Work - Volume 72, issue 3

Authors: Jacobs, Karen

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-223637

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 785-786, 2022

Authors: Tonak, Hasan Atacan | Kitis, Ali

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Physiotherapy and rehabilitation students need to be aware of the global COVID-19 pandemic and choose the correct interventions. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and precautions of physiotherapy and rehabilitation students regarding COVID-19 during the global pandemic. METHODS: A total of 438 physiotherapy and rehabilitation students participated in the study. A web-based descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire was conducted using the “Google Forms” on physiotherapy and rehabilitation students in the months of February, March, and April 2021. The online questionnaire consisted of six main sections containing 130 items: (1) sociodemographic information, (2) knowledge sources and knowledge …about COVID-19, (3) attitudes about COVID-19, (4) behaviors, (5) precautions, and (6) being a physiotherapy and rehabilitation student during the COVID-19 pandemic. The collected data were reported in terms of mean, standard deviation, number, frequency, and percentage values. RESULTS: The vast majority of the participants (n  = 291, 66.5%) often/always accessed information about COVID-19 via social media, 397 (90.6%) of them often/always wear masks. Moreover, 419 (95.6%) of the physiotherapy students knew the symptoms of COVID-19, and 409 (93.4%) of the students have been responded “yes” to the question of whether pulmonary rehabilitation should be applied in intensive care units for COVID-19 infections. CONCLUSIONS: Physiotherapy and rehabilitation students have adequate awareness about COVID-19. In this regard, physiotherapy and rehabilitation students should be included in appropriate educational programs to protect themselves, their relatives, and patients against COVID-19, and their knowledge about the treatment methods should be increased. Show more

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus, physical therapy, prevention, healthcare

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211119

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 787-796, 2022

Authors: Kanaan, Saddam F. | Yabroudi, Mohammad A. | Khader, Yousef | Aburub, Ala’ S. | Khraise, Hana’a | Al-Omari, Ali A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of knowledge and awareness of healthcare practitioners regarding infection control. OBJECTIVE: To explore Jordanian physiotherapists’ knowledge and perception of COVID-19, awareness about protection measures, and attitude towards infection prevention. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was used. Data were collected from licensed physiotherapists currently living in Jordan. A structured survey was used to collect the data consisting of five parts: 1) General information about the physiotherapists including sociodemographic, academic training, and employment setting, 2) General knowledge about COVID-19, 3) Infection protection in the workplace, 4) Perception of COVID-19, and 5) …Attitude towards COVID-19 in daily life and during work. RESULTS: A total of 147 physiotherapists completed the survey with a mean age of 30.56 (7.70) and years of experience of 7.28 (7.21). The mean of the total knowledge score was 17.18 (2.32)/ 26. There was a significant difference in the total knowledge score between COVID-19 trained physiotherapists and untrained (t  = 2.895, p  = 0.004). About 70.8% of the physiotherapists perceived COVID-19 as a very dangerous disease, 69.4% considered physiotherapy a high-risk profession, and 41% perceived COVID-19 does not require any special treatment. Approximately 85% of physiotherapists avoided going to crowded places and wore a mask when leaving home. 75–86.6% of physiotherapists would consider appropriate protective measures during their work. CONCLUSIONS: Physiotherapists showed suboptimal knowledge, perception, and attitude towards COVID-19. There is a need for training courses to increase physiotherapists’ knowledge about COVID-19 and improve their perception and attitude towards COVID-19. Show more

Keywords: Physiotherapists, COVID-19, infection control, knowledge, attitude

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211084

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 797-805, 2022

Authors: Bhattacharya, Nandan | Choudhury, Sonali | Roychowdhury, Mahua | Sinha, Meghanil | Mistri, Paromita | Bhattacharya, Ritwika | Maity, Sreya | Ghosh, Moumita | Dey, Pritam | Banik, Anirban

Article Type: Research Article

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, art therapy, resilience, stress, forum theatre

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211220

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 807-817, 2022

Authors: Manzar, Saadia | Kazmi, Farhat | Arshad, Anas Imran | Awais, Faiza | Majeed, Hanna Abdul | Shahzad, Hazik Bin | Alam, Mohammad Khursheed

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected dentistry. Dental procedures are considered one of the modes of transfer of COVID-19 infection due to generation of aerosols. To prevent transmission of this virus through dental procedures, guidelines were issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Ministry of Health of each country. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to establish a safe protocol for performing dental procedures in a crisis capacity situation of personal protective equipment (PPE). METHODS: A strategy for performing the dental procedures was formulated …in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health, Pakistan before vaccination of HCPs against COVID-19. These guidelines also accorded the strategies provided by the WHO and CDC. 40 health care professionals (HCPs) participated in the study and were divided in two groups. Group A performed non-aerosol generating procedures (non- AGPs) and group B performed aerosol generating procedures (AGPs). A total of 6372 aerosol generating procedures were performed from 1 August 2020 to 31 March 2021. The safety of this protocol was established by the number of HCPs contracting COVID-19 infection. RESULTS: Only 1 HCP contracted COVID-19 infection preceding the AGPs from group B following the formulated strategy. CONCLUSION: Reported strategy based on the dental system in Pakistan is considered safe to be implemented worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. Show more

Keywords: Ministry of health, pakistan, centers for disease control and prevention, personal protective equipment, health care professionals, COVID-19

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211102

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 819-826, 2022

Authors: Villarim, Natália Lins de Souza | Maciel, Panmella Pereira | Cavalcanti, Yuri Wanderley | Ribeiro, Isabella Lima Arrais | Perez, Danyel Elias da Cruz | Martelli-Junior, Hercílio | Machado, Renato Assis | Bonan, Paulo Rogério Ferreti

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The likelihood of infection with SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) in the dental office is considered high. OBJECTIVES: Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 on dental practices and anxiety levels in risk group Brazilian dentists. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed using an online questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed using the IBM SPSS 25.0 software (Pearson’s Chi-square association test, multivariate logistic regression, and Poisson multiple regression), with subsequent calculation of the odds ratio at a 95% confidence interval, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Responses of 578 dentists distributed in all regions of Brazil …were collected. Most of the dentists were female, with an average age of 35. Of the participants, 23.4% were part of the increased risk group for COVID-19. The professionals who belonged to the increased risk group had a greater chance of not feeling prepared to perform consultations (OR = 1.67) and were not performing any procedures during the pandemic (OR = 2.03). Belonging to the increased risk group did not influence anxiety levels among the dentists. The factors associated with increased anxiety were being female, being younger, working in the southeastern region of the country, being afraid of contracting COVID-19 while working, and being concerned for one’s professional future. CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic has had a negative impact on the professional practice of individuals at risk, but the level of anxiety was like professionals who were not part of the increased risk group for COVID-19. Show more

Keywords: Dentists, COVID-19, Dentist’s practice patterns, anxiety

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211035

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 827-837, 2022

Authors: Wütschert, Milena Sina | Romano-Pereira, Diana | Suter, Livia | Schulze, Hartmut | Elfering, Achim

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In times of the COVID-19 pandemic, employees around the world may be practicing part-time telework at home. Little is known about the working conditions at home and its impact on the employee’s occupational health. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review examines the working conditions at employees’ homes, the work-related disorders associated with working from home, organizations’ perceptions of ergonomics at home and how they support their teleworkers. METHODS: A search of electronic databases (Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, Google Scholar, Open Grey, Pedro, PsychInfo, PubPsych, Scopus and Web of Science) was performed. Twelve studies were included in this …review. RESULTS: The findings highlight the lack of ergonomic working conditions for home-based teleworkers. Furthermore, the results underline organizations’ lack of awareness regarding home-based policies, ergonomics programs and the health-related consequences associated with the absence of ergonomic support. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that home-based teleworkers have increased health risks. This assumption is substantiated by the fact that most of the included studies reported teleworkers who have experienced musculoskeletal issues. These results underline the necessity for implementing ergonomic design recommendations, especially for working at home. Further research is needed to understand the impact of ergonomics programs and workplace design for working at home. Show more

Keywords: Home-based telework, work policy, ergonomic, remote work

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205239

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 839-852, 2022

Authors: Pamuk, Deniz | Faezi, Sanam Asadi | Başıbüyük, Gülüşan Özgün

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Despite the prevalence of publications focusing on the trends of the studies on ergonomics, the information of the aging focused studies within these publications is limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to provide general information regarding the trends of the studies on ergonomics and aging by using bibliometric analysis techniques and to provide a general view regarding to the development of this field. METHODS: The bibliometric data of the publications on ergonomics and aging were retrieved from the WOS Database and analysed by using the Bibliometrix extension of the R Packet Programme. For the visualisation of …the bibliometric data, the Vosviewer programme was used. RESULTS: Analysis results of the 405 papers published between the years of 1979 and 2020 show that main themes were digital human modelling, design for all, workplace ergonomics, transport and vehicle design, kitchen design, human factors, care and vision in old age. CONCLUSIONS: The content of the studies on ergonomics and aging changed from basic elements of ergonomic design for older people to the investigations about computer-aided applications and the effect of the developing technology. Therefore, it can be said that the studies on ergonomics and aging are changing parallel to the development of the technology. Show more

Keywords: Ergonomics, old age, aging, gerontology, bibliometric

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210112

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 853-864, 2022

Authors: Dong, Shengli | Hoeflich, Carolin | Sirota, Pamela Victoria

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Individuals with mental health issues experience profound stigma and discrimination, which may contribute to a lack of accommodation utilization to address functional limitations of their work. OBJECTIVES: This study examined how psychosocial factors may predict the request of accommodations by employed individuals with mental disabilities through the framework of social cognitive career theory. METHODS: In the United States, 148 employed adults with mental disabilities completed an online questionnaire to ascertain self-efficacy, outcome expectation, affect, and workplace support. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between respondents’ psychosocial factors and request of accommodations. …RESULTS: Psychosocial factors (i.e., self-efficacy in accommodation request, outcome expectancy in employers’ compliance with accommodation request, and non-person cost associated with request) were associated with impacting decisions to request accommodations among individuals with mental disabilities. CONCLUSIONS: A focus on bolstering self-efficacy and outcome expectation may assist rehabilitation professionals with facilitating positive occupational outcomes for individuals with mental disabilities. Incorporating increased education on the possible implications of mental disabilities in the workplace may also promote successful employment outcomes. Show more

Keywords: Accommodation request, mental disabilities, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, workplace support

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210518

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 865-874, 2022

Authors: Westergren, Eva | Lindberg, Magnus

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Haemodialysis nurses have a high prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints, but the reason for this is yet unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to carry out an exploratory analysis of the work situation of haemodialysis nurses from an ergonomic perspective. METHODS: Non-participant observations and reflective discussions to assess the work environment and explore possible potential hazards contributing to musculoskeletal complaints were conducted among nineteen nurses at five haemodialysis centres. Additional reflective notes from the observer’s experiences and progress in the field were made. Analytic integration was applied to merge the collected data. …RESULTS: Eight haemodialysis work tasks believed to increase the risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal complaints were identified. Different types of musculoskeletal complaints, mainly in the upper extremity, were mentioned. The design of the dialysis machine used and the physical demands of repetitive work procedures were implicated. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings add to the understanding of the work-related factors that contribute to musculoskeletal complaints among haemodialysis nurses. The findings support the hypothesis that there might be an association between materials used and the development of work-related complaints involving the fingers, hands and wrists of this population. Repetitive work tasks that have an impact on the development of musculoskeletal problems need to be further investigated. Show more

Keywords: Haemodialysis, nurse, work-related musculoskeletal disorders, ergonomics, reflections, qualitative research

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205241

Citation: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 875-884, 2022