Irish journal of psychological medicine
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Pharmacists, like psychiatrists, have modified their practices amidst COVID-19 in order to guarantee care and support to their patients. Designated an essential frontline service, community pharmacists are facing a spectrum of challenges to surmount to ensure patient care continues. ⋯ Pharmacist-level, system-level and regulatory responses have sought to minimise this impact, although there is likely to be a lasting impression on the profession, both good and bad. This article reviews the pandemic-related challenges and responses by pharmacists, as well as forming recommendation for areas of professional support and role expansion, particularly in the case of mental health.
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Since COVID-19 first emerged internationally, Australia has applied a number of public health measures to counter the disease' epidemiology. The public heath response has been effective in virus testing, diagnosing and treating patients with COVID-19. The imposed strict border restrictions and social distancing played a vital role in reducing positive cases via community transmission resulting in 'flattening of the curve'. ⋯ Remote Aboriginal Australian communities have been identified as a high-risk subpopulation in view of their unique vulnerabilities owing to their compromised health status, in addition to historical, systemic and cultural factors. Historically, Australia has prided itself in its multiculturalism; however, there has been evidence of an increase in racial microaggressions and xenophobia during this pandemic. Australia's model of cultural awareness will need to evolve, from reactionary to more reflective, post COVID-19 pandemic to best serve our multicultural, inclusive and integrated society.
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New York City is in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. Health care centers are stretched beyond capacity. Daily death rates are staggering. ⋯ We are helping anxious individuals adapt to tumultuous changes that we ourselves are experiencing. Our work in this time has reinforced our core beliefs about managing one's emotions; that difficult times require more active coping and that we all draw heavily from social support and familiarity to create a feeling of well-being. These principles and the experiences of our patients are discussed.
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Editorial Comment
The Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care: a call for action.
The purpose of this Editorial is to summarise the key recommendations of the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care, reporting on the best available evidence to date on what we can do to prevent and intervene for dementia. We briefly describe the new life-course model of dementia prevention incorporating nine modifiable risk factors and their potential effect in reducing individuals' risk of dementia. ⋯ Progress in evidence-based approaches indicate the potential for dementia care to be of high-quality and widely accessible. Acting upon this knowledge now will reduce the global burden of dementia and improve the lives of people living with dementia and their families.