Work - Volume 69, issue 1

Authors: Jacobs, Karen

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213457

Citation: Work, vol. 69, no. 1, pp. 1-2, 2021

Authors: Carvalhais, Carlos | Querido, Micaela | Pereira, Cristiana C. | Santos, Joana

Article Type: Article Commentary

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 global pandemic brought several challenges to occupational safety and health practice. One of these is the need to (re)assess the occupational risks, particularly, biological risks. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work is to promote guidance to occupational safety and health practitioners when conducting a biological risk assessment in this context. METHODS: The main steps of the biological risk assessment are explained with some inputs regarding the novelty posed by SARS-CoV-2 and an example of a qualitative risk assessment method is presented. Also, its application to two different activities was exemplified. RESULTS: …In both cases, the assessment considered that vulnerable workers were working from home or in medical leave. The results showed low or medium risk level for the assessed tasks. For medium risk level, additional controls are advised, such maintain social distancing, sanitize instruments/equipment before use, use proper and well-maintained PPE (when applicable), and promote awareness sessions to spread good practices at work. Employers must be aware of their obligations regarding biological risk assessment and OSH practitioners must be prepared to screen and link the abundance of scientific evidence generated following the outbreak, with the technical practice. CONCLUSIONS: This paper could be an important contribution to OSH practice since it highlights the need to (re)assess occupational risks, especially biological risk, to ensure a safe return to work, providing technical guidance. Show more

Keywords: Biological risk, COVID-19, risk assessment, OSH practice

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205302

Citation: Work, vol. 69, no. 1, pp. 3-13, 2021

Authors: Lazarides, Alexander L. | Belay, Elshaday S. | Anastasio, Albert T. | Cook, Chad E. | Anakwenze, Oke A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Burnout and professional satisfaction is an often an overlooked component for healthcare outcomes; the COVID-19 pandemic represents an unprecedented stressor that could contribute to higher levels of burnout. OBJECTIVES: Our primary objective was to evaluate the association of a battery of fulfillment, job satisfaction change, COVID-19 concerns, and coping measures. Our secondary objective was to determine whether the fulfillment and coping measures differed by gender and by experience levels among a battery of physician specialties. METHODS: The study was a purposive sample of convenience. Study participants included all trainees and attending orthopedic surgeons from our …academic institution; all participants were invited to complete a survey built around a validated measure of professional fulfillment aimed at assessing response to acute change and stressors. We performed univariate statistics and a matrix correlational analysis to correlate different survey domains with variables of interest. RESULTS: The survey was sent electronically to 138 individuals; 63 surveys were completed (response rate = 45.7%). Twenty-seven (42.8%) individuals met the threshold criteria for fulfillment whereas 10 (15.9%) met the threshold for burnout. We found that surgeon perspectives on COVID-19 were not associated with burnout or professional fulfillment. Burnout was inversely associated with professional fulfillment (R  = –0.35). Support seeking was noted to be correlated with professional fulfillment (R  = 0.37). CONCLUSIONS: Stressors related to COVID-19 pandemic were not correlated with physician burnout and fulfillment. This held true even when stratifying by gender and by attending vs. trainee. Continued efforts should be implemented to protect against physician burnout and ensure professional fulfillment for Orthopedic surgeons. Show more

Keywords: Professional fulfillment, orthopaedic surgery, support strategies, coping mechanisms, burnout

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205288

Citation: Work, vol. 69, no. 1, pp. 15-22, 2021

Authors: Danesh, Mojtaba K. | Garosi, Ehsan | Golmohamadpour, Hamedeh

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has put health systems under unprecedented pressure, challenging their workforce, especially nurses. OBJECTIVE: The current paper presented a review of the early literature concerning emerging nursing challenges during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A systematic search of the published literature between January and May 2020 was carried out in Medline, Science Direct, and Google Scholar to identify relevant quantitative and qualitative studies. RESULTS: Twenty-two original articles were retrieved, the majority of which were survey studies from China. Synthesis of the evidence resulted in four overarching themes including …“being physically and mentally drained in the face of fear and uncertainty,” “shortage of personal protective equipment and usability issues,” “psychosomatic disturbances among nurses,” and “moderators to mitigate nurses’ challenges.” CONCLUSIONS: Providing care for demanding COVID-19 patients, nurses experienced a gruelling situation, during which a significant amount of psychological and physical distress was inflicted to them. However, receiving proper support from their organization and society could improve the condition substantially. Further research is required to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurses, especially from Western countries. Show more

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, nursing, challenges, barriers

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213458

Citation: Work, vol. 69, no. 1, pp. 23-36, 2021

Authors: Potas, Nihan | Koçtürk, Nilüfer | Toygar, Sükrü Anıl

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Nurses experience loneliness, anxiety, fear, fatigue, sleep disorders, and other physical and mental health problems due to their close contact with patients in cases of epidemic diseases. Among nurses in Turkey, we want to explore how anxiety, psychological health, and social isolation affect nurses’ quality of life. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life (COVID-19 EQLS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-1 and STAI-2), psychological health, and social isolation among nurses. It also aimed to identify whether the influence of trait anxiety, psychological health, and social isolation are stronger …than the direct influence of state anxiety on nurses’ quality of life during the pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design and STROBE guidelines were implemented. In this study, 638 nurses in Turkey were included using simple random sampling. The participants completed the STAI-1 and STAI-2 and COVID-19 EQLS online-form. The parallel-serial mediation model was used to examine the relationships between the determined variables. RESULTS: Psychological health, psychological effects of social isolation, and trait anxiety fully mediated the relationship between state anxiety and quality of life of nurses. The total indirect effect of the confidence interval of bootstrapping was statistically different from zero. CONCLUSIONS: Trait anxiety, psychological health, and social isolation were the main factors with statistically significant indirect effects on the quality of life of Turkish nurses in this study. Show more

Keywords: Anxiety, trait anxiety, social isolation, psychological health, pandemic

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205050

Citation: Work, vol. 69, no. 1, pp. 37-45, 2021

Authors: Arca, Muhammed | Dönmezdil, Süleyman | Durmaz, Elif Dilara

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: COVID-19 increased psychological and physical complaints, including anxiety, depression, and pain. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine anxiety, depression, and musculoskeletal complaints that may occur in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Data were cross-sectional, collected by the online questionnaire method consisted of demographic questions, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Nordic Musculoskeletal System Query (NMQ), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). RESULTS: Among the groups, the number of doctors in the frontline group, the fear of being infected, the number of tests performed, and personal protective equipment were higher than the …second-line group (p  < 0.05). It was found that 73.4% of the participants had anxiety, 83.5% had depression, and 94.9% had musculoskeletal pain. It was observed that there was no statistically significant difference between the applied scale scores between the groups (p  > 0.05). About musculoskeletal system complaints of the participants, neck pain presence was determined as 73.4% in the last 12 months, and upper back pain was the highest with 61.4% in the last week. Neck (p  < 0.005) and upper back pain (p  = 0.04) parameters in the last seven days of the NMQ scale applied to the participants were found to be statistically significantly higher in the contact group. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety, depression, and musculoskeletal pain of healthcare workers were found to be high. While neck and back pain was the most common in musculoskeletal complaints, it was found that these pains were higher in the frontline group. In this regard, healthcare professionals can be given psychological support and exercise training. Show more

Keywords: Back pain, coronavirus, health personnel, psychological factors

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205014

Citation: Work, vol. 69, no. 1, pp. 47-54, 2021

Authors: Huang, Tianyang | Huang, Chiwu

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Robots are gaining attention as a potential solution to aging. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to explore the attitude of robot assistance in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) among elderly people living independently. METHODS: The one-on-one interview, buddy robot video and questionnaire survey were used to analyze mean, median, range, and the test results of non-parametric statistical methods such as Wilcoxon sign-rank test statistic and one-sample Wilcoxon sign-rank test statistic, so as to explore the attitude of the elderly living independently towards robot-assisted ADLs and the acceptance of the use of robots in …32 ADLs. RESULTS: The results showed that there were significant differences in the attitudes, usability and ease of use of elderly people towards robot assistance before and after watching the Buddy Robot video and they had a more positive attitude after watching the video. According to the results, the elderly was more receptive to the use of robots in activities such as “reminding to carry objects” and “reminding to take medicine”, while they were less receptive to the use of robots in the group or private activities such as “playing mahjong” and “taking a bath”. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the elderly had a positive attitude towards the use of robot-assisted ADLs, and there were differences in the acceptance of robot-assisted ADLs. The results are helpful to understand the assistance needs and attitudes of the elderly, and provide a reference for the design of assistive robots that meet user needs, and ultimately improve the ability of the elderly to live independently at home. Show more

Keywords: Assistance robots, acceptance, the aged, user needs, human–robot interaction

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205166

Citation: Work, vol. 69, no. 1, pp. 55-65, 2021

Authors: Goyal, Taru | Mitra, Prasenjit | Singh, Preeti | Sharma, Praveen | Sharma, Shailja

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cadmium (Cd) exposure in environmental and occupational settings is a major public health concern. Cd exposure is associated with the production of free radicle and reactive oxygen species. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of occupational exposure to Cd on oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory biomarkers in the workers. METHODS: 100 occupationally exposed individuals working in the metal handicraft industry and welding industry were recruited from the industrial area of Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Blood Cd levels were estimated using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Serum Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), Catalase (CAT), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), and Malondialdehyde …(MDA) levels were measured by colorimetric method to assess oxidative status and serum IL-6 and TNF-α were measured by ELISA to assess inflammatory status. RESULTS: The median Cd levels in the study population was 2.40μ g/L, with welders having significantly higher Cd levels than metal handicraft workers. Among the oxidative stress markers, TAC and CAT were significantly lower, while MDA was significantly higher in subjects with high Cd levels. The Cd levels showed a significant negative and positive correlation with TAC and MDA, respectively. IL- 6 and TNF-α did not show a significant difference between the study groups, but both had an inverse correlation with antioxidant enzymes. CONCLUSION: Occupational exposure to even low levels of Cd may result in oxidative stress in workers primarily via decrease in antioxidant enzymes and increasing lipid peroxidation. Increased oxidative stress in turn may result in immune cell activation which may result in increased concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokine in the exposed workers. Show more

Keywords: Cadmium, oxidative stress, antioxidants, inflammation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203302

Citation: Work, vol. 69, no. 1, pp. 67-73, 2021

Authors: Hossain, Sabrina | Moll, Sandra | Tompa, Emile | Gewurtz, Rebecca

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Implementing workplace accommodations is an effective means of retaining employees with mental health conditions. However, the process is poorly understood and poorly documented. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research is to explore the interactive process of negotiating workplace accommodations from the perspective of employees with mental health conditions and workplace stakeholders. METHODS: We interviewed employees across Canada who self-identified as having a mental health condition requiring accommodations, and six stakeholders at various workplaces across Canada who are involved in providing accommodations. Data were analyzed using a qualitative descriptive approach to identify key …themes. RESULTS: The findings highlight that the process of negotiating accommodations is non-linear, interactive, and political. The process is shaped by organizational and political factors and collaboration between stakeholders. CONCLUSIONS: The negotiation process is a combination of social, relational and political factors. Clear and accessible accommodation policies, workplace awareness and specific workplace training on how to implement accommodations are needed to optimize the accommodation process for all involved. Show more

Keywords: Mental illness, work disability, organizational culture

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213459

Citation: Work, vol. 69, no. 1, pp. 75-90, 2021

Authors: Dreyer, Greea | van Niekerk, Matty

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The prevalence of working-aged stroke survivors is increasing yearly. Stroke is an expensive disease, causing financial burden to the government, the family and caregivers of the patient, thus making it imperative for working-aged stroke survivors to work to remain financially independent. Survivors’ need to work necessitates occupational therapists to shift their focus from basic activities of daily living, to rehabilitating work. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the perceptions of occupational therapists working with younger stroke survivors in public hospitals and clinics in Gauteng South Africa, about rehabilitating working-aged stroke survivors’ work ability. METHODS: …Ethical clearance was obtained. A qualitative research design was used to obtain narrative, descriptive data from six focus groups. Therapists from public healthcare settings, who had more than six months’ experience and had worked in neurological rehabilitation within the six months preceding the focus group, were invited to participate. Focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed. Inductive content analysis was used to identify themes and categories. RESULTS: Few participants are involved in rehabilitating younger stroke survivors’ work ability or facilitating return to work (RTW). The study identified perceived barriers and enablers to rendering OT services that meet working-aged stroke survivors’ needs. CONCLUSIONS: Despite enabling employment equity laws in South Africa, OTs working in the public sector appear to experience a sense of futility when trying to rehabilitate young stoke survivors to RTW. Fragmentation of the public sector and limited resources impede successful RTW for working-aged stroke survivors. Survivors’ employment status and motivation to RTW facilitated rehabilitating work ability. Show more

Keywords: Occupational therapy, vocational rehabilitation, attitudes, perceptions, working-aged stroke survivors

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213460

Citation: Work, vol. 69, no. 1, pp. 91-107, 2021