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Background: The competencies of medical staff in the public health emergency system and evaluated the effects of system-based professional training were investigated.

Material and methods: A competency model for individuals in a public health emergency management system was developed, which contained 33 items with 5 domains. A competency-based intervention was performed. A total of 68 participants from 4 health emergency teams in Xinjiang, China were recruited and randomly divided into 2 groups: the intervention (N = 38) and control groups (N = 30). Participants in the intervention group received competency-based training, while those in the control group received no training. All participants responded to the COVID-19 activities. The competencies of medical staff in the 5 domains were then analyzed in the pre-intervention, post-first training, and post-COVID-19 intervention using a self-designed questionnaire.

Results: Participants' competencies were at the middle level at baseline. After the first training, competencies in the 5 domains significantly improved in the intervention group; in the control group, there was a significant increase in professional quality compared in the pre-training. After the response to COVID-19, the mean scores of competencies in the 5 domains significantly increased in both the intervention and control groups compared with those in the post-first training. Psychological resilience scores were higher in the intervention group than in the control group, whereas no significant differences in competencies were found in other domains.

Conclusions: Competency-based interventions provided practice and showed a positive effect on improving the competencies of medical staff in public health teams. Med Pr. 2023;74(1):19-26.

The case report concerns the prophylactic and medical certification procedure initiated during periodic examinations, which led to the early detection of chronic myeloid leukemia. Particular attention was paid to the shortening of the period of validity of the periodic examination, justified by an abnormal health condition that is not directly related to the working conditions, as well as the method of communication and influencing the employee to comply with medical recommendations. The conclusions stated that, although obligatory and periodic preventive examinations for the purposes of the Labor Code create the possibility of early detection of unawereness of disease, thus giving a chance to improve health, but at the same time they can be treated as an interference with the individual's right to self-determination about his life and health. It was noted that the key factor in assessing the situation would be the attitude of the occupational medicine physician and the manner of his communication with the employee, who would not be forced, but convinced - for his benefit, to undertake diagnostics or health interventions. Med Pr. 2022;73(6):485-90.

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk for exposure to upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and influenza-like illnesses (ILIs). The present study aimed to surveil URTIs and ILIs and their impact among the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases in Wroclaw employees and evaluate their humoral response to influenza.

Material and methods: Thirty-six HCWs participated in the first season and 32 HCWs in the second season during years of the study. The authors carried out a URTI/ILI surveillance, and all HCWs were asked to complete a weekly report during 2 influenza seasons: 2016/2017 (S1) and 2017/2018 (S2). In S1 both IgG and IgM antibodies against influenza A and B were assessed. The HCWs with symptoms of ILI were encouraged to undergo PCR tests for influenza.

Results: No significant differences in reporting URTI were found among vaccinated and non-vaccinated HCWs and HCWs and the control group. Depending on the year 5.5-17.2% of HCWs were treated with antibiotics because of URTI. In the study 58.7% of participants in S1 and 66.7% in S2 decide to work despite the URTI symptoms. There was no statistical relationship between the concentration of anti-influenza IgG and the number of URTIs and ILIs reported. Only vaccinated were willing to undergo voluntary influenza testing.

Conclusions: The URTI and ILI occur commonly in HCWs, and HCWs contract URTIs as often as the control group. Despite their medical education, HCWs work with the symptoms of infection and overuse antibiotics to treat the URTI. Serology testing is not able to follow the infection's dynamics or identify the people immune to the influenza-like illness. The diagnostic value of IgM antibodies in acute influenza infection is negligible. Vaccinated HCWs are more focused on their health and are more willing to undergo influenza tests. Med Pr. 2022;73(6):441-7.

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 virus, causing acute respiratory disease, is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in early 2020. In addition to symptoms typical of respiratory tract infections, the virus causes a number of non-specific, often long-lasting effects that hinder the daily functioning of individuals. The aim of the study was a subjective assessment of life quality and health perception among recovered COVID-19 patients.

Material and methods: The study included 337 subjects who had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 confirmed by a positive RT-PCR test. The study participants were of legal age. The convalescents completed a questionnaire that contained 26 questions about gender, height, body weight, blood type, general and specific symptoms, comorbidities, hospital stay and duration of specific symptoms, the severity of which was assessed on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The subjects determined whether the COVID-19 infection influenced their health perception and life quality.

Results: According to 46% of the respondents, COVID-19 had an impact on their quality of life and health. The chance for patients to notice the negative effects of COVID-19 on their current health status and life quality increased with each subsequent symptom of the disease by 49%, with each day of its occurrence by 3%, and with each VAS point of the severity of all infection symptoms by 30%.

Conclusions: The study shows that COVID-19 disease affects life quality and overall health perception after recovery. Significant impact of COVID-19 on the quality of life should be a signal to create mental support and rehabilitation programs for convalescents to minimize discomfort and shorten the duration of absenteeism from work. Med Pr. 2022;73(6):449-56.

Evidence of a change in the carcinogenicity category of butan-2-one oxime (MEKO) and the results of this change for manufacturing and using companies was presented and assessed. The online databases of scientific journals were reviewed, taking into account the reports on the harmonization of MEKO classification and labeling at EU level available on the ECHA website. Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/1182 introduced harmonized classification and labeling of MEKO for carcinogenicity to category 1B. The induction of tumors, the nature and importance of tumors for humans, and the sensitivity of the 2 species tested, both sexes - all of these factors support the classification of MEKO into the carcinogenicity category 1B. On the other hand, MEKO is negative in genotoxicity studies, including in mammalian cells and in vivo in animals. This is the argument that the classification of MEKO as carcinogen category 2 remains appropriate. The change in the MEKO carcinogenicity category results in legal consequences for companies, such as compliance with the conditions of REACH restriction, which includes restrictions on placing MEKO on the market for sale to the general public, keeping a register of works that require contact with MEKO or its mixtures containing MEKO in a concentration ≥0.1%. According to the opinion of MEKO suppliers, there is currently no practical MEKO substitute that has been so well researched, despite attempts to find it in recent years. The risk of additional liver cancer in the case of 40-year occupational exposure to MEKO is 4:100 000 at a concentration of approx. 0.7 mg/m³, and it is an acceptable risk in accordance with the arrangements adopted in Poland. Compliance with the permissible concentrations of MEKO in the air of the working environment at this level should protect employees against the carcinogenic effect of MEKO. Med Pr. 2022;73(6):457-70.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused not only short-term organizational and economic changes in the functioning of occupational health services, but also enforced to include them in the formulation of a strategic systemic approach to this link of the health care system. The aim of the article is to identify and describe the organizational and economic changes in occupational health services during the pandemic. On this basis, the directions of further research on the improvement of the activities of health care entities of working people in response to future health crises have been formulated. The review covered legal acts relating to organizational and economic changes, Polish and foreign expert publications, full-text Polish and English-language scientific articles included in the PubMed database, publications beyond the specified period, consistent and useful in explaining the concepts of organization, management and economics. The changes in occupational health services presented in the literature during the pandemic consisted of: introducing additional organizational forms of providing health care to employees including occupational medicine leaders, strengthening supervision over working conditions, interdisciplinary cooperation for managing the health of working people, participation in pro-vaccination campaigns, activities in the field of rehabilitation after COVID-19 and new-quality cooperation with public and private health stakeholders. As the result of the review, problems were formulated for future research, which included ensuring the security of occupational medicine entities in terms of resource availability, adjusting the allocation of resources to new financial needs during and after a pandemic, evaluation of organizational and economic changes introduced during the pandemic and the legitimacy of their maintenance in subsequent periods, the development of economic and organizational instruments for the time of crisis, the scope and principles of cooperation with health care stakeholders and the introduction of medical technologies based on a medical and economic assessment according to Health Technology Assessment. Med Pr. 2022;73(6):471-83.

Background: The research was conducted to determine the effect of age on potential functional changes occurring through the transmission of nerve impulses in the motor nerves supplying selected muscles of the lower limb. The nerve conduction parameters in the lower limb were measured, as well as the ability to control muscle tension with pressure on the foot pedal.

Material and methods: The study included a group of 54 men, differentiated by age. During the research, the speed of nerve conduction, amplitude and latency of the motor response in the tibial and peroneal nerves were measured. During the RAMP-contraction test, the EMG signal was recorded from the tibialis anterior muscles and the gastrocnemius muscles of the medial head.

Results: The results of the research showed that with age the ability to control muscle tone decreases, the speed of transmission of electrical impulses decreases, the motor response is delayed and its amplitude is significantly lower than in the case of younger people.

Conclusions: The deterioration of neuromuscular conduction observed with age and a reduction in the ability to control the generated value of muscle strength may result in a deterioration of the ability to operate equipment or drive vehicles. From the point of view of prolonging the activity in working life, identifying all factors limiting the functioning of an older employee in the work environment may be the basis for creating guidelines and recommendations helpful in the design of devices and workstations for older employees. Med Pr. 2022;73(5):417-25.

Background: Contemporary work psychology indicates that improving the functioning of employees and organizations takes place not only through the prevention of harmful factors but also through the development of positive attitudes towards work. According to the job demands-resources model, it can be assumed that resources are an important factor leading to work engagement. However, the authors of this concept also suggest that the role of resources is also to meet needs. In turn, according to the self-determination theory, the key to the development of intrinsic motivation and thus also work engagement is the satisfaction of basic needs. Therefore, hypotheses argue that resources in the form of the influence at work, possibilities for development, and social community at work are positively related to work engagement. And also that the satisfaction of basic needs, respectively autonomy, competence, and relatedness, are the mediators of these relationships.

Material and methods: Data were collected among 200 workers aged 18-35, employed to work in direct contact with customers. Job resources were measured with the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ II) subscales. Basic psychological need satisfaction was measured with the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Frustration Scale at Work. Work Engagement was measured with the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale.

Results: Regression analyses with mediation effects were performed for 3 models. It has been shown that Influence at work is a predictor of Work engagement and this relationship is mediated by Autonomy satisfaction. Possibilities for development are positively related to Work engagement, in this relationship, the mediator is Competence satisfaction. In the relationship between the Social community at work and Work engagement, the mediator is the relatedness satisfaction.

Conclusions: The results have confirmed hypotheses regarding the mediating role of need satisfaction in the relationship between job resources and work engagement. Despite the limitations of the study, the results obtained confirm and develop the job demands-resources and self-determination theories. Med Pr. 2022;73(5):407-16.

Background: This study was done to see the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among information technology (IT) professionals in Saudi Arabia, the risk factors associated with them, their consequences, and to propose some preventive measures.

Material and methods: A self-administered online questionnaire that included questions on the demographic data, job nature, medical history, work-related pain after joining information technology profession and distribution and severity of pain was sent to 250 information technology professionals working in Saudi Arabia.

Results: Out of 250, 202 (81%) IT professionals participated in the study. At least 62 (32%) reported that they have developed some type of musculoskeletal pain after joining their profession and 38 (61%) respondents further reported that it was so severe that they had to seek some sort of treatment for their pain. On the Visual Analog Scale ranging 0-10, 14 (23%) respondents reported that their worst ever pain was >7. Despite lower representation 67% of the females reported to develop work-related pain.

Conclusions: Development of work-related musculoskeletal pain among information technology professionals has been shown to affect their activities of daily living. It may even force them to change their work setting or reduce working hours. Information technology sector has rapidly grown in Saudi Arabia in the recent times and there is no data on the incidence or prevalence of such disorders among them. Role of ergonomics and counseling should be emphasized during their training that help them work effectively and efficiently. A similar large-scale study should be conducted to see the effect of lifestyle related to COVID-19 on the lives of working population especially IT professionals. Med Pr. 2022;73(5):397-406.

Background: The aim of the study is to analyze the epidemiological situation regarding the occurrence of occupational diseases in Poland in 2020 and to define possible directions for recommendations regarding preventive actions.

Material and methods: The cases of occupational diseases identified in accordance with the Polish judicial system and reported to the Central Register of Occupational Diseases in 2020 were analyzed. The analysis took into account disease entities, causal factors, gender, age of patients, exposure period, NACE section and territorial differentiation. Data are presented in absolute numbers and incidence rates per 100 000 employed and 100 000 employed persons.

Results: In 2020, 1850 cases of occupational diseases were diagnosed in Poland (11.5 cases per 100 000 employees). The disease entities with the highest incidence were infectious or parasitic diseases, pneumoconiosis, chronic diseases of the voice organ, diseases of the peripheral nervous system, diseases of the locomotor system and hearing loss. Over 90% of the statements concerned people >45 years of age. Most of the identified occupational diseases arose after at least 10 years of work in exposure to a harmful factor, and 73.9% of cases concerned people with over 20 years of work experience in exposure.

Conclusions: The epidemiological situation in the field of occupational diseases in our country indicates a disturbing phenomenon, which is the persistence of a high level of pneumoconiosis of hard coal miners. The reflection of the effects of the pandemic in the COVID-19 incidence statistics as an occupational disease in 2020 is small. It is expected that the number of these cases will increase sharply in the coming years. Med Pr. 2022;73(5):427-33.