Several studies have demonstrated the positive effects of mindfulness and self-compassion on employee well-being, mental health, and resilience. The objective of this observational study was to explore the mutual relationships among the dimensions of self-compassion and particular characteristics of work-related well-being: work engagement, workaholism (excessive and compulsive work), and job boredom in a population of early career workers. In this quantitative cross-sectional study, 286 master's students with proper working experience were examined; results from 244 respondents were suitable for further data analysis. The Self-compassion Scale, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, Dutch Work Addiction Scale, and Dutch Boredom Scale were administered. Spearman's rank correlation analysis found a positive relationship between work engagement and excessive work and a negative relationship between work engagement and job boredom. Furthermore, a positive correlation was identified between compulsive work and negative subscales of the Self-compassion Scale. Structural equation modeling indicated that workaholism was a mediator between the negative scales of self-compassion and work engagement with job boredom. In conclusion, the negative aspects of self-compassion (isolation, self-judgment, and over-identification) are related to the symptoms of workaholism in young workers. Self-compassion-based interventions could help prevent the negative effects of compulsive and excessive work. Possible age-related explanations for the positive relationship between work engagement and workaholism (i.e., excessive work) are discussed. Future longitudinal research could identify the dynamics of the connection between self-compassion and work-related well-being from a long-term perspective.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

BACKGROUND: Early life socioeconomic disadvantage and adverse experiences may lead to overeating, which is in turn associated with increased body mass index (BMI). However, recent evidence indicated that the association between childhood BMI and overeating might be bidirectional. This bidirectionality prompts the need for further investigation of early life predictors of BMI in childhood. OBJECTIVES: To longitudinally assess the directionality of the association between childhood BMI and perceived overeating and to investigate their antecedent early life predictors. METHODS: The sample included data from 5151 children from the ELSPAC study, collected between 18 months and 11 years of child age. The outcomes were child BMI and mother-reported overeating, assessed at the age of 3, 5, 7 and 11 years. Predictors included maternal BMI, maternal education, single parenthood, financial difficulties and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) reported by parents and paediatricians. The random intercept cross-lagged panel model was applied. RESULTS: The mean child's BMI at age 3 was 15.59 kg/m2 and increased to 17.86 kg/m2 at age 11. The percentage of parent-reported overeating increased in the following period, from about 12% at age 3 to 17% at age 11. The results showed temporal stability in perceived overeating and BMI, with a bidirectional relationship strengthening over time. The child's BMI was associated with maternal BMI. Maternal BMI was positively associated with child-perceived overeating, but a stronger effect was found for ACEs. ACEs mediated the impact of maternal education, financial difficulties and single parenthood on overeating. CONCLUSIONS: We observed stable bidirectional associations between BMI and perceived overeating. The results indicated two main pathways: one linked to maternal BMI and early childhood BMI increase followed by perceived overeating and the second associated with ACEs mediating the effect of early childhood social factors on perceived overeating, leading to gradual BMI gain.

• MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Hyperphagia * psychology   epidemiology   MeSH
• Body Mass Index * MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Longitudinal Studies MeSH
• Mothers psychology   statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Adverse Childhood Experiences * statistics & numerical data   psychology   MeSH
• Pediatric Obesity * epidemiology   psychology   MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Socioeconomic Factors MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Conflict deeply affects human experiences, frequently testing individual resilience to its breaking point and leaving enduring psychological and societal wounds. The current conflict in Ukraine, initiated by Russia's invasion in 2022, illustrates this phenomenon by altering regional relationships and triggering a major humanitarian crisis marked by extensive displacement, loss of life, and emotional turmoil. This study explores the factors influencing hope and distress in Ukraine alongside six nearby European countries during the ongoing conflict. A cross-sectional survey collected data primarily via internet panel samples from the Czech Republic, Georgia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine in the second year since the war's initiation. The current study utilised validated instruments, collecting data on levels of hope, distress, individual resilience, community resilience, societal resilience, morale, sense of danger, perceived security threats, and demographic characteristics. Hope and distress levels differ across countries, with Ukraine exhibiting the highest levels of both (3.74 ± 1.02 and 2.89 ± 0.87, respectively). Overall, average scores of hope were higher than average distress levels. Across the regression models for the seven countries, hope showed strong associations with individual (between β = 0.089 and β = 0.327) and societal resilience (between β = 0.206 and β = 0.514), while morale (between β = -0.104 and β = -0.479) and individual resilience (between β = -0.077 and β = -0.335) displayed a protective relationship against distress (all β values were significant, p < 0.01). Monitoring hope and distress is crucial during the Russian-Ukrainian war and other adversities, as these factors give insight into the current and future psychological states of affected populations. The results offer valuable information that can guide the development of tailored strategies to enhance hope and buffer distress in war-impacted countries, as well as those experiencing its broader effects. Fostering individual and societal resilience, alongside enhancing morale, may strengthen hope and mitigate distress amid adversity. Developing targeted interventions that address each population's unique needs, as well as their sociocultural and geopolitical contexts can enhance efficacy.

• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Hope * MeSH
• Armed Conflicts * psychology   MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Resilience, Psychological * MeSH
• Psychological Distress * MeSH
• Stress, Psychological * psychology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Russia MeSH
• Ukraine MeSH

BACKGROUND: The role of primary healthcare (PHC) during a pandemic varies across European countries. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has altered the working practices of family medicine doctors and impacted the resilience of healthcare systems. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine European healthcare system responses to the pandemic, focusing on rural and urban differences. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional, mixed-methods study used a semi-structured online questionnaire with 68 questions, including 21 free-text comments. Data were collected from May 2020 to January 2021. Key informants from 16 European Rural and Isolated Practitioners Association (EURIPA) member countries distributed questionnaires to 406 PHC doctors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests (χ2, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U) with a significance threshold of 0.05. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between rural (36.4%, 55/151), semirural (19.4%, 24/124) and urban populations (29.8%, 39/131) regarding medicine shortages (χ2 = 9.91, degrees of freedom (df) = 4, p = 0.042). The semirural setting showed a statistically significant difference from the other settings (p = 0.004 in post hoc χ2 test). Significant differences were found between countries in resilience features including, effectiveness of triage, adapting to the rapidly changing requirements, government help, existence of a community resilience group, improved interprofessional collaboration, medicine shortage, and general practitioners (GPs) involvement in palliative care. CONCLUSIONS: Medicine shortage was more prevalent in rural and urban areas compared to semirural areas. Differences were observed between countries in their responses to the pandemic, particularly in adapting to the rapidly changing requirements, effectiveness of triage, government help, and the existence of a community resilience group. These differences were confirmed with qualitative analysis. The results emphasize the need for tailored approaches considering diverse contexts in shaping effective healthcare system resilience.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * epidemiology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Pandemics MeSH
• Primary Health Care * organization & administration   MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Europe MeSH

OBJECTIVES: Medical students experience worse psychological well-being than the general population. Social determinants of health (SDOH) relate to conditions in which people live, work, and age and significantly influence mental health. This study examines the association between depressive symptoms and SDOH in medical students from four countries: Czechia, Iran, Kenya, and Venezuela. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in the spring of 2022. The questionnaire focused on depressive symptoms (using a validated psychiatric scale DASS-21 to assess mental health) and various SDOHs. RESULTS: A total of 2,033 medical students participated in the survey, with a median age of 23.0 years; 64.8% were females; 60.8% of respondents had some degree of depressive symptoms (mild-to-moderate 32.5%, severe-to-extremely severe 28.3%). Several SDOHs, such as low engagement in social life, low personal funds, and low social class, were strongly associated with severe-to-extremely severe depressive symptoms (p < 0.001), and the associations differed among countries. The prevalence of severe-to-extremely severe depressive symptoms varied significantly across the four countries, with Iran having the highest prevalence (OR = 2.1 compared to Czechia), followed by Czechia (OR = 1, reference value), Kenya (OR = 0.9), and Venezuela (OR = 0.6). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates the high prevalence of depressive symptoms among medical students from four global regions and the significant association with specific SDOH. Notably, the variation in prevalence across countries and differential relationships with SDOH underscore the importance of considering transcultural factors in research and management to improve mental health among medical students.

• MeSH
• Depression * epidemiology   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Prevalence MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
• Social Determinants of Health * statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Students, Medical * psychology   statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH
• Iran MeSH
• Kenya MeSH
• Venezuela MeSH

Příspěvek představuje souhrn užitečných tipů pro praxi při poskytování kulturně citlivé péče rodinám dětských pacientů s paliativními potřebami. Přehled poznatků byl vytvořen na základě zkušeností a znalostí získaných z mezinárodní stáže a rešerše odborné literatury. Pro přehlednost byl soubor tipů pro praxi uspořádán do akronymu RESPEKT, který sám o sobě představuje základní rámec a nejdůležitější princip práce s rodinami z různých kulturních prostředí. Písmena akronymu představují oblasti: Reflexe, Emoce, Spiritualita, Překlad, Edukace, Komunita a Tým, které jsou podrobně představeny v textu.

The paper presents a set of recommendations for providing culturally sensitive care to families of pediatric patients with palliative care needs. Recommendations were created based on experience and knowledge gained from an international internship and literature data. For clarity, the recommendations were organized into the acronym RESPECT, which itself represents a basic framework and the most important principle of working with families from different cultural backgrounds. The letters of the acronym represent the areas of Reflection, Emotion, Spirituality, Paraphrase, Education, Community and Team, which are further explained in our article.

• MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Communication MeSH
• Culturally Competent Care MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Palliative Care * MeSH
• Professional-Patient Relations MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Practice Guideline MeSH

BACKGROUND: The complexity of difficulties and limitations associated with intellectual disabilities entails the need for accessing support in healthcare services by competent physicians. The way medical education is structured in different countries may influence how well medical students are prepared to address the needs of patients with intellectual disabilities. METHODS: Three self-constructed scales were used to compare the self-assessed competencies of undergraduate medical students from Poland, Serbia, and the Czech Republic working with individuals with intellectual disabilities and to understand the significance of selected variables differentiating these competencies across countries. RESULTS: A total of 357 medical students from the three countries constituted the study sample. The students generally acknowledged the necessity of preventing discriminatory practices in healthcare and recognized the importance of special protection for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Differences were observed in their social distance and self-assessed competencies in working with these patients. Additionally, sociodemographic factors and prior experience played differing roles. CONCLUSIONS: The education of future doctors should include the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills to work with patients with disabilities.

• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Clinical Competence * standards   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Intellectual Disability * MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
• Students, Medical * psychology   MeSH
• Education, Medical, Undergraduate * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH
• Poland MeSH
• Serbia MeSH

OBJECTIVES: In an effort to maintain the technical aspects of traditional prosthetic surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) while reducing invasiveness and facilitate options for concomitant operations, transaxillary lateral mini-thoracotomy endoscopic robotic-assisted aortic valve replacement (RAVR) has been introduced. The present data highlight the contemporary international collaborative experience. METHODS: All consecutive patients undergoing standardized RAVR across 10 international sites (1/2020-7/2024) were evaluated using a central database with 1 year follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 300 patients were analysed with a median predicted risk of 1.6% with aortic stenosis in 85.7%, nearly half with bicuspid valves. Biological prostheses were implanted in 220 (73.3%) with a median valve size 23 mm, 10% receiving aortic root enlargement, with 17% of all patients undergoing concomitant procedures. Median cross-clamp 120 min with no conversions to sternotomy. Median length of stay was 5 days, 4.3% with prolonged ventilation, 1.7% renal failure, 1.0% stroke and 8.3% required re-thoracotomy for evacuation of haemothorax. There were two 30-day operative mortalities (0.7%). The new permanent pacemaker rate for the full cohort was 2.6%. Of 163 patients with complete 1-year clinical and echocardiographic follow-up, mean aortic valve gradient was 10 mmHg and all but 2 patients (1.2%) had trace to no prosthetic or paravalvular insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS: RAVR is safe and effective, providing the reproducible benefits of surgical AVR while affording a less invasive approach that permits the opportunity for concomitant procedures. For low and intermediate risk patients with aortic valve disease, RAVR is a potential reproducible alternative for patients and heart teams.

• MeSH
• Aortic Valve * surgery   MeSH
• Aortic Valve Stenosis * surgery   MeSH
• Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation * methods   adverse effects   mortality   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Longitudinal Studies MeSH
• Follow-Up Studies MeSH
• Robotic Surgical Procedures * methods   adverse effects   mortality   statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Heart Valve Prosthesis MeSH
• Thoracotomy methods   MeSH
• Treatment Outcome MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Multicenter Study MeSH

BACKGROUND: General practitioners (GPs) perceive patients with persistent somatic symptoms (PSS) as frustrating and difficult to manage. Patients commonly express dissatisfaction with the care they receive and often feel stigmatised and not taken seriously. Some Czech GPs use the option of extra psychosomatic education which focuses on better understanding and management of patients with PSS. OBJECTIVES: To explore perceptions of Czech GPs, with and without additional psychosomatic training, regarding the care of patients with PSS, their beliefs, approaches in the management, and their organisational and educational needs. METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional survey study among Czech GPs exploring experiences, perceptions, and needs in managing patients with PSS was conducted. Statistical and qualitative approaches were performed to analyse the data. RESULTS: A total of 152 GPs (37 with and 115 without additional psychosomatic training) participated in this survey (response rate 20,3%). GPs struggle with negative emotions, communication with patients, diagnostic uncertainty, patients' lack of understanding, the workload these patients generate, lack of specialized care, and other problems of the healthcare system. They call for more psychosomatic education and communication training. This should include theoretical explanatory models, Balint groups, and other kinds of supervision or peer groups. GPs with additional psychosomatic training feel more confident and competent caring for these patients, compared to GPs without such additional training (OR = 4.1; 95% CI = 1.85-9.11); p < 0.005). Furthermore, they view PSS patients as less burdensome (OR = 4.69; 2.11-10.4; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: GPs struggle with caring for patients with PSS. GPs with additional psychosomatic education indicate that they have more confidence and competence. Czech GPs call for more time and reimbursement when caring for patients with PSS, more psychosomatic training, better availability of specialized psychosomatic care, and better interdisciplinary cooperation.

• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Medically Unexplained Symptoms MeSH
• Attitude of Health Personnel * MeSH
• General Practitioners * psychology   MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
• Physician-Patient Relations MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

Pulmonary artery banding is a surgical procedure performed when there is a shunt between the left and right ventricle. Its aim is to constrict the lumen of the pulmonary artery by using a band to reduce blood flow to the lungs. In this study, we report the results of investigating the mechanical properties of a composite composed of poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) layers and a collagen matrix (PLCL-COLL). PLCL layers were obtained by electrospinning, impregnated with collagen solution, and finally cross-linked to increase the stiffness of the material. Bands of PLCL-COLL were implanted into a rat peritoneum and explanted after 1, 3, and 6 months in vivo. The mechanical properties of the material before and after implantation were determined using uniaxial tensile tests. The same was done with samples of strips prepared from GORE-TEX material. By comparing the results of tensile tests before implantation and after explantation, it was found that PLCL-COLL degrades in the rat's body and that it exhibits a mechanical response showing of elastic modulus values that correspond well to arterial biomechanics (elastic modulus measured in the initial linear region of the deformation was found to be: 4.14 MPa ± 1.11 MPa, 2.34 MPa ± 1.02 MPa, 1.11 MPa ± 0.77 MPa, and 0.88 MPa ± 0.60 MPa before implantation, and 1, 3, and 6 months after implantation respectively). Similar to the elastic modulus, the strength of the PLCL-COLL composite decreased during in vivo exposure (1.32 ± 0.32 MPa, 0.60 ± 0.26 MPa, 0.44 ± 0.11 MPa, and 0.46 ± 0.28 MPa before implantation, and 1, 3, and 6 months after implantation respectively). In our experiments, PLCL-COLL material was always more compliant than GORE-TEX (elastic modulus 34.7 MPa ± 2.06 MPa before implantation, and 9.35 MPa ± 6.80 MPa after implantation). The results suggest that PLCL-COLL could be a suitable candidate for the development of artery banding tapes, and also for further use in cardiovascular surgery.

• MeSH
• Pulmonary Artery * surgery   MeSH
• Biocompatible Materials chemistry   MeSH
• Biomechanical Phenomena MeSH
• Collagen * chemistry   metabolism   MeSH
• Rats MeSH
• Mechanical Phenomena * MeSH
• Peritoneum * surgery   MeSH
• Tensile Strength MeSH
• Polyesters * chemistry   metabolism   MeSH
• Materials Testing MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Rats MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH