Digital Commons Network^™

A Leave Of Absence Might Not Be A Bad Thing: Registered Practical Nurses Working In Home Care During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Denise M. Connelly, Nicole A. Guitar, Anna Garnett, Tracy Smith-Carrier, Kristin Prentice, Jen Calver, Emily King, Sandra Mckay, Diana Pearson, Samir Sinha, Nancy Snobelen

Physical Therapy Publications

To describe the resilience and emotional intelligence of Registered Practical Nurses working in Home and Community Care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, to determine if there was a relationship between resilience and emotional intelligence based on whether a nurse: (1) left the sector, (2) considered leaving, or (3) took a leave of absence during the pandemic. An online cross-sectional survey was used to capture respondents’ demographic information and scores on the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, Resilience at Work Scale®, and Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale. Registered Practical Nurses working, or who had worked, in Home and Community Care January 2020 …

Rehabilitation Interventions For Physical Capacity And Quality Of Life In Adults With Post-Covid-19 Condition: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis., Dimitra V Pouliopoulou, Joy C Macdermid, Emily Saunders, Sue Peters, Laura Brunton, Erin Miller, Kieran L Quinn, Tiago V Pereira, Pavlos Bobos

Physical Therapy Publications

IMPORTANCE: Current rehabilitation guidelines for patients with post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) are primarily based on expert opinions and observational data, and there is an urgent need for evidence-based rehabilitation interventions to support patients with PCC.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the findings of existing studies that report on physical capacity (including functional exercise capacity, muscle function, dyspnea, and respiratory function) and quality of life outcomes following rehabilitation interventions in patients with PCC.

DATA SOURCES: A systematic electronic search was performed from January 2020 until February 2023, in MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, and the Clinical Trials Registry. Key terms that were used to identify potentially …

Report On Fraying Resilience Among The Ontario Registered Practical Nurse Workforce In Long-Term Care Homes During Covid-19, Denise M. Connelly, Nancy Snobelen, Anna Garnett, Nicole Guitar, Cecilia Flores-Sandoval, Samir Sinha, Jen Calver, Diana Pearson, Tracy Smith-Carrier

Physical Therapy Publications

Aim: Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) are frontline healthcare providers in Ontario long-term care (LTC) homes. Throughout COVID-19, RPNs working in LTC homes experienced prolonged lockdowns, challenging working conditions, and inadequate resource allocation. This study aimed to describe the personal and professional resilience of RPNs working in LTC during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: An open cross-sectional online survey containing the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, Resilience at Work Scale®, and Resilience at Work Team Scale®. Methods: The survey was distributed by the RPN Association of Ontario (WeRPN) to approximately 5000 registered members working in Ontario LTC homes. Results: A total of 434 respondents …

Faculty-Wide Peer-Support Program During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Design And Preliminary Results, Jenny J. W. Liu, P. Andrea Lum, Laura Foxcroft, Rod Lim, J. Don Richardson

MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre

Background: Physicians experience higher rates of burnout relative to the general population. Concerns of confidentiality, stigma, and professional identities as health care providers act as barriers to seeking and receiving appropriate support. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, factors that contribute to burnout and barriers to seeking support have been amplified, elevating the overall risks of mental distress and burnout for physicians. Objective: This paper aimed to describe the rapid development and implementation of a peer support program within a health care organization located in London, Ontario, Canada. Methods: A peer support program leveraging existing infrastructures within the health …

Family Physicians' Responses To Personal Protective Equipment Shortages In Four Regions In Canada: A Qualitative Study., Maria Mathews, Dana Ryan, Lindsay Hedden, Julia Lukewich, Emily Gard Marshall, Shabnam Asghari, Amanda Lee Terry, Richard Buote, Leslie Meredith, Lauren Moritz, Sarah Spencer, Judith B. Brown, Erin Christian, Thomas R. Freeman, Paul S. Gill, Shannon L. Sibbald, Eric Wong

Health Studies Publications

BACKGROUND: Despite well-documented increased demands and shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) during previous disease outbreaks, health systems in Canada were poorly prepared to meet the need for PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the primary care sector, PPE shortages impacted the delivery of health services and contributed to increased workload, fear, and anxiety among primary care providers. This study examines family physicians' (FPs) response to PPE shortages during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic to inform future pandemic planning.

METHODS: As part of a multiple case study, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with FPs across four regions in …

Family Physicians' Responses To Personal Protective Equipment Shortages In Four Regions In Canada: A Qualitative Study., Maria Mathews, Dana Ryan, Lindsay Hedden, Julia Lukewich, Emily Gard Marshall, Shabnam Asghari, Amanda L. Terry Dr., Richard Buote, Leslie Meredith, Lauren Moritz, Sarah Spencer, Judith B Brown, Erin Christian, Thomas R Freeman, Paul S Gill, Shannon L Sibbald, Eric Wong

Health Studies Publications

BACKGROUND: Despite well-documented increased demands and shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) during previous disease outbreaks, health systems in Canada were poorly prepared to meet the need for PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the primary care sector, PPE shortages impacted the delivery of health services and contributed to increased workload, fear, and anxiety among primary care providers. This study examines family physicians' (FPs) response to PPE shortages during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic to inform future pandemic planning.

METHODS: As part of a multiple case study, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with FPs across four regions in …

Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On The Mental Health And Well-Being Of Veterans’ Spouses: A Cross Sectional Analysis, Kevin T. Hansen, Rachel A. Plouffe, Deanna L. Walker, Sonya G. Wanklyn, Laryssa Lamrock, Polliann Maher, Anthony Nazarov, J. Don Richardson

MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre

Background COVID-19 has negatively impacted the mental health and well-being of both Canadians and the world as a whole, with Veterans, in particular, showing increased rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Spouses and common-law partners often serve as primary caregivers and sources of support for Veterans, which may have a deleterious effect on mental health and increase risk of burnout. Pandemic related stressors may increase burden and further exacerbate distress; yet the effect of the pandemic on the mental health and well-being of Veterans’ spouses is currently unknown. This study explores the self-reported mental health and well-being of a group …

Characterizing And Predicting Canadian Adolescents’ Internalizing Symptoms In The First Year Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Haley E. Green, Andrew R. Daoust, Matthew R. J. Vandermeer, Pan Liu, Kasey Stanton, Kate L. Harkness, Elizabeth P. Hayden

Psychology Publications

To date, most longitudinal studies of adolescents’ internalizing symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic include few time points, limiting knowledge about the long-term course of adolescents’ mental health during the pandemic. Moreover, examining intraindividual variability in symptoms, which may have important implications for adolescents’ adjustment beyond mean or “typical” symptoms, requires multiple time points. We examined the course of internalizing symptoms in 271 Ontario adolescents (mean n = 193 across time points) during the first year of the pandemic (March 2020–April 2021) via mixed-effect location scale models, drawing upon established internalizing symptom risk factors as predictors of mean trends and intraindividual …

Examining The Barriers, Facilitators And Attitudes Towards Covid-19 Vaccine And Public Health Measures For Black Communities In Canada: A Qualitative Study Protocol., Obidimma Ezezika, Bethelehem Girmay, Toluwalope Adedugbe, Isaac Jonas, Yanaminah Thullah, Chris Thompson

Health Studies Publications

INTRODUCTION: Black communities claim the highest number of cases and deaths due to COVID-19 in Canada. Generating culturally/contextually appropriate public health measures and strategies for vaccine uptake in black communities within Canada can better support the disproportionate impact of this pandemic. This study explores the barriers and enablers to public health measures limited to mask-wearing, disinfection, sanitation, social distancing and handwashing, as well as the barriers and attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines among the black community.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will use qualitative approaches informed by the widely accepted Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to aid our investigation. We will …

Adapting Despite “Walls Coming Down”: Healthcare Providers’ Experiences Of Covid-19 As An Implosive Adaptation, Sayra Cristancho, Emily Field, Taryn Taylor

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has been a daunting exercise in adaptation for healthcare providers. While we are beginning to learn about the challenges faced by teams during the COVID-19 pandemic, what remains underexplored are the strategies team members used to adapt to these challenges. The goal of this study is therefore to explore how healthcare providers navigated and adapted to on-the-ground challenges imposed by COVID-19. Methods: We interviewed 20 healthcare workers at various hospitals in Ontario, who provided care as part of clinical teams during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected and analyzed following Constructivist Grounded Theory principles including iteration, …

Lockdown, Bottoms Up? Changes In Adolescent Substance Use Across The Covid-19 Pandemic, Tara M. Dumas, Wendy E. Ellis, Stephen Van Hedger, Dana M. Litt, Madeleine Macdonald

Neuroscience Institute Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic notably altered adolescent substance use during the initial stage (Spring 2020) of the pandemic. The purpose of this longitudinal study is to examine trajectories of adolescent substance use across the pandemic and subsequent periods of stay-at-home orders and re-opening efforts. We further examined differences as a function of current high school student versus graduate status. Adolescents (n = 1068, 14–18 years, Mage = 16.95 years and 76.7% female at T1) completed 4 different self-report surveys, starting during the first stay-at-home order and ending approximately 14 months later. Negative binomial hurdle models predicted: (1) the likelihood of no …

Family Physician Leadership During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Roles, Functions And Key Supports., Maria Mathews, Dana Ryan, Lindsay Hedden, Julia Lukewich, Emily Gard Marshall, Judith Belle Brown, Paul S Gill, Madeleine Mckay, Eric Wong, Stephen J Wetmore, Richard Buote, Leslie Meredith, Lauren Moritz, Sarah Spencer, Maria Alexiadis, Thomas R Freeman, Aimee Letto, Bridget L Ryan, Shannon L Sibbald, Amanda Lee Terry

Health Studies Publications

PURPOSE: Strong leadership in primary care is necessary to coordinate an effective pandemic response; however, descriptions of leadership roles for family physicians are absent from previous pandemic plans. This study aims to describe the leadership roles and functions family physicians played during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada and identify supports and barriers to formalizing these roles in future pandemic plans.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This study conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with family physicians across four regions in Canada as part of a multiple case study. During the interviews, participants were asked about their roles during each pandemic stage and the facilitators and barriers …

The Hospitalization Rate Of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Before And During Covid-19 Pandemic Era: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study, Maryam Vasaghi Gharamaleki, Maryam Habibagahi, Etrat Hooshmandi, Reza Tabrizi, Shahram Arsang-Jang, Zohreh Barzegar, Nima Fadakar, Vahid Reza Ostovan, Abbas Rahimi-Jaberi, Nahid Ashjazadeh, Peyman Petramfar, Maryam Poursadeghfard, Sadegh Izadi, Masoumeh Nazeri, Hanieh Bazrafshan, Zahra Bahrami, Sedigheh Karimlu, Seyedeh Shaghayegh Zafarmand, Mahnaz Bayat, Mohammad Saied Salehi, Maryam Owjfard, Saeideh Karimi-Haghighi, Anahid Safari, Banafsheh Shakibajahromi, Beng Lim Alvin Chew, Bradford B.G. Worral, Jonathan M. Coutinho, Carlos Garcia-Esperon, Neil Spratt, M Reza Azarpazhooh

Neuroscience Institute Publications

Objectives: There are several reports of the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). In this study, we aimed to compare the hospitalization rate of CVST before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (before vaccination program). Materials and methods: In this retrospective cohort study, the hospitalization rate of adult CVST patients in Namazi hospital, a tertiary referral center in the south of Iran, was compared in two periods of time. We defined March 2018 to March 2019 as the pre-COVID-19 period and March 2020 to March 2021 as the COVID-19 period. Results: 50 and 77 adult CVST …

Evidence-Based Considerations For The Design Of An Open-Source Ventilator: A Systematic Review, Chintan Dave, Asaanth Sivajohan, John Basmaji, Marat Slessarev

Neuroscience Institute Publications

OBJECTIVE: To inform the design of open-source ventilators, we performed a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) to consolidate the evidence on mechanical ventilation strategies that result in improved patient-important outcomes for acute hypoxic respiratory failure. DATA SOURCES: We developed a search strategy to identify relevant CPGs from Ovid Medline, Ovid Medline In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Mendeley, and Google scholar from 2010 to February 17, 2022. STUDY SELECTION: Using a two-step screening process with two independent reviewers, we included CPGs that made recommendations on mechanical ventilation strategies of interest. Guidelines that reported at least …

Potential Circumstances Associated With Moral Injury And Moral Distress In Healthcare Workers And Public Safety Personnel Across The Globe During Covid-19: A Scoping Review, Yuanxin Xue, Jillian Lopes, Kimberly Ritchie, Andrea M. D’Alessandro, Laura Banfield, Randi E. Mccabe, Alexandra Heber, Ruth A. Lanius, Margaret C. Mckinnon

Neuroscience Institute Publications

Healthcare workers (HCWs) and public safety personnel (PSP) across the globe have continued to face ethically and morally challenging situations during the COVID-19 pandemic that increase their risk for the development of moral distress (MD) and moral injury (MI). To date, however, the global circumstances that confer risk for MD and MI in these cohorts have not been systematically explored, nor have the unique circumstances that may exist across countries been explored. Here, we sought to identify and compare, across the globe, potentially morally injurious or distressful events (PMIDEs) in HCWs and PSP during the COVID-19 pandemic. A scoping review …

Editorial: Robotics, Autonomous Systems And Ai For Nonurgent/Nonemergent Healthcare Delivery During And After The Covid-19 Pandemic, A. L. Trejos, S. F. Atashzar, S. P. Dimaio, P. M. Pilarski, M. Tavakoli

Electrical and Computer Engineering Publications

No abstract provided.

Acute Ischaemic Stroke Associated With Sars-Cov-2 Infection In North America, Adam A. Dmytriw, Mahmoud Dibas, Kevin Phan, Aslan Efendizade, Johanna Ospel, Clemens Schirmer, Fabio Settecase, Manraj K.S. Heran, Anna Luisa Kühn, Ajit S. Puri, Bijoy K. Menon, Sanjeev Sivakumar, Askan Mowla, Daniel Vela-Duarte, Italo Linfante, Guilherme C. Dabus, Robert W. Regenhardt, Salvatore D'Amato, Joseph A. Rosenthal, Alicia Zha, Nafee Talukder, Sunil A. Sheth, Ameer E. Hassan, Daniel L. Cooke, Lester Y. Leung, Adel M. Malek, Barbara Voetsch, Siddharth Sehgal, Ajay K. Wakhloo, Mayank Goyal

Neuroscience Institute Publications

BACKGROUND: To analyse the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) and identify factors predicting functional outcome. METHODS: Multicentre retrospective cohort study of COVID-19 patients with AIS who presented to 30 stroke centres in the USA and Canada between 14 March and 30 August 2020. The primary endpoint was poor functional outcome, defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of 5 or 6 at discharge. Secondary endpoints include favourable outcome (mRS ≤2) and mortality at discharge, ordinal mRS (shift analysis), symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH) and occurrence of in-hospital complications. RESULTS: A total of 216 COVID-19 patients with AIS …

Mostly Worse, Occasionally Better: Impact Of Covid-19 Pandemic On The Mental Health Of Canadian Children And Adolescents, Katherine Tombeau Cost, Jennifer Crosbie, Evdokia Anagnostou, Catherine S. Birken, Alice Charach, Suneeta Monga, Elizabeth Kelley, Rob Nicolson, Jonathon L. Li, Tomonori Kaneko, Martin R. Schiller

Paediatrics Publications

This large cross-sectional study examined the impact of COVID-19 emergency measures on child/adolescent mental health for children/adolescents with and without pre-existing psychiatric diagnoses. Using adapted measures from the CRISIS questionnaire, parents of children aged 6–18 (N = 1013; 56% male; 62% pre-existing psychiatric diagnosis) and self-reporting children/adolescents aged 10–18 (N = 385) indicated changes in mental health across six domains: depression, anxiety, irritability, attention, hyperactivity, and obsessions/compulsions. Changes in anxiety, irritability, and hyperactivity were calculated for children aged 2–5 years using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. COVID-19 exposure, compliance with emergency measures, COVID-19 economic concerns, and stress from social isolation …

Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Access To Fertility Care: A Retrospective Study At A University-Affiliated Fertility Practice, Jennifer Sau Gee Lam, Mahvash Shere, Nickan Motamedi, George A. Vilos, Basim Abu-Rafea, Angelos G. Vilos

Paediatrics Publications

Objective: To elucidate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to fertility services. Methods: A retrospective quality improvement study was conducted at a university-affiliated fertility practice in southwestern Ontario. Annual procedural volumes for intrauterine and donor inseminations (IUI/DI), in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injections (IVF/ICSI), and frozen embryo transfers (FET) during the COVID-19–affected year were compared with mean annual volumes from the 2 preceding years. In addition, volumes for the same procedures were compared between the first quarter of 2021 and mean first quarter volumes from 2018 to 2019. Piecewise linear regressions were conducted to evaluate whether any …

Not So Sweet Dreams: Adults' Quantity, Quality, And Disruptions Of Sleep During The Initial Stages Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Katie J. Shillington, Leigh M. Vanderloo, Shauna M. Burke, Victor Ng, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer D. Irwin

Paediatrics Publications

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate Ontario adults' reported sleep quantity, quality, and disturbances during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic (April–July 2020). Methods: As part of a larger, chronic disease-focused, and ongoing longitudinal study designed to explore Ontario adults' health and wellness-related behaviors during the pandemic, participants completed an online survey that included demographic information and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The PSQI consists of 19 items, one of which is open-ended, designed to assess an individual's quantity, quality, and patterns of sleep on seven domains (ie, subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, …

Healthcare Workers And Covid-19-Related Moral Injury: An Interpersonally-Focused Approach Informed By Ptsd, Andrea M. D'Alessandro, Kimberly Ritchie, Randi E. Mccabe, Ruth A. Lanius, Alexandra Heber, Patrick Smith, Ann Malain, Hugo Schielke, Charlene O'Connor, Fardous Hosseiny, Sara Rodrigues, Margaret C. Mckinnon

Neuroscience Institute Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a still-unfolding series of novel, potentially traumatic moral and ethical challenges that place many healthcare workers at risk of developing moral injury. Moral injury is a type of psychological response that may arise when one transgresses or witnesses another transgress deeply held moral values, or when one feels that an individual or institution that has a duty to provide care has failed to do so. Despite knowledge of this widespread exposure, to date, empirical data are scarce as to how to prevent and, where necessary, treat COVID-19-related moral injury in healthcare workers. Given the …

Effect Of Sedation With Inhaled Anaesthetics On Cognitive And Psychiatric Outcomes In Critically Ill Adults: A Systematic Review Protocol, Sean Cuninghame, Kevin Gorsky, Conall Francoeur, Davinia Withington, Lisa Burry, Angela Jerath, Marat Slessarev

Neuroscience Institute Publications

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has renewed interest in the use of inhaled anaesthetics for sedation of ventilated critically ill patients. Preliminary data show that inhaled anaesthetics reduce lung inflammation, time to extubation and intensive care unit length of stay compared with intravenous sedatives. However, the impact of inhaled anaesthetics on cognitive and psychiatric outcomes is not well described in this setting. Randomised controlled trials are underway to establish if inhaled anaesthetics affect these and other patient and health system outcomes. Our aim is to summarise the known effects of inhaled sedatives on cognitive and psychiatric outcomes. Methods and analysis In …

The Use Of Cremation Data For Timely Mortality Surveillance During The Covid-19 Pandemic In Ontario, Canada: Validation Study, Gemma Postill, Regan Murray, Andrew S. Wilton, Richard A. Wells, Renee Sirbu, Mark J. Daley, Laura Rosella

Neuroscience Institute Publications

Background: Early estimates of excess mortality are crucial for understanding the impact of COVID-19. However, there is a lag of several months in the reporting of vital statistics mortality data for many jurisdictions, including across Canada. In Ontario, a Canadian province, certification by a coroner is required before cremation can occur, creating real-time mortality data that encompasses the majority of deaths within the province. Objective: This study aimed to validate the use of cremation data as a timely surveillance tool for all-cause mortality during a public health emergency in a jurisdiction with delays in vital statistics data. Specifically, this study …

Changes To The Practice Of Pediatric Otolaryngology As A Consequence Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Ashaka Patel, Agnieszka Dzioba, Paul Hong, Murad Husein, Julie Strychowsky, Peng You, Josee Paradis, M. Elise Graham

Paediatrics Publications

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted medical practice globally. The objective of this study was to examine the changes to the practice of pediatric otolaryngology internationally due to the COVID-19 pandemic and examine potential contributors. Method: An online survey was designed to assess practice demographics, patterns of COVID-19 related restrictions in communities, and changes to practice and referrals. This was disseminated via an international Covid-19 WhatsApp™ group of pediatric otolaryngologists. Results: There were 45 respondents of 177 group members (25.4%) from 15 countries. The mean estimated time spent under strictest lockdown measures was 16.2 (±10.7) weeks (range: 1–45 weeks). Operating …

Well-Being Of Canadian Veterans During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Results From The Covid-19 Veteran Well-Being Study, J. Don Richardson, Kate St Cyr, Callista Forchuk, Jenny J.W. Liu, Rachel A. Plouffe, Tri Le, Dominic Gargala, Erisa Deda, Vanessa Soares, Fardous Hosseiny, Patrick Smith, Gabrielle Dupuis, Maya Roth, Andrew Bridgen, Michelle Marlborough, Rakesh Jetly, Alexandra Heber, Ruth Lanius, Anthony Nazarov

Neuroscience Institute Publications

Background: The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have disproportionally affected different population groups. Veterans are more likely to have pre-existing mental health conditions compared to the general Canadian population, experience compounded stressors resulting from disruptions to familial, social, and occupational domains, and were faced with changes in health-care delivery (e.g. telehealth). The objectives of this study are to assess (a) the mental health impact of COVID-19 and related life changes on the well-being of Veterans and (b) perceptions of and satisfaction with changes in health-care treatments and delivery during the pandemic. Methods: A total of 1136 Canadian Veterans participated in …

Well-Being Of Canadian Armed Forces Veterans And Spouses Of Veterans During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Protocol For A Prospective Longitudinal Survey, Callista A. Forchuk, Anthony Nazarov, Rachel A. Plouffe, Jenny J.W. Liu, Erisa Deda, Tri Le, Dominic Gargala, Vanessa Soares, Jesse Bourret-Gheysen, Kate St Cyr, Maede S. Nouri, Fardous Hosseiny, Patrick Smith, Gabrielle Dupuis, Maya Roth, Michelle Marlborough, Rakesh Jetly, Alexandra Heber, Ruth Lanius, J. Don Richardson

Neuroscience Institute Publications

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes to everyday life, including social distancing mandates, changes to health care, and a heightened risk of infection. Previous research has shown that Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) veterans are at higher risk of developing mental and physical health conditions. Veterans and their families may face unique social challenges that can compound with pandemic-related disruptions to negatively impact well-being. Objective: This study aims to longitudinally characterize the mental health of CAF veterans and spouses of CAF veterans throughout the pandemic and to understand the dynamic influences of pandemic-related stressors on psychological health over …

Navigating Multiple Pandemics: A Critical Analysis Of The Impact Of Covid-19 Policy Responses On Gender-Based Violence Services, Tara Mantler, C. Nadine Wathen, Caitlin Burd, Jennifer C.D. Macgregor, Isobel Mclean, Jill Veenendaal

Paediatrics Publications

COVID-19 illustrated what governments can do to mobilise against a global threat. Despite the strong governmental response to COVID-19 in Canada, another ‘pandemic’, gender-based violence (GBV), has been causing grave harm with generally insufficient policy responses. Using interpretive description methodology, 26 interviews were conducted with shelter staff and 5 focus groups with 24 executive directors (EDs) from GBV service organizations in Ontario, Canada. Five main themes were identified and explored, namely that: (1) there are in fact four pandemics at play; (2) the interplay of pandemics amplified existing systemic weaknesses; (3) the key role of informal partnerships and community support, …

Parents’ Attitudes Regarding Their Children’S Play And Sport During Covid-19, Monika B. Szpunar, Leigh M. Vanderloo, Brianne A. Bruijns, Stephanie Truelove, Shauna M. Burke, Jason Gilliland, Jennifer D. Irwin, Patricia Tucker

Geography & Environment Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health measures have interrupted the daily routines of parents and children. The purpose of this study was to explore parents’ attitudes regarding their children’s play/sport during COVID-19. A secondary objective was to explore the influence of parent demographics and parent-reported physical activity levels and risk tolerance on these attitudes. Ontario parents of children aged 12 and younger completed an online survey (August—December 2020) that assessed their attitudes (grouped by support, safety and socialization-related attitudes; n = 14 items) regarding their child(ren)’s play/sport, their physical activity levels (n = 2 items), and demographic details …

Impacts Of Covid-19 On The Coping Behaviours Of Canadian Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence, Tara Mantler, Katie J. Shillington, Cara A. Davidson, Julia Yates, Jennifer D. Irwin, Brenna Kaschor, Kimberley T. Jackson

Paediatrics Publications

Background: Strict public health measures central to slowing the spread of COVID-19 have, unintentionally, exacerbated risks for women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) while impeding their usual coping strategies. The goal of this study was to understand how coping was influenced by COVID-19 for women who have experienced IPV and identify changes in coping strategies and gaps that need to be addressed to support coping. Methods: A qualitatively driven, sequential, cross-sectional design, where quantitative data informed and was embedded within qualitative data collection, was used to explore the experiences of IPV (CAS-R-SF scale) and coping (Brief-COPE scale) specific to IPV …

Experiences Of At-Risk Women In Accessing Breastfeeding Social Support During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Emila Siwik, Samantha Larose, Dalia Peres, Kimberley T. Jackson, Shauna M. Burke, Tara Mantler

Paediatrics Publications

Background: With strict public health measures implemented in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many breastfeeding parents, who are within an at-risk population, have experienced limited formal and/or informal breastfeeding social support. In the Canadian context, the experiences of these women is unknown. Research Aim: To explore the experiences of at-risk postpartum breastfeeding women in accessing formal and informal breastfeeding social support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This was a prospective, longitudinal interpretive description study using mixed methods. Data were gathered using an online survey and one 52–112-min semi-structured interview at 12-weeks postpartum. At-risk breastfeeding participants were those who …