scholarly journals OP0317-PARE THE CONTEMPORARY WORK-RELATED BURDEN OF DISEASE FOR PEOPLE WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES IN GREECE

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 193.1-194
Author(s):  
K. Koutsogianni ◽  
F. Asimakopoulou ◽  
E. Repa ◽  
I. Papadakis ◽  
M. Chatziioannou ◽  
...  

Background:EULAR recommendations emphasize the importance of suitable working conditions for people with Rheumatic diseases (RD). Thus, opportunities and choices at work need to be increased for people with rheumatic diseases. Conversely, the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the working population and particularly those with chronic conditions, such as those with RD. However, there is still a lack of reliable data.Objectives:To depict contemporary real-life data regarding the work-related burden of disease among Greek patients with RD. To develop a White Paper with proposals to the State in order to facilitate people with rheumatic diseases to rejoin or be retained in the work force.Methods:A 24-item quantitative questionnaire was uploaded in the website and social media of REUMAZEIN to capture patients’ responses in respect to work life. The questionnaire was online accessible for a 45-day period (15/8-30/9/2020).Results:The responses of 503 adult people with RD (M/F/NA 94/408/1), were available for analysis. Their age was stratified in decades (18-20 0.6%,21-30 5.99%, 31-40 22.36%, 41-50 38.92%, 51-60 22.16% and over 60 9.58%); totally, 83.44% were in the “work-reproductive” period. The predominant RD types were RA 30.3%, SLE 22.8%, AS 20.2% and PsA 20.2%, respectively. Nearly 90% were on medication, namely 40% on biologics, 33% on methotrexate (as a monotherapy or combined therapy), 16.2% on steroids. A minority were either on alternative therapies (2.8%) or off medication (7.5%), respectively. Most of the people were still employed (72.9%) on a full-time schedule (57.7%) and 4.8% on a part-time one, due to their RD. The rest of them (27.1%) were out of work either due to RD (17%) or retirement (1.7%) or for unrelated to the RD reasons (8.4%). The main source of financial income was personal work (52.4%), followed by a family member support (31.1%), while 11% had either a state pension (8%) or a subsidy (3.2%). In respect to the daily house-keeping, half of them (59.3%) had a varying difficulty (mild 36.3%, severe 23%) and 0.8% considered themselves as “unable”. The diagnosis was mostly established (81%) prior to the work onset. Post-diagnosis, RD had not affected their working schedule in 47.2%, 17% continued to work with respective adaptations but 30% had quitted or resigned from their work 1-7 years later. RD was notified to the work environment by 85%. As for a compassionate work management, 46% reported no change, 28% an improved policy but 28% a worse one. The development of relative adaptations in the work setting (as chairs, devices, flexible schedule) were considered as favorite factors easing the work by 85%. 17% reported an employer’s knowledge on RD related working legislation, 43% the contrary and another 38.7% wished for a future employer’s awareness. Most of the participants (58.9%) had no personal information on this field but were eager to get it. The uneventful impact of RD on finding or keeping a job was registered by 77.4% and 66.9%, respectively. During COVID, most of the participants (53%) have not asked for an RD-related leave and only 24.2% chose to telework, a policy that raised mutual satisfaction in 19%. Of note, the working conditions have not mainly been altered (67%) after the end of the 1st quarantine.Conclusion:This study highlighted that although RD predominate in females, women are more willing to participate in such projects (F 90%). The financial income was mainly based on a personal or a family member work reimbursement (83%), while 11% depended on a state pension or subsidy. The majority has notified the RD to their work environment (85%) while another 85% considered as favorite factors easing the work, several adaptations in the work setting such as chairs, devices, flexible schedule etc. Interestingly, 60% of the participants were unaware of the beneficial legal work rights and nearly 70% of them believe that RD is an obstacle for employment or working maintenance. COVID has not dramatically impaired their work life although the use of teleworking should be strengthened.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

Somatechnics ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gail Kinman

There is evidence that fundamental changes to the context and content of academic work have increased demands, reduced support and eroded professional autonomy. Drawing on research conducted in the UK and Australia, this paper initially considers the implications of these changes for the wellbeing of academics. Particular focus is placed on a longitudinal programme of research that has utilised the UK Health and Safety Executive's Management Standards Framework to investigate the job-related stressors and strains experienced in the university sector. It is argued that this benchmarking approach has strong potential to monitor working conditions in universities over time, facilitate comparisons with the work-related wellbeing of other occupational groups, and identify priority areas for intervention. The paper also focuses on the antecedents and outcomes of work-life conflict which is particularly prevalent amongst academics and a key source of strain. Finally, ways in which the wellbeing of academic employees may be enhanced are considered. The need for universities to provide active and visible support to monitor the wellbeing of their employees and take necessary action is emphasised.


2019 ◽  
Vol 98 (9) ◽  
pp. 936-942
Author(s):  
E. T. Valeyeva ◽  
L. M. Karamova ◽  
Elmira R. Shaikhlislamova ◽  
V. O. Krasovskiy ◽  
N. V. Vlasova

Introduction. Healthcare workers are at a high risk of emotional burnout due to their professional activities associated with constant mental and intellectual stress. The importance of timely diagnosed psychoemotional burnout syndrome (PEBS) determines the need to develop measures for its prevention. Material and methods. We have studied the working conditions, health status of healthcare workers; the indices of relative risk and etiological component of the contribution of work environment and the work process factors to the development of the identified pathology were calculated; the probability of the development of PEBS based on diagnostics of the emotional burnout level according to the method suggested by V.V. Boiko. Results. During occupational activities healthcare workers are exposed to chemical, biological, physical work environment factors, the severity and intensity of the work process. Indices of the work process intensity are assigned to the leading hazardous occupational factor according to which the class of working conditions is determined as hazardous Class 1-3. PEBS, diseases of the musculoskeletal, circulatory, digestive and respiration systems are classified as work-related ones. An assessment of the possibility of the development of PEBS has shown 35% of the healthcare workers to consider working conditions to be related to PEBS. The dependence of the development of somatic diseases on the presence or absence of PEBS is revealed. Conclusion. The working conditions of healthcare workers are characterized by the impact of a complex of occupational factors, the leading of which is the work process intensity. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system, circulatory and respiration systems, psycho-emotional burnout syndrome are classified as work-related diseases with a high degree of conditionality. The criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of preventive measures are the reduction of general, work-related and occupational morbidity, the preservation of psychosomatic well-being, and the prevention of economic damage from temporary and permanent disability.


Indian textile industry is one of the prominent contributors in the overall country export and national economy. It provides enormous employment opportunities for Indian labour. Textile industry is ranked as the second largest source of employment in India following agriculture. Thus, the growth and the all round development of this industry plays a direct role in the progress of the economy of the nation. Any Industry can face the current global competition and achieve higher productivity if its workforce is committed. To ensure effective performance of all workers towards organization goals, industry must provide proper working conditions, work environment and adequate facilities. Improper work environment and working conditions are not only the reason behind job dissatisfaction increased turnover, reduced performance and productivity but also directly or indirectly impacts the work life balance of workers. So as to retain its skilled workers, it’s important to maintain their satisfaction level in the industry and identify the areas to improve the WLB of workers. The aim of this research is to analyse the satisfaction level of workers with respect to the working conditions in the textile industry and to measure its effect on the work life balance of workers. The population for study consisted of factory workers working in the textile industry of Madhya Pradesh. Managers and supervisors were excluded from the study.The present research was carried out so as to offer an insight and recommend on the ways in order to enhance the WLB by making the working circumstances better for the workforce employed in the textile industry. Findings depict that most of the work-environment allied factors had a negative effect on the work life balance of workers. Results also throw light on the fact that employed workers are not comfortably placed in their workplace and this has rigorous implications on the families, organizations and society in general. It is exceedingly recommended for organizations to follow worker-friendly policy along with more supportive and thoughtful families, so that workers have harmony and their work-life balance could be maintained.


2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Greiner ◽  
E. Rosskam ◽  
V. McCarthy ◽  
M. Mateski ◽  
L. Zsoldos ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Schmitz-Rixen ◽  
Reinhart T. Grundmann

AbstractIntroductionAn overview of the requirements for the head of a surgical department in Germany should be given.Materials and methodsA retrospective literature research on surgical professional policy publications of the last 10 years in Germany was conducted.ResultsSurveys show that commercial influences on medical decisions in German hospitals have today become an everyday, predominantly negative, actuality. Nevertheless, in one survey, 82.9% of surgical chief physicians reported being very satisfied with their profession, compared with 61.5% of senior physicians and only 43.4% of hospital specialists. Here, the chief physician is challenged. Only 70% of those surveyed stated that they could rely on their direct superiors when difficulties arose at work, and only 34.1% regarded feedback on the quality of their work as sufficient. The high distress rate in surgery (58.2% for all respondents) has led to a lack in desirability and is reflected in a shortage of qualified applicants for resident positions. In various position papers, surgical residents (only 35% describe their working conditions as good) demand improved working conditions. Chief physicians are being asked to facilitate a suitable work-life balance with regular working hours and a corporate culture with participative management and collegial cooperation. Appreciation of employee performance must also be expressed. An essential factor contributing to dissatisfaction is that residents fill a large part of their daily working hours with non-physician tasks. In surveys, 70% of respondents stated that they spend up to ≥3 h a day on documentation and secretarial work.DiscussionThe chief physician is expected to relieve his medical staff by employing non-physician assistants to take care of non-physician tasks. Transparent and clearly structured training to achieve specialist status is essential. It has been shown that a balanced work-life balance can be achieved for surgeons. Family and career can be reconciled in appropriately organized departments by making use of part-time and shift models that exclude 24-h shifts and making working hours more flexible.


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lillian Ng ◽  
Richard Steane ◽  
Emme Chacko ◽  
Natalie Scollay

Objective: The objective of this study was to disseminate advice imparted to early career psychiatrists by a panel of senior colleagues at a Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists symposium, reflecting on things they wished they had known at the earlier stage in their careers. Methods: Key themes were extracted from notes taken at the symposium, where opinions were expressed by three senior psychiatrists. Results: There are components in building a sustainable career as a psychiatrist, which include considering one’s work environment and relationships with colleagues; self-care, mentorship and reflective practice; and seeking opportunities to teach and research for career progression. Conclusions: The mentorship and advice from senior colleagues can be highly influential. In order to sustain a career that has reward, meaning and longevity, psychiatrists would do well to pay attention to aspects of self-care, stay connected to their loved ones, seek an optimal work–life balance and take an interest in their long term career plans.


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