The world is presently undergoing a recovery phase following the unexpected challenges posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The loss of lives and the economic setbacks experienced by the global population will require considerable time to address. It is clear that future outbreaks, epidemics, or even pandemic caused by unknown bacterial, fungal, or viral pathogens are inevitable. In this context, public health front-liners will be essential in minimizing the impact of such incidents. This mini-review briefly discusses sociocultural issues, diagnostic capacities, surveillance, and screening strategies for potential future viral pandemic - referred to as Pandemic X. Additionally, it addresses treatment responses, vaccine development efforts, scientific advancements, policy considerations, and prospects for science communication related to forthcoming viral pandemics. While this review does not encompass all scientific approaches available on these topics, it aims to serve as a guideline for informing public health sectors about appropriate measures that should be undertaken.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * epidemiologie   prevence a kontrola   diagnóza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pandemie * prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• veřejné zdravotnictví MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

• MeSH
• COVID-19 MeSH
• pandemie prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• Světová zdravotnická organizace MeSH
• vakcinace MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovenská republika MeSH

Scientific evidence regularly guides policy decisions1, with behavioural science increasingly part of this process2. In April 2020, an influential paper3 proposed 19 policy recommendations ('claims') detailing how evidence from behavioural science could contribute to efforts to reduce impacts and end the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we assess 747 pandemic-related research articles that empirically investigated those claims. We report the scale of evidence and whether evidence supports them to indicate applicability for policymaking. Two independent teams, involving 72 reviewers, found evidence for 18 of 19 claims, with both teams finding evidence supporting 16 (89%) of those 18 claims. The strongest evidence supported claims that anticipated culture, polarization and misinformation would be associated with policy effectiveness. Claims suggesting trusted leaders and positive social norms increased adherence to behavioural interventions also had strong empirical support, as did appealing to social consensus or bipartisan agreement. Targeted language in messaging yielded mixed effects and there were no effects for highlighting individual benefits or protecting others. No available evidence existed to assess any distinct differences in effects between using the terms 'physical distancing' and 'social distancing'. Analysis of 463 papers containing data showed generally large samples; 418 involved human participants with a mean of 16,848 (median of 1,699). That statistical power underscored improved suitability of behavioural science research for informing policy decisions. Furthermore, by implementing a standardized approach to evidence selection and synthesis, we amplify broader implications for advancing scientific evidence in policy formulation and prioritization.

• MeSH
• behaviorální vědy * metody   trendy   MeSH
• COVID-19 * epidemiologie   etnologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• komunikace MeSH
• kultura MeSH
• lékařská praxe založená na důkazech * metody   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pandemie * prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• sociální normy MeSH
• veřejné zdravotnictví metody   trendy   MeSH
• vůdcovství MeSH
• vytváření politiky * MeSH
• zdravotní politika * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Legal regulation, whether we want it or not, plays a role in protecting and promoting individual and public health. This also applies to legislation involving vaccination, especially compulsory vaccination. It is appropriate that legislation should not create barriers to the provision of health care. Where there is legal ambiguity, problems can arise that make the provision of health care more difficult, as we have seen, for example, in the context of the COVID pandemic. Furthermore, in the case of compulsory vaccination, there is a conflict between fundamental rights and freedoms. On the one hand, the right to the protection of personal freedom and bodily integrity, and on the other, the right to life and health. Most compulsory vaccinations concern children. As far as adult vaccination is concerned, this mainly includes compulsory vaccination of medical and social staff caring for patients and operating at biological risk, as well as patient groups also at risk of serious infectious disease. For these reasons, it is essential that the legislation is such that it does not impose a burden where it is not necessary and, on the contrary, allows for optimal protection of persons at biological risk.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pandemie prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• povinné očkování MeSH
• povinné programy * zákonodárství a právo   MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 * MeSH
• vakcinace * zákonodárství a právo   MeSH
• vakcíny proti COVID-19 aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Given the enormous scale of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the healthcare sector, limited human resource capacity, and efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, occupational health protection could not escape changes. The aim was to identify and compare the regulations regarding the provision of medical occupational check-ups (MOCs) during the pandemic in all European Union member states (EU MS). The study employed the Delphi method, involving experts from EU MS to assess MOC regulations between January 2020 and May 2021. Experts were queried regarding the existence and specifics of MOC regulations, particularly for entrance and periodic MOCs at hazardous and non-hazardous workplaces. Out of the 27 EU MS surveyed, 13 EU MS did not regulate MOCs, while 14 EU MS (51.6%) regulated the provision of MOCs. The regulations were changes in the way MOCs were provided, modifications (postponement in time, alternative provision, e.g. using telemedicine or online connection, or replacing the medical certificate of fitness to work based on the MOC with a declaration by the worker), or interruption without compensation, even for hazardous works. The regulations were in effect for different lengths of time and varied in some countries during the study period. The cumulative duration of MOC interruptions in all EU MS during the study period was 137 months (7.5% of the cumulative study period of 1836 months). Given the different approaches to the provision of MOCs in EU MS, it has proved appropriate to develop an optimal unified framework plan for future similar situations.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * prevence a kontrola   epidemiologie   MeSH
• delfská metoda MeSH
• Evropská unie * MeSH
• fyzikální vyšetření MeSH
• hygiena práce * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pandemie prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 * MeSH
• služby zdravotní péče o pracující MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Primary Health Care (PHC) plays a crucial role in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, with only 8% of cases requiring hospitalization. However, PHC COVID-19 data often goes unnoticed on European government dashboards and in media discussions. This project aims to examine official information on PHC patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, with specific objectives: (1) Describe PHC's clinical pathways for acute COVID-19 cases, including long-term care facilities, (2) Describe PHC COVID-19 pandemic indicators, (3) Develop COVID-19 PHC activity indicators, (4) Explain PHC's role in vaccination strategies, and (5) Create a PHC contingency plan for future pandemics. METHODS: A mixed-method study will employ two online questionnaires to gather retrospective PHC data on COVID-19 management and PHC involvement in vaccination strategies. Validation will occur through focus group discussions with medical and public health (PH) experts. A two-wave Delphi survey will establish a European PHC indicators dashboard for future pandemics. Additionally, a coordinated health system action plan involving PHC, secondary care, and PH will be devised to address future pandemic scenarios. ANALYSIS: Quantitative data will be analysed using STATA v16.0 for descriptive and multivariate analyses. Qualitative data will be collected through peer-reviewed questionnaires and content analysis of focus group discussions. A Delphi survey and multiple focus groups will be employed to achieve consensus on PHC indicators and a common European health system response plan for future pandemics. The Eurodata research group involving researchers from 28 European countries support the development. DISCUSSION: While PHC manages most COVID-19 acute cases, data remains limited in many European countries. This study collects data from numerous countries, offering a comprehensive perspective on PHC's role during the pandemic in Europe. It pioneers the development of a PHC dashboard and health system plan for pandemics in Europe. These results may prove invaluable in future pandemics. However, data may have biases due to key informants' involvement and may not fully represent all European GP practices. PHC has a significant role in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, as most of the cases are mild or moderate and only 8% needed hospitalization. However, PHC COVID-19 activity data is invisible on governments' daily dashboards in Europe, often overlooked in media and public debates.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * epidemiologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• delfská metoda MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pandemie prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• primární zdravotní péče * MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH

OBJECTIVES: The provision of primary health care was not interrupted during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Czechia, although the capacity and resources of providers changed. We examined how the pandemic affected individual general practices throughout 2017-2021, focusing on differences between urban and rural practices. METHODS: We analysed data from the largest health insurance company in Czechia, which provides care to 4.5 million people (60% of the population). We evaluated the prescription volume, diabetes care procedures, and faecal immunochemical test (FIT) in preventive care and new pandemic-related procedures (remote consultations, testing, and vaccinations). For the spatial distribution of practices, we adapted the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development typology. RESULTS: We observed minimal declines in 2020 in the rate of prescribing (-1.0%) and diabetes care (-5.1%), with a rapid resumption in 2021, but a substantial decline in FIT (-17.8% in 2020) with slow resumption. Remote consultations were used by 94% of all practices regardless of location, with testing and vaccinations more commonly performed by rural general practitioners (GPs). CONCLUSIONS: Primary care in Czechia rose to the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, as shown by the finding that the volume of healthcare services provided through primary care did not decrease across most of the monitored parameters. This study also confirmed that rural GPs provide more care in-house, both in terms of prescribing and procedures performed in their practices. Future studies will need to focus on preventive care, which the pandemic has dampened in GP practices in Czechia.

• MeSH
• časná detekce nádoru * statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• COVID-19 * epidemiologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• diabetes mellitus * epidemiologie   MeSH
• kolorektální nádory * diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• lékařská praxe - způsoby provádění * statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• odborná praxe - umístění statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• pandemie prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• praktičtí lékaři statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• primární zdravotní péče MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

The emergence of COVID-19 dramatically changed social behavior across societies and contexts. Here we study whether social norms also changed. Specifically, we study this question for cultural tightness (the degree to which societies generally have strong norms), specific social norms (e.g. stealing, hand washing), and norms about enforcement, using survey data from 30,431 respondents in 43 countries recorded before and in the early stages following the emergence of COVID-19. Using variation in disease intensity, we shed light on the mechanisms predicting changes in social norm measures. We find evidence that, after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, hand washing norms increased while tightness and punishing frequency slightly decreased but observe no evidence for a robust change in most other norms. Thus, at least in the short term, our findings suggest that cultures are largely stable to pandemic threats except in those norms, hand washing in this case, that are perceived to be directly relevant to dealing with the collective threat.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * epidemiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pandemie prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• sociální chování MeSH
• sociální normy * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the inadequacy of pandemic preparedness mechanisms worldwide. This study gathered comprehensive data from Czech hospitals, identified possible weaknesses in important areas of crisis preparedness, and quantified changes performed to enhance crisis resilience of healthcare facilities. Methods: Drawing on literature review on pandemic preparedness and hospital crisis management and detailed interviews with hospital representatives, a questionnaire was designed and distributed by email among quality managers of all Czech hospitals. Statistical analysis of their responses was conducted using EZR software. Fisher's exact test and Kruskal-Wallis test, with post hoc testing, were used to assess statistical significance. Results: Achieving response rate of 31.9%, responses from 65 hospitals were analysed. New crisis management policies were necessary in 72.3% of responding hospitals. Furthermore, a majority of the respondents changes indicated the need for changes in policies on general pandemic, human resources and infrastructure and material preparedness. Conclusion: The COVID-19 crisis required significant alterations to previously established hospital crisis management protocols and establishment of new ones. The absence of a unified system for crisis preparedness was noted at hospital and national levels.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * epidemiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemocnice MeSH
• pandemie prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• připravenost na pandemii MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Czech music therapists lacked the skills and knowledge to adapt their practice to virtual music therapy (VMT) at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when physical contact was restricted. The aims of this project were to implement the best evidence-based recommendations concerning VMT in the practice of Czech music therapists and increase the number of therapists using VMT. METHODS: The project used the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework to promote change in the practice of participants. A baseline audit of 26 practitioners was conducted using questionnaires and interviews. The audit criteria consisted of 8 best practice recommendations, followed by the implementation of targeted strategies and a follow-up audit. RESULTS: Of the 26 music therapists, 18 began practicing VMT following the rollout of the implementation strategies. Strategies included educational workshops, instructional materials, technological support, individual counseling, and interactive training sessions. There was an increase in compliance with all audit criteria. The most critical barriers were lack of knowledge about VMT and lack of technical skills; lack of resources; technological challenges; low confidence of music therapists to provide VMT; and reduced need for VMT after the lockdown restrictions were relaxed. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation project helped to overcome temporary pandemic restrictions, increase the quality of VMT practice, develop strategies for VMT training, and identify reasons for using VMT during the pandemic and beyond.

• MeSH
• hudba * MeSH
• lékařská praxe založená na důkazech MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• muzikoterapie * MeSH
• pandemie prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH