Explore the vast range of titles available.

Health professionals are expected to be knowledgeable on disaster medicine and prepared to deal with medicine disasters. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and readiness to practice disaster medicine among health care workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and determine the influence of sociodemographic factors on the practice of disaster medicine. A cross-sectional survey conducted among various healthcare professionals in different healthcare facilities in the UAE. An electronic questionnaire was used and randomly distributed throughout the country. Data were collected from March to July 2021. The questionnaire consisted of 53 questions distributed among four sections: demographic information, knowledge, attitude and readiness to practice. The questionnaire distribution involved a 5-item of demographic information, a 21-item of knowledge, a 16-item of attitude and an 11-item of practice. A total of 307 (participation rate ~80.0%, n = 383) health professionals practicing in the UAE responded. Of these, 191 (62.2%) were pharmacists, 52 (15.9%) were physicians, 17 (5.5%) were dentists, 32 (10.4%) were nurses, and 15 (4.9%) were others. The mean experience was 10.9 years [SD ±7.6] (median 10, IQR 4–15). The median (IQR) overall knowledge level was 12 (8–16) and the maximum knowledge level was 21. The overall knowledge level differed significantly between the age groups of the participants (p = 0.002). The median (IQR) of overall attitude was (57, 50–64) for pharmacists, (55, 48–64) for physicians, (64, 44–68) for dentists, (64, 58–67) for nurses, and (60, 48–69) for others. The total attitude score differed significantly between the different professional groups (p = 0.034), gender (p = 0.008) and workplace (p = 0.011). In terms of readiness to practice, respondents’ scores were high and not significantly related to age (p = 0.14), gender (p = 0.064), professional groups (p = 0.0.762), and workplace (p = 0.149). This study showed that health professionals in the UAE have moderate levels of knowledge, positive attitudes, and high readiness to engage in disaster management. Gender and place of work can be considered as influencing factors. Professional training courses and educational curriculums related to disaster medicine can be beneficial to further reduce the knowledge-attitude gap.

Proper disaster preparedness by community pharmacists has the potential to counter many of the factors that cause threats and high-risk outcomes. Their preparedness and awareness may also help health practitioners and governments to improve disaster response planning. This aims to explore the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards disaster medicine preparedness and readiness among community pharmacists in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A cross-sectional study was conducted over the ten months among licensed community pharmacists who had three months' professional experience or more. Face-to-face interviews were carried out and a structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Logistic regression models were used to determine the factors influencing aboucine preparedness and readiness. SPSS Version 24 was used to analyze the data collected. A total of 500 community pharmacists participated in the study. The average knowledge score was 25.6% with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of [21.7%, 29.4%]. Better knowledge scores were observed in the male gender (OR 2.43; 95% CI 1.05-3.72), participants aged ≥ 31 years old (OR 2.97; 95% CI 1.16-7.6), postgraduates (OR 4.36; 95% CI 2.6-7.3), participants from independent Pharmacies (OR 6.5; 95% CI 4.04-10.4 3), chief pharmacists (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.86-5.07), participants with 16 years and more experience years (OR 2.42; 95% CI 1.063-5.522) and participants who graduated from regional/international universities (OR 5.92; 95% CI 2.65-13.2). Better attitude and practice about disaster medicine preparedness were observed in postgraduates (OR 2.54; 95% CI 1.26-pharmacists from independent pharmacies (OR 1.35; 95% CI 2.43-2,.66), and chief pharmacists (OR 1.26; 95% CI 1.17-1.35). It's essential to provide a continuing education program using different educational strategies urgently needed to improve community pharmacy competencies (e.g. knowledge attitudes, and perceptions) to improve the skills and practices regarding disaster medicine preparedness and readiness.

Background Hospitals worldwide are seeing an increased number of acute admissions, with resultant emergency department (ED) crowding and increased length of stay (LOS). Acute Medical Units (AMUs) have developed throughout the United Kingdom and other Western countries to reduce the burden on EDs and improve patient flow. Limited information is available on AMUs in the Middle East. The purpose of this study is to describe the development of the first AMU in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for general medical patients and its impact on LOS, early discharges, ED boarders, and readmission rates. Methods We established a consultant-led AMU in a tertiary hospital in the UAE. A retrospective comparative review of all general medical admissions to the AMU between August 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 and all admissions to the traditional medical wards between August 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019 was conducted. Results The average LOS reduced from 10 to 5 days (95% CI [4.14–6.25], p < 0.001) after the introduction of AMU. Early discharges increased by 22%. The number of outliers and number of patients boarding in ED reduced significantly (111 in 2019 vs. 60 in 2020, p < 0.05; 938 in 2019 vs. 104 in 2020, p < 0.001 respectively), with a decrease in ED waiting time from 394 min to 134 min (95% CI [229.25–290.75], p < 0.001). There was no increase in 30-day readmission rates. Conclusion Restructuring the system of care can reduce LOS, overcome discharge barriers and improve patient flow. Similar units can be developed in hospitals throughout the UAE and the region to reduce LOS and improve patient flow through acute care units.

PurposeEmergency preparedness (EP) is one of the crucial phases of the disaster management cycle for the built environment. The body of knowledge, therefore, reports on different preparedness standards adopted by developed countries such as the United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America (USA), Canada, Japan and Australia. Other countries, however, such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (in the absence of its preparedness framework), have long adapted the UK preparedness standards. This has called for this study to investigate the state of EP practices in the UAE to identify the limitations and challenges it has been facing during its preparedness phase when adopting the UK preparedness standards.Design/methodology/approachQualitative methods of data collection and documentation with the content analysis were adopted to identify the barriers faced by the preparedness phase of emergency management (EM) in the UAE. A Pilot study was therefore conducted to validate eight key elements of the EP phase identified from the literature. The state of EP phase and the extent to which the eight key elements of EP elements were practiced and the barriers in their implementation in the UAE were explored through interviews at federal (National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority) and local levels (local team of crisis and emergency management).FindingsThe study identified eight key elements of the EP phase and the associated barriers related to their implementation in the UAE. The barriers were ranked based on their severity by interviewing experts at both federal and local levels.Practical implicationsThis paper addresses the need to investigate the state of the EP phase, its key elements and the barriers faced during its implementation in the UAE.Originality/valueDue to the absence of any EP frameworks or systems in the UAE, this paper aims to validate the EP elements identified by adopting a qualitative approach.

Natural disasters have a significant impact on urban areas, resulting in loss of lives and urban services. Using satellite and aerial imagery, the rapid and automatic assessment of at-risk located buildings from can improve the overall disaster management system of urban areas. To do this, the definition, and the implementation of models with strong generalization, is very important. Starting from these assumptions, the authors proposed a deep learning approach based on the U-Net model to map buildings that fall into mapped landslide risk areas. The U-Net model is trained and validated using the Dubai’s Satellite Imagery Dataset. The transferability of the model results are tested in three different urban areas within Calabria Region, Southern Italy, using natural color orthoimages and multi-source GIS data. The results show that the proposed methodology can detect and predict buildings that fall into landslide risk zones, with an appreciable transferability capability. During the prevention phase of emergency planning, this tool can support decision-makers and planners with the rapid identification of buildings located within risk areas, and during the post event phase, by assessing urban system conditions after a hazard occurs.

Background Point-of-care Ultrasound (POCUS) is rapidly becoming an indispensable tool in a wide range of medical specialties. To ensure that practicing physicians are fully equipped with the skills required, there is a need to expand comprehensive training opportunities, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa region. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a novel year-long hybrid POCUS certification program aimed at enhancing the confidence and competency of practicing physicians in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted involving 12 practicing physicians enrolled in a one-year, part-time hybrid POCUS program. The program consisted of six modules that integrated online educational units, in-person workshops, and supervised clinical practice. Eligibility criteria for the program required participants to be licensed physicians with access to an ultrasound machine that had image storage capabilities within their healthcare setting. Participants’ confidence was assessed through self-reported surveys at four evaluation points. Competency was evaluated using the Ultrasound Competency Assessment Tool (UCAT) at three evaluation points, while ultrasound image quality was assessed throughout the program. Repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze changes in confidence and competency over time. Spearman’s correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the relationship between confidence and competency scores. Results Participants demonstrated significant improvements in both confidence and competency. Mean total confidence scores increased from 64.0 (SD = 9.9) pre-program to 81.3 (SD = 6.7) post-program ( p  < 0.001). The UCAT scores improved from 64.9 (SD = 13.5) in module two to 78.9 (SD = 3.6) in module six ( p  < 0.001). The UCAT scores for cardiac and lung applications showed the most consistent improvement, while the scores for first trimester ultrasound demonstrated the least improvement. Ultrasound image quality scores demonstrated a positive trend over time with a clear learning trajectory marked by three distinct phases. There was a significant association between ultrasound image quality scores and the number of completed ultrasound scan assignments ( p  < 0.001) for all applications except for first trimester ultrasound, indicating the need for curriculum enhancement in this area. A moderate positive correlation was observed between post-module four confidence scores and module six competence scores ( r  = 0.585, p  = 0.059), however, this correlation was not statistically significant. Conclusion This comprehensive hybrid POCUS program effectively enhanced confidence and competency among practicing physicians. The structured approach, which integrates theoretical knowledge, hands-on practice, and ongoing longitudinal feedback, presents a promising model for POCUS education. These findings inform the development of similar programs, potentially improving POCUS adoption and patient care globally. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

Recent unprecedented events worldwide, such as floods in Dubai, recurring heavy rainfall in Santo Domingo, and abrupt temperature changes in the United Kingdom (UK), underscore the tangible impacts of climate change. In response to escalating threats from natural disasters, global communities prioritise resilience and effective disaster management systems. This paper addresses best practices for managing abnormal floods, laying the foundation for the next generation of preparedness and mitigation plans. Focusing on flood risk in Santo Domingo, the study employs the Community Disaster Resilience Framework, conducting a workshop with over 100 stakeholders from government, private, and academic sectors. The assessment spans physical, economic, environmental, and social aspects, revealing common challenges in infrastructure upkeep, public awareness, urban planning, drainage, and economic disparities. The paper proposes technological solutions like predictive maintenance and smart drainage systems, emphasising the potential for implementation. Recognising the importance of community involvement and preparedness, insights from the United Kingdom guide initial steps in strategy development. The conclusions advocate for collaborative efforts among government, academia, and society to navigate the complexities of disaster management and community resilience, ultimately proposing a framework to address these challenges. Further research is suggested in expanding online platforms for disaster risk reduction education in the Caribbean region.

Background The delayed diagnosis and management of abdominal tuberculosis increases its mortality. We aimed to study the clinical presentation, management, and outcome of patients who had abdominal tuberculosis and were treated at Al-Ain Hospital, Al-Ain City, United Arab Emirates. Methods All patients who had abdominal tuberculosis and were treated at Al-Ain Hospital between January 2011 and December 2018 were studied. Data were collected retrospectively using a structured protocol including demography, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, management, and outcome. Results Twenty-four patients having a median age of 30 years were studied with an incidence of 0.6/100,000 population. The most common symptoms were abdominal pain (95.8%) and malaise (79.2%). Fever was present only in nine patients (37.5%). Laboratory investigations, except for polymerase chain reaction immunoassay, were not helpful. Chest X-ray was abnormal in three patients (12.5%). Ultrasound and abdominal CT scan were non-specific. Thirteen patients needed surgical intervention for diagnosis or therapy. Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology in 15 patients (62.5%), immunological assays in 7 patients (29.2%), microbiological culture in 1 patient (4%), and therapeutic trial in 1 patient (4%). The most common type of abdominal tuberculosis was gastrointestinal in 13 patients (54.2%) followed by free wet peritonitis in 5 patients (20.8%). All patients had quadruple anti-tuberculous therapy for a minimum of 6 months. The median hospital stay was 6.5 days. None of our patients died. Conclusions Diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis remains challenging despite advances in medical technology and diagnostic tools. The limited need for diagnostic therapy in our study supports the benefit of PCR assay. Surgery was mainly indicated as the last option to reach the diagnosis or to treat complications.

Aims Delivery of clinical dental education, as opposed to clinical medicine, is particularly challenging due to the obligatory aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) used in dentistry, which are known to facilitate the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Hence, using AGPs and working in close proximity to patients for extended periods in dental hospital/university settings with multiple teaching clinics have been a formidable prospect for all stake holders. Therefore, several professional and governmental organizations have promulgated variations of infection control guidelines for general practice dentistry in the pandemic era to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Materials and methods In the absence of unified guidelines for modified infection control/clinical procedures for dental education. We implemented a clinical protocol template and modified operating procedures (MOP) for teaching clinical dentistry to fit the infection control requirements during the pandemic/post-pandemic period at the Sharjah University, College of Dentistry, UAE. MOPs ranged from various engineering control measures (e.g., negative-pressure ventilation systems in operatories) to administrative control measures featuring post-procedure fallow periods of treatment-abeyance between patient sessions. Results The new MOPs for clinical dentistry in the COVID-19 pandemic era, trialled in a UAE dental teaching hospital, have successfully eliminated infection transmission amongst the students, clinicians, ancillary staff, or attending patients, thus far. Conclusions The proposed MOPs that complement the standard operating protocols in clinical dentistry were an attempt to mitigate nosocomial infection transmission and protect four different groups of stakeholders, i) the patients, ii) the dental students, iii) the clinical academics, and iv) the para-dental personnel/assistants. Due to the endemicity of the COVID-19 in many regions of the World, the suggested MOPs need periodic review and revision, to fit the emerging data on the disease. Finally, as there are no studies to date comparing the relative efficacy of the MOPs in various dental academic institutions, there is an urgent need for future workers to address this issue.