hospital environment. METHOD A quantitative study was conducted to measure the impact of leadership styles on the following factors: (a) strategic leadership, (b) integration of change, and (c) commitment to change. The research sample consisted of 280 employees working in general hospitals located in the area of Thessalia, Greece. The questionnaire used included several tools to measure the variables mentioned above. RESULTS The research revealed that the transformational leadership style's idealized influence and inspirational motivation characteristics were the most frequently adopted, while the passive laissez-faire style was the least utilized. Furthermore, the findings of this study showed a positive connection between both transactional and transformational leadership styles with the factors of strategic leadership, integration of change, and commitment to change. In contrast, the laissezfaire style exhibited a negative relationship with the variables of strategic leadership, integration of change, and commitment to change. CONCLUSIONS Effective leadership plays a crucial role in managing a health institute and successfully implementing a strategic organizational change plan. The commitment and integration of healthcare employees are essential assets for the successful execution of organizational change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives of Hellenic Medicine / Arheia Ellenikes Iatrikes is the property of Athens Medical Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Archives of Hellenic Medicine / Arheia Ellenikes Iatrikes is the property of Athens Medical Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)