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Golder S, Jefferson L, McHugh E, Essex H, Heathcote C, Castro Avila A, Dale V, Van Der Feltz-Cornelis C, Bloor K. General practitioners' wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic: Novel methods with social media data. Health Info Libr J 2023; 40:400-416. [PMID: 36416221 DOI: 10.1111/hir.12466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is difficult to engage busy healthcare professionals in research. Yet during the COVID-19 pandemic, gaining their perspectives has never been more important. OBJECTIVE To explore social media data for insights into the wellbeing of UK General Practitioners (GPs) during the Covid-19 pandemic. METHODS We used a combination of search approaches to identify 381 practising UK NHS GPs on Twitter. Using a two stage social media analysis, we firstly searched for key themes from 91,034 retrieved tweets (before and during the pandemic). Following this we used qualitative content analysis to provide in-depth insights from 7145 tweets related to wellbeing. RESULTS Social media proved a useful tool to identify a cohort of UK GPs; following their tweets longitudinally to explore key themes and trends in issues related to GP wellbeing during the pandemic. These predominately related to support, resources and public perceptions and fluctuations were identified at key timepoints during the pandemic, all achieved without burdening busy GPs. CONCLUSION Social media data can be searched to identify a cohort of GPs to explore their wellbeing and changes over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Golder
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | | | | | - Holly Essex
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | | | | | - Veronica Dale
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | | | - Karen Bloor
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
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2
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Perros P, Van Der Feltz-Cornelis C, Papini E, Nagy EV, Weetman AP, Hegedüs L. The enigma of persistent symptoms in hypothyroid patients treated with levothyroxine: A narrative review. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2023; 98:461-468. [PMID: 33783849 DOI: 10.1111/cen.14473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A significant minority of patients with hypothyroidism report persistent symptoms despite achieving normal thyroid biochemistry after levothyroxine (L-T4) replacement. Four principal lines of thinking, which are not mutually exclusive, may explain this enigma. The 'low tissue liothyronine hypothesis' emphasizes the potential imperfections of L-T4 replacement therapy that may lead to hypothyroidism in some tissues such as the brain, while others (eg hypothalamus) are euthyroid. The 'Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders hypothesis' draws attention to an incidental coexistence of a diagnosis of Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders in patients with treated hypothyroidism. The 'autoimmune neuroinflammation hypothesis' highlights the potential consequences of inflammatory mediators due to thyroid autoimmunity (the commonest cause of hypothyroidism) on the brain. The 'comorbidities and psychosocial hypothesis' implicates a variety of physical and psychosocial factors that have been noted to be associated with a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, which may be primarily the cause of persistent complaints. Over the past twenty years, a great deal of time and effort has been expended pursuing the 'low tissue liothyronine hypothesis', which has failed to yield results that translate to patient benefits. This has skewed the balance in clinical practice, in favour of pursuing answers relating to L-T4 and liothyronine combination treatment, while the alternative explanations have been downplayed and potentially useful interventions have been given insufficient attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petros Perros
- Department of Endocrinology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Enrico Papini
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Regina Apostolorum Hospital, Albano, Rome, Italy
| | - Endre V Nagy
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Anthony P Weetman
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Laszlo Hegedüs
- Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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3
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Moe-Byrne T, Shepherd J, Merecz-Kot D, Sinokki M, Naumanen P, Hakkaart-van Roijen L, Van Der Feltz-Cornelis C. Effectiveness of tailored digital health interventions for mental health at the workplace: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials. PLOS Digit Health 2022; 1:e0000123. [PMID: 36812547 PMCID: PMC9931277 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Mental health problems in the workplace are common and have a considerable impact on employee wellbeing and productivity. Mental ill-health costs employers between £33 billion and £42 billion a year. According to a 2020 HSE report, roughly 2,440 per 100,000 workers in the UK were affected by work-related stress, depression, or anxiety, resulting in an estimated 17.9 million working days lost. We performed a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the effect of tailored digital health interventions provided in the workplace aiming to improve mental health, presenteeism and absenteeism of employees. We searched several databases for RCTs published from 2000 onwards. Data were extracted into a standardised data extraction form. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Due to the heterogeneity of outcome measures, narrative synthesis was used to summarise the findings. Seven RCTs (eight publications) were included that evaluated tailored digital interventions versus waiting list control or usual care to improve physical and mental health outcomes and work productivity. The results are promising to the advantage of tailored digital interventions regarding presenteeism, sleep, stress levels, and physical symptoms related to somatisation; but less for addressing depression, anxiety, and absenteeism. Even though tailored digital interventions did not reduce anxiety and depression in the general working population, they significantly reduced depression and anxiety in employees with higher levels of psychological distress. Tailored digital interventions seem more effective in employees with higher levels of distress, presenteeism or absenteeism than in the general working population. There was high heterogeneity in outcome measures, especially for work productivity; this should be a focus of attention in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessie Shepherd
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | | | - Marjo Sinokki
- Turku Centre for Occupational Health, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Päivi Naumanen
- Turku Centre for Occupational Health, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Leona Hakkaart-van Roijen
- Erasmus School of Health Policy and Management (ESHPM), Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Christina Van Der Feltz-Cornelis
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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4
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Torres ME, Löwe B, Schmitz S, Pienta JN, Van Der Feltz-Cornelis C, Fiedorowicz JG. Suicide and suicidality in somatic symptom and related disorders: A systematic review. J Psychosom Res 2021; 140:110290. [PMID: 33227556 PMCID: PMC7945369 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2020.110290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We sought to determine the frequency of and risk factors for suicide outcomes in somatic symptom and related disorders and whether any risk was independent of co-occurring mental disorders. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of studies on suicide death, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation in those with somatic symptom disorders published prior to September 22, 2020 and indexed in PubMED, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, EMBASE, or SCOPUS according to PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS Our search yielded 33 articles with significant heterogeneity in study design, sample selection, and assessment for suicide or risk factors. While suicide deaths have not been adequately studied, somatic symptom and related disorders are associated with increased risk for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, with estimates ranging from 24 to 34% of participants who endorsed current active suicidal ideation and 13-67% of participants who endorsed a prior suicide attempt. The risk appeared independent of co-occurring mental disorders. Identified risk factors for suicide attempts in samples with somatic symptom and related disorders include scores on measures of anger, alexithymia, alcohol use, past hospitalizations, dissociation, and emotional abuse. CONCLUSION Although the literature is sparse, there exists evidence for an association, even independent of other mental disorders, between somatic symptom and related disorders and suicide outcomes. Practice guidelines for the management of these disorders should incorporate recommendations for the assessment and management of suicide risk. Future study is necessary to more fully elucidate potential unique risk factors for those suffering from these complex disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bernd Löwe
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Samantha Schmitz
- Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States; Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA, United States
| | - John N Pienta
- University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, United States
| | | | - Jess G Fiedorowicz
- The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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Haro JM, Ayuso-Mateos JL, Bitter I, Demotes-Mainard J, Leboyer M, Lewis SW, Linszen D, Maj M, McDaid D, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Robbins TW, Schumann G, Thornicroft G, Van Der Feltz-Cornelis C, Van Os J, Wahlbeck K, Wittchen HU, Wykes T, Arango C, Bickenbach J, Brunn M, Cammarata P, Chevreul K, Evans-Lacko S, Finocchiaro C, Fiorillo A, Forsman AK, Hazo JB, Knappe S, Kuepper R, Luciano M, Miret M, Obradors-Tarragó C, Pagano G, Papp S, Walker-Tilley T. ROAMER: roadmap for mental health research in Europe. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res 2014; 23 Suppl 1:1-14. [PMID: 24375532 PMCID: PMC6878332 DOI: 10.1002/mpr.1406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the high impact of mental disorders in society, European mental health research is at a critical situation with a relatively low level of funding, and few advances been achieved during the last decade. The development of coordinated research policies and integrated research networks in mental health is lagging behind other disciplines in Europe, resulting in lower degree of cooperation and scientific impact. To reduce more efficiently the burden of mental disorders in Europe, a concerted new research agenda is necessary. The ROAMER (Roadmap for Mental Health Research in Europe) project, funded under the European Commission's Seventh Framework Programme, aims to develop a comprehensive and integrated mental health research agenda within the perspective of the European Union (EU) Horizon 2020 programme, with a translational goal, covering basic, clinical and public health research. ROAMER covers six major domains: infrastructures and capacity building, biomedicine, psychological research and treatments, social and economic issues, public health and well-being. Within each of them, state-of-the-art and strength, weakness and gap analyses were conducted before building consensus on future research priorities. The process is inclusive and participatory, incorporating a wide diversity of European expert researchers as well as the views of service users, carers, professionals and policy and funding institutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep Maria Haro
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain; Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de LLobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Hegerl U, Wittmann M, Arensman E, Van Audenhove C, Bouleau JH, Van Der Feltz-Cornelis C, Gusmao R, Kopp M, Löhr C, Maxwell M, Meise U, Mirjanic M, Oskarsson H, Sola VP, Pull C, Pycha R, Ricka R, Tuulari J, Värnik A, Pfeiffer-Gerschel T. The 'European Alliance Against Depression (EAAD)': a multifaceted, community-based action programme against depression and suicidality. World J Biol Psychiatry 2008; 9:51-8. [PMID: 17853299 DOI: 10.1080/15622970701216681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Action programmes fostering partnerships and bringing together regional and national authorities to promote the care of depressed patients are urgently needed. In 2001 the 'Nuremberg Alliance Against Depression' was initiated as a community-based model project within the large-scale 'German Research Network on Depression and Suicidality' (Kompetenznetz 'Depression, Suizidalität'). The 'Nuremberg Alliance Against Depression' was an action programme, conducted in the city of Nuremberg (500,000 inhabitants) in 2001/2002, addressing four intervention levels (Hegerl et al. Psychol Med 2006;36:1225). Based on the positive results of the Nuremberg project (a significant reduction of suicidal behaviour by more than 20%) 18 international partners representing 16 different European countries established the 'European Alliance Against Depression' (EAAD) in 2004. Based on the four-level approach of the Nuremberg project, all regional partners initiated respective regional intervention programmes addressing depression and suicidality. Evaluation of the activities takes place on regional and international levels. This paper gives a brief overview of the background for and experiences with the EAAD. It describes the components of the programme, provides the rationale for the intervention and outlines the current status of the project. The aim of the paper is to disseminate information about the programme's potential to reduce suicidal behaviour and to provide examples of how European community-based 'best practice' models for improving the care of depressed patients and suicidal persons can be implemented using a bottom-up approach. EAAD is mentioned by the European commission as a best practice example within the Green Paper 'Improving the mental health of the population: Towards a strategy on mental health for the European Union' (European Commission 2005).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Hegerl
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
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