Adoption of Electronic Medical Records in Healthcare Facilities in the Emirate of Dubai.

Objectives: This paper aimed to assess the adoption of electronic medical records (EMRs) in healthcare facilities in Dubai, the largest city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and a location where extensive healthcare services are provided. It explored the challenges, milestones, and accomplishments associated with this process.

Methods: A situation analysis was conducted by contacting 2,089 healthcare facilities in Dubai to determine whether they had implemented EMR in their medical practices and to identify the challenges they faced during this process.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Willingness regarding Organ Donation in a Muslim Country: A Report from the United Arab Emirates.

In Islamic countries, many religious scholars have allowed organ transplantation. However, ethical judgments on organ transplantation are disputable and unpredictable. Therefore, opinions about organ transplantation depend on personal beliefs, as well as religious faith, cultural convictions, and sociocultural factors, which deserve discussion and study.

Digital Health Technology for Remote Care in Primary Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience from Dubai.

We aimed to provide an insight on the feasibility and impact of telemedicine use among primary health care (PHC) providers and on nonurgent health care delivery during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This observational study was conducted using telemedicine data from Dubai Health Authority from January 2020 to July 2021. Of 123,944 individuals who booked an appointment for the telemedicine service, 106,408 (86%) showed up.

Factors associated with knowledge and practice of optimal breastfeeding among mothers in Dubai.

Although breastfeeding has been the primary source of nutrition for infants, many women do not choose to practise breastfeeding due to lack of knowledge, inability to do so or personal choices. This study aimed at determining the breastfeeding practices and examining the sociodemographic factors associated with optimal breastfeeding among mothers attending child welfare clinic at Dubai Health Authority. A structured questionnaire was designed consisting of sociodemographic data, knowledge, attitude and practice towards breastfeeding.

The Pupillary Light Reflex as a Biomarker of Concussion.

The size of our pupils changes continuously in response to variations in ambient light levels, a process known as the pupillary light reflex (PLR). The PLR is not a simple reflex as its function is modulated by cognitive brain function and any long-term changes in brain function secondary to injury should cause a change in the parameters of the PLR. We performed a retrospective clinical review of the PLR of our patients using the BrightLamp Reflex iPhone app.

Population awareness of cardiovascular disease risk factors and health care seeking behavior in the UAE.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the awareness, knowledge, and attitude of people residing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, regarding cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Our aim was to further identify prospects to increase awareness of modifiable CVD risk factors and influence behavior.

Methods: This observational study was conducted in Dubai: a global city in the United Arab Emirates.

Pregnant women's perceptions of physical activity: Adaptation of the pregnancy physical activity questionnaire in Dubai, a multicultural society.

Background: There are major health benefits of physical activity (PA) during pregnancy, yet there is scant data about a woman's knowledge and understanding of these benefits globally.

Design And Methods: We aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pregnant women in the United Arab Emirates concerning exercise.   We wanted to investigate why some women exercise while others do not exercise during pregnancy.

Intravenous methylprednisolone with or without tocilizumab in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia requiring oxygen support: A prospective comparison.

Background: Cytokine storm is a marker of severity and severe mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Immunomodulatory treatments may reduce morbidity and mortality.

Objectives: To determine whether a 7-day course of methylprednisolone (MP) administered with and without tocilizumab improves outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia requiring oxygen therapy, relative to historical controls.

Large variations in disease severity, death and ICU admission of 2993 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2: The potential impact of genetic vulnerability.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had an immeasurable impact, affecting healthcare systems, the global economy, and society. Exploration of trends within the existing COVID-19 data may guide directions for further study and novel treatment development. As the world faces COVID-19 disease, it is essential to study its epidemiological and clinical characteristics further to better understand and aid in its detection and containment.

Women's knowledge and awareness on menopause symptoms and its treatment options remains inadequate: a report from the United Arab Emirates.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the awareness, knowledge, and perception of middle-aged women regarding menopause and hormone therapy (HT).

Methods: This observational study was conducted on pre-, peri-, post-, and surgically menopausal women (n = 591) from January 2020 until June 2020 in Dubai. A structured questionnaire was developed based on previous literature to assess participants' knowledge and awareness of menopause and HT.

Barriers to healthcare seeking, beliefs about ovarian cancer and the role of socio-economic position. A cross-sectional multilevel study in Dubai, a multicultural society.

Background: Studies have shown that public awareness of ovarian cancer is weak, and women are often diagnosed at late stages when treatment is difficult. This study aimed to determine the barriers for seeking early medical care and level of knowledge and awareness among women regarding ovarian cancer.

Design And Methods: A structured questionnaire was designed and adapted from the validated cancer awareness measure.

A review of gestational diabetes mellitus management, risk factors, maternal and neonatal outcomes in two major maternity hospitals in the United Arab Emirates: A report from Dubai.

Objectives: This study was conducted in order to explore and analyze the status of gestational diabetes (GDM) amongst pregnant women in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE); a country with high prevalence of diabetes. We aimed to describe GDM-associated risk factors and clinical outcomes of pregnant women and their neonates. Our objective was to contribute to the broader literature on reproductive health disparities and to inform efforts to improve GDM care at our region.

Association between knowledge, awareness, and practice of patients with type 2 diabetes with socio-economic status, adherence to medication and disease complications.

Aims: Diabetes is a self-managed condition; knowledge, attitudes, and practices about the condition can influence the overall treatment outcomes and complications of the disease. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward diabetes among T2DM patients in the UAE, a highly prevalent country with diabetes.

Methods: We used the revised Michigan Diabetes Knowledge Scale on T2DM patients.

Perceived Academic and Psychological Stress among Adolescents in United Arab Emirates: Role of gender, age, depression, and high expectation of parents.

Introduction: Academic learning is the most important source of stress among young students worldwide and appears to be quite severe in eastern countries. We aimed to examine the relationship between academic stress and depression among adolescents.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents in United Arab Emirates using the Perceived Stress Scale - 14 (PSS-14) and Educational Stress Scale (ESS) for Adolescents (English and Arabic versions).

Pattern and determinants of contraceptive usage among women of reproductive age in the United Arab Emirates.

Introduction: Women in the UAE and Muslim countries are a largely understudied population with significant disparities in knowledge to most basic health concerns and family planning. Our objective was to identify UAE contraceptive knowledge similarities and variances to other world regions, and to inform efforts to improve contraceptive care at Arab world and Muslim countries.

Methods: Structured questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, beliefs and attitudes related to contraception methods.

Prevalence of Undiagnosed Depression in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is the most prevalent type of diabetes among adults and constitutes around 90% of all cases. Substantial evidence demonstrates that depression in the context of diabetes is associated with a wide range of adverse consequences such as reduced adherence to the prescribed treatment regimen, lower quality of life, higher fasting glucose and HbA1c levels, and higher health expenditures. This study was conducted to assess the depression among T2DM patients attending diabetic clinics, primary healthcare centers (PHC), Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

Implementing Resident Research Program to Enhance Physicians Research in the United Arab Emirates.

Objectives: The Dubai Residency Training Program (DRTP) commenced in the year 1993; then, a "Residency Research Program (RRP)" has implemented from 2011 to promote research among young physicians. This study was conducted by the Dubai Health Authority to review the RRP to assess its effectiveness in meeting original objectives and generating desired outcomes.

Methods: Source documents such as the chronicles of the DRTP, communication between the stakeholders, resident feedback, research director, and program director reports were accessed and retrospectively reviewed.

Exploring Obstetrical Interventions and Stratified Cesarean Section Rates Using the Robson Classification in Tertiary Care Hospitals in the United Arab Emirates.

Objective:  The objective of the present study was to explore obstetric management in relation to clinical, maternal and child health outcomes by using the Robson classification system.

Methods:  Data was collected from obstetrics registries in tertiary care hospitals in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Results:  The analysis of > 5,400 deliveries (60% of all the deliveries in 2016) in major maternity hospitals in Dubai showed that groups 5, 8 and 9 of Robson's classification were the largest contributors to the overall cesarean section (CS) rate and accounted for 30% of the total CS rate.

Burnout and depression among medical residents in the United Arab Emirates: A Multicenter study.

Introduction: Persistent imbalance between work demands and resources seems to be a crucial contributor to the development of burnout among medical professionals. Yet, it seems that Middle East is lacking studies analyzing psychological well-being's of medical residents. Hence, we aimed to conduct a nationwide study to understand and address burnout and depression in medical residents in the UAE.

Evolution of family medicine residency training program in Dubai Health Authority: A 24-year review, challenges, and outcomes.

Introduction: It is well known that family medicine (FM) is a cornerstone for developing a community-based health-care system, and training family physicians is critical for the society. In Middle East, only 5%-10% of physicians, nurses, and health technicians are citizens. This demands more efforts toward having national FM practitioners in the country.

Evolution of the Dubai health authority's residency training program: A 25-year review, challenges and outcomes.

Background: The Dubai Residency Training Program (DRTP) is a structured postgraduate educational training program started on 1992 to improve healthcare in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through education and training; align doctors' training in the UAE with internationally recognized standards; deliver educational best practice; and achieve a balance between clinical service delivery and continuing professional development. The aim of this paper is to review the experiences, challenges and outcomes of the DRTP over the last 25 years.

Methods: All documentation relating to the DRTP was reviewed and reevaluated.

The Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder With Auditory Neurofeedback: A Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial Using the Mente Autism Device.

Children affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have impairment of social interaction and demonstrate difficulty with emotional communication, display of posture and facial expression, with recognized relationships between postural control mechanisms and cognitive functions. Beside standard biomedical interventions and psychopharmacological treatments, there is increasing interest in the use of alternative non-invasive treatments such as neurofeedback (NFB) that could potentially modulate brain activity resulting in behavioral modification. Eighty-three ASD subjects were randomized to an Active group receiving NFB using the Mente device and a Control group using a Sham device.

Emergency peripartum hysterectomy in the Dubai health system: A fifteen year experience.

Objective: To determine the incidence, demographic data, risk factors, indications, outcome and complications of emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH) performed in two major tertiary care hospitals in Dubai, and to compare the results with the literature.

Materials And Methods: The records of all women who underwent EPH from January 2000 to December 2015 in two major tertiary care hospitals in Dubai were accessed and reviewed. Maternal characteristics, hysterectomy indications, outcomes, and postoperative complications were recorded using descriptive statistics to describe the cohort.

Limited Understanding of Pap Smear Testing among Women, a Barrier to Cervical Cancer Screening in the United Arab Emirates.

Global data indicate that cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. Important factors that affect interventions for early diagnosis of cervical cancer include social beliefs and values and poor knowledge. These may contribute to women’s participation in screening for cervical cancer and have a significant impact on decisions to take preventive action.

Predictors of Postpartum Depression in Dubai, a Rapidly Growing Multicultural Society in the United Arab Emirates.

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant public health problem adversely affecting mothers, their newborns, and other members of the family. Although PPD is common and potentially dangerous, only a minority of the cases are identified in primary health care settings during routine care, and the majority of depressed mothers in the community lies unrecognized and therefore untreated.

Subjects And Methods: In this study, a total of 1500 mothers were approached randomly, 808 accepted to participate, and 504 were within the inclusion criteria (women who had a birth of a singleton full-term healthy infant, had an uncomplicated pregnancy, and were within their one week to six months postpartum).