Workplace Health & Safety最新文献

Background: Burnout among nursing faculty is a pressing issue, with recent findings by Zangaro et al.reporting moderate to high levels of burnout in 82% of nursing faculty across the United States. Despite this growing concern, there is limited qualitative research exploring the perceptions of contributing factors to burnout among nursing faculty in the U.S.

Method: A qualitative descriptive design was utilized to gain insights into nursing faculty experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of academic nursing faculty (n = 15) from various institutions across the U.S. Data were analyzed using content analysis and coding to identify key themes.

Results: Key factors contributing to burnout included faculty incivility, student incivility, unrealistic workloads, and insufficient institutional support. Participants identified reduced workloads, increased mental health resources, and enhanced financial stability as critical strategies to mitigate burnout.

Conclusion: Addressing incivility among faculty and students is crucial to fostering a positive and supportive academic environment. Interventions focused on promoting mental well-being and improving work conditions for nursing faculty are essential for preventing burnout, enhancing retention, and sustaining the nursing workforce. Tackling burnout among nursing faculty is vital for strengthening the nursing profession, improving patient care outcomes, and addressing future healthcare challenges.

Background: The Recovery Friendly Leader (RFL) Training Program (TP) developed an instructor-led, 2-day training: Addressing Substance Use & Demonstrating Inclusion (ASDI), which was piloted virtually under the Zoom platform.

Methods: The pilot evaluation employed pre- and post-training surveys administered online via Qualtrics to registered participants. Quantitative responses were examined using a right-tailed Welch's t-test to determine statistically significant improvements in participants' knowledge and confidence from pre- to post-training. Eleven participants completed the pre-training survey and of those, eight also completed the post-training survey.

Findings: The training program significantly improved participants' knowledge and confidence in addressing workplace substance use (p < .05), with high engagement and strong intent to implement recovery-supportive strategies.

Conclusions/application to practice: Analysis revealed the training was effective in increasing participant knowledge and confidence for identifying and addressing employee substance use and supporting recovery. Workplace policies ought to include structured, stigma-reducing leadership training programs to proactively support employee recovery and foster a recovery-supportive organizational environment.

Background: Diabetes, a significant global health concern, affects one in 10 adults, with many unaware. Despite its prevalence, evidence on its impact on pulmonary function is limited. Given the occupational exposure to silica dust, mine workers may face heightened pulmonary risks with diabetes. Our objective was to estimate differences in pulmonary functions between diabetic and non-diabetic mine workers and determine predictors of pulmonary dysfunction.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 215 mine workers from Gujarat's lignite mines in December 2021. Data on demographics, occupation, comorbidities, anthropometry, blood pressure, and random blood glucose (RBG) were collected. Diabetes was defined as self-reported history or RBG ≥200 mg/dL with symptoms. Spirometry measured forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Group differences were analyzed using independent t-tests, and linear regression identified predictors of pulmonary function.

Findings: Diabetic workers (18%) exhibited lower FEV₁ (2.80 ± 0.65 vs. 3.11 ± 0.77 L, p = .022) and FVC (3.21 ± 0.69 vs. 3.55 ± 0.84 L, p = .017). On linear regression, male gender and longer work experience significantly predicted FEV₁ and FVC, while adjustments for confounding variables diminished diabetes's impact.

Conclusion: Lower FEV₁ and FVC among diabetic mine workers suggest a potential role of diabetes in pulmonary impairment. The diminished effect after adjustment underscores the need for mining cohorts to confirm these findings.

Application to practice: Mine workers should undergo annual diabetes screening and respiratory evaluations beyond routine periodic medical examinations. Workplace programs targeting non-communicable diseases should be implemented to support long-term worker health.

This article addresses the significant impact of chronic pain on the workplace, highlighting the substantial economic and human costs. According to a National Health Interview Survey, nearly a quarter of U.S. adults live with chronic pain, with a considerable percentage experiencing limitations in daily life and work. The article discusses how chronic pain negatively affects both employees and employers and argues that occupational and environmental health nurses play a crucial role in the development of a multi-faceted workplace support plan. Key strategies include fostering a safe and open environment, evaluating and implementing effective workplace accommodations, and creating tailored employee wellness programs. The article emphasizes the importance of education and awareness to reduce stigma and encourage open communication among colleagues. It concludes by highlighting valuable resources, such as the American Chronic Pain Association and the U.S. Pain Foundation, and the use of chronic pain mobile apps to provide individuals with the tools and support needed to manage their condition. The overarching goal is to create a supportive and understanding workplace that benefits both employees and employers.

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) account for 30% of workplace injuries, creating significant occupational health and economic burdens. The purpose of this review was to synthesize existing evidence on the effectiveness of combined ergonomic and physical activity interventions compared to single-approach methods in preventing WMSDs among workers engaged in manual handling and repetitive motion.

Methods: A systematic search across Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL, Embase, and PubMed was conducted for English-language studies (2019-2024) following PRISMA guidelines. Studies examining ergonomic interventions, manual handling training, or workplace physical activity programs for adult workers were included. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Model guided quality assessment. Seven studies from six countries met the inclusion criteria: one Level I randomized controlled trial (A quality), four Level II quasi-experimental studies (B quality), and two Level III observational studies (B quality).

Results: Combined interventions of ergonomic and physical activity showed potential benefits of pain reductions (neck: 38%, hand/wrist: 37%) and flexibility improvements, though effect sizes varied considerably. Single interventions showed fewer benefits: ergonomic education reduced high-risk MSDs from 35.1% to 0%, while whole-body stretching achieved greater pain intensity reduction (mean difference 3.6) compared to education alone (mean difference 2.5). Intervention durations ranged from 6 weeks to 22 months across healthcare, manufacturing, and industrial workers.

Conclusions/application to practice: Combined ergonomic and physical activity interventions appeared more effective than single approaches for WMSD prevention, demonstrating clinically meaningful improvements with high completion rates. However, study design variability necessitates cautious interpretation. Future research requires standardized trials with long-term and cost-effectiveness analyses.