Managing Diabetes in the Workplace

2020 ◽  
pp. 216507992096553
Author(s):  
Margaret McCarthy ◽  
Allison Vorderstrasse ◽  
Joeyee Yan ◽  
Angie Portillo ◽  
Victoria Vaughan Dickson

Background: Although many adults with diabetes are productive members of the workforce, loss of work productivity has been associated with diabetes. The purpose of this study was to explore the interrelationship between work-related factors and current work ability in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: This study used a convergent mixed-method design. We assessed the relationship between work-related factors and work ability using bivariate statistics and logistic regression. Work ability was measured using the Work Ability Index and Karasek’s Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) was employed to measure job demands. Qualitative interviews ( n = 30) explored the relationship between diabetes and work. Findings: The sample ( n =101) was mostly female (65%) and White (74%). Most worked full-time (65%), had T2D (87%), an elevated glycated hemoglobin A1c ≥ 7% (56%), and were overweight (22%) or obese (68%). Only 33% of subjects self-reported their work ability as excellent. Four of the JCQ subscales (skill discretion, psychological demands, supervisor support, and coworker support), and work–life balance were significantly associated with work ability (all p < .05). In adjusted models, better coworker support (OR = 1.4; 95% CI = [1.04, 1.9]) and better work–life balance (OR = 1.3; 95% CI = [1.1, 1.5]) were associated with excellent work ability. Many stated their diabetes impacted them at work and spoke of the effects of stress. Few engaged in workplace wellness programs. Conclusion/Application to Practice: Social support and work–life balance were associated with excellent work ability. Engaging workers with diabetes in workplace educational programs may take strategic efforts by occupational health staff.

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen Yuile ◽  
Artemis Chang ◽  
Amanda Gudmundsson ◽  
Sukanlaya Sawang

AbstractAn employee's inability to balance work and non-work related responsibilities has resulted in an increase in stress related illnesses. Historically, research into the relationship between work and non-work has primarily focused on work/family conflict, predominately investigating the impact of this conflict on parents, usually mothers. To date research has not sufficiently examined the management practices that enable all ‘individuals’ to achieve a ‘balance’ between work and life. This study explores the relationship between contemporary life friendly, HR management policies and work/life balance for individuals as well as the effect of managerial support to the policies. Self-report questionnaire data from 1241 men and women is analysed and discussed to enable organizations to consider the use of life friendly policies and thus create a convergence between the well-being of employees and the effectiveness of the organization.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret M McCarthy ◽  
Allison Vorderstrasse ◽  
Joeyee Yan ◽  
Angie Portillo ◽  
Victoria V Dickson

Introduction: Over 30 million Americans have a diagnosis of diabetes. The estimated cost of diagnosed diabetes in 2012 was $245 billion, including $69 billion in reduced productivity. Although many adults with diabetes are productive members of the workforce, loss of work productivity has been associated with the presence of diabetes. Hypothesis: We tested the hypothesis that work-related factors were associated with work ability in a sample of working adults with diabetes. Methods: This was a cross-sectional mixed methods descriptive design used to study a national convenience sample of 101 working adults with diabetes. Subjects were recruited through the online tool ResearchMatch, and completed surveys using the secure web application REDCap. Valid surveys assessed job content, work-life balance, work limitations and work ability, followed by qualitative telephone interviews in a sub-sample of 30 adults. Adjusting for hemoglobin A1c and diabetes duration, factors significant in the bivariate statistics were included in the stepwise logistic regression with the outcome of excellent work ability. Lastly, quantitative and qualitative data were integrated for analysis. Results: The sample was 65% female with mean age 54.1±10.5. The majority were White (74%), non-Hispanic (93%), married (51%), worked full-time (65%) and had type 2 diabetes (87%) with a mean duration of 12.4±9.5 years. Less than half (42%) reported their most recent hemoglobin A1c was <7%. They worked 36±14 hours per week and the majority rated their current work ability as either good (42%) or excellent (33%). Factors associated with work ability included co-worker support (p=.007), work-life balance (p<.0001), skill discretion (p=.02), psychological demands (p=.006), and supervisor support (p=.03). Two factors were independently associated with self-reported excellent work ability: increasing co-worker support improved the odds of excellent work ability (OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.04-1.9; p=0.025) and poorer work-life balance decreased the odds or excellent work ability (OR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.67-0.89; p <.0001). Qualitative: Several themes emerged from the data. Most reported no impact of work on keeping medical appointments or managing diabetes at work, and diabetes management was better during a work day since they were on a schedule. Very few report wellness programs at work, and if they exist (e.g. exercise or weight loss program), most do not engage in them. Data integration: Those who reported an excellent work ability also expressed less stress and more control over their daily routine. Conclusions: The majority of the sample reported good or excellent work ability which was related to less stress and more job control. Workers may benefit from wellness programs that address not only diabetes self-management but also job stress, ways to improve co-worker support, and maintaining optimal work-life balance.


2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen Yuile ◽  
Artemis Chang ◽  
Amanda Gudmundsson ◽  
Sukanlaya Sawang

AbstractAn employee's inability to balance work and non-work related responsibilities has resulted in an increase in stress related illnesses. Historically, research into the relationship between work and non-work has primarily focused on work/family conflict, predominately investigating the impact of this conflict on parents, usually mothers. To date research has not sufficiently examined the management practices that enable all ‘individuals’ to achieve a ‘balance’ between work and life. This study explores the relationship between contemporary life friendly, HR management policies and work/life balance for individuals as well as the effect of managerial support to the policies. Self-report questionnaire data from 1241 men and women is analysed and discussed to enable organizations to consider the use of life friendly policies and thus create a convergence between the well-being of employees and the effectiveness of the organization.


Author(s):  
Felix S. Hussenoeder ◽  
Erik Bodendieck ◽  
Franziska Jung ◽  
Ines Conrad ◽  
Steffi G. Riedel-Heller

Abstract Background Compared to the general population, physicians are more likely to experience increased burnout and lowered work-life balance. In our article, we want to analyze whether the workplace of a physician is associated with these outcomes. Methods In September 2019, physicians from various specialties answered a comprehensive questionnaire. We analyzed a subsample of 183 internists that were working full time, 51.4% were female. Results Multivariate analysis showed that internists working in an outpatient setting exhibit significantly higher WLB and more favorable scores on all three burnout dimensions. In the regression analysis, hospital-based physicians exhibited higher exhaustion, cynicism and total burnout score as well as lower WLB. Conclusions Physician working at hospitals exhibit less favorable outcomes compared to their colleagues in outpatient settings. This could be a consequence of workplace-specific factors that could be targeted by interventions to improve physician mental health and subsequent patient care.


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