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Background: Virtual reality can play an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic in the health care sector. This technology has the potential to supplement the traditional in-hospital medical training and treatment, and may increase access to training and therapies in various health care settings. Objective: This systematic review aimed to describe the literature on health care--targeted virtual reality applications during the COVID-19 crisis. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of the literature on the PsycINFO, Web of Science, and MEDLINE databases, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The search string was as follows: "[(virtual reality)] AND [(COVID-19) OR (coronavirus) OR (SARS-CoV-2) OR (healthcare)]." Papers published in English after December 2019 in peer-reviewed journals were selected and subjected to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. We used the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool to assess the quality of studies and the risk of bias. Results: Thirty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Seventeen studies showed the usefulness of virtual reality during the COVID-19 crisis for reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and pain, and promoting physical activity. Twenty-two studies revealed that virtual reality was a helpful learning and training tool during the COVID-19 crisis in several areas, including emergency medicine, nursing, and pediatrics. This technology was also used as an educational tool for increasing public understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic. Different levels of immersion (ie, immersive and desktop virtual reality), types of head-mounted displays (ie, PC-based, mobile, and standalone), and content (ie, 360° videos and photos, virtual environments, virtual reality video games, and embodied virtual agents) have been successfully used. Virtual reality was helpful in both face-to-face and remote trials. Conclusions: Virtual reality has been applied frequently in medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, with positive effects for treating several health conditions and for medical education and training. Some barriers need to be overcome for the broader adoption of virtual reality in the health care panorama. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: The COVID-19 pandemic emerged in late 2019 with increased infection and mortality rates. Even with observing safety measures, medical staff have to deal with a high level of mental and physical pressure during an epidemic, and they might demonstrate diverse behaviors rooted in their experiences and emotions toward the situation. The paper examines different experiences and emotions of medical staff dealing with COVID-19 in Ilam, Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with the participation of 200 care providers in 2020. Data was gathered using two questionnaires: the scale of positive and negative emotions (SPANE) and the positive and negative affect scale (PANAS). Data analyses were done in STATA12 using linear regression models. Results: The mean score of positive emotion in ICU, general, maternity, and administrative wards in women were 32±6.23, 34.07±6.74, 35.35±9.24, and 35.61±6.91 respectively. The mean scores of Negative emotions in the Maternity ward and administrative departments were higher than in the ICU and CCU wards (P=0.05). The midwives’ mean negative emotions score was lower than the physician’s (P value

Introduction and purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the health, life and quality of life of many people around the world. It caused huge changes in the daily functioning of entire societies. Pregnant women are a unique group of people who are particularly at risk. They are accompanied by fear for their health, but also fear of the impact of the disease on their offspring. The pandemic has also caused new challenges for mothers-to-be that have not occurred so far. In this paper, we would like to present the current state of knowledge on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the risk of developing pre-eclampsia. State of knowledge: We analyzed studies showing the impact of COVID-19 infection on the health of pregnant women, especially on the risk of developing pre-eclampsia. Data from many studies are contradictory. Some studies do not indicate a significant impact of coronavirus infection on the development of pre-eclampsia. Some of them confirm a higher incidence of pre-eclampsia in pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19 infection. Conclusions: Despite the experience gained, there are still many unknowns. Thanks to research, we have more and more knowledge about the course of COVID-19 in pregnant women and its impact on their lives. Many observations are still needed to formulate clear conclusions about the impact of COVID-19 on the risk of developing pre-eclampsia. It is also necessary to continue to educate women, encourage compliance with the recommendations of doctors and the World Health Organization to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Introduction and purpose The COVID-19 pandemic, which has been ongoing since early 2020, has significantly affected the health care system worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 virus being the etiological factor of the disease has a high affinity for the renal organ. The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of the current knowledge of the problem of frequent AKI in the course of coronavirus infection, the impact of COVID-19 disease in patients with chronic kidney disease and on renal replacement therapy or dialysis. Review method In the process of writing, we used available articles and scientific papers in Pubmed and Google Scholar databases based on keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, AcuteKidneyInjury, ChronicKidneyDisease. State of knowledge SARS-CoV-2 virus enters target cells through the ACE2 receptor. In the pathophysiology of AKI in the course of COVID-19, a key role is attributed to secondary damage mechanisms such as cytokine storm, hypoperfusion with hypoxia, endothelial dysfunction. The incidence of acute kidney injury ranges from 5.1% to 36.6%. The development of AKI, renal transplant status, the presence of chronic kidney disease or renal replacement therapy is associated with an increased risk of severe course and higher mortality on COVID-19. Summary The COVID-19 pandemic has posed new logistical and therapeutic challenges to the health care system. Due to the high tropism of SARS-CoV-2 to the kidneys and the frequent occurrence of AKI during the course of the infection, nephrology patients, those on renal replacement therapy and those awaiting transplantation should be placed under special surveillance. Patients in these groups are at particular risk for a severe course of COVID-19.

Introduction: As of March 11, 2020, COVID-19 has been declared as a global pandemic. It has spread rapidly and profoundly impact the function of health care system all around the world. As a result, management and organisation of oncology units had to be altered in order to provide security measures and safe care for patients. Purpose: The aim of this paper is to review current knowledge involving management of patients with malignancies during COVID-19 pandemic. Particular attention has been paid to changes in diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with cancer. Material and methods: The review includes publications released in 2019 and 2020. The data has been collected by the use of PubMed, WHO website and other online published guidance. Results: As a lot of clinical trials has been suspended, current therapy options for patients with cancer has been also limited. Moreover, patients became fearful of becoming infected by SARS-CoV-2 and accordingly they were less likely to attend screening programmes. Additionally, as the amount of surgeries has been reduced, the need for radiotherapy service has increased. Chemotherapy has been found to be risky for patients with cancer as it may favour them to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions: Appropriate security measures need to be implemented in order to protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection but optimal health care access should be provided as well. There is a high necessity to share knowledge and experience on the impact of pandemic on patients with malignancies. However, a lot of patients are fearful of COVID-19, adverse effects of delayed diagnosis, treatment and follow-up should not be diminished.

The pandemic declared in many countries in 2020 due to COVID-19 led to the freezing of economies and the introduction of distance learning in both schools and universities. This unusual situation has affected the mental state of citizens, which has the potential to lead to the development of post-traumatic stress and depression. This study aimed to assess the level of stress in dental students in the context of the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic. A survey on the PSS-10 scale was prepared to measure the level of perceived stress. The study included 164 dental students at the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland. The results showed the impact of COVID-19 on the stress of students, with 67.7% reporting high levels of stress. The study also revealed that stress was higher among older female students. This paper recommends that the university provide more intensive psychological care as psychological first aid strategies in epidemics or natural disasters and to consider telemedicine in order to deliver services due to the limitations of the pandemic.

Globalization has led to what has happened in a certain part of the world having a significant and rapid impact on other places, causing significant changes in health problems. In the last quarter of the 18th century, the history of vaccination began, becoming an effective tool to prevent and control communicable diseases. This paper proposes an observational research with a cross-sectional design to study the importance of health education and vaccination in building inclusive societies. With a sample of 1000 participants from 76 countries, vaccine awareness and regulation were analyzed, considering the following variables: gender, age, sector, Human Development Index (HDI), and continent. The instrument used was a questionnaire (VACUNASEDUCA) developed for this research and timely validated. As a result, it is highlighted that the profiles of women, people under 30 years of age, education sector, high Human Development Index, and European continent are those that most value the importance of raising awareness in society and the regulation of actions for vaccination compliance. The consequences of “vaccine reluctance” are of concern in every country on the planet. Therefore, it is concluded that effective and evidence-based communication is key to allaying fears and promoting acceptance of vaccination around the world, building inclusive societies in which all citizens enjoy the health benefits.