Loading...
12 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 12
- Introdução: Animais-companheiros nas vidas dos humanosPublication . Policarpo, Verónica; Barbosa, Miguel; Santos, Ricardo R.
- MAternal Mental Health in the WORKplace (MAMH@WORK): a protocol for promoting perinatal maternal mental health and wellbeingPublication . Costa, Joana; Santos, Osvaldo; Virgolino, Ana; Pereira, Maria Emília; Stefanovska, Miodraga; Silva, Henrique; Navarro-Costa, Paulo; Barbosa, Miguel; das Neves, Rui César; Duarte e Silva, Inês; Alarcão, Violeta; Vargas, Ricardo; Heitor, Maria JoãoWomen are exposed to increased burden of mental disorders during the perinatal period: 13–19% experience postpartum depression. Perinatal psychological suffering affects early mother-child relationship, impacting child’s emotional and cognitive development. Return-to-work brings additional vulnerability given the required balance between parenting and job demands. The MAternal Mental Health in the WORKplace (MAMH@WORK) project aims to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a brief and sustainable intervention, promoting (a) maternal mental health throughout pregnancy and first 12 months after delivery, and (b) quality of mother–child interactions, child emotional self-regulation, and cognitive self-control, while (c) reducing perinatal absenteeism and presenteeism. MAMH@WORK is a three-arm randomized controlled trial. A short-term cognitive-behavioral therapy-based (CBT-based) psychoeducation plus biofeedback intervention will be implemented by psychiatrists and psychologists, following a standardized procedure manual developed after consensus (Delphi method). Participants (n = 225, primiparous, singleton pregnant women at 28–30 weeks gestational age, aged 18–40 years, employed) will be randomly allocated to arms: CBT-based psychoeducation intervention (including mindfulness); psychoeducation plus biofeedback intervention; and control. Assessments will take place before and after delivery. Main outcomes (and main tools): mental health literacy (MHLS), psychological wellbeing (HADS, EPDS, KBS, CD-RISC, BRIEF COPE), quality of mother–child interaction, child–mother attachment, child emotional self-regulation and cognitive self-control (including PBQ, Strange Situation Procedure, QDIBRB, SGS-II, CARE-Index), job engagement (UWES), and presenteeism. Intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses will be conducted; Cohen’s d coefficient, Cramer’s V and odds ratio will be used to assess the effect size of the intervention. MAMH@WORK is expected to contribute to mental health promotion during the perinatal period and beyond. Its results have the potential to inform health policies regarding work–life balance and maternal mental health and wellbeing promotion in the workplace.
- Patterns of regulatory behavior in the still-face paradigm at 3 months : a comparison of Brazilian and Portuguese infantsPublication . Fuertes, Marina; da Costa Ribeiro, Camila; Barbosa, Miguel; Gonçalves, Joana; Teodoro, Ana Teresa; Almeida, Rita; Beeghly, Marjorie; Lopes Dos Santos, Pedro; Lamônica, Dionísia Aparecida CusinThree infant regulatory behavior patterns have been identified during the Face-to-Face Still-Face paradigm (FFSF) in prior research samples: a Social-Positive Oriented pattern (i.e., infants exhibit predominantly positive social engagement), a Distressed-Inconsolable pattern (i.e., infants display conspicuous negative affect that persists or increases across FFSF episodes), and a Self-Comfort Oriented pattern (e.g., infants primarily engage in self-comforting behaviors such as thumb-sucking). However, few studies have examined these patterns outside US and European countries or evaluated potential cross-country differences in these patterns. In this study, we compared the regulatory behavior patterns of 74 Brazilian and 124 Portuguese infants in the FFSF at 3 months of age, and evaluated their links to demographic and birth variables. The prevalence of the three regulatory patterns varied by country. The most frequent pattern in the Portuguese sample was the Social-Positive Oriented, followed by the Distressed-Inconsolable and the Self-Comfort Oriented. However, in the Brazilian sample, the Distressed-Inconsolable pattern was the most prevalent, followed by the Social-Positive Oriented and the Self-Comfort Oriented. Moreover, in the Brazilian sample, familial SES was higher among infants with a Social-Positive pattern whereas 1st-minute Apgar scores were lower among Portuguese infants with a Distressed-Inconsolable Oriented pattern of regulatory behavior. In each sample, Social Positive pattern of regulatory behavior was associated with maternal sensitivity, Self-Comfort Oriented pattern of regulatory behavior with maternal control, and Distressed-Inconsolable pattern with maternal unresponsivity.
- Contributions of science fiction to thinking up (im)possible future societies: medical students’ genetic imaginaryPublication . Barbosa, Miguel; Santos, RicardoScience fiction has been an inexhaustible source for the creation of technoscientific imaginary that has marked certain historical periods and influenced the production of subjectivity. This imaginary evokes complex ontological, epistemological, political, social, environmental and existential questions on the present and the future. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize the cultural productions accessed by the public to form an opinion about the genetic manipulation of human beings. A survey about sources of information that influence opinions on the genetic manipulation of human beings was applied to 360 medical students (70.8% female). Movies were the most commonly mentioned source of information, followed by books, documentaries, news programs, television series, informational videos, soap operas and videogames. Science fiction was the most frequent genre and dystopian views of the future of humanity predominated.
- “It’s a breech, and what now?”: A decision-aid tool to help clinicians counsel women with breech presentation near termPublication . Pinto, Luisa; Ayres-de-Campos, Diogo; Barbosa, MiguelObjective: Management options for breech presentation near term include vaginal breech delivery, cesarean delivery, and external cephalic version. Shared decision-making in this context involves conveying detailed information about each procedure, including success rates, potential discomforts, risks, recovery periods, and necessary follow-up. The complexity of this information can make discussions challenging. Our goal was to develop a decision aid tool specifically for clinicians, aimed at facilitating shared decision-making with pregnant women who have breech presentations near term. Methods: The decision aid tool was developed following a thorough literature review, and incorporated input from three clinical experts and a clinical communication psychologist. The document then underwent a two-round Delphi evaluation involving 18 experienced obstetricians from different hospitals, using a 5-point Likert scale ("strongly disagree" to "strongly agree"). Consensus was defined as more than 75% of participants responding "agree" or "strongly agree". Results: A comprehensive tool providing information on clinical aspects derived from the most robust evidence, along with guidance on the steps involved in shared decision-making was constructed. The percent agreement in classes 4 ("agree") and 5 ("strongly agree") was 100 %, with a kappa of 1 (95 % CI, 1-1). Conclusion: An innovative tool aimed at clinicians was developed to facilitate shared decision-making with pregnant women who have breech presentations near term. A strong consensus on the document́ content was achieved using the Delphi technique. Synopsis: An innovative tool aimed at clinicians was developed to facilitate shared decision-making with pregnant women who have breech presentations near term.
- The association between empathy and artistic practice: a cross-sectional study with medical studentsPublication . Fornetti, Martim; Barbosa, MiguelBackground: Empathy is essential to medical practice, and efforts to cultivate it often include incorporating liberal arts into medical curricula to promote it. However, the association between empathy and engagement in artistic practice beyond the medical curricula remains unclear. This study aims to assess the association between medical students´ empathy and their engagement in artistic activities. Methods: Students enrolled at 11 Portuguese medical schools were invited to participate in an online survey. The survey included questions about their artistic practice, and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) to measure empathy. Results: A total of 450 medical students completed the survey. 158 students (35%) were actively engaged in the arts, 118 of which practiced music (75%). Participants involved in artistic activities demonstrated significantly higher scores in the Fantasy subscale compared to their peers. Participants engaged in multiple artistic activities scored significantly higher in overall IRI, as well as in Empathic Concern and Fantasy subscales, compared to those practicing only one artistic activity. Participants who began their artistic practice earlier tended to achieve higher scores in overall IRI and on the Empathic Concern subscale. Conclusions: The present study highlights a significant positive association between artistic practice and empathy levels among medical students. Further research is recommended to clarify this association, potentially informing revisions to medical school curricula. Keywords: ; ; Medical students.
- A self‐comfort oriented pattern of regulatory behavior and avoidant attachment are more likely among infants born moderate‐to‐late pretermPublication . Fuertes, Marina; L. Gonçalves, Joana; Barbosa, Miguel; Almeida, Ana Rita; Lopes‐dos‐Santos, Pedro; Beeghly, MarjorieInfants born preterm (<37 gestational weeks, GW) are at increased risk for regulatory difficulties and insecure attachment. However, the association between infants' regulatory behavior patterns and their later attachment organization is understudied in the preterm population. We addressed this gap by utilizing a Portuguese sample of 202 mother-infant dyads. Specifically, we compared the regulatory behavior patterns of 74 infants born moderate-to-late preterm (MLPT, 32-36 GW) to those of 128 infants born full-term (FT, 37-42 GW) and evaluated the associations of these regulatory patterns with later attachment. Infants' regulatory behavior patterns (Social-Positive Oriented, Distressed-Inconsolable, or Self-Comfort Oriented) were evaluated in the Face-to-Face-Still-Face paradigm at 3 months, and their attachment organization (secure, insecure-avoidant, or insecure-ambivalent) was evaluated in the Strange Situation at 12 months corrected age. In both samples, the Social-Positive-Oriented regulatory pattern was associated with secure attachment; the Distressed-Inconsolable pattern with insecure-ambivalent attachment; and the Self-Comfort-Oriented pattern with insecure-avoidant attachment. However, compared to FT infants, infants born MLPT were more likely to exhibit a Self-Comfort-Oriented pattern and avoidant attachment. Most perinatal and demographic variables were not related to infant outcomes. However, infants with a higher 1-min Apgar were more likely to exhibit the Social-Positive-Oriented regulatory pattern and secure attachment.
- Use of cognitive enhancers by Portuguese medical students : do academic challenges matter?Publication . Miranda, Miguel Angelo; Barbosa, MiguelIntroduction: Nonmedical use of prescription drugs and other substances for cognitive enhancement in the academic environment has been documented in several studies. However, the prevalence among Portuguese university students is unknown. We aimed to assess the prevalence and academic contexts of the use of cognitive enhancers of a sample of Portuguese medical students. Material and Methods: An online questionnaire about the use of cognitive enhancers was completed by 1156 participants, who were either medical students (group 1) or newly qualified physicians applying for the Portuguese medical licensing exam (group 2). Results: Coffee was the most frequently used substance for cognitive enhancement purposes in both groups, whereas nonmedical use of prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement was lower in undergraduate students (5%) and higher in licensing exam applicants (14%). Methylphenidate (35%) and modafinil (10%) were the most consumed prescription substances and they were mainly used to enhance attention (83%) and memory (44%). Use of prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement was mainly associated with studying for medical school exams and the medical licensing exam. Most prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement were obtained through medical prescription (54%). Discussion: These results show a low consumption of prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement by Portuguese medical students. Licensing exam applicants show a higher consumption of almost every substance included in this study, which might be explained by the crucial role of the exam in defining their future career path and desire by students to improve the cognitive skills that determine exam success. Conclusion: Studying drugtaking behaviors in medical students and young doctors is relevant for public health and medical education, since they will soon be in charge of drugs prescription. Therefore, ethical and medical concerns raised by off label consumption of prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement purposes must be openly addressed.
- Animais-companheiros nas vidas dos humanosPublication . Policarpo, Verónica; Barbosa, Miguel; Santos, Ricardo
- Communication preferences and perceptions of cancer patient during their first medical oncology appointmentPublication . Vicente, Rodrigo; Freitas, Ana Rita; Ferreira, Ricardo Miguel Azevedo; Prada, Sofia Parada; Martins, Telma Sofia; Martins, Telma Caleça; Duarte Mendes, Ana; Vitorino, Marina Miguel; Chaves, Andreia Filipa; Santos, Catarina Castro; Alpuim Costa, Diogo; Custódio, Maria Paula; Barbosa, MiguelBackground: The first medical oncology appointment serves as a platform for patients to comprehend their diagnosis and prognostic implications of cancer. This study aimed to determine patients' communication preferences during their first medical oncology appointment and to assess the disparities between patients' preferences and perceptions. Methods: A total of 169 cancer patients participated by completing the Communication in First Medical Oncology Appointment Questionnaire (C-FAQ), a two-section questionnaire designed to assess patients' preferences and perceptions regarding Content (information provided and its extent), Facilitation (timing and location of information delivery), and Support (emotional support) during their first medical oncology appointment. A comparative analysis was conducted to assess the variations between preferences and perceptions. Results: Content emerged as the most significant dimension compared to Facilitation and Support. The physician's knowledge, honesty, and ability to provide clear information were considered the most important attributes. Patients evaluated most of their preferences as "very important". Patients' perception of the communication dimensions present during their appointment was below preferences for 11 items, indicating significant discrepancies in clinical practice. Conclusions: Patients highly valued their preferences concerning Content, Facilitation, and Support dimensions of communication. However, patient preferences were more prominently oriented towards the Content dimension. The discrepancies between preferences and perceptions should be viewed as an opportunity for enhancing communication skills through training.