Amalia A. Ifanti

Financial crisis and austerity measures in Greece: Their impact on health promotion policies and public health care

This review study explores the available data relating to the impact of financial crisis and subsequently applied austerity measures on the health care, social services and health promotion policies in Greece. It is evident that Greece is affected more than any other European country by the financial crisis. Unemployment, job insecurity, income reduction, poverty and increase of mental disorders are among the most serious consequences of crisis in the socioeconomic life. The health system is particularly affected by the severe austerity measures. The drastic curtailing of government spending has significantly affected the structure and functioning of public hospitals that cope with understaffing, deficits, drug shortage and basic medical supplies. Moreover, health promotion policies are constrained, inhibiting thus the relevant initiatives toward disease prevention and health promotion education practices. Overall, the current economic situation in Greece and its impact on real life and health care is quite concerning. Policy makers should not disregard the implications that austerity and fiscal policies have on the health sector. Greater attention is needed in order to ensure that individuals would continue getting public health care and having access to preventive and social support services. To face the economic hardship, policy makers are expected to implement human-centered approaches, safeguarding the human dignity and the moral values.

Effect of epoetin alfa therapy on cognitive function in anaemic patients with solid tumours undergoing chemotherapy

The primary aim of this study was to assess whether epoetin alpha (Ea) would improve cognitive performance in a group of anaemic cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The secondary aim was to confirm the positive impact of Ea on haematological parameters, and quality of life (QOL). Fifty patients with solid tumours and haemoglobin (Hb) <11.0 g/dL received Ea 40,000 units once weekly for 12 weeks and were administered the Mini-Mental State Examination and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (QLQ-C30) questionnaire prior to Ea therapy and at study completion. No clinically significant alterations were observed on cognitive function during Ea treatment. Changes in cognitive function were unrelated to Hb change and there were no significant differences in cognitive performance between Ea responders and non-responders. The analyses revealed clinically significant improvements in Hb levels, physical and role function, and clinically meaningful reductions in fatigue. Hb changes were significantly associated with the magnitude of improvement in QOL parameters. The lack of a clinical benefit in cognition observed in this study during Ea treatment may redirect the focus of research from enhancing to maintaining cognitive function, since stability in cognitive performance through time may be as well clinically important.

Policy and curriculum development in Greece. The case of secondary school curriculum

This paper examines the politics and values of the secondary school curriculum in Greece and attempts to find out the influences of cultural tradition and centralized control on curriculum development. In particular, it studies the decision‐making process and the politics of educational control, employing some theoretical elements from centralist and corporatist literature, and presents the valued knowledge of the curriculum through a historical perspective. Additionally, it investigates the politics of curriculum change taking into account the tradition of curriculum content and the power of central control on education. In conclusion, it is pointed out that in the current context of social flexibility Greek secondary school curriculum must aim at the development of a culture of learning and reflect on values and visions.

Religiosity and its relation to quality of life in Christian Orthodox cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Objectives: The first objective of the current observational study was to assess the levels of religiosity in Greek Christian Orthodox cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The second objective was to evaluate the associations between religiosity and quality of life (QoL), an endpoint of considerable importance in clinical cancer research and practice.

Tenured and non-tenured school principals in Greece: a historical approach

ABSTRACT This study deals with the question of tenure/non-tenure of the Greek school principals and its possible impact on their role in the light of the international influences. In developing our theoretical perspective, we draw on the tenure/non-tenure discourse and the centralised bureaucratic and new public management model. After examining the relevant legislation issued from 1836 up to 2015 by following the qualitative content analysis, we find out that in the 1836–1981 period, tenure had become an integral part of the centralised educational system. Since 1981, the introduction of decentralised policies along with the abolition of tenure has resulted in the renewal of the same politics. By linking in a direct way the tenure/non-tenure topic with the international policies, we support the view that in the Greek centralised educational system, school principals have limited power to bring about effective changes at schools regardless of their tenure/non-tenure status.

Comparative perspectives on professionalism and professional development: An exploratory case study of Greek primary school teachers’ perceptions:

This paper, which is of comparative interest in professionalism and professional development, reports on Greek primary school teachers’ views on specific aspects of the aforementioned issues. A total of 234 participants provided survey data, using anonymously filled-in questionnaires during the school year 2011–2012. More specifically, by examining teachers’ responses to five parameters of each case, we found out that, regarding professionalism, most teachers tended to score highly the importance of collaboration with their colleagues, parents and students, as well as their pedagogical concern for the students and their achievement. Regarding professional development, the demand for lifelong education and training, and for studying specific educational topics, was underlined. The teachers of our sample highlighted the great contribution of professionalism and professional development in their school routine. Moreover, they were aware of the complexities of professionalism and professional development and they closely related them with their personal development and the quality of their work at school. This survey confirmed that teachers’ professionalism and professional development is a universal phenomenon.

Promises and hurdles of undergraduate medical development in Greece.

Aim In this paper we sought to explore undergraduate medical students’ views about their professional development during their studies that are considered to be related to medical professionalism. Method A descriptive cross-sectional study using interpretative analysis of anonymous 10-item questionnaires was conducted at the University of Patras Medical School (UPMS), Greece. The study sample consisted of 134 undergraduate students in their fifth and sixth year of study at UPMS. Results Undergraduate students emphasized the great significance of daily clinically-oriented practice in the wards in the group of behaviors consistent with medical professionalism. The integrated curriculum and informal discussions with members of the academic staff in the form of role models were also regarded as valuable approaches strongly enhancing professionalism. Students’ personal statements contained attributes regarding premium professional skills, including constancy and perfectionism throughout a lifelong learning process, so as to be able to provide high quality medical care to patients. Conclusion According to our undergraduate medical students themselves, the last 2 years of their studies are important to understand the essence of professionalism and develop their professional medical attitudes. Clinically-oriented teaching activities together with the informal curriculum of enhanced role modeling promote medical professional behaviors and increase standards of health care provided to patients.

Pre-primary teachers’ perceptions about professionalism and professional development through the lens of transformative learning: A case study in Greece:

In this study, pre-primary teachers’ views about professionalism and professional development in state nursery schools in Greece were investigated using a survey. This investigation of teachers’ responses regarding specific issues of professionalism and professional development revealed that the majority of the teachers in the sample valued the importance of their collaboration with colleagues in schools as well as their concern for pupils’ achievement. The findings demonstrated the coherence between teachers’ professionalism and professional development and provide a useful approach to contextualizing these notions through the lens of transformative learning.