scholarly journals Work-related stress in specialists in occupational health in Croatia: a pilot study

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 375-380
Author(s):  
Azra Huršidić Radulović ◽  
Ana Marija Varošanec

AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess psychosocial stress-related risks in 70 specialists in occupational health (SOHs) who answered the questionnaire designed in 2016 by the Croatian Institute of Public Health – Department of Occupational Health. The average score of 119.7 points (±28.9; range: 38–175) of maximum 275 points revealed medium level of stress. Eighteen respondents had a high level of stress (>135 points). The most prominent and the only stressor with high stress scores was pressure at work, paperwork and multitasking items in particular. After having grouped the SOHs into three groups by type of organisation in which they work, our results singled out SOHs working in public institutions as having the highest levels of stress (average of 143 points). They reported high pressure at work, work overload, and poor relationship with superiors (in terms of communication and support). SOHs working in healthcare centres and private outpatient clinics also reported higher pressure at work, but the latter had no problems with relationship with superiors, while healthcare centre SOHs complained of work underload and advancement constraints. Differences in relationship with superiors, disagreement/conflicts at work and advancement constraints reflect different organisation of work, which was confirmed by later analysis of subgroups. The findings of this pilot study could be of value for SOHs who are engaged in training programmes as examiners and educators, yet they call for further improvement of the questionnaire and for continued investigation that could give a better insight into the role of various stressors in work efficiency and satisfaction among SOHs.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7109
Author(s):  
Gabriela Dima ◽  
Luiza Meseșan Schmitz ◽  
Marinela-Cristina Șimon

This paper aimed to explore the changes posed by the new COVID-19 pandemic to the field of social work and its impact on social workers in terms of job stress and burnout in Romania. Two conceptual models were used to frame the discussion: the theoretical framework of VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) to discuss the challenges that the unprecedented context of the COVID-19 pandemic has created for social workers; and the Job Demands and Resources model (JD-R) to understand job demands perceived as stressors and burnout. Based on convergent mixed methods, the study sample consisted of 83 social workers employed in statutory and private social services in Romania, from different areas of intervention. Results showed that social workers perceived a high level of job stress related to work during the pandemic, which was associated with higher levels of burnout in the areas of personal burnout (average score 55.9) and work-related burnout (average score 52.5). Client-related burnout was lower (average score 38.4), indicating that stress was generated mainly by organisational factors and work-related factors (workload, aligning to new legislative rules and decisions, inconsistency, instability, ambiguity of managerial decisions, and lack of clarity of working procedures) and less by client-related stressors (lack of direct contact with clients, risk of contamination, managing beneficiaries’ fears, and difficulties related to technology). High job demands and limited job resources (managerial and supervisory support, financial resources, and recognition and reward) led to a high to very high level of work-related burnout for 15.7% and an upper-medium level for 44.2% of respondents. A group of 27.7% reported lower to medium levels of work-related burnout, while 14.5% had very low levels, managing to handle stress factors in a healthy manner. Study results pointed to the importance of organisational support and the development of a self-care plan that help to protect against job stress and burnout. Recommendations were made, putting forward the voice of fieldworkers and managers fostering initiatives and the application of sustainability-based measures and activities designed to deal with the challenges of the VUCA environment.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clémence Brun ◽  
Alexis Akinyemi ◽  
Laurène Houtin ◽  
Claire Mizzi ◽  
Thierry Cardoso ◽  
...  

Objectives: Providing quality care requires compassion, and encouraging caregivers to develop a patient-centred care relationship could be beneficial for both patients and caregivers. Such a goal can be achieved through mindfulness-based programmes, which can improve caregivers’ compassion and self-compassion. They are particularly relevant for caregivers, as they have a high risk of experiencing work-related burnout due to the high level of involvement required in their work. We hypothesised that a mindfulness training programme specifically focused on situations that are relevant for caregivers could improve patient–caregiver relationships and the care provided by the latter. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study with 10 interviews designed to explore the perceived psychological consequences of such training programmes amongst caregivers who experienced a mindfulness training programme specifically elaborated for the medical staff at APHP Sorbonne University (i.e., the Mindfulness Based (MB) CARE programme). Results: Content analysis results showed that the training had an overall positive impact on the caregivers’ ability to feel compassion toward their patients and themselves. The caregivers were more attentive to their patients and their needs, without being able to articulate how well they were paying attention to them. The programme also helped them develop kindness towards themselves and their patients. The participants were better able to accept more sympathetically the difficult experiences they might encounter in the workplace or those reported by their patients. Conclusions: We conclude that professional mindfulness training programmes could be operational levers for institutions aiming at fostering a more compassionate caregiver–patient relationship, which in turn, can improve the efficiency of care provision.


BMJ ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 313 (7063) ◽  
pp. 999-1002
Author(s):  
A. Adisesh ◽  
G. Parker

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
O.G. Sokunbi ◽  
L. Muhwhati ◽  
P. Robinson

To explore the effects of using acupunture and core stability experiences to treat acute low back pain among industrial workers at an Occupational health department in the UK.


Author(s):  
Ellen Rosskam

No body of literature exists related specifically to the occupational health of airport check-in workers. The problems encountered by airport check-in workers are typical of other service-sector occupations with similar work-related health hazards, particularly those characterized by a high level of demand with low worker control, performed predominantly by women. The knowledge gap could be narrowed by broadening the scope in both traditional occupational health and ergonomics studies to take into equal consideration jobs performed by women. In an attempt to reduce the knowledge gap specific to airport check-in workers, literature was reviewed on several other worker populations whose job characteristics include elements similar to airport check-in work: computer clerical workers, supermarket check-in workers, and airport baggage handlers. This cross-population review identified the major elements that have been studied in the comparison groups, compared with the factors examined in a study of check-in workers. The review demonstrates that jobs that may appear completely different from the outside, might, upon closer examination, have numerous common exposures from a variety of sources. Thus, knowledge about one job may be useful for another that has not been investigated. The literature review reveals that it would be useful to extend to airport check-in workers recommendations from studies of the three comparison populations.


2010 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosina-Martha Csöff ◽  
Gloria Macassa ◽  
Jutta Lindert

Körperliche Beschwerden sind bei Älteren weit verbreitet; diese sind bei Migranten bislang in Deutschland und international noch wenig untersucht. Unsere multizentrische Querschnittstudie erfasste körperliche Beschwerden bei Menschen im Alter zwischen 60 und 84 Jahren mit Wohnsitz in Stuttgart anhand der Kurzversion des Gießener Beschwerdebogens (GBB-24). In Deutschland wurden 648 Personen untersucht, davon 13.4 % (n = 87) nicht in Deutschland geborene. Die Geschlechterverteilung war bei Migranten und Nichtmigranten gleich; der sozioökonomische Status lag bei den Migranten etwas niedriger: 8.0 % (n = 7) der Migranten und 2.5 % (n = 14) der Nichtmigranten verfügten über höchstens vier Jahre Schulbildung; 12.6 % (n = 11) der Migranten und 8.2 % (n = 46) der Nichtmigranten hatten ein monatliches Haushaltsnettoeinkommen von unter 1000€; 26.4 % der Migranten und 38.1 % (n = 214) der Nichtmigranten verfügten über mehr als 2000€ monatlich. Somatische Beschwerden lagen bei den Migranten bei 65.5 % (n = 57) und bei den Nichtmigranten bei 55.8 % (n = 313). Frauen wiesen häufiger somatische Beschwerden auf (61.8 %) als Männer (51.8 %). Mit steigendem Alter nahmen somatische Beschwerden zu. Mit Ausnahme der Altersgruppe der 70–74-Jährigen konnte kein signifikanter Unterschied zwischen Migranten und Nichtmigranten hinsichtlich der Häufigkeit körperlicher Beschwerden gezeigt werden. Ausblick: Es werden dringend bevölkerungsrepräsentative Studien zu körperlichen Beschwerden bei Migranten benötigt.


Crisis ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Alderson ◽  
Xavier Parent-Rocheleau ◽  
Brian Mishara

Background: Research shows that there is a high prevalence of suicide among nurses. Despite this, it has been 15 years since the last literature review on the subject was published. Aim: The aim of this article is to review the knowledge currently available on the risk of suicide among nurses and on contributory risk factors. Method: A search was conducted in electronic databases using keywords related to prevalence and risk factors of suicide among nurses. The abstracts were analyzed by reviewers according to selection criteria. Selected articles were submitted to a full-text review and their key elements were summarized. Results: Only nine articles were eligible for inclusion in this review. The results of this literature review highlight both the troubling high prevalence of suicide among nurses as well as the persistent lack of studies that examine this issue. Conclusion: Considering that the effects of several factors related to nurses' work and work settings are associated with high stress, distress, or psychiatric problems, we highlight the relevance of investigating work-related factors associated with nurses' risk of suicide. Several avenues for future studies are discussed as well as possible research methods.


2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linsey R. High ◽  
Nicholas K. Lim ◽  
Ruth S. O'Brien ◽  
Chelsea V. Mitchell ◽  
Samantha J. T. Ross ◽  
...  

2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
M. Alameddine ◽  
K. Imrie ◽  
S. Akers ◽  
S. Verma

We developed and administered two questionnaires to assess the interview experience of both interviewers and applicants during postgraduate medical selection interviews. Using a 5 point likert scale, the questionnaires assessed three areas (1) ability to show/assess communication, interpersonal and problem solving skills; (2) ability to know the other side well and (3) level of comfort with the interview. Interviewers and applicants were asked to provide a global rating for the interview. The questionnaires were administered to both candidates and applicants from 6 departments in 18 in-person and 12 video interviews. 30 applicant and 87 interviewer survey forms were collected and analyzed. T-tests were used to compare the means of the two groups and significance levels were analyzed. Both interviewers and applicants had a higher average global satisfaction for video interviews compared to in person interviews. No difference was indicated in the ability of interviewers to assess the applicants’ skills between the two types of interviews. For both interviewers and applicants, video interviews, compared to in person interview, had a lower average score for connecting personally & establishing rapport and for satisfaction with administrative arrangements. Video interviewed applicants had a 50% probability of getting accepted in a program compared to 22% of in person interviewed candidates. We conclude that video interviews appear to be a valuable alternative to in-person interviews, with some sacrifice in personal connection and rapport. Video interviews result in significant time and cost savings for international applicants and have potential implications for the CaRMS process as well. Sackett KM, Campbell-Heider N, Blyth JB. The evolution and evaluation of videoconferencing technology for graduate nursing education. Comput Inform Nurs. 2004 (Mar-Apr); 22(2):101-6. Shepherd L, Goldstein D, Whitford H, Thewes B, Brummell V, Hicks M. The utility of videoconferencing to provide innovative delivery of psychological treatment for rural cancer patients: results of a pilot study. J Pain Symptom Manage 2006 (Nov); 32(5):453-61. Arena J, Dennis N, Devineni T, Maclean R, Meador K. A pilot study of feasibility and efficacy of telemedicine-delivered psychophysiological treatment for vascular headache. Telemed J E Health 2004 (Winter); 10(4):449-54.


Author(s):  
José Vítor Gonçalves ◽  
Luísa Castro ◽  
Guilhermina Rêgo ◽  
Rui Nunes

Nurses working in palliative care are at risk of burnout. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory was used to determine burnout levels of nurses working in the Portuguese national network of palliative care. We evaluated the contribution of personal, work, and COVID-19 variables in three burnout subclasses: personal, work, and patient-related. A cross-sectional, exploratory, and quantitative design was employed and participants were sampled using convenience and snowball technique. An online survey was conducted and 153 nurses participated in our study. Socio-demographic characterization was conducted, levels of burnout and determinants were explored through multiple linear regression models for its three dimensions. High levels of personal, working, and patient burnout were present in 71 (46%), 68 (44%), and 33 nurses (22%), respectively. Most of them agreed that COVID-19 had an impact on their activities. Significant personal and work related burnout factors found were specialization in palliative care, self-perceived health status, unit type, weekly hours of work, and allocation to COVID-19 units. Gender was found to be a significant factor in patient-related burnout. There is a high level of burnout among nurses working in the Portuguese national network of palliative care. Measures for identification and mitigation of burnout are necessary to protect health care professionals.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document