COVID-19 related factors affecting the experiences of neurodivergent persons in the workplace: A rapid review

BACKGROUND: Policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic offer possibilities to advance social justice. One such prospect is to make workplaces more inclusive of neurodivergence. OBJECTIVE: This research addresses the question of, in what ways might COVID-19 affect the experiences of neurodivergent persons in the workplace? METHODS: Conducting a rapid review, the author has applied thematic analysis to a total of 50 documents comprised of journal articles, news articles, and guides as retrieved from purposive searches of ProQuest Central, ProQuest Newsstream International, Google Scholar, and Google databases. RESULTS: Research results have revealed themes of challenges and opportunities, and sub-themes of accommodating (i.e., remote working, employee recruitment, retainment or advancement and/or access); and diversity and inclusion (i.e., acceptance, empathy and/or ERGs). CONCLUSION: This study has informed a baseline COVID-19-related guide to accommodating and including neurodivergence in the workplace. The review concludes by offering possibilities as to what a COVID-19 inspired ‘new normal’ might mean for supporting neurodivergent staff (and prospective staff).

Evaluation of the economic impact of COVID-19 on Brazilian private dental clinics: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The changes in dental care in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the need for greater financial investment by dentists in biosafety measures and increase in the costs of dental consultations. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental practices in private clinics in Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out, using an online questionnaire indexed in Google Forms, and distributed among dentists. The data obtained were analyzed using the IBM SPSS 25.0 software, evaluating the factors associated with strong or very strong impact on the participants’ income and the factors that motivated the dentists to look for a credit line. Multiple logistic regression models were constructed to identify the associated factors. Variables with p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Most participants were female, with a median age of 35 years. Dentists who are most concerned about their professional future (OR = 3.134; 95% CI: 1.804–5.445), who have longer office hours (OR = 2.056; 95% CI: 1.198–3.529), who had the greatest impact on the flow of patients (OR = 16.358; 95% CI: 9.408–28.443) and in need of investing in infrastructure (OR = 1.756; 95% CI: 1.014–3.041), had the greatest impact on monthly earnings. CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic and the new biosafety recommendations for care during this period had a negative impact on the income of Brazilian dental offices and increased the chance of seeking credit to alleviate the financial deficit.

Chronic conditions and self-perceived health among older employees in relation to indicators of labour participation and retirement over time

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of older employees leave the labour market early, amongst others via unemployment or disability benefits, implying that health might affect possibilities to extend working life. OBJECTIVE: This study 1) examined associations between chronic conditions (subtypes) and self-perceived health (SPH), independently, and indicators of labour participation and retirement over six-year follow-up among older employees, and 2) explored the impact of differences between prevalent and incident presence of chronic condition(s) in this relation. METHODS: Older workers (aged > 45 years) included in the Maastricht Cohort Study were studied (n = 1,763). The Health and Work Performance Questionnaire assessed chronic conditions and one item from the Short Form health survey-36 assessed SPH. Cox regression analyses assessed associations between chronic conditions and SPH, independently, and retirement intentions, employment status, decreasing working hours, and changes in work over time. RESULTS: Employees with coexistent physical-mental chronic conditions showed higher risks to lose employment and to receive a disability benefit (HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.23–2.78; HR 8.63, 95% CI 2.47–30.11) over time compared to healthy employees. No statistically significant associations were found between SPH and indicators of labour participation and retirement over time. Having chronic condition(s) was cross-sectionally associated with lower SPH scores and larger proportion of part-timers –compared to healthy employees. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic condition(s) among older employees were substantially associated with indicators of labour participation and retirement over time. The role of SPH was mainly instantaneous. Findings provide valuable input for preventive measures aiming to prevent an early labour market exit of older employees.

Contributing effects of individual characteristics, behavioural and job-related factors on occurrence of mining-related injuries: A systematic review

BACKGROUND: Occupational health and safety (OHS) is a complex system due to its three components, namely human, technological and organizational factors. The interplay between the three systems causes workplace accidents and, subsequently, injuries. The body of research currently available demonstrates a disparity in the focus on contributors that cause mining-related injuries beyond the presence of hazards. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to systematically review and synthesise peer-reviewed published studies that have investigated whether certain individual characteristics, behavioural factors and job-related factors predict mining-related injuries. METHODS: Databases were searched and peer-reviewed publications from 2004 to 2020 were retrieved and analysed. Only 24 from 3073 identified articles were retained for review and synthesis following careful screening. Most identified studies were either cross-sectional or case-control studies, and they were rated as moderate-to-good quality. RESULTS: The review results showed that there is a diverging view in relation to risk factors that cause mining-related injuries. Some publications suggested that old age, male miners, married miners, less educated miners, less experienced miners, alcohol and drug usage, poor working conditions, poor management or supervision, job dissatisfaction and job stress predict injury events while other studies found contradictory relationships or insignificant statistical associations. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that studied risk factors have been well-established in other industries, there is a significant gap in mining that needs further examination. It is imperative that health and safety intervention strategies are devised and implemented for vulnerable groups.

Exergaming to improve physical, psychological and cognitive health among home office workers: A COVID-19 pandemic commentary

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased sedentary behaviour and poorer health among office workers. Exergaming is a technology-driven mode of exercise that can improve health while physically distancing. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this commentary was to explain the benefits of exergaming on physical function, psychological health, and cognition among office workers. RESULTS: Exergaming improves these health outcomes, reduces pain, and decreases the risk for chronic disease. It is easily accessible on smart devices and can be performed both indoors and outdoors. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-one minutes of exergaming per day can improve health outcomes and reduce the risk of pain and disease. Employers and policy-makers should consider promoting exergaming among office workers.

The influence of organizational commitment on the perceived effectiveness of virtual meetings by filipino professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A structural equation modeling approach

BACKGROUND: Virtual meetings have been widely utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of organizational commitment on the perceived effectiveness of virtual meeting by Filipino professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A total of 513 Filipino professionals answered an online questionnaire which covered four latent variables: organizational commitment to virtual meetings, attitude toward virtual meetings, perceived effectiveness of virtual meeting as collaboration tool, and perceived effectiveness of virtual meeting as a social tool. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was utilized to analyze the causal relationships between the latent variables construct. RESULTS: SEM showed that organizational commitment to virtual meeting during the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the positive attitude of the employees which subsequently led to the perceived effectiveness of virtual meeting as a collaboration and social tool. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first study that analyzed the influence of organizational commitment on the perceived effectiveness of virtual meeting during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. Our SEM construct can be applied and extended further, particularly in analyzing factors influencing the perceived effectiveness of virtual meeting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The role of contextual factors on participation in the life area of work and employment after rehabilitation: A qualitative study on the views of persons with chronic pain

BACKGROUND: A deeper understanding of how contextual factors affect the ability to participate in the life area of work and employment despite chronic musculoskeletal pain is needed as a basis for interprofessional rehabilitation programs. OBJECTIVE: To investigate which contextual factors influence rehabilitation program clients’ ability to participate in the life area of work and employment, and how they do this. METHODS: Nested case study using a realist evaluation framework of interprofessional interventions. Qualitative content analysis of problem-centered interviews to identify influential context-mechanism-outcome configurations. RESULTS: We identified several important context-mechanism-outcome configurations. In the pre-interventional phase, socioeconomic and environmental factors affected two mechanisms, “exhaustion” and “discrimination”. In the intra-interventional phase, the social skills of health professionals and opportunities for discussion with peers affected the ability of program participants to engage with program content. In the post-intervention phase, volitional competences of the social system affected the sustainable application of program content in everyday life. CONCLUSION: The identified context-mechanism-outcome configurations shows that the ability to participate in the life area of work is interdependent with the ability to participate in other areas of life. In practice and research, assessment and treatment should be carried out based on this understanding.

The prevalence of low back pain among nurses in Serbia

BACKGROUND: The presence of low back pain in nurses is becoming increasingly prominent and it has significant impact both on the individual as well as on the community. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of low back pain among practicing nurses. METHODS: The research has been conducted in five health care institutions in the area of Vojvodina. Data were collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). RESULTS: Five hundred and twelve nurses participated in this study. Most of the participants (93.95%) indicated that they experienced discomfort or pain in the lower back in the last 12 months. Due to low back pain, 61.95% of participants had reduced working abilities and 76.09% of participants have never taken time off from work. CONCLUSIONS: Due to low back pain nurses have a reduced working capacity, but they nevertheless rarely seek medical help or the change of the work place. The implementation of better ergonomic approach and adequate organization of work could reduce the occurrence of low back pain.

The role of anthropometrics in predicting the maximum oxygen consumption in emergency medicine students

BACKGROUND: Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) is an important measure of cardiovascular capacity to deliver oxygen to the working muscle at maximal exercise. Anthropometrics is one of the factors that contribute to the maximum oxygen consumption. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to predict the maximum oxygen consumption based on anthropometrics in the emergency medicine students. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the emergency medicine students (n = 56) at Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. Before the data collection, participants completed the consent form and Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q). Then, the maximum oxygen consumption and anthropometrics (dimensions and compositions) were measured using Gerkin treadmill test and using tape, anthropometer device and digital caliper respectively. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, one-way analysis of variance and multivariate linear regression. RESULTS: The mean of maximum oxygen consumption was 4.11 lit/min in the emergency medicine students. There was a significant relationship between maximum oxygen consumption and anthropometrics (body dimensions and compositions including body fat, waist to hip circumference, and BMI) (p < 0.05). Also, the leg length, the body fat, and the BMI predicted 72% of oxygen consumption. The leg length and BMI had an important role in predicting the maximum oxygen consumption. CONCLUSIONS: The body dimensions and compositions should be taken into consideration to select students and match their capabilities with required energy for the job.