Work - Volume 45, issue 4

Authors: White, Marc | Wagner, Shannon | Schultz, Izabela Z. | Murray, Eleanor | Bradley, Susan M. | Hsu, Vernita | McGuire, Lisa | Schulz, Werner

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: A challenge facing stakeholders is the identification and translation of relevant high quality research to inform policy and practice. This study engaged academic and community stakeholders in conducting a best evidence-synthesis to enhance knowledge use. OBJECTIVES: To identify modifiable workplace disability risk and protective factors across common health conditions impacting work-related absence. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINHAL, The Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, BusinessSourceComplete, and ABI/Inform from 2000 to 2011. Systematic …reviews that employed quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods of work-focused population were considered for inclusion. Two or more independent reviewers reviewed titles only, titles and abstracts, and/or full articles when assessing eligibility for inclusion. Selected articles underwent methodological screening. RESULTS: The search strategy, expert input and grey literature identified 2,467 unique records from which 142 full text articles underwent comprehensive review. Twenty-seven systematic reviews met eligibility criteria. Modifiable work factors found to have consistent evidence across two or more health conditions included lack of social support, increased physical demands at work, job strain, lack of supervisory support, increased psychological demands, low job satisfaction, low worker control of job, and poor leadership quality. CONCLUSIONS: The active engagement of stakeholders led to greater understanding of relevance of the study findings for community stakeholders and appreciation of the mutual benefits of collaboration. Show more

Keywords: Disability prevention, risk and protective factors, occupational health, workplace absence

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131628

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 1-12, 2013

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131634

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 421-421, 2013

Authors: Wisenthal, Adeena | Krupa, Terry

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Mental health claims in the workplace are rising, particularly those due to depression. Associated with this is an increase in disability costs for the employer and the disability insurer, but even more important is the human suffering that results. While treatments are available for the depression there is a gap in interventions that specifically target return-to-work preparation. This paper presents cognitive work hardening, a treatment intervention that can bridge this gap by addressing the unique functional …issues inherent in depression with a view to increasing return-to-work success. Cognitive work hardening applies the proven principles of classical work hardening (which has typically been applied to people with physical injuries) to the mental health domain. This paper explains how the occupational therapy principle of occupation and the core competency, enablement, are utilized and applied in cognitive work hardening. Key skills of the occupational therapist are also discussed. In addition, the paper considers the relationship of cognitive work hardening to recovery and mental illness, and the role it plays among workplace-based return-to-work interventions in the current movement toward non-clinical return-to-work interventions. Show more

Keywords: Mental health, mental disorder, cognitive skills, occupation, enablement, recovery

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131635

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 423-430, 2013

Authors: Glimne,, S. | Seimyr, G. Öqvist | Ygge, J. | Nylén, P. | Brautaset, R.L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To introduce fixation disparity variance as an objective measure of visual discomfort. A higher variance in fixation disparity is indicative of more visual fatigue. This observation is based on the results from a study where we investigated how fixation disparity was affected by glare on a VDU. Participants. In total 16 subjects with normal vision participated in this study. METHOD: In a balanced repeated-measurement experiment, all subjects performed equal near-vision tasks. In addition …to the condition of no glare three controlled conditions of glare were used: direct light, indirect light, and desk luminary. After each condition, the fixation disparity was measured 15 times using a computerized fixation disparity test. RESULTS: The results showed that the average (mean) disparity was found to increase towards esophoric (crossed) with the adversity of the lighting conditions, but the differences were not significant. However, when analyzing the variation (standard deviation) within the 15 measurements and comparing these between conditions, we found that the direct light condition resulted in significantly higher variation compared to lighting condition of no glare and desk luminary lighting. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, we argue that fixation disparity variance may be a useful objective measure of visual fatigue. Show more

Keywords: VDU work, lighting conditions, glare, binocular vision

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-121575

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 431-437, 2013

Authors: Österholm, Johannes Hjalmarsson | Björk, Mathilda | Håkansson, Carita

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Employment rates are significantly lower among individuals with arthritis compared to a general population. There is, however, limited research about how men with arthritis perceive their ability to maintain working. The aim of this study was thus to explore their perception of this. PARTICIPANTS: Nine employed men with arthritis were purposively sampled. METHODS: Interviews were performed and were informed by the central concepts of the Model of Human Occupation. The Empirical Phenomenological Psychological method was modified and …used to analyze and interpret collected data. RESULTS: The findings showed that men with arthritis perceived a desire to work, adjusted their activity pattern, were aware of their own capabilities, had good work conditions, had environmental support and used effective medication to maintain their ability to work. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that health care professionals can help men with arthritis to find strategies and a balance between recreation and work. Ultimately, this knowledge could guide health care professionals to target men needing interventions to prevent sick leave. Show more

Keywords: Ability to work, empirical phenomenological psychological method (EPP), rheumatism, rheumatology, work ability

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-121542

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 439-448, 2013

Authors: Smith, Diane L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To determine if disability is a significant factor in increasing the likelihood of experiencing stress regarding the ability to pay for housing and healthy food. PARTICIPANTS: 24.6% (n=16206) of 65,960 adults who responded to the social context optional module of 2009–2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System identified themselves as having a disability. Adults with disabilities reported that they experienced significantly more stress about having money to pay for housing and healthy …food than adults without disabilities. METHODS: This research was a quantitative study using a publicly available dataset. A series of logistic regressions were performed to determine the extent that disability affected the likelihood of stress about having enough money for housing and healthy food. RESULTS: Employed persons with a disability are 1.6 times and 1.9 times as likely as persons without a disability to experience stress about not having enough money to pay for housing and healthy food, respectively. Persons not employed with a disability are 1.56 times and 1.83 times as likely to experience stress about not having enough money to pay for housing and healthy food, respectively. For persons with a disability, being female, in poor health, without a health plan and having a lower income were also significant. Education and employment were not significant predictors of experiencing stress regarding money for food or housing. CONCLUSIONS: Having a disability is more predictive of experiencing stress about having enough money for housing and healthy food than employment, though variables such as low income and having a health plan, dependent on employment are significant. Therefore, strategies and policy recommendations to reduce stress by increasing employment and income for persons with disabilities were presented. Show more

Keywords: Accommodation, awareness, policy

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-121552

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 449-463, 2013

Authors: Memarpour, Mahtab | Badakhsh, Samaneh | Khosroshahi, Shadab Safarzadeh | Vossoughi, Mehrdad

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), associated factors and treatment among dentists over a one year period. METHOD: A total of 272 questionnaires were returned complete providing demographic information, details of the physical workload, location of pain in the body, and the treatment and prevention of MSDs. All data was coded for each of the parameters. The association between pain and each of the parameters was determined by parametric and non-parametric statistical tests (P < 0.05). PARTICIPANTS: …General and specialist dentists participated in the study. The sample set of dentists consisted of 205 (75.4%) generalists and 67 (24.6%) specialists. RESULTS: Seventy-five percent of the total cohort experienced MSDs. Female dentists complained of pain significantly more frequently than their male counterparts (p=0.018). Significantly higher rates of pain and MSDs are related to increased years of work (r=0.168, p =0.017) and less regular ergonomic exercise (p=0.002). Reported pain was most common in the shoulder (44.2%), neck (31.8%) and lower back (29.9%). Dentists who worked inclined had significantly more pain disorder than those who did not (p=0.013). In total 23.5% of dentists reduced working hours and 16.5% sought medical help. CONCLUSION: Pain was most commonly reported in the shoulder, neck and back. Physical workload is an important factor in MSDs. The impact of MSDs on the work and life of dentists demonstrates the need for increased knowledge of MSDs and the instigation of preventive strategies. Show more

Keywords: Musculoskeletal pain, shoulder and neck disorders, dentistry, risk factors

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1468

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 465-474, 2013

Authors: Albin, Thomas J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Designers and ergonomists occasionally must produce anthropometric models of workstations with only summary percentile data available regarding the intended users. Until now the only option available was adding or subtracting percentiles of the anthropometric elements, e.g. heights and widths, used in the model, despite the known resultant errors in the estimate of the percent of users accommodated. This paper introduces a new method, the Median Correlation Method (MCM) that reduces the error. OBJECTIVE: …Compare the relative accuracy of MCM to combining percentiles for anthropometric models comprised of all possible pairs of five anthropometric elements. Describe the mathematical basis of the greater accuracy of MCM. METHODS: MCM is described. 95th percentile accommodation percentiles are calculated for the sums and differences of all combinations of five anthropometric elements by combining percentiles and using MCM. The resulting estimates are compared with empirical values of the 95th percentiles, and the relative errors are reported. RESULTS: The MCM method is shown to be significantly more accurate than adding percentiles. MCM is demonstrated to have a mathematical advantage estimating accommodation relative to adding or subtracting percentiles. CONCLUSIONS: The MCM method should be used in preference to adding or subtracting percentiles when limited data prevent more sophisticated anthropometric models. Show more

Keywords: Anthropometry, adding percentiles, anthropometric models

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131636

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 493-498, 2013

Authors: Allaire, Saralynn J. | AlHeresh, Rawan | Keysor, Julie J.

Article Type: Research Article

Keywords: Arthritis, work disability, risk factors

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131667

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 499-503, 2013

Authors: Van Petten, Adriana M. Valladão Novais | Nunes, Ciomara Maria Pérez

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131693

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 505-507, 2013

Authors: Fischer, Frida Marina | Martinez, Maria Carmen

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate factors associated with work ability among nursing professionals. PARTICIPANTS: They comprised 514 nursing professionals (83.8% of the total number of workers) from a hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: In 2009, we conducted a cross-sectional study that was a part of a 5-year planned cohort study initiated in 2008. We administered a comprehensive questionnaire to the participants in order to obtain data on their sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyles, and working conditions. The …questionnaire also contained the Brazilian versions of the following: the Job Stress Scale (JSS), Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) Questionnaire, Work-Related Activities That May Contribute To Job-Related Pain and/or Injury (WRAPI), and Work Ability Index (WAI). The results were analyzed using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate linear regression analyses. RESULTS: On the WAI, 74.9% of the workers obtained a score of over 40 points (score range 7–49); the mean score was 42.3 points (SD=4.5). The final multivariate model showed that lower WAI scores were related to the work-related outcome, which was work injury, and the following individual characteristics and working conditions: body mass index (p=0.001), sex (female; p=0.002), sedentariness (p < 0.001), time in the profession (p=0.005), social support at work (p=0.003), effort-reward ratio (p=0.001), violence at work (p=0.005), WRAPI score (p < 0.001), and work injuries (yes; p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Various factors were associated with work ability. The results showed that a number of variables should be considered when planning and implementing actions to maintain or improve work ability among nursing professionals. Show more

Keywords: Work stressors, psychosocial factors at work, worker's health, work ability

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131637

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 509-517, 2013

Authors: Lancman, Selma | Mângia, Elisabete Ferreira | Muramoto, Melissa Tieko

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Emergency room (ER) work includes dealing with situations of conflict and aggression. The diversity and unpredictability of these situations and the lack of pre-established procedures to guide workers in dealing with these phenomena affect and weaken their physical and mental health. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the article is to learn about conflict and aggression at work and its impact on the workers in a hospital emergency room. METHOD: The method is …a transversal, exploratory, descriptive and observational study, carried out from September to November 2008, using direct observation procedures and interviews. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred and eighty emergency room workers participated in the observations and eleven interviews were carried out with workers from several professional categories. RESULTS: The work process is marked by overload, individualization of responsibilities, time pressures and deadlines for making decision, little space for exchange and sharing, lack of support or guidance. The strong pressure to provide care quickly causes conflict and aggression among users and the different professional teams. These situations arise from problems in work organization and users in excess of the ER service capacity. CONCLUSION: The article recommends changes in the work process that can simultaneously improve both the quality of care for patients and provide protective measures for workers. Show more

Keywords: Health care professionals, working conditions, mental health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131638

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 519-527, 2013

Authors: Lima, Maria Elizabeth Antunes | da Mata, Carolina Couto

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Studies involving the therapeutic nature of the work done by chemically dependent individuals undergoing treatment in therapeutic communities are scarce, not only in Brazil, but also in the international literature. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the role played by work as a therapeutic element for patients who are undergoing treatment in a drug-free therapeutic community setting in Brazil. Clients are free to choose their occupations during treatment, that exercise their creativity and their responsability for …their recovery. METHOD: The Biographical Method was employed in two case studies. CONCLUSIONS: The approach adopted by the community enabled clients to recognize how they became chemically dependent, as well as their possibilities for recovery. Clients expanded their interests and their daily activities that were once exclusively directed towards the consumption of drugs. Their personal development improved through their contact with reality through work activities, in the context of a therapeutic community. From there, clients were increasingly able to plan and execute life projects aimed at their full recovery. Show more

Keywords: Chemical dependence, ergotherapy, occupation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131639

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 529-535, 2013

Authors: Coelho, Cecília Martins | Sampaio, Rosana Ferreira | Luz, Madel Therezinha | Mancini, Marisa Cotta

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Individuals with different impairments are working in the formal and/or informal market despite physical and attitudinal barriers. To date, few studies have addressed this situation from the perspective of the individuals. OBJECTIVE: Apprehend factors that restrict work performance in the perspective of workers with impairments and identify the strategies employed and the difficulties faced. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with impairment who exercised paid activities. METHODS: Thirty semi-structured interviews and eleven observations …of individuals in work activities. RESULTS: Limitations stemming from participants' disability and health status had an influence over their execution of tasks, but did not compromise work performance. Environmental factors that impacted as facilitators or barriers were: lack of preparation of colleagues, employers, education and rehabilitation systems; attitudes and coexistence; accessibility, implementation of land use policies, urban structures and transportation; products and technology; and distributive policies. Personal factors (upbringing, self-esteem, good mood, outgoingness, communicability, willpower, age and how the disability was acquired) also influenced participation at work. Important strategies included recognizing and sharing capabilities and needs, which minimized or eliminated difficulties at work. CONCLUSIONS: Workers with impairments developed effective strategies for dealing with adverse situations, which remained in the individual realm. Working with impairments is a complex experience that demands overcoming old paradigms. Show more

Keywords: Persons with impairment, working conditions, occupational health, International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, personal narratives

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131640

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 537-551, 2013

Authors: Toldrá, Rosé Colom | Santos, Maria Conceição

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Participation in the workforce is one of the main social evaluations all individuals are subject to in modern society. Public policies supporting social justice for persons with disabilities have gained prominence in several nations in the last decades and it is critical to ensure that those who want to work are afforded the opportunity to do so. Meanwhile they remain under represented in the labor market within the contemporary world. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was …to identify facilitators or barriers faced by people with disability within the workforce. PARTICIPANTS: Ten workers with disabilities from various companies and performing diverse professional job functions participated in semi-structured interviews. METHOD: The Discourse of the Collective Subject method was employed as a means to organize and analyze qualitative data of a verbal nature. RESULTS: Reasonable work conditions, adjustments, and accommodations facilitate performance and job retention. Social participation through employment leads to social recognition and the feeling of citizenship. On the other hand prejudice, unequal opportunities, workers' low educational attainment, and lack of training opportunities lead to employment exclusion. CONCLUSION: To include people with disabilities in the workforce, it is necessary to focus on attaining equal levels of education, an unbiased and inclusive process for entering the labor market, and continued management of disability issues within the workplace. Together, these elements create equal opportunities for workers with disabilities to advance in their careers, which in turn enables participation, social recognition and guaranties their rights as citizens. Show more

Keywords: Worker with disability, labor force, supported employment, social participation, occupation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131641

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 553-563, 2013

Article Type: Other

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 565-568, 2013

Article Type: Other

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 569-571, 2013