Occupational Medicine-Oxford最新文献

Background: Previous studies have reported the impact of a diagnosed disease or self-perceived poor overall health on job loss. However, evidence is lacking on which self-reported symptoms or activity limitations are related to job loss, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Aims: We investigated whether self-reported symptoms or activity limitations were correlated with the occurrence of job loss within 1 year during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we used questionnaires administered to Japanese workers. A baseline survey conducted in December 2020 was used to determine workers' symptoms or activity limitations. Experiencing job loss since the baseline survey was ascertained with a follow-up survey in December 2021. The odds ratios of experiencing job loss were estimated using a logistic model with adjusted covariates.

Results: Men (n = 8682) accounted for 58% of the total sample (n = 14 910), and the respondent mean age was 48.2 years. Multivariate analysis showed that workers with pain-related problems; limited physical movement and mobility; fatigue, loss of strength or appetite, fever, dizziness and moodiness; mental health problems; sleep-related problems or eye-related matters had a greater probability of experiencing job loss owing to health reasons.

Conclusions: Several self-reported symptoms or activity limitations can lead to job loss after 1 year, indicating that prevention and resolution of symptoms or activity limitations are important to reduce workers' risk of losing their jobs.

Background: Employment status significantly affects individuals' well-being and health outcomes. Positive transitions, such as moving from unemployment to employment, can improve job satisfaction and social standing, while negative transitions, such as unemployment, have been associated with adverse health outcomes.

Aims: To assess the impact of employment stability on health outcomes among young workers.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. The study included 4 031 249 individuals aged 25-44 years who underwent health check-ups between 2009 and 2010. Employment stability was categorized into two groups: stable employment and unstable employment. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models to evaluate the impact of employment stability on the risk of all-cause mortality.

Results: Unstable employment significantly increased the risk of all-cause mortality in both men and women compared with the stable employment group. The HRs were 1.80 (95% CI: 1.74-1.86) for men and 1.58 (95% CI: 1.49-1.68) for women. The impact was most pronounced among individuals aged 40-44 years, those in higher-income subgroups, and those with diabetes, highlighting these groups as particularly vulnerable to the effects of unstable employment.

Conclusions: This study highlights the impact of employment stability on all-cause mortality, focusing on gender differences, young workers and social role theory.

Background: The United Kingdom (UK) Health and Safety Executive's Management Standards encompass a set of aspirational quality standards and a risk management methodology pertaining to psychosocial working conditions. Two decades since their introduction, implementation of the Management Standards or equivalent approaches remains far from universal across UK organizations. This may be due, in part, to a paucity of evidence concerning their operational effectiveness benefits.

Aims: This study aimed to generate evidence on the business benefits of the Management Standards by examining associations between achievement of the good practice quality standards and indices of operational effectiveness.

Methods: Police custody sergeants (N = 1493) completed the Management Standards Indicator Tool that assesses the extent to which the quality standards are met, plus measures of operational effectiveness (job performance, attendance behaviours, intention to leave). Logistic regression was used to examine associations between achievement of the quality standards and operational effectiveness.

Results: The proportion of respondents reporting fulfilment of the quality standards in their workplace ranged from 3% (change) to 65% (role). Achievement of the quality standards was variously associated with elevated odds for the concurrent presence of desirable states of operational effectiveness.

Conclusions: These findings point to the operational effectiveness benefits of a preventative approach to the management of workplace psychosocial risk and may encourage organizations to adopt the Management Standards or an equivalent approach to fulfil their legal duty in respect to psychosocial risk management.

Background: In the realm of occupational accidents, the healthcare sector holds a significant position as it is classified as a highly hazardous workplace, thus bearing a heightened probability of accidents. Consequently, it becomes imperative to assess the occupational Health Literacy (OHL) of healthcare workers and identify the influencing factors.

Aims: The aim is to determine the OHL levels of healthcare workers and examine their relationship with demographic, socio-cultural characteristics, and variables related to the work environment.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 healthcare workers employed in healthcare services, administrative services, and support services at an education and research hospital in Niğde, Turkey, from November-December 2023. Data collection involved the utilization of a personal information form encompassing participants' socio-demographic characteristics and occupational health practices, along with the OHL Scale. Descriptive statistics, intergroup difference analyses, and multiple regression analysis were employed for data analysis.

Results: The participants demonstrated an average OHL score of 94.07 ± 11.33. They scored highest in Understanding occupational health and safety (OHS) Information (40.93) and lowest in Evaluating OHS Information (9.57). OHL among healthcare workers varied based on demographics, socio-cultural factors, and work-related variables. Age, education, tenure, vaccination, regular health screenings, workplace accidents and personal protective equipment (PPE) usage positively impacted OHL.

Conclusions: Findings revealed participants possess a certain level of OHL. Age, education, tenure, vaccination, regular health screenings, workplace accidents and PPE usage accounted for 53% of OHL variance. Enhancing workplace safety measures and improving healthcare workers' OHL are recommended.

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Resolution is a UK-based charity that provides treatment for military veterans, reservists and their families. However, there is little contemporary evaluation of their clinical outcomes to inform commissioners or potential service users.

Aims: To establish whether treatment by PTSD Resolution therapists resulted in positive outcomes at the end of therapy and follow-up; to establish risk and resilience factors associated with positive treatment outcomes; and to the extent possible, compare PTSD Resolution with National Health Service (NHS)-Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services.

Methods: A sample of 211 closed cases from the service provider between April 2022 and May 2023 were utilized. Clients provided demographic data and completed a series of mental health screening tools. Follow-up data were also collected where possible. Paired t-tests, univariable binary logistic regressions and chi-squared tests were used in the analysis.

Results: Around 6% of clients attended only one session, with 82% having a planned ending. This service evaluation suggests that veterans who enter therapy with PTSD Resolution appear to experience similar rates of recovery to IAPT users. Analysis of follow-up data revealed that clients scores slightly increased following the completion of therapy but remained below caseness thresholds and significantly lower than entry-level scores.

Conclusions: These data suggest that veterans who choose to engage with PTSD Resolution for their mental health difficulties should expect to experience a similar benefit to that they would have experienced if they had sought outpatient care from the NHS.

Background: Presenteeism, defined as workers continuing to work despite being sick, was associated with poor health outcomes amongst frontline nurses, particularly those assisting other cities during the pandemic. The mechanisms behind this association remain unclear.

Aims: To investigate the presenteeism rate of frontline nurses and explore the effect of presenteeism on their physio-psychological disorders with personal health prevention and control strategies as the mediator.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted between April and May 2022 among Chinese frontline nurses working in isolation wards and assisting Shanghai in combating the COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 350 participants from one hospital were invited to complete a questionnaire survey. Structural equation modelling examined the relationships among presenteeism, personal health prevention and control strategies, and physio-psychological disorders.

Results: A total of 300 frontline nurses participated. Participants reported a presenteeism rate of 66%. Presenteeism had a direct influence on mental disorders (β = 0.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.12, 0.47) and physical disorders (β = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.54). Personal health prevention and control strategies mediated the relationship between presenteeism and mental disorders (β = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.20) or physical disorders (β = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.33).

Conclusions: Presenteeism remained high among Chinese frontline nurses. Personal health prevention and control strategies partly mediated the negative effect of presenteeism on health. Thus, reducing presenteeism and enhancing protection and control strategies may be important measures to promote the health of these nurses.

This article explores two case reports of healthcare students with hearing impairments in an Italian university and the accommodations provided during their clinical training. The first student, with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, used the Contec Visual Electronic Stethoscope CMS-VE, which amplifies the sound up to 32 times and supports earphones while wearing hearing aids. The second student, with profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and cochlear implants, utilized the Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope, which amplifies the sound up to 40 times and transmits it via Bluetooth. Both students successfully acquired essential clinical skills, demonstrating that tailored technological accommodations can significantly enhance learning outcomes. This article underscores the critical role of early disability detection and the implementation of support strategies by occupational health physicians. These case reports highlight the importance of innovative solutions in promoting inclusion and ensuring equal opportunities in medical education and future workplaces.

Background: There are currently 2.5 million people economically inactive in the UK due to sickness. The government is considering a range of new initiatives to bring them back into the workforce; however, a lack of occupational health (OH) professionals, who play an important part in the recovery of physical and mental conditions that would otherwise inhibit employees from working, is hindering these efforts.

Aims: To identify factors that make OH attractive as a source of employment with the aim of assisting those undertaking recruitment to the specialism.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative study comparing the views of 13 OH nurses and doctors ('insiders') and 45 students and professionals from other medical and nursing fields ('outsiders') across the UK. Both groups provided their perceptions about what makes OH an attractive career. Data collection involved a mix of interviews and focus groups conducted from March to July 2023. Transcripts were thematically analysed using NVivo 14 to manage the data.

Results: Both groups highly valued the work-life balance offered by OH work, which represents a positive point of attraction to employment. In addition, people working in OH talked extensively about more intrinsic rewards-the opportunity to be impactful, to enjoy job variety and to practise preventative approaches.

Conclusions: The intrinsic rewards that OH work brings need to be advertised more widely to attract potential recruits who are 'a good fit' to OH and will be committed to the field.