Background: Professional quality of life greatly impacts wellbeing and performance of professionals working in the field of caring. The study aims at assessing the components of professional quality of life and their predictors. Design and methods: The cross-sectional study was performed on 167 physicians enrolled by using stratified random sampling from tertiary care hospitals, Ismailia, Egypt. It was conducted by a structured interview questionnaire which included Maslach Burnout Inventory to assess burnout syndrome, and Professional Quality of Life version 5 (Pro QOL- 5) subscale to assess compassion fatigue and satisfaction. Results: Among participants, 78.9% had high burnout, 76% had moderate potential compassion satisfaction and 82% had moderate potential compassion fatigue. The correlation between scales of professional quality of life scores showed significant results (p<0.05). The multiple linear regression analysis showed that marital status, frequency of dealing with critical patients, and compassion fatigue score (B= -6.959, B= 3.573, B= 1.115) were significant predictors of burnout score (p<0.05). Marital status (B= 2.280, p=0.024), and burnout score (B = 0.179, p=0.000) were significant positive predictors of compassion fatigue. While compassion satisfaction score was negative predictor (B= -2.804, p=0.006). The predictors of compassion satisfaction were the marital status (B = 5.039, p=0.000), and compassion fatigue score (B = -0.254, p=0.006). Conclusions: High prevalence rates of burnout, compassion fatigue and satisfaction indicating poor professional quality of life were detected among physicians in tertiary care hospitals.

Background: Recently, climate change (CC) has garnered significant global attention. It has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental issues, resulting in a multitude of adverse impacts on human well-being and health. This study aims to assess the knowledge and attitude of the general population in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, about CC and its impact on health, identify factors affecting the general population’s knowledge about CC, and highlight methods to solve this problem. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on the general population in Ismailia governorate, Egypt. A snowball sample of participants (n = 150) was enrolled in the study by distributing an online Google form containing a structured self-administered questionnaire. Results: The participants had an average knowledge score of 27.42 ± 14.42, with 60% considered knowledgeable. About 54% knew the main cause of CC. Around 75% were aware of the environmental impacts of CC, and 69.3% knew about the effects on human health. Based on the questionnaire’s results, 76.7% of respondents believed that increasing afforestation helps in the mitigation of CC and 77.3% believed that governments bear the responsibility for CC. Approximately 85% regarded increasing green spaces as an effective method to reduce CC on the country level. On an individual level, usage of energy-saving products was the most-favored option chosen by participants to help in reducing CC (82%). Gender, education level, and place of residence were significant factors affecting knowledge about CC. Conclusions: Over 50% of the participants were knowledgeable about CC and the role of human activities in CC. Therefore, public awareness campaigns utilizing prominent media such as television and social media should be launched to improve CC literacy. These campaigns should be more directed at males, and people with lower levels of education and who live in rural areas in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt.

Background: Ionizing radiation is extensively used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes,particularly in dental procedures. Dentists, therefore, belong to occupational groups chronicallyexposed to ionizing radiation.Objective(s): This study aims to assess dentists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regardingradiation safety.Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 271 dentists workingat the Medical Complex Hospital, Faculty of Dentistry at Suez Canal University, and various privateclinics and centers in Ismailia City, Egypt. Participants were selected through convenience sampling,and data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire.Results: Among the participants, 53% were female, and 44.3% were aged between 25 and 34 years.In terms of knowledge, 73.1% demonstrated good understanding of radiation safety. Regardingattitudes, 57.9% disagreed that radiation safety policies and procedures were clear andunderstandable. Concerning practices, 43.9% reported conducting periodic maintenance of X-rayequipment, 53.5% confirmed performing annual maintenance on X-ray machines, and 33.2% had aradiation safety manual in their practice. Additionally, 49.1% reported usually standing behind a leadbarrier during X-ray exposure, 38% frequently used lead aprons, and about half maintained a distanceof 6 feet from the X-ray beam during exposure.Conclusion: Approximately 75% of the dentists surveyed had good knowledge of radiation hazardsand safety. However, the findings indicate gaps in certain areas of knowledge and practice, withmany dentists expressing concerns about the clarity of safety measures at their workplaces. Given thecontinuous exposure to radiation in their profession, it is recommended to implement a mandatory,ongoing education program for dentists focusing on radiation hazards and the latest safety protocols.

Background: Driving is a stressful job. Professional drivers are high risk group for occupational stress. Occupational stress has been associated with abnormal levels of lipids. However, many studies could not find any association. Aim and Objectives: The study aimed at contributing to improving the professional drivers' health through assessing occupational stress, lipid profile and their association. Subjects and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted at Suez Canal Authority in Ismailia City, Egypt, including 131 professional drivers. A structured interview questionnaire was used to assess occupational stress index (OSI) and cardiovascular risk factors. Lipid profile in form of cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were assessed. Results: The total OSI score was 79.98 ± 6.14. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 79.4%, 51.9% of drivers had hypercholesterolemia, 37.4% had hypertriglyceridemia, 50.4% had high level of LDL-C, and 45% had low level of HDL-C. The total OSI score and OSI aspects did not have statistically significant relationship with dyslipidemia. The high demand aspect score of OSI had statistically significant relationship with hypercholesterolemia. The conflict aspect had statistically significant relationship with high LDL-C. The noxious exposure and conflict aspects of OSI had weak positive significant correlations with cholesterol level (r = 0.163, 0.162 respectively). A weak positive significant correlation (r = 0.149) was found between noxious exposure aspect score and LDL-C level. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess independent risk factors of dyslipidemia. The model included aspects of OSI, total OSI score, driving hours a day, smoking status, passive smoking, body mass index (BMI) and dietary habits. It identified conflict aspect of OSI, driving hours a day, and BMI as predictors of dyslipidemia. Conclusion: Professional drivers are exposed to occupational stress, and dyslipidemia is prevalent among them. Total OSI score does not have statistically significant relationship with dyslipidemia. However, certain aspects of OSI have significant relationship with abnormal lipid profile.

Background: Physicians appear to be particularly vulnerable to burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. This may have significant adverse consequences for workers’ well-being and health. The relationship between burnout and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms is not fully understood. Aim: We aimed to determine the prevalence rate of burnout among physicians and investigate its impact on gastrointestinal symptoms. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among physicians (n=167) in teaching hospitals in Ismailia city, Egypt. An interview questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire assessed burnout syndrome using Maslach Burnout Inventory and assessed the GI symptoms through Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale. Results: More than half of studied physicians (56.3%) exhibited burnout criteria, with a prevalence rate of 74.9%, 53.9%, 5and 2.1% for emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced professional accomplishment, respectively. Emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were identified as predictors of pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, and nausea. Only emotional exhaustion was found to be a significant predictor of heartburn, bloating, and urgent need to have a bowel movement. While burnout had a significant association with the majority of upper and lower GI symptoms. Conclusion: Burnout is highly prevalent among physicians. Burnout dimensions have significant associations with GIT symptoms. Upper GI symptoms are influenced by burnout dimensions more than lower ones. These findings highlight the importance of implementing urgent interventions that minimize both burnout among physicians and the resulting physical consequences.

Background: Assessment is a critical component of teaching and learning and serves as the foundation for how learners demonstrate success in achieving learning objectives. Formative assessments (FAs) and timely feedback play a crucial role in integrated curricula, whereas basic and clinical sciences are taught in a coordinated manner. Feedback-based FA supports student learning, and teachers can determine learning gaps to monitor progress in learning. Based on existing evidence, limited literature compared the effect of online versus onsite FA on summative performance in a fully integrated curriculum. Objective: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of online versus on-site FAs and feedback on summative assessment in the integrated medical curriculum. Methods: This study used an exploratory mixed methods approach to delving into students’ experiences with face-to-face versus online FA and feedback, and its effect on their summative performance in the integrated Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery program. This study was conducted at Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A total of 143 consenting students were recruited into the study. The students in the study were distributed voluntarily into 2 groups regardless of age, sex, or academic performance. Group 1 (n=92) was assigned to receive online FAs and immediate online feedback throughout the module using the Speedwell system. However, Group 2 (n=51) was assigned to receive onsite FAs and face-to-face feedback throughout the module in the examination hall in the college. The quantitative part of the study involved analyzing student scores of summative assessments in 2 groups exposed to online and onsite FA and feedback. The qualitative part aimed to explore students’ perceptions of FA and feedback. Results: The passing rate in summative examinations (quiz, midmodule, and final) was higher in the onsite group (61.2%, 51%, and 62.7%, respectively) compared with the online group (53.3%, 48.3%, and 45.7%, respectively). However, the difference was statistically significant only in the quiz examination. Four key themes were identified from the qualitative analyses regarding participants’ different experiences of FA and feedback: the accessibility of the examination format facilitates flexibility in learning; FA is a means of recognizing learning opportunities; FAs help shift student attitudes toward learning; and the last theme is opportunities for discussion and personalized feedback. Conclusions: This research sheds light on the intricate interplay between assessment modalities and student learning outcomes by demonstrating that onsite FA followed by onsite feedback is more effective than online FA and feedback in fostering student engagement and promoting deep understanding and improving students’ performance in summative examinations. Thereafter, this study contributes to the ongoing discourse surrounding effective assessment practices in contemporary educational settings.