Search Results (193)

The myth that linked Pentecostal apathy towards public and civil engagement with the contradiction between otherworldliness and this-worldliness is being challenged. This falsity presented as a fact was connected to the idea that Pentecostal eschatology is incompatible with a cosmology that seeks to improve this world. However, recent research has dismantled this view by asserting that both early and contemporary Pentecostals were not unaware of social practice. One observation is that these Pentecostals grossly overlooked articulating their social vision, especially as part of their missional activities. Some Pentecostal churches in the global South have established programmes aimed at addressing endemic poverty in their regions. These churches are responding to concerns about the relationship between Pentecostal spirituality and persistent poverty. Given the proliferation of Pentecostal mega-churches in sub-Saharan Africa, there are opinions that the leaders of these churches are perpetuating poverty through messages of prosperity. Others, however, criticize these leaders for spiritualizing the root causes of poverty and relying on foreign aid to the region. This research focuses on the social engagement of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Nigeria (RCCG). RCCG was founded in 1952 from an Aladura church and transformed into a Pentecostal church in the 1980s under an educated leader, who employed Pentecostalism and a core of educated middle-class individuals as new pastoral leaders to expand it into a religious denomination. In 2017, RCCG introduced CSR as its comprehensive programme of social engagement, encompassing health care, education, and charitable activities. In partnership with the Nigerian government, RCCG renovated some government-owned public health facilities and provides specialized medical care to Nigerians. Full article

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) remain a leading cause of community- and hospital-onset bacterial infections worldwide. Although many countries have implemented antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance systems, longitudinal multicenter data on key uropathogens in Korea remain limited. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from patients with clinically diagnosed UTIs at three tertiary-care Korean hospitals (2012–2021). Using a harmonized Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model (OMOP CDM), we analyzed antibiotic susceptibility based on Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute breakpoints. Trends in resistance to key antibiotics (including fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, and carbapenems) were assessed using the Cochran–Armitage test. Results: From 2012 to 2021, ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae increased from 24.1% to 38.2% and 39.2% to 46.4%, respectively. The rates for K. pneumoniae remained stable over the last 6 years, and for E. coli, they remained stable over the last 3 years. Resistance rates for E. coli increased from 44.5% to 60.0% (ciprofloxacin) and from 26.3% to 40.2% (cefotaxime), while carbapenem resistance (ertapenem) remained low, at 0.3% to 1.2%. In contrast, K. pneumoniae exhibited high resistance levels to fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, and other broad-spectrum antibiotics, with notable increases in resistance to ertapenem, from 3.0% to 18.1%, and imipenem, from 0.4% to 16.8%. This escalation mainly stemmed from the rise in ertapenem (6.6% to 17.0%) and imipenem (0.8% to 14.6%) resistance rates among Klebsiella-ESBL producers. Conclusions: We conclude that in Korea, the proportion of ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae increased significantly from 2012 to 2018 and has since remained stable for the last 3 years (E. coli) and 6 years (K. pneumoniae). Although carbapenem resistance in E. coli remains low, K. pneumoniae has experienced a significant rise, primarily attributable to its ESBL-producing strains. These findings underscore the importance of vigilant antimicrobial stewardship and continuous surveillance to guide empirical UTI therapies in Korean clinical practice. Full article

The Emporia State University (ESU) /Kansas Arts Commission (KAC) Arts in Medicine Partnership exemplifies interdisciplinary collaboration and the capacity of art therapy to impact mental health and well-being. Through the partnership, art therapy services were offered to medical agencies across the state of Kansas. Participants included medical patients, families, caregivers, staff, and professionals. The article introduces (1) the profession of art therapy and the subspecialty of medical art therapy, (2) the ESU/KAC Arts in Medicine Partnership, (3) examples of positive psychology-informed arts-based experiences, and (4) a pilot study designed to explore the impact of group art therapy sessions with medical teaching faculty. Full article

Shift work can have an adverse impact on sleep and wellbeing, as well as negative consequences for workplace safety and productivity. SleepShifters is a co-developed sleep management programme that aims to equip shift workers and employers with the skills needed to manage sleep from the onset of employment, thus preventing sleep problems and their associated consequences from arising. This paper describes the co-development process and resulting programme protocol of SleepShifters, designed in line with the Medical Research Council’s framework for the development and evaluation of complex interventions. Programme components were co-produced in partnership with stakeholders from four organisations across the United Kingdom, following an iterative, four-stage process based on focus groups and interviews. As well as a handbook containing guidance on shift scheduling, workplace lighting, and controlled rest periods, SleepShifters consists of five key components: (1) an annual sleep awareness event; (2) a digital sleep training induction module for new starters; (3) a monthly-themed sleep awareness campaign; (4) a website, hosting a digital Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for insomnia platform and supportive video case studies from shift-working peers; (5) a sleep scheduling app for employees. Future work will implement and assess the effectiveness of delivering SleepShifters in organisational settings. Full article

Background: Dog agility is a rapidly growing sport involving a partnership between a dog and the handler, running through an obstacle course. Despite its increasing popularity and physical benefits, research on handler injuries remains limited. This study aimed to assess injury epidemiology of athletes practicing dog agility. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using a comprehensive online survey consisting of 124 items, available in both English and Italian. The questionnaire was divided into four sections: Introduction collected demographic data and medical history; Materials and Methods focused on agility-related activities; Results explored injuries sustained in the past 12 months; Discussion examined training habits unrelated to agility. Results: Among 389 participants, the most represented age group ranged between 30 and 40 years old. Overall, 7% reported upper limb injuries, while 27% experienced at least one lower limb injury. Additionally, 20% of participants used medication, and 25% reported at least one chronic illness. On average, handlers trained twice per week and competed in two events per month. Lower limb injuries were predominantly muscular (49%) or ligamentous (14%) and most commonly occurred on grass pitches (56%). These injuries were more common in participants with a higher BMI, those using dynamic handling styles, and those competing at higher levels. Conclusions: This cross-sectional study highlighted the importance of identifying risk factors associated with dog agility handlers. Lower limb injuries were the most common, often associated with increased physical demands and handling styles involving intensive running and correlated with reduced physical fitness. Athletic conditioning, including structured warm-up and cool-down practices, might help decline injury risks. Full article

This article describes a case study of the partnership between Healthy Birth Initiatives, a community-based organization (CBO) and Black-led public health nurse home visiting program, and the maternal health division of the Providence Health System located in the Pacific Northwest. This study’s purpose was to explore the formation, significance, and impact of this partnership from the perspectives of staff and leadership members from both organizations. We conducted a case study through qualitative interviews with staff, participant observation, and debrief of leadership meetings. We completed a hybrid deductive–inductive thematic analysis of the data, followed by member checking with study participants and other key interest holders. Key facilitators of the CBO–health system partnership included the vital role of leaders in prioritizing the partnership; health system willingness to incorporate new information from the CBO to improve care; and health system utilization of resources to institutionalize changes that emerged from this partnership. Challenges to the CBO–health system partnership included CBO resource limitations; fragmented referral processes and information sharing; and the persistence required to nurture the relationship without formalized roles. This study contributes to the literature by offering staff perspectives on how a CBO–health system partnership formed, successes, early lessons learned, and practical suggestions for how to develop stronger alignment to provide culturally responsive patient-centered care to Black families. Full article

The impact of work engagement and burnout on medical activities, physicians’ performance, and quality of care has gained interest over the last decades. However, the effect of demographics, job-related, and organizational variables on burnout and work engagement in young endocrinologists has not been fully investigated. To assess the impact of demographics, job-related, and organizational variables on burnout and work engagement in young endocrinologists who joined the Italian Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. The levels of burnout and work engagement were assessed by the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, respectively, as a part of an online survey of the “Associazione Medici Endocrinologi” addressed to young members (31–40 years). Eighteen MANOVAs were applied to analyze differences in burnout and work engagement based on demographic, job-related, and organizational factors. We collected responses from 160 young endocrinologists, mainly women (80.6%), aged 31–35 years (33.8%) and 36–40 years (66.2%). Most were in a stable relationship with (40%) or without (45%) children. Most of them worked in hospitals or local healthcare districts (35.6%), as independent contractors (31.9%), or as Ph.D. students or residents (25.6%). Multivariate analyses found no statistically significant differences in burnout and work engagement due to demographics (gender, age, and partnership) and job-related variables (type of job and contract). On the other hand, organizational variables (levels of conflict amongst colleagues, more than expected time spent working, and no involvement in team-building activities) were associated with higher emotional exhaustion, lower dedication, and less vigor. The novelty of the study is that both burnout and work engagement can be affected by organizational variables in early-career Italian endocrinologists, highlighting the need for supporting the healthcare system to overcome this gap. Full article

This article explores the persistent issue of assaults on medical staff in China that are unrelated to malpractice, which exacerbate tensions in doctor–patient relationships. These conflicts are primarily fueled by factors such as the disparity between doctors and patients, unequal distribution of medical resources, and inadequacies in the legal protection system. Drawing on Foucault’s micro-power theory, this research proposes a tripartite governance model that includes reconfiguring medical resources through public–private partnerships, implementing proactive legal mechanisms such as hospital-embedded policing systems, and establishing mandatory protocols for treatment explanations to reduce information asymmetry. The article also highlights the importance of medical conflict mediation systems to effectively resolve disputes and ensure satisfaction for all parties involved. Full article

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and mixed reality (MR) into orthopedic education has transformed learning. This review examines AI-powered platforms like Microsoft HoloLens, Apple Vision Pro, and HTC Vive Pro, which enhance anatomical visualization, surgical simulation, and clinical decision-making. These technologies improve the spatial understanding of musculoskeletal structures, refine procedural skills with haptic feedback, and personalize learning through AI-driven adaptive algorithms. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT further support knowledge retention and provide evidence-based insights on orthopedic topics. AI-enabled platforms and generative AI tools help address challenges in standardizing orthopedic education. However, we still face many barriers that relate to standardizing data, algorithm evaluation, ethics, and the curriculum. AI is used in preoperative planning and predictive analytics in the postoperative period that bridges theory and practice. AI and MR are key to supporting innovation and scalability in orthopedic education. However, technological innovation relies on collaborative partnerships to develop equitable, evidence-informed practices that can be implemented in orthopedic education. For sustained impact, innovation must be aligned with pedagogical theories and principles. We believe that orthopedic medical educators’ future critical role will be to enhance the next generation of competent clinicians. Full article

This case report explores the experience of a newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patient transitioning from passive non-adherence to active adherence over a two-month period following hospital discharge. During this two-month period, he participated in four exploratory, non-interventional research interviews investigating his medication adherence, beliefs, and self-management strategies. His feedback on these research interviews highlighted the role of key communication strategies—such as patient partnership, non-judgmental communication, and interprofessional active listening—in fostering self-reflection and behavioural change. While these techniques are well-documented, there remains an urgent need to translate them into routine practice by integrating behavioural science and interprofessional collaboration into healthcare pregraduate and postgraduate education in order to increase awareness and skills in clinical environments. Full article

Nanochitin is a nanoscale form of chitin—a polysaccharide found in the exoskeletons of crustaceans, insects, and some fungal cell walls—that is newly garnering significant attention in the pharmaceutical space. Its good properties, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and an easily adjustable surface, render it attractive for various medical and pharmaceutical applications. Nanochitin, from drug delivery systems and wound-care formulations to vaccine adjuvants and antimicrobial strategies, has demonstrated its strong potential in meeting diverse therapeutic needs. This review covers the background of nanochitin, including methods for its extraction and refining and its principal physicochemical and biological properties. It further discusses various hydrolysis and enzymatic approaches for the structural and functional characterization of nanochitin and highlights some pharmaceutical applications where this biopolymer has been studied. The review also addresses toxicity issues, regulatory matters, and challenges in large-scale industrial production. Finally, it underscores novel avenues of investigation and future opportunities, emphasizing the urgent requirement for standardized production methods, rigorous safety assessment, and interdisciplinary partnerships to maximize nanochitin’s potential in pharmaceutical research, demonstrating the importance of chitin in drug delivery. Full article

Background: Hearing-related disease is a significant cause of disability worldwide. In resource-limited settings, prevention and early detection are critical for preventing severe disease. Understanding what a population knows and believes with regards to hearing health can be critical in identifying knowledge gaps and developing targeted interventions. Objective: To assess community awareness of hearing health and otitis media (OM) treatment, both modern and traditional, to inform educational programs. Methods: A retrospective review of clinical records from 52 patients (aged 1–79 years) diagnosed with OM during a 3-day hearing health clinic in Kasungu district, Malawi was conducted. Patients diagnosed with OM during the clinic were invited to provide additional details about their hearing health. Surveys contained open-ended questions to assess knowledge and beliefs regarding the cause of their infection and therapies they had previously used for treatment, including home remedies and prescribed medications from allopathic providers or traditional healers. A WHO adapted survey on hearing knowledge was also administered. Results: Hearing loss was identified in 60% of participants. Otoscopy revealed either bilateral or unilateral drainage in 69% of participants and perforation in 73%. Confidence in understanding the causes and treatments of OM was voiced by 60% of participants and 54% had used home remedies as treatment. Of the 11 home remedies used, none aligned with modern medical practice, and only two were recommended by local herbalists. Conclusions: Hearing-related disease contributes significantly to global disability, particularly in resource-limited settings. Educational campaigns to improve hearing health knowledge offer low-cost yet impactful solutions and implementation via partnerships with community leaders and traditional healers can be critical to addressing hearing health challenges. The use of nonantibiotic antimicrobials should be explored further, as these are low-cost and readily available. However, therapeutic alliance between patients and healthcare providers remains crucial. Full article

Emergency medical services (EMSs) are critical to reducing fatalities and improving patient outcomes in emergencies such as traffic accidents, where response time is a decisive factor. This study proposes a comprehensive and systematic approach to designing and optimizing EMS systems tailored for urban traffic accidents. By integrating Geographic Information Systems (GISs), hypercube queuing models, Economic Value Added (EVA) calculations, and multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques, we developed a model that balances service efficiency, financial sustainability, and equitable access to emergency care. The hypercube queuing model was applied to estimate key performance metrics, such as response time, coverage, and the GINI index for equity, under varying numbers of ambulances and demand scenarios. In addition, EVA was calculated for different configurations of leased and owned ambulances, offering a financial perspective to assess the viability of public–private partnerships (PPPs) in EMSs. Using the fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and CoCoSo (Combined Compromise Solution) methods, this study identified the optimal number of ambulances required to minimize response time, maximize coverage, and ensure financial sustainability. The proposed approach has been applied to a real case in Colombia. Furthermore, integrating leased ambulances offers a financially viable solution with positive EVA values that guarantee the long-term sustainability of the public–private partnership. This paper advances the literature by providing a practical framework for optimizing EMS systems, particularly in developing countries where financial constraints and resource limitations represent significant challenges. The proposed methodology improves service efficiency and economic sustainability and ensures equity in access to life-saving care. Full article

The teaching of human anatomy is experiencing significant transformation. Particularly in recent years, incorporating new digital technologies has drastically changed the approach to education. Our bibliometric study aims to investigate trends and issues from 2004 to 2024 related to digital technology in human anatomy teaching. The publication trend in the field has steadily increased over the years, peaking in 2022 and declining in 2023. Despite the limited statistics for 2024, we do not project an exponential increase in publications. Co-citation analysis identified notable references that significantly influenced the field, emphasizing modernization through innovative methodologies. Leading a significant portion of global collaboration, the United States promoted robust multilateral partnerships. Co-occurrence word analysis highlighted the merging of current technology with student-centered learning approaches, reflecting a shift towards more interactive and immersive learning experiences. Thematic map analysis identified distinct research areas with emerging or declining themes. The analysis of topic trends over the last five years revealed a persistent interest in terms like “palmar” and “carpal”, as well as innovative technologies like “cone beam computed tomography”, “augmented reality”, and “virtual reality”. Our bibliometric study revealed a sector in constant transformation, presenting a scenario where integrating technology with traditional teaching methods could enhance medical students’ comprehension of human anatomy. On the other hand, it also highlighted the anticipated challenges of ensuring equal access to cutting-edge technology, providing sufficient training for academic staff, and addressing emerging ethical issues. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health crisis that threatens the efficacy of antibiotics and modern medical interventions. The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, exacerbated by the misuse of antibiotics in healthcare and agriculture, underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions. (1) Background: AMR arises from complex interactions between human, animal, and environmental health, further aggravated by the overuse and inadequate regulation of antibiotics. Conventional treatments are increasingly ineffective, necessitating alternative strategies. Emerging approaches, including bacteriophage therapy, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), nanotechnology, microbial extracellular vesicles (EVs), and CRISPR-based antimicrobials, provide novel mechanisms that complement traditional antibiotics in combating resistant pathogens. (2) Methods: This review critically analyzes advanced antibacterial strategies in conjunction with systemic reforms such as antimicrobial stewardship programs, the One Health framework, and advanced surveillance tools. These methods can enhance resistance detection, guide interventions, and promote sustainable practices. Additionally, economic, logistical, and regulatory challenges impeding their implementation are evaluated. (3) Results: Emerging technologies, such as CRISPR and nanotechnology, exhibit promising potential in targeting resistance mechanisms. However, disparities in resource distribution and regulatory barriers hinder widespread adoption. Public–private partnerships and sustainable agriculture practices are critical to overcoming these obstacles. (4) Conclusions: A holistic and integrated approach is essential for mitigating the impact of AMR. By aligning innovative therapeutic strategies with global health policies, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and ensuring equitable resource distribution, we can develop a sustainable response to this 21st-century challenge. Full article