HealthcarePub Date : 2025-05-15DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13101150
Marta Relvas, Flávia Gomes, Filomena Salazar, Cristina Cabral, Maria Arminda Santos, Rosana Costa, Maria Gonçalves
{"title":"Type I Diabetic Patients' Perceptions of the Relationship Between Diabetes Mellitus and Periodontal Disease.","authors":"Marta Relvas, Flávia Gomes, Filomena Salazar, Cristina Cabral, Maria Arminda Santos, Rosana Costa, Maria Gonçalves","doi":"10.3390/healthcare13101150","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13101150","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives</b>: Knowledge about the relationship between diabetes and periodontitis is lacking in individuals diagnosed with type I diabetes. To enhance oral health and reduce the risk of oral diseases, healthcare professionals, both dentists and endocrinologists, should educate and motivate patients to treat periodontitis and its complications as soon as possible. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of type I diabetic patients about the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes. <b>Methods:</b> A cross-sectional, single-center study was carried out on 80 patients from the Tâmega and Sousa Hospital Center, who were administered a questionnaire before they underwent an oral clinical examination. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test and independent <i>t</i>-test. <b>Results:</b> All participants were aware of at least one of the problems associated with diabetes. Furthermore, 18.8% of the patients reported not receiving any advice from their dentist, and 31.4% stated that they had been informed of its importance. Regarding the diagnosis of diabetes, 87.5% of participants felt that dentists should be involved. Advanced age, lower education levels, and alcohol consumption were associated with a higher prevalence of periodontal disease (35.6%) (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Health practitioners should advise early periodontal disease diagnosis, treatment, and oral health education, particularly for people with type I diabetes. <b>Conclusions:</b> Factors, such as advanced age and lower education levels, were associated with a higher prevalence of periodontal disease. Although many patients recognize the relationship between diabetes and dental problems, most do not discuss this with their dentist.</p>","PeriodicalId":12977,"journal":{"name":"Healthcare","volume":"13 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144158292","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
HealthcarePub Date : 2025-05-15DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13101152
Arie Arizandi Kurnianto, Sándor Kovács, Nagy Ágnes, Prabhat Kumar
{"title":"Economic Evaluations of Rehabilitation Interventions: A Scoping Review with Implications for Return to Work Programs.","authors":"Arie Arizandi Kurnianto, Sándor Kovács, Nagy Ágnes, Prabhat Kumar","doi":"10.3390/healthcare13101152","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13101152","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives</b>: The use of rehabilitation interventions is critical in addressing health and economic outcomes, including return to work (RTW) facilitation for individuals with disabilities. However, the economic evaluation of these interventions has been found to lack consistency, with limited adherence to reporting standards and little focus on integrated approaches. This scoping review will map the existing evidence on the economic evaluations of rehabilitation interventions and their implications for return to work (RTW) programs. <b>Methods</b>: A systematic search of databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, to identify studies that provided full economic evaluations of rehabilitation interventions related to RTW. Using the PRISMA-ScR framework, 11 studies were ultimately included. Data extraction included the model type, cost-effectiveness models, adherence to CHEERS reporting guidelines, and implications for RTW. <b>Results</b>: The majority of studies examined medical or psychological interventions, with little representation of vocational or integrated approaches. ICERs differed greatly between studies based on methodologies and healthcare settings. The reporting of heterogeneity, uncertainty analysis, and societal perspectives were some of the gaps identified from adherence to CHEERS guidelines. <b>Conclusions</b>: Economic evaluations show that rehabilitation interventions can be cost-effective for improving RTW outcomes. Future research priorities include interdisciplinary approaches, standardized methodologies, and studies based on LMICs to address global disparities.</p>","PeriodicalId":12977,"journal":{"name":"Healthcare","volume":"13 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144158157","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
HealthcarePub Date : 2025-05-15DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13101156
Byeungtae Park, Pyeong-Man Kim, Chul-Min Kim, Chang-Jin Choi, Hyun-Young Shin
{"title":"The Act on Integrated Support for Community Care Including Medical and Nursing Services: Implications for the Role of Tertiary Hospitals in the Republic of Korea.","authors":"Byeungtae Park, Pyeong-Man Kim, Chul-Min Kim, Chang-Jin Choi, Hyun-Young Shin","doi":"10.3390/healthcare13101156","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13101156","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives:</b> The Republic of Korea is undergoing a significant demographic shift toward a population with a high proportion of older adults. In response, the <i>Act on Integrated Support for Community Care</i> was enacted. This study explores the role of tertiary hospitals in integrated care, aiming to enhance healthcare systems that support older individuals by facilitating the transition from hospital- to community-based care. <b>Methods:</b> Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, operating under the Catholic Foundation, provides care grounded in healing and spirituality. As part of its mission, a multidisciplinary task force (TF) was formed to examine the hospital's role in integrated care for an aging society. The TF, composed of eight experts from various departments, engaged in open discussions from September 2024 to January 2025. <b>Results:</b> The Integrated Care Act, which seeks to integrate medical care and caregiving within communities, requires the development of a digital system, the establishment of a governance framework for multidisciplinary collaboration, and the creation of institutions for training professionals in integrated care. Tertiary hospitals must develop department-specific models for transitional care and establish policy research institutes focused on holistic, patient-centered care. Family medicine departments can play a central role in coordinating between tertiary hospitals and local communities. <b>Conclusions:</b> This study highlights the importance of collaboration between medical, caregiving, and social welfare professionals as key enablers of \"aging in place\". The findings underscore the evolving role of tertiary hospitals and contribute to fostering a more sustainable healthcare model for Korea's aging population.</p>","PeriodicalId":12977,"journal":{"name":"Healthcare","volume":"13 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144158128","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
HealthcarePub Date : 2025-05-15DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13101155
Christian Schnitzler, Sabine Bohnet-Joschko
{"title":"Technology Readiness Drives Digital Adoption in Dentistry: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Christian Schnitzler, Sabine Bohnet-Joschko","doi":"10.3390/healthcare13101155","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13101155","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives:</b> Digital transformation is reshaping dentistry by improving clinical efficiency, diagnostic accuracy, and patient care. However, the adoption of digital technologies in dental clinics varies widely, influenced by multiple factors, including technology readiness. This study aimed to assess the relationship between technology readiness and digital technology adoption among German dentists, focusing on the impact of clinic characteristics and professional development. <b>Methods:</b> A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 licensed German dentists. Technology readiness was measured using the validated Technology Readiness Index (TRI 2.0), encompassing four dimensions: optimism, innovativeness, discomfort, and insecurity. Data on the current use of digital technologies were collected, including digital radiography, CAD/CAM systems, AI-supported tools, and patient management solutions. Statistical analyses included correlation and quartile-based comparisons to identify patterns and significant associations. <b>Results:</b> Clinics with higher TRI scores demonstrated significantly greater adoption of digital technologies. Larger clinics (MVZs) showed higher levels of digital integration compared to solo practices. Younger dentists and those engaged in continuous professional development exhibited higher technology readiness and usage of advanced digital tools. No significant gender-based differences were identified in technology readiness or digital adoption. While basic technologies like digital radiography and CAD/CAM systems were widely used, AI-based diagnostics and 3D printing remained underutilized. Key barriers included financial constraints and limited training opportunities. <b>Conclusions:</b> Technology readiness plays a critical role in shaping digital adoption in dental clinics. The findings highlight the need for targeted support, especially for smaller clinics, through professional training and investment in digital infrastructure. This study contributes to a better understanding of digital transformation in dentistry and supports strategies aligned with global health goals to improve access to digital care.</p>","PeriodicalId":12977,"journal":{"name":"Healthcare","volume":"13 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144157896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
HealthcarePub Date : 2025-05-15DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13101149
Chiara Bernuzzi, Maria Adele Piccardo, Chiara Guglielmetti
{"title":"Mapping Research Trends on the Implications of Telemedicine for Healthcare Professionals: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis.","authors":"Chiara Bernuzzi, Maria Adele Piccardo, Chiara Guglielmetti","doi":"10.3390/healthcare13101149","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13101149","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives:</b> The digital transformation in healthcare is reshaping care delivery by enhancing patient care and flexibility. However, it also poses potential challenges to healthcare professionals' wellbeing and work practices. To date, research on the implications of telemedicine for healthcare professionals remains limited and inconclusive. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of this research field using a quantitative, bibliometric approach. <b>Methods:</b> Articles were systematically selected from Web of Science and Scopus databases, focusing on empirical, peer-reviewed articles written in English, involving healthcare professionals and focusing on telemedicine. <b>Results:</b> The dataset consists of 160 papers. The analysis reveals a significant increase in publications starting from 2012, with a notable surge in 2020, reflecting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The University of New Mexico and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, both in the United States, were identified as the institutions with the highest number of published articles. Most studies were published in clinical-focused journals (e.g., Journal of Medical Internet Research and BMC Health Services Research), emphasizing the field's dominant orientation. The intellectual structure reveals that wellbeing, work practices, and communications between patients and professionals are central themes. <b>Conclusions:</b> This bibliometric analysis provides scholars with a clearer understanding of the intellectual structure of research on the implications of telemedicine for healthcare professionals, addressing key gaps left by previous reviews. While telemedicine offers numerous advantages, such as enhanced access to care and greater flexibility, it also raises challenges related to healthcare professionals' wellbeing, work practices, and communication with patients. Both contextual factors (e.g., digital skills training) and individual characteristics (e.g., attitudes toward telemedicine) play a significant role in shaping healthcare professionals' experiences with telemedicine. By identifying influential contributors and thematic patterns, this study offers a foundation for future research and informs the development of targeted interventions to sustain healthcare professionals in digitally mediated care environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":12977,"journal":{"name":"Healthcare","volume":"13 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144158147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
HealthcarePub Date : 2025-05-15DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13101153
Maite Terré, Mònica Solana-Tramunt
{"title":"Muscle Recruitment and Asymmetry in Bilateral Shoulder Injury Prevention Exercises: A Cross-Sectional Comparison Between Tennis Players and Non-Tennis Players.","authors":"Maite Terré, Mònica Solana-Tramunt","doi":"10.3390/healthcare13101153","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13101153","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives:</b> Shoulder injuries are common in overhead sports like tennis due to repetitive unilateral movements that can lead to muscle imbalances. This study aimed to compare muscle recruitment and asymmetry during bilateral shoulder injury prevention exercises (performed with both arms simultaneously) in tennis players versus non-tennis athletes. <b>Methods:</b> Thirty-nine athletes (sixteen tennis players, twenty-three non-tennis athletes) performed two bilateral scapular retraction exercises at 45° and 90° shoulder abduction. Surface electromyography (sEMG) recorded the activation of the middle and lower trapezius. Root Mean Square (RMS), peak RMS and muscle symmetry indices were analyzed. <b>Results:</b> Tennis players showed significantly lower trapezius activation, especially during prone retraction at 90°. Muscle symmetry was slightly higher in tennis players at 90°, but asymmetry increased at 45°, suggesting angle-specific adaptations. <b>Conclusions:</b> Repetitive asymmetric loading in tennis may reduce the activation of scapular stabilizers and contribute to muscular imbalances. Including targeted bilateral exercises in training may help improve scapular muscle function and reduce injury risk in overhead athletes.</p>","PeriodicalId":12977,"journal":{"name":"Healthcare","volume":"13 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144158164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
HealthcarePub Date : 2025-05-14DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13101139
Gabriele Caviglioli, Giuliana Drava, Laura Pivetta, Carmine Di Meco, Eugenia Livoti, Gabriella Paoli, Sara Baldassari, Giorgia Ailuno, Maria Paola Franchina, Alessandro Bonsignore, Domenico Di Giorgio, Barbara Rebesco
{"title":"Medicine Shortages: An Algorithm for Evaluating the Substitution with Equivalent or Alternative Products.","authors":"Gabriele Caviglioli, Giuliana Drava, Laura Pivetta, Carmine Di Meco, Eugenia Livoti, Gabriella Paoli, Sara Baldassari, Giorgia Ailuno, Maria Paola Franchina, Alessandro Bonsignore, Domenico Di Giorgio, Barbara Rebesco","doi":"10.3390/healthcare13101139","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13101139","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives</b>: Drug shortages are a serious issue affecting health systems worldwide, determined by multiple causes including supply issues, regulatory limitations, and market distortions. The possible repercussions on patients may impair therapeutic efficacy. Despite numerous actions being implemented by regulatory authorities, including market monitoring, export restrictions, and temporary regulation mitigations, few instruments have been made available to help health operators find marketed alternatives to unavailable products. The aim of this work was to create an algorithm to find equivalent or alternative medicinal products available in a certain pharmaceutical market. Algorithm development and validation were performed using the medicinal products marketed in Italy. <b>Methods</b>: First, a newly assembled code, describing the active pharmaceutical ingredient by its Anatomical Therapeutical Chemical (ATC) code, and its dosage form by the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) Standard Terms, was attributed to each marketed medicinal product. Then, the algorithm was set up to identify its possible equivalents or alternatives by assigning a score quantifying differences in Defined Daily Dose (DDD) per presentation unit and in characterizing Standard Terms. <b>Results</b>: The algorithm was validated on a randomized sample of medicinal products, proving to be able to identify appropriate equivalents or alternatives; moreover, it was tested in real conditions by submitting a survey to health professionals, who found this product to be reliable and useful. <b>Conclusions</b>: The developed algorithm may be employed as a rational tool to help health operators find solutions to drug shortages. This work highlighted some limits of the current ATC attribution that should be addressed by the competent authorities.</p>","PeriodicalId":12977,"journal":{"name":"Healthcare","volume":"13 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144158151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
HealthcarePub Date : 2025-05-14DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13101142
Getu Ataro Hanago, Matthias Siebeck, Samuel Jilo Dira, Tefera Tadesse, Dominik Irnich
{"title":"Exploring How Ethnoculturally Diverse Surgical Patients and Families Perceive and Deal with Pain Before Hospital Admissions in Ethiopia: Qualitative Descriptive Study.","authors":"Getu Ataro Hanago, Matthias Siebeck, Samuel Jilo Dira, Tefera Tadesse, Dominik Irnich","doi":"10.3390/healthcare13101142","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13101142","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Pain is one of the major medical and public health challenges in the world, and its prevalence is unaffected by some 'painful' pandemics of the past, reflecting the deep-rooted causes of other origins. Surgical conditions accounting for one-third of the global burden of disease are associated with physical pain, either as a symptom or complication. For effective perioperative pain management of culturally diverse patients, it is imperative to understand how patients view and deal with pain. Therefore, this study explored study participants' pain experience as well as their perception of the causes, consequences, and treatment options of surgical condition-related pain.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>With a subjectivist research paradigm, as well as relativist and interpretivist ontological and epistemological underpinnings, a qualitative description study design was used to interview 11 patients with abdominal surgical conditions and 12 family members taking care of those patients in three hospitals. Following inductive coding, thematic analysis was employed, which resulted in four themes.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Patients and their families shared various experiences and perceptions of the meanings, causes, consequences, and treatment options of pain, summarized under four emergent themes: <i>Perception of pain meaning</i>, <i>causes</i>, <i>and consequences</i>; <i>sustenance for pain relief</i>; <i>traditional pain relievers</i>; <i>and conventional pain medicine</i>.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study highlighted that ethnoculturally diverse surgical patients and their families may have unique perceptions of pain and use various treatment approaches at home, which might have implications on perioperative pain management. Therefore, professionals at the participating hospitals and elsewhere with similar contexts should consider these cultural phenomena during surgical pain management.</p>","PeriodicalId":12977,"journal":{"name":"Healthcare","volume":"13 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144158299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
HealthcarePub Date : 2025-05-14DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13101138
Santhosh Kumar, Pratibha Gopalkrishna, Ayman K Syed, Abishikka Sathiyabalan
{"title":"The Impact of Toothbrushing on Oral Health, Gingival Recession, and Tooth Wear-A Narrative Review.","authors":"Santhosh Kumar, Pratibha Gopalkrishna, Ayman K Syed, Abishikka Sathiyabalan","doi":"10.3390/healthcare13101138","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13101138","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives</b>: Toothbrushing is a recommended daily practice that helps sustain oral health. However, if performed improperly, it can lead to loss of tooth structure and injury to soft tissues. We explored this topic with an extensive literature search. <b>Methods</b>: A literature search was performed across textbooks and journals for original research and review articles in Scopus, PubMed, PubMed Central, and Cochrane databases, published between 1967 and 2024. <b>Results</b>: The search result yielded 118 articles that were suitable to include in this review. Toothpaste abrasivity plays a major role in combination with toothbrush forces. Therefore, maintaining forces between 2 and 3 N may be gentler on the tissue. Electric toothbrushes are safer. Toothpastes with low RDA values are also less abrasive. Active ingredients in whitening and desensitizing toothpaste can induce tooth wear. Remineralizing agents have the potential to manage the associated lesions. <b>Conclusions</b>: Cervical abrasions and gingival recession occur frequently due to oral hygiene measures. Standards in oral hygiene aid to match patient needs can prevent hard and soft tissue loss.</p>","PeriodicalId":12977,"journal":{"name":"Healthcare","volume":"13 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144158273","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
HealthcarePub Date : 2025-05-14DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13101137
Eva María Gutiérrez Naharro, Amalia Sillero Sillero, José Antonio Ponce Blandón, José Fernández Sáez
{"title":"Sex Differences in Mental Health-Related Work Incapacity Across Occupational Sectors During the COVID-19 Lockdown in Spain.","authors":"Eva María Gutiérrez Naharro, Amalia Sillero Sillero, José Antonio Ponce Blandón, José Fernández Sáez","doi":"10.3390/healthcare13101137","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13101137","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background</b>: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health challenges across occupational sectors, disproportionately affecting workers in essential and public-facing roles. Objectives: This study ai to identify the occupational sectors in Spain most affected by mental health-related Temporary Work Incapacity due to Common Contingencies during the first COVID-19 lookdown (14 March-21 June 2020) to examine sex-based differences and to analyze the associate economic burden. <b>Methods</b>: A descriptive, retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using data from salaried workers affiliated with Asepeyo, a major Social Security mutual insurance provider in Spain. The sample comprised 5135 workers granted Temporary Work Incapacity due to mental health diagnoses during the lockdown period. Variables analyzed included sex, age, ICD-10 diagnosis, occupational sector, duration of medically certified leave, and estimated direct economic cost. A focused subsample of 2123 workers from the ten most affected sectors was also examined. <b>Results</b>: Generalized Anxiety Disorder was the most prevalent diagnosis (69.17%), followed by adjustment disorders and depressive episodes. Women accounted for 63.5% of the total sample and 80.6% of the most affected sectors, which included elderly care, retail, education, cleaning, and healthcare. The average cost per episode was EUR 2465.7, with longer leave durations observed in sectors characterized by high emotional and social exposure. <b>Conclusions</b>: Mental health-related disorders during the COVID-19 lockdown revealed marked sex-based disparities and sectoral vulnerabilities. Public-facing and care-related occupations experienced a disproportionate burden. These findings support the need to recognize certain mental health conditions as occupational diseases to develop targeted, gender-informed workplace mental health strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":12977,"journal":{"name":"Healthcare","volume":"13 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144158300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}