The “Crisis and Concerns: A cross-sectional study on Junior Doctors during COVID-19 pandemic”.

Introduction: Doctors committed to the care of patients are trying to fulfill their duty in a difficult situation, but the consequential impacts of COVID-19 outbreak on Junior Doctors mental health are far too complex. Objective: The objective of this study was to gain insight into Junior Doctors’levels of concerns during a global pandemic of COVID-19. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study, utilizing a 23-item validated questionnaire was conducted on two hundred and fifty doctors of various disciplines and nationalities working on training and non-training posts. Results: The response rate was (77 %) and the levels of concern score among Junior doctors during COVID-19 pandemic in the NHS was found to be (41.35±4.9). With regard to gender differences, 32.5% of males and 27.5% females had a moderate concern score of 40 to 47. In regard to safety at work (85%) agreed that they are not safe, (100%) agreed that they are at risk to contract a COVID-19 infection at work and (100%) felt that they will transmit COVID-19 to their families but (95%) agreed that were obliged to take care of patients. In addition, (97.5%) doctors were not confident with the current infection control measures and (77.5%) felt frustrated with poor infection control training offered to them. Conclusion: Therefore, measures to strengthen personal protection and adequate support to Junior Doctors should be addressed urgently by the Healthcare system. KEYWORDS: COVID-19, Doctors, PPE, Concerns, Psychological impact.  

A Study of Professional Commitment of Teachers Educators in Punjab

Teachers‟ professional commitment is a critical issue among our educationists these days. To address this issue, a study entitled “A study of professional commitment of teacher educators in Punjab” has been undertaken by the researcher. The main objectives of the study were to: i) determine the level of professional commitment of teachers ii) find effects of gender differences on the level of professional commitment of teachers iii) explore the affect of demographic differences on the level of professional commitment of teachers working in Govt. Colleges for Elementary Teacher Institutions in Punjab. Actually the teachers of GCETs are called as teacher educators in the Punjab province. To measure these objectives following research questions were developed: i) what is the level of professional commitment of teachers ii) what is the level of professional commitment of male and female teachers iii) what is the difference between the level of professional commitment of rural and urban teachers iv) what is the level of professional commitment of teachers with different age v) what is the level of professional commitment of teachers with different working experiences vi) what is the level of professional commitment of teachers with different qualification vii) what is the level of professional commitment of teachers with different pay scales viii) what is the level of professional commitment of married and un-married teachers? The study was mix method both qualitative as well as quantitative in nature. In the first phase, various educational experts from universities and the education department were invited to discuss different aspects of professional commitment. This discussion was conducted in a one day seminar held at Lahore. Review of literature also helped to find some domains in this respect. Twenty nine out of thirty three GCETs were selected as population of the study. There were 29 (17 male and 12 female) principals, 320 teacher-educators (200 males and 120 females) and 2785 (338 male and 2447 female) prospective teachers enrolled in B. Ed program in the session 2012-2013. From this population all the 29 principals (100%) and 320 teacher-educators (100%) were considered as sample of the study and 50% prospective teachers (1403) were selected randomly from GCETs of the Punjab province. To collect data three types of instruments were developed i.e. questionnaire for teacher-educators, questionnaire for prospective teachers and semi-structured interview for principals. Response rate remained 89% from principals, 90% from teacher- educators and 93% from prospective students. The collected data were analyzed by using SPSS software. Both descriptive as well as inferential statistics were used to test the design research questions. After data analysis it was found that female teachers were more committed than male teachers to their profession in all domains except the domain, commitment to work group. Urban teachers were more committed than rural teachers in all domains of professional commitment. Commitment level increases with the increase of age of teachers in all domains of commitment except the domains, institutional behavior climate and collegial participative leadership. Commitment towards the teaching profession increases with the increase of experience. More qualified teachers were more committed towards the teaching profession in all domains except commitment to work group domain. Commitment level among GCET teachers increases with the increase in Basic Pay Scale and also high monthly salary. Marital status affects commitment level i.e. commitment level of un-married teachers is high as compared to married teachers. In the end it was suggested that i) Ministry of Education should encourage teacher educators for better performance by giving them financial increase. ii) There is need to compare school teachers and university teachers with regard to their level of commitment.