While the World Health Organization established minimum standards for emergency medical teams (EMTs) in 2013, globally recognized competency standards for individual disaster medical responders remain lacking. This study identifies and synthesizes existing competencies, qualifications, and training requirements for physicians, nurses, and paramedics who serve as deployable disaster response specialists on EMTs.

A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Comprehensive searches of five databases were performed in September, 2024. Gray literature from 22 governmental and non-governmental organizations was also reviewed. Studies addressing competencies or requirements for disaster specialists (physicians, nurses, paramedics) participating in disaster response were included.

Fifty-four studies were included, most being nursing-focused (n = 28, 51.9%). Studies predominantly originated from the United States (n = 15, 27.8%) and China (n = 9, 16.7%). Training program duration ranged from single-day workshops to multi-week courses, with varied delivery formats. Core competencies identified across professions included Incident Command System knowledge, triage skills, communication abilities, personal protective equipment use, psychological first aid, ethical-legal preparedness, clinical-technical skills, and leadership capabilities.

Substantial convergence exists around core disaster medicine competencies, yet significant variability persists in training approaches and duration. The establishment of globally recognized, evidence-based competency standards for individual disaster medical specialists represents a critical next step.

In India, the term euthanasia is frequently used to describe a wide range of end-of-life practices, including withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment and administration of lethal drugs. Such usage diverges from more narrow definitions that restrict euthanasia to the intentional administration of lethal drugs.

This systematic review and meta-analysis examines how euthanasia has been defined and operationalized in quantitative studies of Indian physicians’ and nurses’ attitudes, and estimates the prevalence of approval when euthanasia is defined narrowly.

Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, searches were conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL for studies published from 2010 onward. Two investigators independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Studies were included in the meta-analysis only if they reported attitudes toward euthanasia as narrowly defined.

Nine studies met inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Definitions of euthanasia varied considerably, and several studies combined attitudes toward treatment withdrawal with attitudes toward the administration of lethal drugs. Four studies reporting on 519 nurses and physicians provided data suitable for meta-analysis. Approval of euthanasia, defined as the intentional administration of lethal drugs, ranged from 12% to 20%, with a pooled prevalence of 16% (95% confidence interval: 0.13–0.19). This prevalence is notably lower than in earlier reports on Indian healthcare professionals’ attitudes.

Definitional inconsistency substantially affects reported attitudes toward euthanasia in Indian research. When euthanasia is defined narrowly, approval among healthcare professionals is low and consistent across studies. These findings highlight the need for conceptual clarity in future research to support accurate interpretation of empirical data and to strengthen the contribution of studies on ethical attitudes to ethical and palliative care scholarship.

Poverty is a risk factor for poor health. We sought to determine the practices, barriers, knowledge and comfort with poverty screening and intervention amongst family physicians (FPs), family medicine residents (FMRs) and family nurse practitioners (NPs) in Saskatchewan, Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A survey was distributed by email and newsletters to FPs, FMRs and NPs in Saskatchewan during 2022.

Eighty-three FPs, 35 FMRs and 25 NPs responded. Time, patient factors, practitioner knowledge and availability of community resources/services were reported barriers. Comfort discussing government benefits with patients was low, with slight differences amongst provider groups (p =.042). Thirty-one (40.3%) FPs, 7 (20.6%) FMRs and 17 (68.0%) NPs had referred a patient to a government benefit. Eight (6%) respondents used the Poverty Screening Tool.

Further research and training is needed to integrate poverty screening and intervention into primary care, given practitioners’ role as healthcare’s initial point of contact.

Work characteristics play a crucial role in the mental well-being of physicians. However, limited research in Bangladesh has explored the association between these characteristics and specific mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety and stress among physicians, particularly in relation to gender differences.

This study aimed to explore the link between various work characteristics and mental health outcomes among male and female physicians in Bangladesh.

We conducted a cross-sectional study among physicians working in various healthcare settings in Bangladesh. The data were collected online between November 2023 and January 2024 using a convenience sampling technique. Work characteristics, including job characteristics, social characteristics and organisational characteristics, were assessed using previously validated scales. Mental health, on the other hand, was measured using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). We performed logistic regression analyses adjusted for the covariates, and further stratified by gender, to explore potential differences in work characteristics and mental health outcomes between male and female physicians.

In our study, social characteristics were significantly inversely associated with depression (adjusted odds ratio 0.37 (0.20–0.71)), anxiety (adjusted odds ratio 0.53 (0.30–0.92)) and stress (adjusted odds ratio 0.45 (0.26–0.81)). Organisational characteristics showed a significant inverse association only with stress (adjusted odds ratio 0.42 (0.24–0.74)). Among male physicians, organisational characteristics were significantly inversely associated with depression (adjusted odds ratio 0.42 (0.19–0.90)), anxiety (adjusted odds ratio 0.44 (0.21–0.91)) and stress (adjusted odds ratio 0.42 (0.20–0.89)), while social characteristics were significantly inversely linked only to stress (adjusted odds ratio 0.43 (0.19–0.97)). By contrast, among female physicians, only social characteristics demonstrated a significant inverse association with depression (adjusted odds ratio 0.30 (0.12–0.78)).

This study highlights the importance of social characteristics as a protective factor for psychological well-being in the healthcare context. Therefore, fostering a work culture that prioritises peer support and strong interpersonal relationships can be crucial in alleviating mental health challenges among physicians.

Benzodiazepine use among physicians is an important public health issue related to physicians’ well-being and patient safety.

This study aimed to evaluate the patterns and correlates of benzodiazepine use in physicians by comparing the characteristics of heavy users with those of low-dose users.

We identified 4844 physicians with a history of benzodiazepine use as the benzodiazepine cohort from 32 080 physicians from the population-based Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database from 2014 to 2020. Benzodiazepine users were divided into low-dose, intermediate and heavy users based on their yearly equivalent dosage of <20, 20–150 and >150 defined daily dose (DDD) per year, respectively. Differences in demographic characteristics and specialities between the benzodiazepine and control cohorts were compared via univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. A generalised estimating equation was used to investigate the relationship between benzodiazepine use and comorbidities.

Among all of the physicians, 15.1% used benzodiazepine. Male physicians were more likely to use benzodiazepines and become heavy users. Older age, sleep disorders and depression were significantly associated with heavy benzodiazepine use. Regarding physician specialities, the highest prevalence of benzodiazepine use was observed in otorhinolaryngology (19.8%), followed by family medicine (19.1%). Odds of benzodiazepine use were 2.20 and 2.90 times greater in physicians with sleep disorders and depression, respectively.

Comorbidities of depression and sleep disorders are associated with increased probability of benzodiazepine use. Providing stress-coping strategies and appropriate treatment for mental disorders is recommended to support the overall well-being of physicians.

The medical profession is associated with high demands and occupational stressors – including confrontation with illness and death, extended work hours, and high workload – which may increase the risk of traumatization and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on prevalence of PTSD among physicians and examine potential moderators, including the COVID-19 pandemic, specialties, and geographic regions.

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, PsychINFO, and PubPsych up to April 2025. Included studies were English-language, peer-reviewed, observational studies, reporting PTSD prevalence in physicians, using validated instruments. Studies focusing on preselected PTSD cases or mixed healthcare samples were excluded. Data extraction included study methodology, measurement tools, geographic region, specialty, and survey timing (pre-/“post”-COVID). Risk of bias was assessed using the JBI critical appraisal checklist for prevalence studies. Quantitative synthesis and moderator analyses were performed. The review was registered with PROSPERO (ID CRD42023401984).

Based on 81 studies (N = 41,051), the pooled PTSD prevalence using a random-effects model was 14.9% (95% CI [0.132–0.168]). Prevalence estimates were lower in high-income (13.6%) compared to middle-income countries (21.1%) (p < 0.036). Studies employing brief screening tools (≤10 items) yielded significantly lower prevalence estimates (10.2%) than those using longer instruments (16.4%) (p < 0.027). No other significant moderators were identified.

PTSD prevalence among physicians is elevated relative to the general population, with notable variation across regions and measurement approaches. Future research should address gaps in representativeness and geographic coverage to improve prevalence estimates and guide prevention strategies.

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are frequently encountered in hospice palliative care (HPC) and pose substantial quality-of-life issues for patients. However, most HPC physicians do not directly treat their patients’ SUDs due to several institutional and personal barriers. This review will expand upon arguments for the integration of SUD treatment into HPC, will elucidate challenges for HPC providers, and will provide recommendations that address these challenges.

A thorough review of the literature was conducted. Arguments for the treatment of SUDs and recommendations for physicians have been synthesized and expanded upon.

Treating SUD in HPC has the potential to improve adherence to care, access to social support, and outcomes for pain, mental health, and physical health. Barriers to SUD treatment in HPC include difficulties with accurate assessment, insufficient training, attitudes and stigma, and compromised pain management regimens. Recommendations for physicians and training environments to address these challenges include developing familiarity with standardized SUD assessment tools and pain management practice guidelines, creating and disseminating visual campaigns to combat stigma, including SUD assessment and intervention as fellowship competencies, and obtaining additional training in psychosocial interventions.

By following these recommendations, HPC physicians can improve their competence and confidence in working with individuals with SUDs, which will help meet the pressing needs of this population.

Primary health care (PHC) physicians’ perceptions are vital to understand as they are the first-line health care providers in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk assessment and management. This study aims to explore PHC physicians’ perceptions on their roles and their perceptions on management and risk reduction approaches on CVD risk reduction and management in Fiji.

This is a qualitative study conducted in the Suva Medical area among 7 health centers from 1 August to 31 September, 2021. Purposive sampling was used to recruit physicians who worked in the Suva medical area as PHC physicians with at least 6 months’ experience in the Special Outpatients Department clinics. In-depth interview were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire over the telephone and recorded on a tablet device application. The interview content was then transcribed, and thematic analysis was done.

This study included 25 PHC physicians. From the thematic analysis, 2 major themes emerged with 6 subthemes. Theme 1 was CVD management skills with 3 subthemes including education, experience and trainings, beliefs and attitudes of physicians, self-confidence and effectiveness in CVD risk reduction and management. Theme 2 was roles and expectations with 3 subthemes including perceptions of effective treatment, perceptions of physicians’ roles and perceptions of patients’ expectations. Physicians generally see their role as central and imperative. They perceive to be important and leading toward combating CVDs.

Physicians’ perceptions on their commitment to prevention and management of CVDs through their skills and knowledge, beliefs and motivation should be acknowledged. It is recommended that the physicians are updated on the current evidence-based medicine. Limitations include results that may not be the reflection of the entire physician and multidisciplinary community and the difficulties in face-to-face interviews due to the coronavirus diseases of 2019 pandemic.

This study aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the content and process of decision-making about palliative sedation for existential suffering (PS-ES) as perceived by Belgian palliative care physicians.

This Belgian nationwide qualitative study follows a grounded theory approach. We conducted semistructured interviews with 25 palliative care physicians working in 19 Belgian hospital-based palliative care units and 4 stand-alone hospices. We analyzed the data using the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven, and we followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research Guidelines (COREQ).

Analysis of the data identified several criteria that physicians apply in their decision-making about PS-ES, namely, the importance of the patient’s demand, PS-ES as a last resort option after all alternatives have been applied, the condition of unbearable suffering combined with other kinds of suffering, and the condition of being in a terminal stage. Regarding the process of decision-making itself, physicians refer to the need for multidisciplinary perspectives supported by an interpretative dialogue with the patient and all other stakeholders. The decision-making process involves a specific temporality and physicians’ inner conviction about the need of PS-ES.

Belgian palliative care physicians are not sure about the criteria regarding decision-making in PS-ES. To deal with complex existential suffering in end-of-life situations, they stress the importance of participation by all stakeholders (patient, relatives, palliative care team, other physicians, nurses, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, chaplains, etc.) in the decision-making process to prevent inadequate decisions being made.