scholarly journals Challenges of enforcing cellphone use while driving laws among police in the USA: a cross-sectional analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e049053
Author(s):  
Toni Marie Rudisill ◽  
Motao Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Driver Education ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Multiple Modalities ◽  
General Law ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Sectional Analysis ◽  
Common Barriers

ObjectivesResearch suggests that cellphone use while driving laws may be difficult for police to enforce in the USA, but this is unknown. A national survey of police officers was conducted to determine whether barriers to enforcing these laws exist, what aspects of laws make them easier to enforce and ways to discourage the behaviour among drivers.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingUSA.ParticipantsIndividuals >18 years of age employed as a law enforcement officer from all 50 states were recruited via convenience sampling through multiple modalities from November 2019 to April 2020. Officers (N=353) from 31 states participated.Primary and secondary outcome measuresDescriptive statistics and multi-level logistic regression analyses were run to assess the responses.ResultsThe most common barriers to enforcing texting bans (ie, the most prevalent law) were drivers concealing their phone use (78%) and the officer not being able to determine what the driver was doing on their phone (65%). If a universal hand-held cellphone ban was in effect in their state, officers were 77% less likely (adjusted OR=0.23; 95% CI 0.08 to 0.70) to report that a texting ban was difficult to adjudicate. The majority of officers (86%) agreed that having one general law that prohibits any type of hand-held cellphone use would aid with enforcement, and that laws must be a primary offence (87%), and be applicable to all licensed drivers (91%). Most officers felt that driver education is needed.ConclusionsWhile numerous barriers to enforcement were identified, opportunities exist to improve current legislation to aid enforcement efforts and to prevent the behaviour among drivers.

scholarly journals Population-based cross-sectional prevalence survey of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy in Sohag—Egypt, 2019

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e047757
Author(s):  
Heba AlSawahli ◽  
Caleb D Mpyet ◽  
Gamal Ezzelarab ◽  
Ibrahim Hassanin ◽  
Mohammad Shalaby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Good Control ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Public Health Approach ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Prevalence Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and sight-threatening conditions among persons with DM aged 50 years and older in Sohag governorate in Upper Egypt.DesignPopulation-based, cross-sectional survey using the standardised Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness with the addition of the Diabetic Retinopathy module methodology.SettingsSohag governorate in Egypt where 68 clusters were selected using probability proportional to population size. Households were selected using the compact segment technique.Participants4078 people aged 50 years and older in 68 clusters were enrolled, of which 4033 participants had their random blood sugar checked and 843 examined for features of DR.Primary and secondary outcomesThe prevalence of DM and DR; secondary outcome was the coverage with diabetic eye care.ResultsThe prevalence of DM was 20.9% (95% CI 19.3% to 22.5%). The prevalence in females (23.8%; 95% CI 21.4% to 26.3%) was significantly higher than in males (18.9%; 95% CI 17.1% to 20.7%) (p=0.0001). Only 38.8% of persons diagnosed with diabetes had good control of DM. The prevalence of DR in the sample was 17.9% (95% CI 14.7% to 21.1%). The prevalence in females was higher (18.9%; 95% CI 14.0% to 23.8%) than in males (17.1%; 95% CI 13.0% to 21.2%). Up to 85.3% of study participants have never had eye examination. Sight-threatening DR (R4 and/or M2) was detected in 5.2% (95% CI 3.4% to 7.0%) with only 2.3% having had laser treatment.ConclusionThe prevalence of uncontrolled DM in Sohag governorate in Egypt is higher than the national prevalence. There is a high prevalence of sight-threatening retinopathy and/or maculopathy with few people having access to diabetic eye care. A public health approach is needed for health promotion, early detection and management of DR.

Organizational barriers to employee training and learning: evidence from the automotive sector

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 8-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Anlesinya
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Employee Training ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Barriers ◽  
Cultural Systems ◽  
Management Commitment ◽  
Common Barriers

Purpose This study examines the factors that hinder employee training and learning in the automotive industry in Ghana, Africa. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts quantitative research methodology and cross-sectional survey design. Eighty-nine usable questionnaires from employees of an automotive organization in Ghana are used. Descriptive statistics and one-sample t-test are used for the analyses. Findings The results indicate that organizational culture, poor management commitment to training, inadequate promotion prospects, and lack of transparency and fairness in trainees’ selection are the most common barriers to employee training and learning. Practical implications Top management should provide opportunities to employees to apply new skills and knowledge they acquired. Fair and transparent procedures should be used to select training beneficiaries. Finally, organizations should develop cultural systems that encourage continuous learning motivation among their employees. Originality/value In this era of knowledge-driven economy, this research highlights factors that inhibit employees’ motivation to learn.

Examining police officers’ perceptions of stress: the role of Person−environment fit

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachael Rief ◽  
Samantha Clinkinbeard
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Outcomes ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Organizational Fit ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Overall Job Satisfaction

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between officer perceptions of fit in their organization and stress (organizational and operational), overall job satisfaction and turnover contemplation (within the last 6 months).Design/methodology/approachThe authors used cross-sectional survey data from a sample of 832 officers from two Midwest police departments to examine the relationships between fit, stress and work-related attitudes.FindingsPerceived stress and organizational fit were strong predictors of overall job satisfaction and turnover contemplation; organizational fit accounted for the most variation in stress, satisfaction and turnover contemplation. Organizational stress partially mediated the relationship between organizational fit and job satisfaction and organizational fit and turnover contemplation.Research ImplicationsMore research is needed to identify predictors of organizational fit perceptions among police officers.Practical implicationsFindings indicate that agencies should pay close attention to the organizational culture and structure when trying to address issues of officer well-being and retention. Further, the person−environment framework can be a useful tool in examining police occupational outcomes.Originality/valueThe authors findings contribute to research on officer stress by exploring perceptions of organizational fit as a predictor of stress and unpacking how officer stress matters to important work outcomes, including job satisfaction and thoughts of turnover, by considering stress as a mediator between organizational fit and these work outcomes.

scholarly journals Characteristics of registered clinical trials assessing treatments for COVID-19: a cross-sectional analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. e039978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hemalkumar B Mehta ◽  
Stephan Ehrhardt ◽  
Thomas J Moore ◽  
Jodi B Segal ◽  
G Caleb Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Clinical Investigation ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
Cross Sectional Analysis ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Sectional Analysis

ObjectivesThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted many initiatives to identify safe and efficacious treatments, yet little is known regarding where early efforts have focused. We aimed to characterise registered clinical trials assessing drugs or plasma treatments for COVID-19.Design, setting and participantsCross-sectional analysis of clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19 that were registered in the USA or in countries contributing to the WHO’s International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Relevant trial entries of drugs or plasma were downloaded on 26 March 2020, deduplicated, verified with reviews of major medical journals and WHO websites and independently analysed by two reviewers.Main outcome(s)Trial intervention, sponsorship, critical design elements and specified outcomesResultsOverall, 201 clinical trials were registered for testing the therapeutic benefits of 92 drugs or plasma, including 64 in monotherapy and 28 different combinations. Only eight (8.7%) products or combinations involved new molecular entities. The other test therapies had a wide range of prior medical uses, including as antivirals, antimalarials, immunosuppressants and oncology treatments. In 152 trials (75.7%), patients were randomised to treatment or comparator, including 55 trials with some form of blinding and 97 open-label studies. The 49 (24.4%) of trials without a randomised design included 29 single armed studies and 20 trials with some comparison group. Most trial designs featured multiple endpoints. Clinical endpoints were identified in 134 (66.7%) of trials and included COVID-19 symptoms, death, recovery, required intensive care and hospital discharge. Clinical scales were being used in 33 (16.4%) trials, most often measures of oxygenation and critical illness. Surrogate endpoints or biomarkers were studied in 88 (42.3%) of trials, primarily assays of viral load. Although the trials were initiated in more than 17 countries or regions, 100 (49.8%) were registered in China and 78 (37.8%) in the USA. Registered trials increased rapidly, with the number of registered trials doubling from 1 March to 26 March 2020.ConclusionsWhile accelerating morbidity and mortality from the COVID-19 pandemic has been paralleled by early and rapid clinical investigation, many trials lack features to optimise their scientific value. Global coordination and increased funding of high-quality research may help to maximise scientific progress in rapidly discovering safe and effective treatments.

scholarly journals Healthcare Workers Preparedness for COVID-19 Pandemic in the Occupied Palestinian Territory: A Cross-sectional Survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osaid Alser ◽  
Heba Alghoul ◽  
Zahra Alkhateeb ◽  
Ayah Hamdan ◽  
Loai Albarqouni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Gaza Strip ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Occupied Palestinian Territory ◽  
Governmental Institutions ◽  
Palestinian Territory

Abstract Background: The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic threatens to overwhelm the capacity of a vulnerable healthcare system in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). Sufficient training of healthcare workers (HCWs) in managing COVID-19 and the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) are essential in allowing oPt to mount a credible response to the crisis.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated online questionnaire between March 30, 2020 and April 12, 2020. Primary outcomes were availability of PPE and HCWs preparedness in oPt for COVID-19 pandemic. Secondary outcome was regional and hospital differences in oPt in terms of availability of PPE and HCWs preparedness.Results: Of 138 respondents, only 38 HCWs (27.5%) always had access to facemasks and 15 (10.9%) for isolation gowns. Most HCWs did not find eye protection (n=128, 92.8%), N95 respirators (n=132, 95.7%), and face shields (n=127, 92%) always available. Compared to HCWs in West Bank, those in the Gaza Strip were significantly less likely to have access to alcohol sanitizers (p=0.03) and gloves (p <0.001). On average, governmental hospitals were significantly less likely to have all appropriate PPE than non-governmental institutions (p = 0.001). Only 16 (11.6%) surveyed felt confident in dealing with a potential COVID-19 case, 57 (41.3%) having received any COVID-19-related training, and 57 (41.3%) not having a local hospital protocol. Conclusion: HCWs in oPt are underprepared and severely lacking adequate PPE provision. The lack of PPE provision will exacerbate spread of COVID-19 and deepen the crisis, whilst putting HCWs at risk.

scholarly journals The Association Between Stress Mindset and Physical and Psychological Wellbeing: Testing a Stress Beliefs Model in Police Officers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob J Keech ◽  
Kaitlyn L. Cole ◽  
Martin S Hagger ◽  
Kyra Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Somatic Symptoms ◽  
Proactive Coping ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Effects Of Stress ◽  
Emergency Service Workers ◽  
Coping Behaviours

Objective: Emergency service workers like police officers experience high levels of stress in the course of their regular duties. Holding particular stress mindsets may help to mitigate the deleterious effects of stress and promote wellbeing in workers experiencing regular stress. The study aimed to examine the processes by which stress mindsets relate to health and wellbeing in police officers. A stress beliefs model in which perceived somatic symptoms and coping behaviours mediate effects of stress mindsets on outcomes was tested. Design: Police officers (N=134) completed an online cross-sectional survey. Main outcome measures: Perceived somatic symptoms, proactive coping behaviours, physical and psychological wellbeing, and perceived stress. Results: Bayesian path analysis with informative priors revealed indirect effects of stress mindsets on psychological wellbeing and perceived stress through proactive coping behaviours and perceived somatic symptoms. Physical and psychological wellbeing, and perceived stress were predicted by stress mindsets directly, and through perceived somatic symptoms. Conclusion: The findings support model predictions that behaviours aimed at proactively meeting demands and perceived somatic symptoms mediated the relationship between stress mindset and health-related outcomes. The findings provide further foundational knowledge on mechanisms through which stress mindset is associated with outcomes and can inform future longitudinal and experimental research.

scholarly journals Prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms and impact on self-management among adults with chronic conditions in Chicago, Illinois, USA, during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. e052495
Author(s):  
Rebecca M Lovett ◽  
Lauren Opsasnick ◽  
Andrea Russell ◽  
Esther Yoon ◽  
Sophia Weiner-Light ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Measurement Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Patient Reported

ObjectivesTo examine the prevalence of mental health symptoms during the first surge of COVID-19 in the USA, and their associations with COVID-19-related emotional distress, health self-management and healthcare utilisation.DesignCross-sectional analysis of wave 3 (1–22 May 2020) survey data from the ongoing Chicago COVID-19 Comorbidities (C3) study.SettingSeven academic and community health centres in Chicago, Illinois.Participants565 adults aged 23–88 with one or more chronic conditions completing at least one prior C3 study wave.Primary and secondary outcome measuresClinically relevant anxiety and depressive symptoms as measured using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System short forms. Self-reported emotional and health-related responses to COVID-19 were measured through a combination of single-item questions and validated measures.ResultsRates of anxiety and depressive symptoms were 14% (81/563) and 15% (84/563), respectively. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were then each separately associated with greater worry about contracting COVID-19 (relative risk (RR) 2.32, 95% CI 1.52 to 3.53; RR 1.67, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.54), greater stress (RR 4.93, 95% CI 3.20 to 7.59; RR 3.01, 95% CI 1.96 to 4.61) and loneliness (RR 3.82, 95% CI 2.21 to 6.60; RR 5.37, 95% CI 3.21 to 8.98), greater avoidance of the doctor (RR 1.62, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.49; RR 1.54, 95% CI 1.00 to 2.36) and difficulty managing health (least square means (LS Means) 6.09, 95% CI 5.25 to 6.92 vs 4.23, 95% CI 3.70 to 4.75; LS Means 5.85, 95% CI 5.04 to 6.65 vs 4.22, 95% CI 3.70 to 4.75) and medications (LS Means 3.71, 95% CI 2.98 to 4.43 vs 2.47, 95% CI 2.02 to 2.92) due to the pandemic.ConclusionsIdentifying and addressing mental health concerns may be an important factor to consider in COVID-19 prevention and management among high-risk medical populations.

scholarly journals Exploring the therapeutic alliance in Belgian family medicine and its association with doctor–patient characteristics: a cross-sectional survey study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e033710 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Boeckxstaens ◽  
Annelou Meskens ◽  
Aline Van der Poorten ◽  
Anne-Catherine Verpoort ◽  
Elizabeth Ann Sturgiss
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Quality Of Healthcare ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Family Doctors ◽  
Patient Centred Care ◽  
Clinical Method ◽  
Age Range

ObjectivesPatient-centred care is related to better health outcomes, greater patient satisfaction and reduced healthcare costs. One of the core components of patient-centred care, defined in the patient-centred clinical method, is enhancing the patient–doctor relationship. In this study, we aim to measure the therapeutic alliance in consultations between patients and family doctors in Belgium, and explore which patient, provider and practice characteristics are associated with the strength of the therapeutic alliance.DesignCross-sectional cohort study using the Working Alliance Inventory for General Practice (WAI-GP). The patients and family doctors completed a survey after the consultation. The survey consisted of the WAI-GP, demographics, consultation characteristics and variables related to the patient–doctor relationship.SettingBelgian primary care.ParticipantsEvery third patient (both practice and house call visits) was invited to participate. 170 patient–doctor dyads from four practices were included. Total of 10 doctors (30% men, age range 24–63 years) and 170 patients (35.9% men, age range 18–92 years).Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcome was the WAI-GP score and its correlations with characteristics of the doctor (gender, age) and patients (gender, age, chronic disease, number of annual consultations).ResultsThe median WAI-GP score reported after these consultations was 4.5±0.62. Higher WAI-GP scores were reported for consultations with male doctors and by older patients. In the subsample of patients with a chronic illness, higher WAI-GP scores were reported by patients who had more than 10 follow-up consultations per year.ConclusionsConsultation quality is an important aspect of healthcare, but attention is needed to understand how the WAI-GP performs in relation to variables that are beyond control, such as gender of the physician, age of the patient and variables related to building continuity of care. This has implications for the measurement of quality of healthcare.

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