.
BACKGROUND:The healthcare sector contributes substantially to greenhouse gas emissions, and family doctors are well placed to reduce this impact, but their preparedness depends on adequate education in sustainable healthcare. OBJECTIVES:The objective of this study was to describe self-reported knowledge of sustainable healthcare and perceived educational gaps among family doctors and trainees affiliated with the European Young Family Doctors Movement (EYFDM) network. METHODS:A cross-sectional, web-based survey was distributed through EYFDM. The instrument comprised one open-ended question, five knowledge items (four single-best-answer and one multiselect), and two yes/no items. Open-ended responses were scored independently by three authors using a rubric anchored to the World Health Organization definition of environmentally sustainable health systems. Data were analysed in SPSS v27. RESULTS:A total of 130 family doctors and trainees from 15 European countries responded; 83.8% came from three countries (the Netherlands, Türkiye, and the UK). Of those who answered, 64.7% (75/116) reported no prior experience with sustainable healthcare, and 72.5% (58/80) had received no related teaching during training. The median total knowledge score was 3/5 [interquartile range (IQR) 2]. Scores were higher in participants aged under 45 years (P < .001), in female respondents (P = .014), and in trainees (P < .001). Nearly everyone who responded agreed that planetary health should be included in the family medicine curriculum. CONCLUSIONS:Within this EYFDM sample, prior formal education in sustainable healthcare was uncommon, and interest in further training was high. Findings are exploratory and not generalizable to all European family doctors, but they support the development of validated instruments and the integration of planetary health into family medicine curricula.
Thirteen cases of hantavirus infection (including three deaths) were detected on a cruise ship returning from Ushuaia. Following discussions, the ship was permitted to dock in the Canary Islands, where passengers were disembarked under safety protocols and sent back to their respective countries for medical monitoring. Hantaviruses comprise more than 53 species, each associated with a specific rodent. Humans become infected through the inhalation of excreta in areas frequented by rodents. Hantavirus infections are zoonoses that manifest as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome or cardiopulmonary syndrome. The Andes strain, found in South America, is capable of human-to-human transmission. Diagnosis is established via serology or PCR. There is no treatment or vaccine.
One major barrier to the goals of hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination is identification and linkage-to-care for those with HCV infection. The aim of this research was to develop a strategy to help achieve HCV elimination in remote rural villages. According to the maps of the township- and village-specific testing rates and prevalence rates of anti-HCV produced by the Public Health Bureau of Yunlin County, a high anti-HCV prevalent township Sihhu and four nearby villages were selected for an intensive screening with anti-HCV reflex HCV antigen test. A temporary outreach hepatology clinic was set in Sihhu Township Health Center to enhance accessibility for post-screening care of those positive for HCV antigen. The population aged ≥ 40 years of the included villages at time of survey was 18,018 with 5,343 (29.7
Climate change is recognized by the World Economic Forum as one of the top ten global crises. Existing scales measure awareness in adults, but there is no scale specifically developed for early adolescents. To address this gap, the "Early Adolescent Climate Change Awareness Scale" (EACCAS) was developed. The study targeted individuals aged 10–14 in Edirne, Türkiye (N = 7133, 25 schools). A multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method was used to select (n=897, 6 schools). A 43-item pool was generated based on literature and educational materials, and content validity was evaluated by nine experts. Feedback from a pilot study involving 21 students was used to refine the items. Data collection proceeded after obtaining ethical approvals. Structural validity was assessed through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) on two equal subsamples, while convergent and discriminant validity were tested. Reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Analyses were conducted using SPSS 22 and R Studio’s “lavaan” and “semTools” packages. The final scale consisted of 15 items across three subdimensions—causes, consequences, and measures—explaining 65.53% of the total variance. The Cronbach's alpha value was 0.92, and model fit indices indicated a good fit (CMIN/DF = 2.176, RMSEA = 0.051, CFI = 0.968, TLI= 0.961, SRMR= 0.041). The scale, scored on a 5-point Likert system (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree), provides a range of 15–75 points. Higher scores indicate greater awareness. This scale is recommended for application in diverse populations following cultural adaptations.
Public health specialists (PHS) in the local government often work part-time and many of them lack occupational education. The main task of specialists responsible for public health often involves other work areas. Continuing education programs are available for PHS, but there is no overview of how well programs meet their needs and challenges. Also, the possibility and feasibility of combining study and work, is unknown. Study explored, how different factors support or hinder the integration of study activities and work. For creating the sample, the Estonian local governments were categories in subgroups based on municipality size, status of health profile strategic document, PHS employment and educational background. Semi structured interviews (10 + 9) were conducted with leaders and practitioners in 2022-2023. Qualitative content analysis was used. Results indicate that both positions find encouraging factor to study while working at the same time, if learner perceives the necessity and links with everyday work and sees an opportunity to apply the information, contacts or experience into practice among specialist's main work. The list of mentioned supportive factors were motivation, will, time resource, support from family and employer, bonuses, recognize from leader, study leave, convenient location and flexibility of studies, possibility of absence, online/hybrid version. As hindering factors highlighted lack of time management skills, education as obligatory requirement and when it's not flexible, it becomes unlikely to pursue studying. In conclusion supporting public health workforce (including health promoters) occupational training and professional development is the key component to achieve public health goals effectively and efficiently. Education is an important prerequisite and necessary to reach using systematic approaches in the field of public health by competent employees. • Most public health specialists are willing to study while working, if the studies meet their conditions (e.g. flexibility, alignment with daily work, common tasks as motivating and unifying aspect). • The presence of motivation and time resource, as well as the ability to plan it, were noted as influencing factors the combining study and work.
