Reported 1-year prevalence of occupational musculoskeletal disorders in Ontario chiropractors

Abstract Background Chiropractors are a particular subset of health care professionals that reportedly suffer occupational musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), yet they have received minimal attention to date regarding mitigating risks of occupational injury. Our study determined the prevalence of occupationally-related MSDs in the preceding year, their bodily distribution, severity, and practice-related changes in practicing chiropractors in the province of Ontario. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey of chiropractors who were members of the Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) from January to March 2019. A three-part online survey was developed to ask chiropractors about specific details of MSDs they experienced in the past year and any practice-related changes they made as a result. Responses from participants provided both quantitative and qualitative data. Prevalence estimates were derived for quantitative data. Qualitative data were stratified by themes that were further divided into categories and subcategories. Demographic variables of the respondents and OCA membership were compared to determine representativeness. Results From the 432 responses (11.8% response rate), 59.1% reported experiencing an occupationally-related MSD in the past year. Survey respondents were demographically representative of the OCA membership. MSDs were most commonly reported for the lower back (38.3%), wrists/hands (38.1%) and neck (37.4%). Positioning/performing manipulation was the most common occupational activity for MSD of the upper extremity (53.1%) and lower back (34.8%). Chiropractors largely reported their MSDs did not prevent them from doing their normal work (77.4%), despite the fact that 43.2% reported experiencing their MSDs for more than 30 days in the previous year. Common reported work modifications were grouped under themes of practice and physical changes. Practice changes included reducing patient volume, hiring personnel and scheduling. Physical changes included using different office equipment, selecting different techniques requiring lower force and altering their hand contacts or body position when treating patients. Conclusions One-year prevalence of occupational MSDs from this study are comparable to previously reported estimates in chiropractors. These data suggest that chiropractors continue with their regular workload despite their MSDs, thereby increasing their chances of presenteeism. Chiropractors changing technique or technique parameters due to their MSDs provides direction for future research to reduce exposure to occupational MSD risk factors.

Download Full-text

Getting on With Life

Qualitative Health Research ◽

10.1177/1049732311417726 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 21 (11) ◽

pp. 1455-1468 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Eleanor Weitzner ◽

Susan Surca ◽

Sarah Wiese ◽

Andrea Dion ◽

Zoe Roussos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Cultural Beliefs ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Future Research ◽

Contextual Influences ◽

Positive Approach ◽

Positive View ◽

Cord Injury

Currently, the dominant cultural beliefs toward disability are negative, and the existing literature is limited with respect to examining how people are using and/or viewing their disabilities positively. The purpose of this study was to identify how individuals living with a spinal cord injury (SCI) viewed and/or used their disability positively, and what contextual influences facilitated this positive approach. This study was a secondary analysis of qualitative data from a larger study. The findings revealed three levels at which disability was viewed and/or used positively by people with SCI: self, peers, and disability community. In addition, several aspects of the participants’ situations were found to facilitate this positive view and/or use of disability: personality, spirituality, support systems, and acceptance of one’s disability. The findings reveal that individuals with SCI are viewing and/or using their disabilities positively in many different ways. This study has significant implications for the direction of future research and for health care professionals who need to increase their advocacy and facilitating roles.

Download Full-text

A Survey and Taxonomy of Electronics Toolkits for Interactive and Ubiquitous Device Prototyping

Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive Mobile Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies ◽

10.1145/3463523 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 1-24

Author(s):

Mannu Lambrichts ◽

Raf Ramakers ◽

Steve Hodges ◽

Sven Coppers ◽

James Devine

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Electronic Devices ◽

Target Audience ◽

Future Research ◽

User Needs ◽

Design Features ◽

Intended Application ◽

The Past ◽

Comprehensive Survey ◽

Technical Specifications

Over the past two decades, many toolkits for prototyping interactive and ubiquitous electronic devices have been developed. Although their technical specifications are often easy to look up, they vary greatly in terms of design, features and target audience, resulting in very real strengths and weaknesses depending on the intended application. These less technical characteristics are often reported inconsistently, if at all. In this paper we provide a comprehensive survey of interactive and ubiquitous device prototyping toolkits, systematically analysing their characteristics within the framework of a new taxonomy that we present. In addition to the specific characteristics we cover, we introduce a way to evaluate toolkits more holistically, covering user needs such as 'ease of construction' and 'ease of moving from prototype to product' rather than features. We also present results from an online survey which offers new insights on how the surveyed users prioritize these characteristics during prototyping, and what techniques they use to move beyond prototyping. We hope our analysis will be valuable for others in the community who need to build and potentially scale out prototypes as part of their research. We end by identifying gaps that have not yet been addressed by existing offerings and discuss opportunities for future research into electronics prototyping toolkits.

Download Full-text

Posturedontics: Reducing the Stress in Dentistry

World Journal of Dentistry ◽

10.5005/jp-journals-10015-1185 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 335-339 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Sulekha S Gosavi ◽

Siddharth Y Gosavi ◽

Rashmi S Jawade

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Oral Health ◽

Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Dental Hygienists ◽

Work Related ◽

The Past ◽

Dental Profession ◽

Supporting Structures

ABSTRACT In the dental profession, dentists and dental hygienists spend their work days in an awkward, static position performing extremely precise procedures in a 2” × 2½” workspace—the patient's mouth. However, maintaining the steady hand and posture comes at a cost to the back, neck and shoulder area of the dentist. The occurrence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in oral health care professionals has been documented over the past 10 years. A WMSD can be defined as a condition wherein work-related tasks affect the nerves, tendons, muscles and supporting structures. Conditions can vary from mild recurrent symptoms to severe and incapacitating. This article discussed about the prevalence of occurrence on musculoskeletal disorders in dental personae and its prevention. How to cite this article Gosavi SS, Gosavi SY, Jawade RS. Posturedontics: Reducing the Stress in Dentistry. World J Dent 2012;3(4):335-339.

Download Full-text

Smartphone Use, Addiction, Narcissism, and Personality

Gaming and Technology Addiction ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-0778-9.ch011 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 212-229 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Claire Pearson ◽

Zaheer Hussain

Keyword(s):

Social Relations ◽

Social Networking Sites ◽

Online Survey ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Web Applications ◽

New Technology ◽

Data Interpretation ◽

Future Research ◽

Smartphone Addiction ◽

Smartphone Use

There are increasing numbers of people who are now using smartphones. Consequently, there is a risk of addiction to certain web applications such as social networking sites (SNSs) which are easily accessible via smartphones. There is also the risk of an increase in narcissism amongst users of SNSs. The present study set out to investigate the relationship between smartphone use, narcissistic tendencies and personality as predictors of smartphone addiction. The study also aimed to investigate the distinction between addiction specificity and co-occurrence in smartphone addiction via qualitative data and discover why people continue to use smartphones in banned areas. A self-selected sample of 256 smartphone users (Mean age = 29.2, SD = 9.49) completed an online survey. The results revealed that 13.3% of the sample was classified as addicted to smartphones. Higher narcissism scores and neuroticism levels were linked to addiction. Three themes of social relations, smartphone dependence and self-serving personalities emerged from the qualitative data. Interpretation of qualitative data supports addiction specificity of the smartphone. It is suggested smartphones encourage narcissism, even in non-narcissistic users. In turn, this increased use in banned areas. Future research needs to gather more in-depth qualitative data, addiction scale comparisons and comparison of use with and without SNS access. It is advised that prospective buyers of smartphones be pre-warned of the potential addictive properties of new technology.

Download Full-text

A descriptive analysis of young women's pornography use: a tale of exploration and harm

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh19131 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 69 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Angela C. Davis ◽

Meredith J. Temple-Smith ◽

Elise Carrotte ◽

Margaret E. Hellard ◽

Megan S. C. Lim

Keyword(s):

Young Women ◽

Online Survey ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Future Research ◽

Discrete Groups ◽

Body Type ◽

Potential Source ◽

Pornography Use ◽

Qualitative Responses

Background Despite viewing less often than young men, young women view pornography. This study used an online survey to describe young women’s pornography use and their reflections on the influence of this use. Methods: Young Australian women (15–29 years) were recruited via Facebook to complete an online survey in 2016. Respondents who had ever viewed pornography (n = 491) were asked 10 closed-ended questions related to their exposure to pornography and an open-ended question: ‘How has pornography influenced your life?’. Quantitative responses were descriptively analysed. Qualitative responses were thematically analysed using a descriptive qualitative approach. Results: Most respondents (89%) watched pornography alone for sexual arousal and openly reflected on the influence of their own use. Two overarching themes were identified across qualitative data. The first, exploration, included positive sub-themes of safety, independence, normalisation of sexuality and diversity in body type. The second, harm, included negative sub-themes related to conditioning, comparison and dependency. Themes were identified separately among two discrete groups, but were also described concurrently among a third group of (mostly older) respondents who experienced pornography both as a place for exploration and as a potential source of harm. Conclusion: Young women watch pornography and have positive, negative and mixed experiences that they link to their own viewing. Future research must provide a safe space for young women to be honest regarding their pornography use to ensure that their perspectives are heard and understood.

Download Full-text

Singing lessons as a path to well-being in later life

Psychology of Music ◽

10.1177/03057356211030992 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 030573562110309

Author(s):

Alexandra M Smith ◽

Kay Kleinerman ◽

Annabel J Cohen

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Relations ◽

Personal Growth ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Online Survey ◽

Later Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Musical Instrument ◽

Future Research ◽

Depressive Episodes

Seventy-two persons, who had begun voice lessons after 40 years of age, were invited to complete an online survey that focused on the singers’ experience, motivation, goals, health and well-being, repertoire, practice, and demographic information; 48 respondents (33 females, mean age 60.81 years, range 48.83–82.08, SD = 6.99) completed the questionnaire. Most participants indicated that enjoyment and personal growth motivated their taking lessons. Over 90% commented on benefits of singing to their physical health (e.g., breathing) and mental health (e.g., mood, less depressive episodes). Despite the solitary aspect of singing lessons, 67% reported positive changes in social relations since taking lessons. Benefits to professional relations were also reported (e.g., confidence, listening to others). Repertoire level was generally high, consistent with a high average university educational level. Cost of lessons and time demands may account for the generally high socioeconomic status of respondents. Given that the singing voice is a musical instrument available to almost everyone, results might motivate older adults to consider taking voice lessons, encourage health care professionals to consider voice lessons as interventions to benefit clients, and persuade governments to subsidize voice lessons for older adults in their jurisdictions. The study provides a foundation for future research on the relative impacts on well-being of vocal lessons versus choral singing in the context of relative investments in the two activities.

Download Full-text

Correctional nursing in Canada’s Prairie provinces: Roles, responsibilities, and learning needs

Canadian Journal of Nursing Research ◽

10.1177/0844562121999282 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 084456212199928

Author(s):

Phil Woods ◽

Cindy Peternelj-Taylor

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Professional Education ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Online Survey ◽

Future Research ◽

Correctional Facilities ◽

Learning Needs ◽

Western Canada ◽

Data Set ◽

Skill Sets

BackgroundNurses represent the largest group of health care professionals working with incarcerated persons, yet there is limited understanding of their learning needs, or their roles and responsibilities; and what is known is poorly disseminated.PurposeThe goal of this research was to describe the roles, responsibilities, and learning needs of correctional nurses practicing in provincial correctional facilities in Alberta and Manitoba, and to add these data to the existing data set from Saskatchewan.MethodsThree hundred and forty nurses working in provincial correctional facilities in western Canada were invited to complete a self-administered online survey consisting of a Learning Needs Assessment questionnaire (demographic information, knowledge and learning needs, and professional development); and the Staff Questionnaire (which targeted specific skill sets relevant to clinical practice in secure environments). Eighty-two nurses completed the online survey (overall response rate 24%).ResultsOverall, those who participated were experienced in nursing and correctional nursing. The learning needs they identified aligned with their correctional nursing roles and unique practice settings. In particular, issues related to the care of incarcerated persons with mental health disorders and related care were paramount (self-harming behaviours, suicide, mental health assessments in general). In response to the five comprehensive skill sets assessed in the Staff Questionnaire, respondents rated their involvement and importance of the individual skills as important to varying degrees.ConclusionsThe results of this survey shed light on contemporary developments in correctional nursing within provincial correctional facilities in western Canada and provide a foundation for continuing professional education and development, practice, and future research initiatives.

Download Full-text

Smartphone Use, Addiction, Narcissism, and Personality

International Journal of Cyber Behavior Psychology and Learning ◽

10.4018/ijcbpl.2015010102 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 17-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

Claire Pearson ◽

Zaheer Hussain

Keyword(s):

Social Relations ◽

Social Networking Sites ◽

Online Survey ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Web Applications ◽

New Technology ◽

Data Interpretation ◽

Future Research ◽

Smartphone Addiction ◽

Smartphone Use

Download Full-text

Development of screening questions for doctor–patient consultation assessing the quality of life and psychosocial burden of glioma patients: an explorative study

Quality of Life Research ◽

10.1007/s11136-021-02756-x ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hannah Voß ◽

Peter Scholz-Kreisel ◽

Christoph Richter ◽

Florian Ringel ◽

Susanne Singer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Online Survey ◽

Unmet Needs ◽

Neurocognitive Deficits ◽

Psychosocial Burden ◽

Main Area ◽

Patient Interviews ◽

Screening Questions ◽

Physical Changes

Abstract Purpose Psychosocial screening for glioma patients is challenging because many patients suffer from neurocognitive deficits, which may impair assessment. This study’s aim was to exploratively develop three screening questions for unmet needs to prospectively be applicable in patient–doctor consultation. Methods Patient interviews, a survey for health-care professionals and a weighted scoring procedure were developed for this study. Six main areas were defined according to main areas of validated questionnaires (psyche, cognition, body, role functioning, social support, unmet needs). Patients and health-care professionals rated the importance of these areas and corresponding items, patients additionally stated whether the issues addressed affected them. Results A total of 50 patients were included, and 36 health-care professionals participated in the online survey. The three areas (psyche, body and cognition) considered to be most relevant by both, health-care professionals and patients, generated three screening questions. If the patient was affected by the issue addressed with a screening question, a subordinate question from that area that our patient sample considered most important could additionally be asked. The elaborated screening questions are the following: (1) main area psyche: “Has your mood worsened?”, (2) main area body: “Do physical changes put a strain on you?”, and (3) main area cognition: “Has your memory capacity worsened?” Conclusion These questions represent a basis for further research regarding their application in neuro-oncological clinical routine.

Download Full-text

Insights Into Roles for Health-Care Professionals in Meeting the Needs of Older Adults and Unpaid Caregivers During Health-Care Transitions

Canadian Journal of Nursing Research ◽

10.1177/0844562116676579 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 48 (3-4) ◽

pp. 70-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Lori E. Weeks ◽

Gloria McInnis-Perry ◽

Colleen MacQuarrie ◽

Sanja Jovanovic

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Care ◽

Health System ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Online Survey ◽

Care Transitions ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Future Research ◽

The Right ◽

Health Care Transitions

We provided insights from older adults, their unpaid caregivers, and health-care professionals into specific roles for professionals within the health system to better meet the needs of community-dwelling older adults and their unpaid caregivers experiencing transitions between health services. We used a qualitative approach to collect data within one Canadian province from older adults and unpaid caregivers of older adults who participated in focus groups ( n = 98) and professionals working in the health system who participated in an online survey ( n = 52). Questions included experiences with health service transitions, strengths, challenges, and suggestions to improve transitions. Thematic analysis resulted in identifying seven specific roles for professionals in supporting health-care transitions: information and education, planning for future health needs, supporting the acceptance of necessary care, facilitating access to the right services at the right time, facilitating communication between services, facilitating the discharge planning process and advocacy for older adults and unpaid caregivers. Our results based on evidence from older adults, unpaid caregivers, and health-care professionals will inform future research and further development of the instrumental and relational roles for professionals supporting older adults and their caregivers experiencing health-care transitions.

Download Full-text