Search

OBJECTIVE Medical education (ME), as a specific field of knowledge related to the processes of medical teaching and learning, is gradually gaining ground in Greece. It does not need to start from scratch, as relevant papers have been already published in the Greek medical literature. The aim of this paper was to list all the articles that refer to ME, published in the journals of the Athens Medical Society: Archives of Hellenic Medicine (AHM) and Archives of Medical Societies (AMS). METHOD Every single published issue was indexed. After the 4th issue of the 16th volume of ??? (July--August 1999) all articles are available on the web (http://www.mednet.gr/archives/). The earlier issues were found either in the Library of Health Sciences of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens or in the Library of the Athens Medical Society. In both cases, the table of contents was first checked, either electronically since July- August 1999 or manually for all previous issues. The abstracts of all articles that initially considered relevant were read and the irrelevant ones were excluded. RESULTS The first issue of AMS was published in the first trimester of the year 1975. The first issue of AHM, the sequel to AMS, was published in February 1984. Having indexed 36 volumes, 47 articles on ME were found (1.28 per year). The first such article was in the 2nd issue of the 5th volume of AMS (1979) and the last in the 3rd issue of the 27th volume of AHM (2010). During its 9-year period of publication, AMS hosted 16 ME articles (1.8 per year), while A?M journal has hosted 31 ME articles in its 26 years of publication (1.2 per year). All papers relevant to ME are listed here, including the 6 that have been recently accepted (2010) but not yet published. CONCLUSIONS Although AMS and AHM are medical and not medical-education journals, ME has found its way into their pages. The listing of ME articles could be helpful to those who intend to work in the field of education of medical students and doctors. The expansion of this indexing to include all other medical journals would contribute to the whole picture of the relevant to Greek bibliography on ME, which should not be ignored by those interested in ME in Greece. [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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

OBJECTIVE Exenatide BID, in head-to-head Phase III clinical trials with insulin, provided similar glycemic control in patients whose diabetes mellitus (DM) was uncontrolled by oral antidiabetic medications (OADs). A variety of criteria appeared to influence the critical decision to move towards an injectable DM therapy. CHOICE is a multinational, prospective, non-interventional, observational study designed to assess the time to change to injectable glucoselowering therapy (exenatide or insulin) among adults with type 2 DM, and the factors associated with the choice. This paper describes baseline data from Greek patients in the study. METHOD In the course of routine clinical care, the demographic/clinical characteristics and healthcare resource use of patients initiating injectable antidiabetic therapy were analyzed, using univariate tests to quantify differences between cohorts on either exenatide or insulin. RESULTS Of 807 eligible patients (52.5% men, mean age 63±11 years), 318 (39.4%) initiated exenatide and 489 (60.6%) insulin, according to protocol-defined criteria. Patients initiating exenatide were younger than those initiating insulin (59±10 vs 65±11 years, p<0.0001), with a higher proportion of women than men (54.4% vs 42.9%, p<0.01), a higher mean body mass index (BMI; 34.4±7 vs 28.7±5 kg/m2; p<0.0001) and waist circumference (112±15 vs 99±14 cm; p<0.0001). They also had lower mean levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in the 3 months prior to initiation of injectable therapy (8.4±1.5% vs 9.3±1.9%, p<0.0001), and lower mean blood levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, creatinine and both fasting and random glucose and less often had microalbuminuria. In addition, those initiating exenatide reported a shorter mean duration of DM (9±6 vs 12±8 years, p<0.001) with fewer macrovascular (21.4% vs 28.2%, p<0.05) or microvascular (10.4% vs 17.2%, p<0.01) complications. Of all the participants 45 (5.6%) reported ⩾1 episode of hypoglycemia in the 3 months prior to initiation of injectable therapy, 15 (4.7%) initiating exenatide and 30 (6.1%) initiating insulin. More patients initiating exenatide had been given dietary and exercise advice (77.7% vs 68.9%, p<0.05). At the time of initiation of injectable therapy, 32% of patients initiated with insulin and 10% of those initiated with exenatide did not report taking any OAD therapy. CONCLUSIONS Patients initiating exenatide rather than insulin as injectable therapy for DM in Greece were on average younger and more obese, with lower HbA1c, a shorter duration of DM, and fewer macro- and microvascular comorbitities, while more had received diet and exercise instructions. The percentage of patients in the insulin group reporting no OAD use at the time of initiation of injectable therapy was 3 fold that in the exenatide group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing, inflammatory skin disease with a significant impact on the quality of life of patients. The aim of this consensus was to investigate the unmet medical need in the management of adult patients suffering from moderate-to-severe AD in Greece. Initially, an extensive literature review was conducted on diagnosis, epidemiology, disease burden, treatments and AD guidelines to develop preliminary statements. In the second phase, these statements were validated, new ones were added when necessary, and finally, voted through the Delphi method by a consensus panel of medical experts-dermatologists. In the third and final phase, the validated statements were presented to a second consensus group of clinical expert-dermatologists for final vote and strengthening of the consensus. In total, 15 clinicians participated in the processes of formulation, validation and voting of 35 statements. In the final consensus, agreement rates ranged from 75% to 100% on 97.14% of the total statements. The prevalence and burden of moderate to severe AD is high, necessitating better therapeutic management of the disease. Therefore, there is an emerging need for new, more effective and safer treatment options in moderate to severe AD in Greece. New biological therapies and small molecules are supported by high efficacy and a favorable safety profile. The development of Greek guidelines and a therapeutic protocol, defining the prescribing framework for the new innovative therapies, would significantly contribute to the optimization of the disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To translate and validate the Greek version of the Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (EBPQ). METHOD A cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of 164 nurses and physicians working in the primary health care sector. The original version of the EBPQ was translated into Greek and we estimated internal reliability, content validity, and construct validity. We conducted factor analysis in order to estimate the structure of the questionnaire. A pilot study was conducted to assess the reliability of the EBPQ. RESULTS Our three-factor model explained 65% of the variance and confirmed the original version of the EBPQ: (a) practice, (b) knowledge/skills, and (c) attitudes towards evidence-based practice. The Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient for the entire questionnaire was 0.91, indicating excellent internal reliability. Spearman's correlation coefficient for all items in test-retest assessment was >0.7 (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The EBPQ was found to be a short, valid and reliable tool to assess the practice, attitude and knowledge/skills associated with evidence-based practice in Greek health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To examine the psychological impact of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic on the university community in Greece and Cyprus. METHOD A cross-sectional study was conducted, with a total sample of 308 faculty and students. Mental health was evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), while the EQ-5D-L was used to assess quality of life. Changes in habits like smoking and drinking were also examined. In addition, the relation between mental health and physical health (as measured with the McGill Pain Questionnaire [SF-MP]) was studied. Various statistical tests (mostly non-parametric) were implemented. RESULTS During lockdown, the members of the academic community switched to online education and experienced a restriction of indoor and outdoor activities. Overall, caffeine consumption increased (p=0.024), while alcohol consumption reduced (p<0.001). Most participants had normal levels of anxiety and depression; however 17% were classified as abnormal cases. Those with high levels of anxiety experienced high levels of depression (p<0.001). Increasing smoking was related to higher anxiety (p=0.027). Higher pain intensity was also significantly related with higher levels of mental health problems (all p<0.05). The quality of life was satisfactory. However, those with higher pain intensity, as well as those with changes in daily habits, such as smoking, had significantly lower quality of life (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Lockdown periods due to the COVID-19 pandemic appear to have had a negative effect on the university community. The change in work routine and daily habits and restrictions of activities were associated with psychological consequences and mental distress, including anxiety and depression. Mental health issues lower the general quality of life and thus special attention should be given to self-care or targeted interventions for groups at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To evaluate self-perception of body weight, intention to change body weight and behaviors related to weight control in a population of adolescent students of two public high schools in Attica, Greece. METHOD Students from a General High School and a Vocational High School located in Attica participated in the study. Data were collected through a questionnaire based on the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System of the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention and included questions about self-perception of body weight, intention to change body weight, and behaviors to control it. In addition, information regarding height, weight and socio-demographic data was collected. RESULTS The questionnaire was answered by 309 students. 23.2% of them were overweight, 3.5% obese and 8.4% underweight. Overweight and obesity prevalence was higher in boys compared to girls. 14.6% of boys and 22.6% of girls with normal weight considered that they were overweight. 30.8% of students tried to lose weight, while 25.6% made efforts to maintain their weight. Exercise was the most common weight-control method, used by the students at a rate of 46.1%, while 32.8% reported that they were on a weight loss diet to lose or maintain weight in the last month. 7.4% of students abstained from food for at least 24 hours, 3.6% used medicines and 2.3% adopted the induction of vomiting and or use laxatives. CONCLUSIONS Educational programs on the healthy ways to control body weight during adolescence are considered necessary in order to prevent behaviors that pose risks to the health of adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To explore the elasticity of the primary health care (PHC) private offices in Greece during the pandemic crisis, and to identify the features that make an independent private practice resilient to unfavorable situations. METHOD A survey of clinical and economic activities was conducted among general practitioners, internists and pediatricians working in private practice in Thessaloniki. The participants were questioned about their practice during the first (March to May 2020) and second (October to December 2020) phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out. RESULTS A significant drop in visits was reported during the pandemic, while telemedicine consultations increased. Profits were reduced, with variation depending on the size of the office and the specialty of the doctor. Most physicians received some sort of financial aid from the government, but overall, the consequences of the pandemic were not catastrophic for their private practice. CONCLUSIONS PHC private offices in Thessaloniki survived the difficulties caused by the pandemic, despite a loss in income. The private practitioners adjusted to the new policies that were implemented during this health crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the association of the type and intensity level of exercise with the 10-year incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a sample of adult men and women in the Attica region of Greece. METHOD An epidemiological survey, the ATTICA study, was conducted during the period 2002-2012; 1,514 men and 1,528 women, aged 18-89 years, with no cardiovascular or other chronic diseases, were enrolled voluntarily at baseline examination. The data on 2,020 participants who provided accurate information on 10-year CVD incidence, and demographic, clinical and behavioral characteristics, were used in the final analysis for this study. Regarding physical activity, participants were classified into subgroups, according to the type, i.e., aerobic, resistance or mixed exercise, and intensity, i.e., low, moderate or high, as measured using metabolic equivalence of energy expenditure (MET). RESULTS In the male participants, an independent protective role of aerobic exercise was demonstrated, compared to no exercise, in reducing CVD risk by 43% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.34, 0.75). The contribution of specific forms of exercise, including walking and participation in team sports, in preventing the development of CVD, also appeared to be significant. Engaging in moderate-intensity exercise, i.e., 3-6 METs, compared with low-intensity exercise, i.e., 0-3 METs, was associated with a 51% reduction in CVD morbidity and mortality (95% CI: 0.27, 0.87), in the male participants, after adjusting for confounding factors. An inadequate, low intensity level of physical activity (<3 METs) was reported by the majority of the study participants, specifically, 56.8%. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the beneficial role of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity in the protection of cardiovascular health in adults, and particularly in men, and highlight the need for formulation of more effective strategies to enhance physical activity levels in the adult population of Attica. [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.)

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.)

Effective patient blood management constitutes a persistent challenge for healthcare systems and public health across Europe. Especially in Greece, a country with a traditionally high prevalence of β-thalassemia and other haemoglobinopathies, it is critical to ensure availability of blood to cover the needs of systematically transfused patients. A recent prospective study highlighted a potential gap in meeting future needs in red blood cell units in Greece for transfusion-dependent patients with β-thalassemia over the next 15 years. The present study, which is part of the pan-European initiative "Blood & Beyond", discusses current challenges and proposes structured activities with measurable outcomes to increase and sustain blood supply and optimize blood demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the factors that affect the acceptance of vaccines and especially those for COVID-19, in Greek primary healthcare workers (HCWs) and members of the general adult population of the city of Thessaloniki. METHOD The study was based on a self-reported questionnaire consisting of 29 questions. The first 13 questions were related to the demographic characteristics of the sample, and 16 questions were designed to evaluate the acceptance of vaccines in general and the COVID-19 vaccine in particular. Responses were collected from a sample of 235 adults. Associations were determined by Pearson’s Chi-square test. RESULTS Several factors affect the reluctance of HCWs and members of the general population to be vaccinated, among which age, gender, parenthood and job specialty were the main factors associated with hesitancy. Citizens were in favor of the compulsory vaccination for health professionals, while the majority of HCWs disagreed with this policy (p=0.019). Younger participants, especially unmarried citizens without children, reported that they do not trust the efficacy of the expert committee (p=0.0002) and the beneficial effects of the vaccines on public health (p=0.00001). The majority of the females reported that they do not trust the experts (p=0.0032). CONCLUSIONS The attitudes towards the vac)cination program of HCWs and the general population should be assessed by governments in order to plan strategies to manage hesitancy and gain the trust of the people and protect public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To assess the quality of life (QoL) and its determinants, in patients with acne vulgaris in Greece. Morover to investigate the correlation of the degree of disability with the severity of the acne, and identify the factors that exert an adverse effect on QoL. METHODA cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted with a cohort of 150 patients with acne vulgaris, aged 16–30 years, who attended the Outpatient Dermatology Department of the “Evangelismos-Ophthalmiatrio-Polyclinic” General Hospital of Athens over a period of six months. QoL was assessed by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI). The severity of the acne vulgaris was determined using the Leeds scale. Correlation analysis was conducted with demographic and clinical variables. All the patients signed an informed consent form for their participation in the study. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS), version 21.0 was used for analysis of the data. RESULTS Greater severity of acne vulgaris was shown to be associated with worse scores on the QoL scale. The QoL of women was more severely affected compared the QoL of the men. A higher educational attainment appeared to be associated with worse QoL of patients with acne. Longer duration and greater severity of the disease was associated with worse scores for symptoms and feelings, and with adverse effects on personal relationships. CONCLUSIONS Acne vulgaris is a common dermatological disease, occurring mainly in adolescents and young adults. Effective and efficient management of acne vulgaris should take into consideration both the physical and the psychosocial effects of the disease. A comprehensive therapeutic approach to acne vulgaris should address symptoms, QoL impairment and the impact on feelings, personal relationships and leisure time activities, especially for female patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To assess the Heath Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of refugees and migrants living in a temporary camp in Greece, and to identify their healthcare needs and the barriers they face in access to health services. METHOD A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted from June to July 2020. The accessibility and healthcare barriers questionnaires, developed by Ay and colleagues, and the Short-Form-36 (SF-36) to assess HRQoL were administered to 132 residents of the Skaramangas temporary refugee camp in Greece. Descriptive statistical analysis and correlation analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS), version 21.0. RESULTS For health care, the participants visited either social clinics (35.8%) or healthcare centers (23.3%), receiving services mostly free of charge (93.2%) and mostly from a general practitioner (56.7%) or an unspecialized doctor (12.5%). High demand for dental services was observed (39.2%), followed by primary health care (PHC) for acute childhood diseases (29.6%), and emergencies (28%). Less in demand were PHC for chronic diseases (12%), hospitalizations (6.4%), family planning counseling (5.6%), and specialist consultation (3.2%). Difficulty of access was reported for dental services, vaccinations and surgeons. The main obstacles reported were of a structural and economic nature, followed by cognitive issues. Higher scores were reported on the physical health subscales of SF-36 than the mental health subscales. Younger age and Afghan origin appeared to have a positive effect on some of the SF-36 scores. CONCLUSIONS Refugees and migrants report moderate barriers and poor access to healthcare services. The assessment of their HRQoL, according to SF-36, suggests that refugees and migrants are in need of additional psychosocial services to improve their mental health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of lockdown on pain and stiffness, associated with changes in daily habits, work routine and activities, in the academic community in Greece and Cyprus. METHOD A cross-sectional study was conducted with 308 university faculty members and students. Pain was measured with the short form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), and pain intensity, stiffness, daily activities and work routine changes were assessed. RESULTS Daily habits and work routine changed during lockdown, with an increase in sedentary mode, and the changes were significantly related to pain (p<0.05). Most participants reported stiffness, especially after prolonged sitting, which was reduced when they exercised, especially with walking or running (p=0.013). Pain was significantly greater during lockdown (p<0.001), primarily in the back and neck, but also in the form of headache/migraines. The respondents perceived their pain mainly as “tiring-exhausting”. Sitting for long hours significantly increased pain intensity (mean score=4.35, on a scale from 1 to 6). CONCLUSIONS Working from home indirectly forces university faculty members and students into a sedentary lifestyle. Online teaching and learning entail prolonged sitting in front of the computer, which is associated with bad sitting postures, disturbed sleep habits and long periods of physical inactivity. These are related to stiffness and pain, especially in the back, neck and head. As the pandemic continues and distance learning is expected to remain as an alternative mode in universities, even after the pandemic, emphasis should be given to the occupational health of people in the academic community. Intervention strategies are needed to prevent chronic musculoskeletal problems, with promotion of awareness of ergonomic training and ergonomic working arrangements at home, and encouragement of physical exercise of any type, especially walking or running. [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.)

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.)

OBJECTIVE To explore the knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19 in the general population in Greece, to gauge the prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression, and to examine the association between perceptions and socio-demographic variables and mental health status. METHOD Telephone interviews were conducted with a random, representative sample of 1,041 participants across Greece in the period 10th-14th April 2020. Knowledge and perceptions were assessed with a specially constructed questionnaire, mental health status was measured using the Depression, Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and sociodemographic and physical characteristics were recorded. RESULTS According to the responses, COVID-19 has evoked diverse opinions in the general public, especially with respect to its similarity to common influenza, its mode of transmission (airborne), the belief that it is manufactured, and whether it is out of control. The responses to DASS-21 showed the prevalence of moderate/severe/extreme cases to be 22.3% for depression, 15.9% for anxiety, and 13.1% for stress. Those who acknowledged the dangerous nature of COVID-19 for certain groups exhibited higher stress and depression scores. Respondents who believed that the coronavirus is manufactured and those neutral towards its transmission by air, had higher anxiety, stress and depression scores, while those who agreed that the virus is out of control had lower stress scores. Women, young people, residents of urban areas, those residing in households with a member vulnerable to the virus, individuals with high educational attainment and respondents of lower socio-economic status, all manifested higher risk of mental health problems, as did people who endorsed the view that the virus was manufactured and served specific purposes. CONCLUSIONS Health education intervention, telepsychiatry and mental health promotion strategies are urgently needed for mitigating the psychological burden of the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the degree of satisfaction of the parents of hospitalized children with the quality and results of the care provided, and to exploration of various aspects of the hospital facilities and procedures (i.e., accessibility, availability of resources, infrastructure, hospitalization and treatment procedures) associated with parental satisfaction in the state health system of Greece. METHOD A cross-sectional anonymous study was conducted with 120 parents of children who were hospitalized for more than 3 days in the general medical and surgical clinics of the Athens General Children's Hospitals "Aghia Sophia" and "Panagiotis and Aglaia Kyriakou". The research instrument used was the Swedish Pyramid Quality of Care Questionnaire: Parents' Version. RESULTS The satisfaction of the participating parents was at high levels, with a total score of 80.2%. The attitude of the medical and nursing staff (satisfaction score 93.11%), the medical and nursing care (92.32%), and the information provided about the illness/condition of the child (84.75%), were the highest contributors to this score. The lowest levels of satisfaction concerned the accessibility of health services (66.16%), and the working environment of the staff (68.14%), two dimensions that were highly-moderately correlated with the total satisfaction score. Dissatisfaction with waiting times was related mainly to clinical and laboratory tests, but the more serious the child's condition, the greater was the satisfaction with the waiting time. The main expectation of the parents was good treatment and access to appropriate hospital care, and they evaluated as the main result of treatment the relief of the child and information about his(her) condition. CONCLUSIONS Parental satisfaction with hospital pediatric care is at very high levels, mainly due to the perceived attitudes, knowledge and skills of the medical and nursing staff and the information they provide. Problems of accessibility, lack of infrastructure and the work intensity and overload of the hospital personnel are the factors that were perceived to limit the quality of the services provided, and therefore the satisfaction of the parents. Change of strategy, applying the family-centered model in state pediatric hospital care, could increase its quality and the effectiveness and efficacy of the pediatric healthcare services of the Greek National Health System. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To assess the quality of life (QoL) of patients with common rheumatic diseases. METHOD A cross-sectional study was carried out during September-November 2018 in the Southern Aegean, Greece, collecting data from 465 patients. The SF-36 scale was used, with levels of QoL compared between three groups of patients: (a) Those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) only, (b) those with RA and other rheumatic diseases, and (c) those with another rheumatic disease. RESULTS The mean age of the respondents was 58.6 ±13.9 years, and 75.9% were females; 64.3% were diagnosed with RA, 18.5% with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 17.2% with spondyloarthritis. All the patients were found to have moderate to low levels of QoL, according to the scores on SF-36, with the highest mean level in "mental health" compared with "general health" (57.0 vs 39.1, p<0.001). A significant difference was found between the scores on the two main components, "mental health" and "physical health" (52.1 vs 41.2, p<0.001). Patients with RA and other rheumatic diseases recorded lower scores on physical functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning and mental health than the other two groups (p<0.05), and in the total "physical health" and "mental health" components (p<0.01). A higher likelihood of low QoL was found in "physical health" for patients with RA and other rheumatic diseases (OR: 1.89, p=0.042) and for low QoL in "physical" and "mental health" in females and patients with increased comorbidity (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS All the health-related QoL components of patients with rheumatic diseases were found to be more impaired in patients with a combination of RA and other rheumatic diseases. [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.)

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.)

OBJECTIVE Τo describe the current situation and to formulate reform proposals for the Greek Primary Health Care (PHC) system, with emphasis on issues related to family doctors (FDs). METHOD Aggregated data for 2019 were collected from the Greek Ministry of Health concerning the geographical distribution of FDs and the utilization of their services by patients. Combined with population data, this information was used to construct density and work-load indicators. RESULTS Data analysis showed that each self-employed FD contracted with the National Organization for Healthcare Provision (EOPYY) had an average of 874 patients on his(her) list, with the average of pediatricians (4,569 patients/doctor) being many times that of general practitioners (GPs) (1,081 patients/doctor). Similar findings emerged for the FDs employed in the National Health System (ESY) units, but their average patient list was clearly less burdened (129 patients/doctor). The common denominator includes the significant geographical differences in the number of patients per doctor, along with the fact that only 10% of the total population of the country was found to be registered with either EOPYY or ESY FDs. In parallel, the use of the services provided by the ESY FDs was more intense (901 visits/doctor, 4 visits/patient) than those provided by self-employed FDs (103 visits/doctor, 2.8 visits/ patient), with a remarkable service excess at the local health units (TOMYs) compared with health centers and their regional medical units (KY-PI), according to prescriptions in urban areas. CONCLUSIONS To date, the FD institution in Greece is under-functioning, with a shortage of doctors, irrational geographical distribution, and significant differences in the burden of the patient lists and in the doctors’ workload. This situation requires further reform, in the form of interventions to create financial incentives for FDs, and unification of the organization and operation of PHC units, starting with the use of modern information technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To determine the level of occupational stress among nursing staff in a general hospital in Attica, Greece, and to investigate its determinants. METHOD A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May 2020 with a convenience sample of 144 members of the nursing staff of the hospital. The response rate was 80% (144/180). The study outcome was the level of occupational stress, and the determinants investigated were sex, age, marital status, children, educational level, years of experience, monthly income, job characteristics and shiftwork. The Expanded Nursing Stress Scale was used to estimate the level of occupational stress. RESULTS The most stressful situations, according to the scores on the Expanded Nursing Stress Scale were, in descending order: Death and dying, patients and family, uncertainty concerning treatment, problems with supervisors, workload, conflict with physicians, inadequate preparation, problems with peers, and discrimination. A higher number of years of experience was related with lower levels of total stress (p=0.02), stress concerning problems with peers (p=0.02) and stress concerning uncertainty about treatment (p=0.01). A higher educational level was associated with lower levels of stress concerning death and dying (p=0.02), stress concerning problems with peers (p=0.047), stress concerning workload (p=0.02) and stress concerning patients and family (p=0.005). Increased age was related with lower levels of stress due to problems with supervisors (p=0.011) and discrimination (p=0.034). CONCLUSIONS Nursing staff experience increased occupational stress due to the nature of nursing work and the increased work demands in Greek hospitals. [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.)

OBJECTIVE Investigation of the perceptions of health professionals in two public hospitals regarding clinical governance in Greece’s hospital sector. METHOD The study involved 280 employees of all specialties and educational levels working in two Greek regional public hospitals (the General Hospital of Volos and the General University Hospital of Larissa). The Clinical Governance Climate Questionnaire (CGCQ) was used as a tool to measure the organizational climate of clinical governance. The questionnaire consists of 60 items scored on a 5-point Likert-type scale, ranging from 1=strongly agree, to 5=strongly disagree. The study was conducted in the period January–March 2017. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 21.0 was used for data analysis. The level of statistical significance was set at 5%. RESULTS The current organizational climate of both hospitals regarding clinical governance features was not rated as particularly supportive, as most aspects of the climate were rated as moderate to slightly positive, with some differences between the hospitals. Specifically, the employees of the General University Hospital of Larissa, and in particular women, ranked the “Clinical Risk Management” factor at a lower level than the employees of the General Hospital of Volos. The doctors of the General University Hospital of Larissa recorded lower average scores for “Clinical Risk Management”, “Fair Penalty Implementation” and “Collaboration” factors than the doctors of the General Hospital of Volos. Older health professionals perceived factors such as “Fair Enforcement”, “Fellowship”, and “Opportunities for Education and Development” more positively than their younger colleagues. CONCLUSIONS The health policy implemented in the hospitals should include actions involving all health professionals. The opportunities for continuing education and development constitute a critical tool for both identifying shortcomings and developing strategies enabling hospital staff to take initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To conduct psychometric evaluation of the Greek version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) and assess correlation between the scores on BSES-SF and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). METHOD Τhe study was conducted at the largest maternity hospital in Athens, Greece, where 173 eligible pregnant women completed the BSES-SF and the EPDS during their visit to the antenatal outpatient department and 3 days after delivery. The infant feeding method was determined 6 months postpartum. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was carried out to evaluate the construct validity of the BSES-EF scale and the internal consistency was analyzed with Cronbach’s α. The predictive validity was assessed by comparison of the BSES-SF total score, using Student’s t-test, between the women who reported exclusive breastfeeding 6 months postpartum and those that did not. Stepwise multiple linear regression analyses was performed to identify variables independently associated with the BSES-SF total score. P values reported were two-tailed, with statistical significance set at 0.05. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 22.0. RESULTS The mean BSES-SF score before birth was 44.2±11.1 and 3 days after birth it had increased significantly to 47.7±12.1 (p<0.001). Internal consistency reliability for the BSES-SF was acceptable, with Cronbach’s α 0.93. Exploratory factor analysis indicated a one-factor structure, with the extracted factors explaining 52.7% of the total variance. The predictive validity of BSES-SF was significant for breastfeeding at 6 months. The BSES-SF score was significantly negatively correlated with the EPDS score before birth (r=- 0.23, p=0.002) and 3 days after the birth (r=-0.22, p=0.008). Higher BSES-SF scores were recorded by women with higher educational level and those who had received breastfeeding support from the obstetrician. CONCLUSIONS The Greek version of the BSES-SF demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity for measuring the breastfeeding self-efficacy of women. The international applicability of the BSES-SF is further evidenced by the results of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE Investigation of patient safety culture in a peripheral general hospital in Greece. METHOD The study was conducted with 287 healthcare workers of the hospital. The tool used for the study was the Greek translation of the "Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture", a rigorously designed questionnaire for measuring inpatient safety culture. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS), version 23.0 was used for statistical analysis of the survey data, including descriptive statistics and reliability testing of safety parameters. RESULTS The response rate of the healthcare workers was 202/287 (70.3%). The highest mean scores were recorded in the categories: Supervisor/manager expectations actions promoting patient safety (54.6%), organizational learning-continuous improvement (52.1%), and general understanding of safety (50.1%), while the lowest mean scores were for: staffing (17.5%), non-punitive response to errors (20.5%), and teamwork across units (32.9%). A positive relationship was demonstrated between higher education level and younger age of healthcare workers and patient safety culture. The healthcare workers in the intensive care unit (ICU) exhibited the best safety culture. CONCLUSIONS Safety deficits were revealed in the hospital functioning, with the most significant problems being identified in management and working conditions. Administrative initiatives are needed to improve working conditions for healthcare professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To investigate (a) the structural validity of the Greek version of the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ), and (b) the relationship between SAQ scores and attitudes and behaviors concerning physical activity, among health care workers in Greek public hospitals. METHOD Three questionnaires were used. The first questionnaire, SAQ, investigated factors related to patient safety. The second questionnaire examined attitudes towards physical activity, and the third questionnaire, the Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, was used to estimate the weekly exercise of the participants. Questionnaires were completed by 508 health care workers, from 10 city and regional hospitals in the 3rd health prefecture of Macedonia (Northern Greece), and the 1st health prefecture of Attica (Athens). RESULTS The study results confirmed the structural validity of the Greek version of SAQ. Significant differences were demonstrated between the items on SAQ, according to (a) the specialty of the health care workers, where doctors had higher scores than nurses in "job satisfaction" and "teamwork climate", (b) hospital category, where workers in regional hospitals had higher scores than those in city hospitals in "job satisfaction", "safety climate" and "work conditions", and (c) exercise, where pro-exercisers had higher scores than non-exercisers in "stress reduction" and "job satisfaction". CONCLUSIONS The Greek version of SAQ is a reliable tool for assessing the safety climate, teamwork, work satisfaction, working conditions, stress recognition and management perceptions among health care workers in Greek hospitals. Investigation of the attitudes and behaviors of health professionals can make a significant contribution to the design and implementation of interventions to reduce workplace stress, and promote healthier lifestyles. [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.)

OBJECTIVE To assess the quality of life in patients with peripheral arterial disease and investigate its relationship with demographic and clinical characteristics. METHOD A cross-sectional study was conducted in a public general hospital in Athens. The study population included 124 patients with chronic peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities. Quality of life was measured with the SF-36 questionnaire. Data collection was performed from January to June 2019. Elimination of confounders was performed using multivariate regression models. Data analysis was conducted with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS), version 21.0 and the level of significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS The quality of life in patients with peripheral arterial disease was significantly lower than that of the general population in Greece. Less severe clinical condition of the patients was associated with a higher level of physical functioning and physical role, less physical pain, better general health, and higher SF-36 scores for vitality, emotional role, social functioning and mental and physical health. A higher educational level was related with a higher level of physical functioning, less physical pain and better general and physical health. CONCLUSIONS Peripheral arterial disease of lower extremities is associated with a significant reduction in the quality of life of patients and a decrease in the level of their mental and physical health. Assessment of the quality of life of the patients and the objective criteria of the disease could help physicians to make better clinical decisions, which could result in improvement of the outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]