Work - Volume 71, issue 1

Authors: Jacobs, Karen

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213625

Citation: Work, vol. 71, no. 1, pp. 1-2, 2022

Authors: Mellifont, Damian

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: 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). Show more

Keywords: COVID-19, neurodiversity, inclusion, equity, diversity, accommodations

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210811

Citation: Work, vol. 71, no. 1, pp. 3-12, 2022

Authors: Sadeghi, Hassan | Jehu, Deborah A.

Article Type: Article Commentary

Abstract: 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. Show more

Keywords: Exercise, video games, sedentary behaviour, middle-age, COVID-19

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211000

Citation: Work, vol. 71, no. 1, pp. 13-17, 2022

Authors: Prasetyo, Yogi Tri | Montenegro, Lorenzo Dones | Nadlifatin, Reny | Kurata, Yoshiki B. | Ong, Ardvin Kester S. | Chuenyindee, Thanatorn

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: 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. Show more

Keywords: Coronavirus, COVID-19, online meeting, employee attitudes, perceived usefulness, mediator effect

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210040

Citation: Work, vol. 71, no. 1, pp. 19-29, 2022

Authors: Ciddi, Pınar Kaya | Bayram, Gülay Aras

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, pressures on almost all health sectors in many countries increased, and physiotherapy interventions were canceled for various reasons. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the status of physiotherapists who interrupted their services due to the pandemic and investigate procedures adopted by physiotherapists during face-to-face practice. METHOD: The measuring tool was an online survey administered via Google Forms between January 27 and February 27, 2021. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the sample consisted of 558 physiotherapists, questions about their clinical experience during the pandemic were answered, and descriptive …statistics were examined. RESULTS: Of the physiotherapists, 351 (62.9%) suspended their services due to pandemic, while 207 (37%) of all participants worked without suspending their services since the beginning of the process. Among participants, 303 (54.3%) needed education to use telerehabilitation methods, and 315 (56.5%) monitored their patients with remote communication methods. Hand washing (86.6%), disinfectant (85.3%), gloves (76.5%) and masks (86.6%) were the most common protective measures. CONCLUSIONS: Most physiotherapists had their face-to-face practice interrupted for a short time due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but they continue to treat all disease conditions in spite of inherent physical intimacy and increased risk of infection. Show more

Keywords: Coronavirus, COVID-19, health professionals, preventive measures, telehealth

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210658

Citation: Work, vol. 71, no. 1, pp. 31-39, 2022

Authors: Kashif, Muhammad | Ahmad, Akasha | Ashraf, Ayesha | Imtiaz, Zara | Albalwi, Abdulaziz | Hussain, Muhammad Nouman

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Physiotherapists (PTs) play an important role in the well-being and physical rehabilitation of patients with long term health problems. It is important that PTs follow recommended practices that minimize the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection in providing Outpatient Physiotherapy services. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of COVID-19 among the PTs and evaluate the state of implementation of best practices in Outpatient Physiotherapy to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections during the ongoing pandemic. METHODS: A self-administered online questionnaire consisting of three sections, including section one on demographic information, section two …on evaluating knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 and section three on implementing best practices as a survey tool for collecting data from PTs working in Lahore and Faisalabad in Punjab, Pakistan. RESULTS: A total of 216 completed surveys were received. Correct responses to different questions devised to test the participants’ knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 varied from 58.3% to 99%. The implementation of best practices to prevent the infection transmission in the Outpatient Physiotherapy ranged from 22.7% to 92.1% for different domains. The age of the PTs and OPD setting were associated significantly with the PTs’ knowledge of COVID-19 and also with the state of implementation of recommended practices to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections in the Outpatient Physiotherapy (p  < .05). CONCLUSION: The majority of the PTs, particularly those working in the clinic setting, possessed a good knowledge of COVID-19 and implemented best practices in their Outpatient Physiotherapy at a good level. However, efforts should be directed towards further improving the knowledge of PTs and ensuring implementation of best practices in Outpatient Physiotherapy, particularly in government and private hospitals. Show more

Keywords: Questionnaire, COVID-safe practices, Pakistan, SARS-CoV-2, physical therapist, COVID-19, health care

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210759

Citation: Work, vol. 71, no. 1, pp. 41-51, 2022

Authors: Milić, Sanja | Marić, Nada

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Torn between the decision to return to school classrooms or continue holding online classes during COVID-19, teachers around the world feel great uncertainty. OBJECTIVE: Bearing in mind that the study of mental health during the pandemic is of great importance for vulnerable categories, and given the role of teachers in society, the aim of this research is to assess teachers’ concerns and anxiety before the start of the school year, and also to examine the factors related to them and propose measures in line with the results. METHODS: The study was conducted …as a cross-sectional study before the start of the 2020/2021 school year. The research sample consisted of 286 teachers. For the purposes of this research, a special questionnaire was constructed consisting of a general questionnaire and a Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7). RESULTS: The strongest predictor of a teacher’s answer that they were concerned about the reopening of schools was their concern for their own life and health and for the life and health of their family members, followed by the amount of information received about COVID-19, and, finally, older age. Only 2% of teachers had mild anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: This research indicated that it is necessary to examine in more detail the degree of teachers’ concern and its impact on their functionality and work process. It is also necessary to repeat the research on the mental health status of teachers and implement procedures in the form of a regular screening program of the mental health status of teachers or implement procedures of support in concern management. Show more

Keywords: COVID-19, teachers, mental health, concerns, anxiety

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210885

Citation: Work, vol. 71, no. 1, pp. 53-64, 2022

Authors: Sutarto, Auditya Purwandini | Wijayanto, Titis | Afiah, Irma Nur

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has increased some psychosocial risks which may aggravate the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and reduced psychological well-being, two leading global occupational health problems. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate whether an employee’s psychological well-being mediates the relationship between the psychosocial factors (job strain, work-life balance, and job security) and the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the Indonesian general working population during the pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was employed using an online questionnaire. A total of 406 from 465 respondents were included in the final analysis. …RESULTS: It was found that 73.9% of respondents suffered from upper body part pain, 25.15% from low back pain, and 39.7% reported pain in the lower limb. Process Macro Model 4 analysis showed the significant role of well-being as a mediator in the association between work-life balance and the odds of experiencing the upper body and low back pains. However, neither the direct nor mediating effect on the relationship between job strain or job security and any musculoskeletal pains were observed. These findings suggest that specific psychosocial factors may be more relevant to be investigated in the particular context. CONCLUSION: The use of a mediation model was able to link work-life balance to musculoskeletal complaints through well-being states in the context of the pandemic. Organizations need to mitigate poor well-being triggered by psychosocial stressors which could affect physical complaints to maintain employee’s health and productivity. Show more

Keywords: COVID-19, musculoskeletal, psychosocial, well-being, work-life balance

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210922

Citation: Work, vol. 71, no. 1, pp. 65-78, 2022

Authors: Villarim, Natália Lins de Souza | Muniz, Isis de Araújo Ferreira | Perez, Danyel Elias da Cruz | Martelli Junior, Hercílio | Machado, Renato Assis | Cavalcanti, Yuri Wanderley | Bonan, Paulo Rogério Ferreti

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: 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. Show more

Keywords: Dentists, dental economics, dentist’s practice patterns, dental offices, COVID-19

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210989

Citation: Work, vol. 71, no. 1, pp. 79-86, 2022

Authors: Ajith, Michael Mayom | Ghosh, Apurna Kumar | Jansz, Janis

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: 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. Show more

Keywords: Literature, personal factors, operational factors, risk, fatality

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205227

Citation: Work, vol. 71, no. 1, pp. 87-117, 2022