Showing papers in "Work-a Journal of Prevention Assessment & Rehabilitation in 2011"
TL;DR: This study produced the T-CMDQ with good psychometric properties, presented the first formal validation of the CMDQ and provided useful insights on the cross-cultural adaptation process of a subjective data collection tool which was originally developed in English, into the Turkish language.
Abstract: Objective This study documented the cross-cultural adaptation, validity, and reliability of the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) in the Turkish language. Participants The participant group included 48 Turkish workers. Methods The cross-cultural adaptation included the translation, synthesis, back-translation, expert committee review and pretest stages. The adapted Turkish version of the CMDQ (T-CMDQ) was validated through self-administration of the tool and a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) among participants. Results The validity of the T-CMDQ was good; Kappa coefficients between the responses given on the VAS and on the T-CMDQ indicated substantial to almost perfect agreement (ranged between 0.62-0.92 across body parts), and Spearman rank correlation coefficients between the VAS scores and T-CMDQ severity scale responses were all significant (ranged between 0.46-0.83 across body parts). Test-retest reliability of the T-CMDQ was satisfactory; Kappa coefficients, which ranged between 0.56-0.97 across the three scales, indicated moderate to almost perfect agreement between test-retest responses across body parts. Conclusions This study produced the T-CMDQ with good psychometric properties, presented the first formal validation of the CMDQ and provided useful insights on the cross-cultural adaptation process of a subjective data collection tool which was originally developed in English, into the Turkish language.
85 citations
TL;DR: Findings support the need for organizations to expand their thinking around work-life balance to include employees who have eldercare responsibilities and find that caregiver strain depends on gender, family type and location of care.
Abstract: Objective As the baby-boom generation moves towards middle age, and their parents toward old age, the number of employees who combine care for an elderly dependant and work will increase in number. These employees are "at risk" of experiencing caregiver strain. This paper advances our understanding of these trends by examining the relationship between caregiver strain and the health of employed caregivers. Participants Our study involved the analysis of data from the 2001 Canadian National Work, Family and Lifestyle Study (N= 31,517). Methods MANOVA was used to determine the relationship between caregiver strain and three situational factors: (1) gender; (2) where the care recipient lives compared to the caregiver; and, (3) family type. Regression was used to determine the relationship between caregiver strain and mental health. Results We found that caregiver strain depends on gender, family type and location of care. Emotional strain was a significant predictor of mental health. Conclusions These findings support the need for organizations to expand their thinking around work-life balance to include employees who have eldercare responsibilities.
79 citations
TL;DR: Worsening of job satisfaction was related to poor job control and lack of support, and strategies to alleviate job stress are therefore urgently needed.
Abstract: Objective Subjects with higher occupational position are speculated to have higher ability to handle with stress, and they were less affected by job stress. This study focused on the relationship between job satisfaction and three sub-scales of a brief job stress questionnaire (BJSQ) related to workload. Participants and methods This self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 371 employees of a company, and all the workers sent back their responses. Among the 57 items graded on a 4-point Likert-type scale to measure job stressors, psycho-physical complaints, and support for workers, the authors studied the influence of quantitative and qualitative job overload (six items), job control (three items), and support port (six items). The job satisfaction score estimated on a 4-point Likert-type scale was also used in relation to job stress determined using a 15-item scale from the BJSQ based on demand-control-support model. Occupational positions were classified into directors, managers, and general workers, and the content of job was classified into clerical workers, skilled technicians, and unskilled manual workers. Results All the scales on job stress presented acceptable alpha coefficients reflecting high internal consistency (job demand: 0.855, job control: 0.644, and support: 0.878, respectively). Principal axis factor analysis was conducted, and three factors were extracted; support, job demand and job control. There was a significant difference in the mean score among four groups divided by the job satisfaction level as evaluated by Dunnett's multiple comparison, and members who were dissatisfied with their job showed a high job demand, limited job control, and poor support. The mean score of support for managers were significantly higher (lower support) than that for general workers. The logistic regression analysis revealed that job control and support contributed significantly to job satisfaction. In addition, unskilled manual workers showed significantly higher job dissatisfaction compared with clerical workers. Conclusions Worsening of job satisfaction was related to poor job control and lack of support. Strategies to alleviate job stress are therefore urgently needed.
76 citations
TL;DR: A significant association between destructive managerial leadership in the hotel industry in Sweden, Poland, and Italy and poor psychological well-being among employees on an individual level is suggested.
Abstract: Objective The aim of this cross-sectional exploratory study was to investigate destructive managerial leadership in the hotel industry in Sweden, Poland, and Italy in relation to psychological well-being among employees Methods and participants 554 questionnaires were collected from employees in all occupational groups within hotels The Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) measured working conditions, particularly iso-strain or high work demands combined with low control and poor social support, and psychological well-being, defined in terms of mental health, vitality, and behavioural stress Items adapted from the Global Leadership and Organisational Behaviour Effectiveness (GLOBE) research program questionnaire measured autocratic, malevolent, and self-centred leadership styles Differences in ratings between countries were estimated, as well as the relationship between destructive managerial leadership on an organisation level and employee psychological well-being on an individual level The relationship between destructive leadership and psychological well-being among employees was adjusted for employees' reported iso-strain Results Autocratic and malevolent leadership were at the organisation level related to low vitality among employees and self-centred leadership was significantly associated with poormental health, low vitality, and high behavioural stress Autocratic and malevolent leadership were more strongly related to iso-strain than was self-centred leadership Variations in leadership practice between countries were seen in autocratic and malevolent leadership Conclusion This exploratory study suggests a significant association between destructive managerial leadership on the organisation level and poor psychological well-being among employees on an individual level Interventions to decrease iso-strain and enhance psychological well-being among employees could be directed at an organisation level
74 citations
TL;DR: Proactive regulatory initiatives and all-encompassing benefits programs are urgently required to address emerging work forms and arrangements that present risks to health.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE This study provides a test of a conceptual framework of the stress-related health consequences of "precarious" employment experiences defined as those associated with instability, lack of protection, insecurity across various dimensions of work, and social and economic vulnerability. METHODS Data were drawn from the Canadian Survey of Labor and Income Dynamics (SLID), a nationally representative longitudinal labor-market survey (1999-2004). Logistic regression analysis estimated the impact of several dimensions of precarious employment on two health outcomes: low health status and low functional health. PARTICIPANTS For each calendar year we selected a subsample of individuals with close ties to the labor-market--i.e., aged 25 to 54, not full-time students, and employed at least 9 months of the year. We excluded individuals who were self-employed, those in management-level positions, and individuals who reported less than good health at the beginning of the year. RESULTS Certain work characteristics (low earnings, the lack of an annual wage increase, substantial unpaid overtime hours, the absence of pension benefits, manual work) predict an increased risk of adverse general and/or functional health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Proactive regulatory initiatives and all-encompassing benefits programs are urgently required to address emerging work forms and arrangements that present risks to health.
70 citations
TL;DR: It is important not to select music that workers strongly like or dislike when making a selection of background music to avoid negatively affecting worker concentration.
Abstract: Objective Background music is a common element in daily living and the workplace. Determination of whether background music affects human work concentration is a relevant concern. Studies have found background music influences human behavior, and this study attempts to understand how background music and listener fondness for types of music affects worker concentration. Methods This study analyzes how different types of background music--and how listeners' degree of preference for the background music--can affect listener concentration in attention testing through Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). Participants Data were collected from 89 workers. The participants ranged in age between 19 and 28 years old, with an average age of 24 years old. Results We conclude background music influenced listener attention. This influence has more to do with listener fondness for the music than with type of music. Compared to situations without background music, the likelihood of background music affecting test-taker attention performance is likely to increase with the degree to which the test-taker likes or dislikes the music. Conclusions It is important not to select music that workers strongly like or dislike when making a selection of background music to avoid negatively affecting worker concentration.
67 citations
TL;DR: Physical activity levels at work were low while sedentary behaviour was high, largely a function of occupation (white-collar vs. blue-collar).
Abstract: OBJECTIVE To identify methods used to assess physical activity and sedentary behaviour at the workplace and review the validity and reliability of these measures. METHODS Databases were searched for relevant published articles including MEDLINE, SPORT Discus, ProQuest and Google Scholar. Keywords used were physical-activity, workplace, sedentary-behaviour, measurement and questionnaire. Studies included were original, written in English, published between 1990 and 2009, and focused on validated physical activity and sedentary behaviour measures at work. Eleven papers were identified in which three used criterion standards, three objective measures, and five subjective measures. RESULTS The most common method of data collection was through self-report, surveys or questionnaires. Physical activity measured with motion sensors, ranged from 4,422 to 10,334 steps/day (pedometers) and sedentary time ranged from 1.8 to 6 hours/day (h/d) (accelerometers). Self-report measures provided information relevant to the perception of physical activity at work (∼ 0.5 h/d), sitting time (> 3 h/d) and calculated energy expenditure (< 800 kcal/d). CONCLUSION Physical activity levels at work were low while sedentary behaviour was high. This was largely a function of occupation (white-collar vs. blue-collar). None of the studies assessed validity or reliability of measures used however, instruments as assessed by others showed moderate to strong validity and reliability values.
66 citations
TL;DR: The treadmill desk offers a way to reduce sedentariness in the workplace and has potential to reduce employee obesity and health care costs, however, more than 4 hours of training will be necessary to prevent a significant drop in employee productivity.
Abstract: Objective: Time spent sitting increases all-cause mortality. Sedentary occupations are a major contributor to the obesity epidemic. A treadmill desk offers the potential to increase activity while working; however, it is important to make sure that productivity does not decline. The purpose of this study is to evaluate productivity while using a treadmill desk. Participants: Eleven experienced medical transcriptionists participated in the study. Methods: Transcriptionists were given 4 hours training in the use of a treadmill desk. They were asked to transcribe tapes for 8 hours both while sitting and while using the treadmill desk. Speed and accuracy of transcription were compared as were the average expended calories per hour. Results: The accuracy of transcription did not differ between sitting and walking transcriptions. The speed of transcription was 16% slower while walking than while sitting ( p< 0.001). The transcriptionists expended 100 calories per hour more when they transcribed while walking than when they transcribed while sitting ( p< 0.001). Conclusion: The treadmill desk offers a way to reduce sedentariness in the workplace and has potential to reduce employee obesity and health care costs. However, more than 4 hours of training will be necessary to prevent a signifi cant drop in employee productivity.
65 citations
TL;DR: An association between generic as well as occupational specific job demands and emotional exhaustion is suggested and an association between poor co-worker support and depersonalization was suggested.
Abstract: Objective: Burnout is a familiar problem within nursing. This longitudinal study was designed to examine the roles that generic and occupational specific job demands (i.e. "pain and death", "patien ...
65 citations
TL;DR: With increased understanding of the complex factors related to RTW after a breast cancer diagnosis, it will be possible to identify and support survivors who are at risk of being marginalized from the labor market.
Abstract: Objective: The aims of this study were to generate new knowledge about factors predicting return to work (RTW) among women treated for early-stage breast cancer, and about changes in life satisfaction, and coping, and to examine the association between these concepts and RTW. Methods and Participants: A cohort of 102 women aged 18-64 were assessed six weeks, six months, and ten months after surgery using data from questionnaires and medical files. Results: Factors independently predicting no RTW at six months were: chemotherapy, > 30 days of sick leave during the previous 12 months, low satisfaction with activities of dai ly living, and not having been born in Sweden. No RTW at ten months was predicted by irradiation to breast/chest wall and regio nal nodes, and low satisfaction with vocational situation. Global life satisfaction was higher among the working women, both six months after surgery and ten months after surgery. The working women used more positive coping resources as compared to the sick-listed women, particularly sick-listed women treate d with chemotherapy. Conclusion: Factors associated with RTW appear to include not only treatment-related factors such as chemotherapy and irradiation, but also psychosocial factors such as life sat isfaction and coping resources. With increased understanding of the complex factors related to RTW after a breast cancer diagnosis, it will be possible to identify and support survivors who are at risk of being marginalized from the labor market.
65 citations
TL;DR: Interventions aiming at reducing employee stress levels, especially regarding behavioural and cognitive stress, could benefit from focussing on psychosocial work environment exposures such as skill discretion, meaning of work, psychological demands, information flow and management quality.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE To examine whether managers' perceived stress and work strain is higher than perceived stress and work strain among employees. METHODS AND PARTICIPANTS The study is based on questionnaire responses from 2052 respondents (128 managers and 1924 employees) at 48 worksites. Bi-variate and multivariate analyses were used to explain possible differences in stress levels and related mediators. RESULTS Managers experienced higher demands, higher level of conflicts, and lower degree of social support from peers. They tended to experience significantly lower emotional stress, whereas this trend was insignificant with regards to behavioural, somatic and cognitive stress. The difference was partly explained by higher scores in the psychosocial work environment factors; job satisfaction, perceived management quality from their managers, influence, degrees of freedom at work, possibilities for development and meaning of work. For behavioural stress, 41% of the difference was explained by the preventive factors, 20% for somatic stress, 39% for emotional stress and 56% for cognitive stress. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that the preventive psychosocial factors explain parts of the managers' lower stress level. These results contradict the lay perception of managers being under higher pressure and experiencing more stress than employees. Interventions aiming at reducing employee stress levels, especially regarding behavioural and cognitive stress, could benefit from focussing on psychosocial work environment exposures such as skill discretion, meaning of work, psychological demands, information flow and management quality.
TL;DR: This study proposes intervention strategies including the re-design of the workstations and seating and the provision of training in basic ergonomics principles for improving the work-life of sewing machine operators in developing countries.
Abstract: UNLABELLED Universally musculoskeletal disorders are among the leading causes of low productivity in today's work environment The situation is reportedly even worse in developing countries with appalling working conditions in many industries In addition, there is often an acute lack of awareness of ergonomics issues, education and training programmes, and certification within developing countries Numerous studies internationally have highlighted musculoskeletal risk factors associated with the textile industry and garment-making jobs because of highly repetitive work in awkward work postures OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to identify and describe possible ergonomics deficiencies in the workstation of sewing machine operators in a textile industry in Botswana as well as their perception of workload and bodily discomfort PARTICIPANTS This study focused on one textile manufacturing factory in Botswana where 157 female sewing machine operators were recruited as participants METHODS A modified Corlett and Bishop body map questionnaire and the NASA TLX were administered and relevant anthropometric and workplace layout measurements were collected RESULTS The results of the study revealed a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders CONCLUSIONS Back, neck and shoulder discomfort are highly prevalent among these sewing machine operators This study proposes intervention strategies including the re-design of the workstations and seating and the provision of training in basic ergonomics principles for improving the work-life of these operators and provides a base for further research on the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among sewing machine operators in developing countries
TL;DR: A review of young people's occupational health and safety (OHS) factors (e.g., demographic, individual, professional, organizational, temporal and operational factors) in both qualitative and quantitative studies is proposed.
Abstract: Many overview articles, reports, book chapters and literature reviews have examined the health and safety of young workers. These sources discuss the relationships between the work conditions of young workers and the various indicators of accidents and occupational diseases. Breslin et al. [12,13] conducted two literature reviews of quantitative studies to determine which factors best predicted work accidents and occupational disorders in young people. The present article proposes a review of young people's occupational health and safety (OHS) factors (e.g., demographic, individual, professional, organizational, temporal and operational factors) in both qualitative and quantitative studies. Five types of problems were analyzed in greater depth, namely MSD symptoms, respiratory, allergy and toxicological problems, mental health and well-being, alcohol and drug consumption, and fatigue. This review likewise examines related dimensions that allow us to adopt a more global perspective on this subject by considering such elements as young people's values, their knowledge and attitudes, safety practices in companies, the safe integration of young people, and rehabilitation. A total of 189 scientific articles were selected on the basis of certain criteria. These articles came from refereed OHS journals published between 1994 and 2005.
TL;DR: Besides general health status of individual workers, work-related psychosocial factors, like support and demand, are related with the disability and care seeking for knee complaints, compared to the well-studied work related low back pain.
Abstract: Objective To investigate the relationships between physical, psychosocial, and individual characteristics and occurrence, chronicity, care seeking and absenteeism due to musculoskeletal complaints of the lower back and knee. Methods and participants This was a cross-sectional study among 350 nursing personnel in six hospitals in South-West Greece. Data related to physical and psychosocial workload, need for recovery, perceived general health and other risk factors for occurrence of low-back and knee complaints were collected. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated for all relevant risk factors. Results Low-back and knee pain were reported by 51% and 23% of the subjects, respectively. A high perceived physical exertion and a moderate/bad perceived general health were the strongest risk factor for low-back and knee pain. With regard to care seeking a moderate/bad perceived general health was risk factor for both, low back and knee pain (OR=3.45 and OR=2.28; respectively). Perceived moderate/bad general health (OR=2.90) and high need for recovery (OR=2.78) were risk factors for absenteeism due to low-back pain, whereas organizational factors, high job demands (OR=4.60) and low co workers support (OR=3.13) for absenteeism due to knee pain. Age exhibited a positive relation with the disability and care seeking for both complaints although far stronger for knee. Conclusions Compared to the well-studied work related low back pain, knee complaints have been shown to cause significant burden in nursing staff. Besides general health status of individual workers, work-related psychosocial factors, like support and demand, are related with the disability and care seeking for knee complaints.
TL;DR: Concepts related to usage and ranking of importance of ATDs for daily occupations are multi-faceted and complex(e.g. combination of devices used, multiple equal rankings, etc.).
Abstract: When selected, accepted and used appropriately, low vision assistive technology devices (ATDs) have the potential to facilitate the performance of occupations that lead to posi tive outcomes. Objective: This paper identifies some low vision ATDs currently used and explores their relative importance for the performance of daily occupation from participants' perspectives. Participants: 17 adults (M = 56 years old, SD = 15.8) with low vision we0re recruited through a purposeful sampling strategy. Methods: Through one-on-one semi-structured telephone interviews, ATD usage data, ranking of perceived importance of ATDs and verbal data were collected from the participants. Results: A total of 124 devices were identified by the participants of w hich 104 (83.9%) were used and 20 (16.1%), mostly adaptive computer technologies, were not. 22 (21%) mainstream aids to daily living were identified (large monitor, larg e screen TV, DVD player) and they ranked high in terms of perceived importance by the participants for daily activities. Verbal fe edback from participants supplemented this finding. Conclusion: Concepts related to usage and ranking of importance of ATDs for daily occupations are multi-faceted and complex (e.g. combination of devices used, multiple equal rankings, etc.). The authors suggested future research opportuniti es to examine these concepts through qualitative means.
TL;DR: The results support the importance of the work context's impact on burnout and work engagement and the interaction between private life and work should be further studied in future studies.
Abstract: Objective: When entering employment many beginning teachers experience a reality shock and a crisis of competence. These two factors, in combination with high levels of job demands and low levels of job resources, may lead to the development of burnout. The purpose of the study was to investigate how individual characteristics, the educational context, and the work context predicted levels of burnout and work engagement during this transition period. Participants: The sample consisted of 1290 beginning teachers from Sweden. Methods: Data were collected using surveys during the final year of education and during the initial period of employment. Data were analyzed using hierarchical regression. Results: Job demands, job resources, and spillover between private life and work accounted for the largest amount of explained variance in both burnout and work engagement. Job demands were more strongly related to burnout, whereas job resources more strongly related to work engagement. The predictors with the greatest relative influence on both burnout and work engagement were unmet expectations and mastery of skills. Conclusions: The results support the importance of the work context's impact on burnout and work engagement. Additionally, the interaction between private life and work should be further studied in future studies.
TL;DR: The differential vulnerability to long-term sickness absence among high exhaustion-cynicism groups suggests that a self-worth perspective of job burnout can be advantageous for prevention of the costly long- term sickness absences.
Abstract: Objective Contingent self-esteem has been assumed to be a risk for burnout-related disorders, and a contingent self-worth notion of job burnout was applied to study the prospective relationship between job burnout and registered episodes of sickness absence of ≥ 60 consecutive days Methods Job burnout was defined as being in the high quartiles on the Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey (MBI-GS) scales of exhaustion and cynicism and, in addition, as being above the median on a scale for performance-based self-esteem Another high exhaustion-cynicism group, a "job wornout" group, was defined as being high on the same MBI-GS scales but having performance-based self-esteem scores below the median Data were analyzed by a multivariate, logistic regression approach Participants 4,109 public employees in Sweden Results The job burnout group showed an over-risk of long-term sickness absence incidence, both compared with a low exhaustion-cynicism reference group and with the job wornout group after adjustment for several potential confounders No association with incidence of long-term sickness absence was found for the job wornout group Conclusions The differential vulnerability to long-term sickness absence among high exhaustion-cynicism groups suggests that a self-worth perspective of job burnout can be advantageous for prevention of the costly long-term sickness absences
TL;DR: The contribution of occupation and work organisation conditions to the development of chronic psycholog- ical distress in the Canadian workforce was examined in this article, which showed strong contributions of individual and outside work factors (family, social support, neighbourhood).
Abstract: Objective: The contribution of occupation and work organisation conditions to the development of chronic psycholog- ical distress in the Canadian workforce was examined. Participants: Longitudinal data came from the first five cycles (Cycle 1 = 1994-1995, Cycle 5 = 2002-2003) of Statistics Canada's National Population HealthSurvey. A sample of 5,500 workers nested in1,300 neighbourhoods and aged 15 to55 years. Methods: Data had a hierarchical structure and were analysed using multilevel logistic regression models. Results: The results showed 46.4% of workers reported one episode of psychological distress, 23.5% more than one, and 10.6% three or more. Psychological distress decreased over time and varied significantly between individuals and neighbour- hoods. Occupation was not significant, but psychological demands, job insecurity, and social support in the workplace were important determinants. The results showed strong contributions of individual and outside work factors (family, social support, neighbourhood). Conclusions: Research inoccupational mental health must expand theoretical and empirical frameworks in order to capture actual workplace dynamics and the effects on workers' mental health. Interventions designed to reduce mental health problems should carefully evaluate not only the work environment itself, but also non-work factors and other individual characteristics.
TL;DR: Occupational therapy practitioners should be cognizant of a client's resilient and adaptive capacities when providing services to a client who has endured a traumatic event.
Abstract: Resilience and vulnerability refer to an individual's capacity to persevere in the face of adversity Resiliency and vulnerability are distinctive personal characteristics influenced by environmental factors such as socio-cultural and institutional contexts Resiliency and vulnerability are not absolute; they are psychosocial constructs of a phenomenological continuum Hence, a resilient individual is not invincible to all life events but has the capacity to endure in most circumstances Clients who sustain traumatic injuries or witness traumatic events have a greater vulnerability to stress disorders like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Occupational therapy practitioners should be cognizant of a client's resilient and adaptive capacities when providing services to a client who has endured a traumatic event This paper explores resilience theory and its application to occupational therapy practice
TL;DR: Four key human resource issues affecting HSWs were identified: compensation, education and training, quality assurance, and working conditions, which will improve recruitment and retention strategies for this workforce by helping agencies to target their limited resources.
Abstract: Objective: This paper is a synthesis of research on recruitment and retention challenges for home support workers (HSWs) in Canada. Participants: Home support workers (HSWs) provide needed support with personal care and daily activities to older persons living in the community. Methods: Literature (peer reviewed, government, and non-government documents) published in the past decade was collected from systematic data base searches between January and September 2009, and yielded over 100 references relevant to home care human resources for older Canadians. Results: FourkeyhumanresourceissuesaffectingHSWswereidentified: compensation, educationandtraining, qualityassurance, and working conditions. To increase the workforce and retain skilled employees, employers can tailor their marketing strategies to specific groups, make improvements in work environment, and learn about what workers value and what attracts them to home support work. Conclusions: Understanding these HR issues for HSWs will improve recruitment and retention strategies for this workforce by helping agencies to target their limited resources. Given the projected increase in demand for these workers, preparations need to begin now and consider long-term strategies involving multiple policy areas, such as health and social care, employment, education, and immigration.
TL;DR: Excessive job demands are linked with burnout and with work-family conflicts, and potential solutions include facilitating teamwork in order to reduce departure, which increase workload on those who stay increasing their work family conflict.
Abstract: Objective France encounters difficulties attracting physicians to work in hospitals. Organisation at work and at home may be at the heart of the problem for female as well as for male physicians. Participants A comprehensive questionnaire was filled out online by a representative sample of 1924 French hospital physicians. Methods We conducted gender bivariate and multivariate analysis of the risk factors for burnout and intent to leave the profession(ITL). Results ITL was declared by 17.4% of physicians. According to 41.3% of female physicians (FP), their profession was an obstacle to having children (versus 19.3% for male physicians (MP)). Major factors linked with burnout were Effort/Reward imbalance (FP adjOR = 5.09, MP adjOR = 5.93), Work-family conflicts (FP adjOR = 2.97, MP adjOR = 3.04), and Low quality of teamwork (FP adjOR = 1.82, MP adjOR = 2.68). Major factors linked with ITL were Low quality of teamwork (FP adjOR = 4.49, MP adjOR = 3.03), Patient-related burnout (FP adjOR = 2.10, MP adjOR = 2.35) and General burnout (FP adjOR = 1.85, MP adjOR = 1.45). Conclusions Excessive job demands are linked with burnout and with work-family conflicts, conducting to difficulties in organising one's life in order to have and raise children. Potential solutions include facilitating teamwork in order to reduce departure, which increase workload on those who stay increasing their work family conflict.
TL;DR: Flautists in this sample reported high rates of performance-related musculoskeletal disorders with the majority having been present for longer than 3 months, and the most common approach by the flautists was to take Alexander lessons rather than seeking health professional advice.
Abstract: Objective :T he�A ute is a highly popular instrument, yet little is known about the potential injury association with playing this instrument. Participants :T wenty�A autists from a major music training institution volunteered to participate in this project, and had played the�A ute for a minimum of ten years. Methods: A speci� cally designed musicians' health questionnaire was used to determine injury rates in a group of skilled collegiate�A ute players majoring in music to examine self-reported perceptions of performance-related musculoskeletal disorder causation and approaches to managing these conditions. Results: All except one player reported suffering from a performance-related musculoskeletal disorder, with pain present for longer than 3 months in two thirds of this group. The most common approach by the�A autists was to take Alexander lessons rather than seeking health professional advice. Most attributed their symptoms to long hours of practice, poor posture and the presence of performance anxiety. Conclusions: Flautists in this sample reported high rates of performance-related musculoskeletal disorders with the majority having been present for longer than 3 months. The approach to management often did not involve consultation with a health professional quali� ed to diagnose musculoskeletal conditions.
TL;DR: Findings from a qualitative research study examining the lived experience of professional instrumental musicians with playing-related injuries demonstrate a need for education about risk and prevention of injuries that could be satisfied by healthcare professionals and music educators.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE Research and clinical experience have shown that musicians are at risk of acquiring playing-related injuries. This paper explores findings from a qualitative research study examining the lived experience of professional instrumental musicians with playing-related injuries, which has thus far been missing from the performing arts health literature. METHODOLOGY This study employed a phenomenological methodology influenced by van Manen to examine the lived experiences of professional musicians with playing-related injuries. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS Ten professional musicians in Ontario, Canada were interviewed about their experiences as musicians with playing-related injuries. Six of the participants later attended a focus group where preliminary findings were presented. RESULTS The findings demonstrate a need for education about risk and prevention of injuries that could be satisfied by healthcare professionals and music educators. CONCLUSIONS The practice and training of healthcare professionals should include the "tactful" (van Manen) delivery of care for this important and vulnerable population.
TL;DR: It is concluded that control charts, along with well-designed implementation, make up a powerful and useable managerial early-warning system which promotes workplace health and helps to prevent sickness absence.
Abstract: Introduction: Statistical Process Control (SPC) charts have not been widely used to monitor workplace health and work environments. This research and effort to develop a more accurate and easy to ...
TL;DR: It seems that the concept of health promoting leadership was often used to link ideas about good leadership to the health of employees, and organisational goals and management trends may also have influenced the motives as well as the conditions for development of health promotion leadership.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyse different views of health promoting leadership among actors involved in workplace health promotion in eight Swedish municipalities.METHODS: Twenty individuals wer ...
TL;DR: It is concluded that politics is being perceived as an evil and is negatively affecting the morale of the employees and it is imperative that the organizational forerunners and department heads continue to use research findings to get to know the culture prevailing in the organization and understand the emotional status and feelings that employees develop while working in such an environment.
Abstract: Objective This study aims to explore the employee's perception of organizational politics, the phase that they go through while working and the ways they adopt to cope with it. Participants Participants were working as employees in three automobile manufacturing companies having offices in Pune, India. They were selected via randomized quota sampling to reflect a mix of age, positions, genders and experience within the organization. Methods Data collection was done through qualitative methods which included in-depth interviews with 26 employees. Analysis of the data was done using the coding process. Results Findings of this study led to the emergence of four major themes i.e. (a) The Perceived threat, (b) Attitude towards players, (c) Coping Strategies and (d) Intentions to leave. Conclusions Based on the study findings, the researcher concludes that politics is being perceived as an evil and is negatively affecting the morale of the employees. Hence, it is imperative that the organizational forerunners and department heads continue to use research findings to get to know the culture prevailing in the organization and understand the emotional status and feelings that employees develop while working in such an environment.
TL;DR: UEMSD prevalence and WI rates were considerable in the neck, the upper back, and the lower back and significant associations between certain risk factors and UEMSD were identified, but no association was found between using notebook stand and docking station and UemSD among participants.
Abstract: Objective: This study explored the prevalence and work interference (WI) of upper extremity musculoskeletal discomfort (UEMSD) and investigated the associations of individual and work-related risk factors and using a notebook stand or docking station with UEMSD among symptomatic occupational notebook personal computer (PC) users. Participants: The participant group included 45 Turkish occupational notebook PC users. Methods: The study used self-reports of participants. The Turkish version of the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Question- naire (T-CMDQ) was used to collect symptom data. Results: UEMSD prevailed mostly in the neck, the upper back, and the lower back with prevalence rates of 77.8%, 73.3%, and 60.0% respectively, and with WI rates of 28.9%, 24.4%, and 26.7% respectively. Aggregated results showed that 44% of participants reported WI due to UEMSD in at least one body region. Significant risk factors were: being female, being aged < 31 years, having computer work experience <10 years, and physical discomfort during computer use. Conclusions: UEMSD prevalence and WI rates were considerable in the neck, the upper back, and the lower back. Significant associations between certain risk factors and UEMSD were identified, but no association was found between using notebook stand and docking station and UEMSD among participants.
TL;DR: The results support the hypothesis which postulates that eye-neck/scapular area symptoms interaction may be due to a functional coupling from and between the eye- neck/scAPular area muscles.
Abstract: Objectives: To study the joint occurrence of eye-and-neck/scapular area symptoms and their association with occupational risk factors in a cross-sectional sample of professional information technol ...
TL;DR: Managers should encourage full discussion of work-family balancing strategies if they wish to adapt their working conditions to the workers, and ergonomists should include this balancing as a facet of work activity, despite possible negative consequences.
Abstract: Objective Workers' attempts to accommodate family needs may be considered illegitimate in the paid work sphere. Their attempts at work-family balancing (WFB) in that sphere can remain invisible, even when those attempts require considerable energy. Since identification of WFB strategies can potentially lead to suggestions to improve management practices, we report an attempt to find them in the work sphere. Participants 14 care aides in a Quebec residence for seniors and 2~schedule managers were recruited. Methods Qualitative ergonomic analysis was employed. 24 hours observation; interviews of nursing and human resources staff; qualitative ergonomic analysis by two researchers; feedback collected from meetings with management and union. Strategies for schedule choice were compared between care aides with heavier vs. lighter family responsibilities. Results For workers with heavier family responsibilities, choice of work schedules was almost entirely conditioned by family considerations, leaving little leeway to manage workers' own health protection. Conclusions Family constraints affected activity at work, and strategies for handling family constraints could potentially be affected by changes in work organization. Managers should encourage full discussion of work-family balancing strategies if they wish to adapt their working conditions to the workers, and ergonomists should include this balancing as a facet of work activity, despite possible negative consequences.
TL;DR: The son's competence with a daily household task increased positive perceptions of his capabilities that led to increased participation and independence in home, community, and work activities.
Abstract: Objective This case study explored how household task engagement influenced participation in the home, community and work for a youth with multiple disabilities. Participants Participants were the first author's single father and her brother, who has spina bifida and intellectual disability. Methods Researchers used a case study design with mixed methods. Quantitative repeated measures included the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), the Children Helping Out: Responsibilities, Expectations, and Supports (CHORES), and the Arc's Self-determination Scale (SDS). Qualitative data was collected from interviews and observations and was analyzed using a constant comparison method. Results Visual analysis revealed gains in self-determination and in performance and satisfaction on the COPM. At follow-up, the father reported his son did more self-care household tasks and was more independent with these tasks. Family-care household task performance declined and father reported relatively no change in assistance. Qualitative findings illuminated the strategies and the processes that evolved through collaboration amongst the youth, the therapist, and the father. Conclusions The son's competence with a daily household task increased positive perceptions of his capabilities that led to increased participation and independence in home, community, and work activities. Interventions addressing adaptations, development of self-determination skills, and parental education promoted these changes.