Perspectives, practices, and challenges of online teaching during COVID-19 pandemic: A multinational survey.

The result of the movement restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic was an impromptu and abrupt switch from in-person to online teaching. Most focus has been on the perception and experience of students during the process. The aim of this international survey is to assess staffs' perspectives and challenges of online teaching during the COVID-19 lockdown.

A nationwide survey of public COPD knowledge and awareness in Saudi Arabia: A population-based survey of 15,000 adults.

Background: There is a concerning lack of representative data on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) awareness in Saudi Arabia, and a significant proportion of the population is vulnerable to developing a smoking habit, which is a major risk factor for the disease.

Methods: Population-Based Survey of 15,000 people was conducted to assess the public knowledge and awareness of COPD across Saudi Arabia from October 2022 to March 2023.

Results: A total of 15002 responders completed the survey, with a completion rate of 82%.

Impact of Smoking Status and Nicotine Dependence on Academic Performance of Health Sciences Students.

Background: Smoking behavior has been associated with poor academic performance among adult students worldwide. However, the detrimental effect of nicotine dependence on several students' academic achievement indicators is still unclear. This study aims to assess the impact of smoking status and nicotine dependence on grade point average (GPA), absenteeism rate and academic warnings among undergraduate health sciences students in Saudi Arabia.

Routine Application of Lung Ultrasonography in Respiratory Care: Knowledge, Perceptions, and Barriers to Instigate.

Background: Lung Ultrasound (LUS) had proved to be beneficial in detecting respiratory disorders at the bedside. Understanding the important role of Respiratory Therapists (RTs) in the critical care, we aimed to assess their knowledge, perceived relevance of LUS to clinical practice, current skill gaps, and barriers to practice.

Methods: A cross-sectional, nationwide survey conducted among the RTs working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Needs Assessment for the Establishment of Master's Degree Programs in Respiratory Care in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Background: Despite recent advancements in the respiratory care (RC) profession, no single institution in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) offers a master's degree program in RC.

Methods: A nationwide and validated survey was used to explore the current needs and interests in establishing RC master's degree programs in the KSA. The process included representatives from the healthcare industry, universities, and professional societies.

Clinical Practice and Barriers of Ventilatory Support Management in COVID-19 Patients in Saudi Arabia: A Survey of Respiratory Therapists.

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the clinical practice and barriers of ventilatory support management in COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia among respiratory therapists.

Methods: A validated questionnaire comprising three parts was distributed to all critical care respiratory therapists registered with the Saudi Society for Respiratory Care through the official social networks.

Results: A total of 74 respiratory therapists completed the survey.

Global Current Practices of Ventilatory Support Management in COVID-19 Patients: An International Survey.

Background: As the global outbreak of COVID-19 continues to ravage the world, it is important to understand how frontline clinicians manage ventilatory support and the various limiting factors.

Methods: An online survey composed of 32 questions was developed and validated by an international expert panel.

Results: Overall, 502 respondents from 40 countries across six continents completed the survey.

Delphi consensus on research priorities in tobacco use and substance abuse in Saudi Arabia.

This is the first study to develop research priorities in tobacco use and substance abuse in Saudi Arabia. Health personnel and community volunteers participated in a national internet survey using the Delphi method. In Round 1, 75 experts identified 33 research priorities.

Diagnostic and clinical values of non-cardiac ultrasound in COPD: A systematic review.

Background: Clinical and research utility of non-cardiac ultrasound (US) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been widely investigated. However, there is no systematic review assessing the clinical values of non-cardiac US techniques in COPD.

Methods: We systematically searched electronic databases from inception to 24 June 2020.

Effect of humidified versus nonhumidified CPAP on inflammatory response and nasopharyngeal symptoms in healthy participants.

Introduction: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may induce nasal inflammation because of mucosal compression or dryness. This study examined the impact of humidified versus nonhumidified CPAP on nasal inflammation and upper airway symptoms.

Methods: Seventeen healthy male subjects with no previous or current history of nasal symptoms were recruited.

Patient-Ventilator Asynchrony in Critical Care Settings: National Outcomes of Ventilator Waveform Analysis.

Background: Patient-ventilator asynchrony (PVA) is a prevalent and often underrecognized problem in mechanically ventilated patients. Ventilator waveform analysis is a noninvasive and reliable means of detecting PVAs, but the use of this tool has not been broadly studied.

Methods: Our observational analysis leveraged a validated evaluation tool to assess the ability of critical care practitioners (CCPs) to detect different PVA types as presented in three videos.

Implementation of Cigarette Plain Packaging: Triadic Reactions of Consumers, State Officials, and Tobacco Companies-The Case of Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: In August 2019, Saudi Arabia started implementing plain packaging for cigarettes. Three months later, an opposing campaign on twitter using an Arabic hashtag "the new smoke" gained momentum amongst smokers. The purpose of this study is to document this opposing campaign's timeline and describe consumers, government, and tobacco industry rhetoric.

Interprofessional Education: Saudi Health Students' Attitudes Toward Shared Learning.

Introduction: Interprofessional learning occurs through healthcare professionals' learning processes, increase collaboration, and improve the quality of patient care. This study aimed to demonstrate the attitudes of students in respiratory care (RC) as well as nursing and clinical laboratory sciences (CLS) during their last semester prior to graduating and then beginning their interprofessional education (IPE) with the help of the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) questionnaire.

Methods: Sixty-seven students (25 RC, 14 nursing, 28 CLS) were recruited for this study.

Sleepy driving and risk of obstructive sleep apnea among truck drivers in Saudi Arabia.

Truck drivers represent a group at a particularly higher risk of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). Sleepy driving and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among truck drivers are major risk factors for MVAs. No study has assessed the prevalence of sleepy driving and risk of OSA among truck drivers in Saudi Arabia.

Noninvasive ventilation utilization in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Results of a national survey.

Introduction: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been extensively used globally and is often administered as the first-line treatment. Currently, data regarding the utilization of NIV in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is scarce. The present study aimed to assess and quantify the utilization of NIV in clinical practice across the KSA and investigate obstacles that may cause NIV underutilization.

Evidence based synthesis for prevention of noninvasive ventilation related facial pressure ulcers.

The last 2 decades have seen a growing trend towards the use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) therapy in the management of many conditions that cause acute respiratory failure. However, there is a serious side effect that results in using these devices; the development of facial skin pressure damage, specifically pressure ulcers. This skin damage has a considerable effect on patients' quality of life, treatment adherence and patients' comfort in addition to the therapy challenges of wound care.

The respiratory care profession in Saudi Arabia: Past and present.

The respiratory care (RC) profession in Saudi Arabia is over 40-year-old. Although there have been major advancements in the profession, no history and enough information are available about its development and evolvement at current. This paper describes the history and development of the field of RC and future prospects for the profession in Saudi Arabia.

Evaluation of efficacy of non-invasive ventilation in Non-COPD and non-trauma patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has been widely supported in the past two decades as an effective application in avoiding the need for endotracheal intubation (ETI) and reducing associated mortality in acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) patients. However, the efficacy of NIV in AHRF patients, non-related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and trauma is still controversial in the field of medical research. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of NIV as an adjunctive therapy in non-COPD and non-traumatic AHRF patients.

Dose response of continuous positive airway pressure on nasal symptoms, obstruction and inflammation in vivo and in vitro.

Obstructive sleep apnoea is a common condition associated with cardiovascular risk. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is an effective treatment but is associated with nasal side-effects, which hinder compliance and may result from inflammation. We investigated whether CPAP was pro-inflammatory to human subjects in vivo, and to cultured bronchial epithelial cells in vitro.

Intersession repeatability of a novel nasal lavage technique.

This study describes a novel nasal lavage method using a pediatric tracheostomy tube and examines intersession repeatability for several clinically and technically relevant parameters. Fourteen healthy subjects were included in this study. Both nasal cavities were washed using a standard amount of saline solution (7 mL) via a pediatric tracheostomy tube, and the 2 samples were pooled for measurement of cytokine concentrations and cell count.