Work - Volume 74, issue 4

Authors: Shariat, Ardalan | Hajialiasgari, Fatemeh | Alizadeh, Ali | Anastasio, Albert Thomas

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The rise of virtual medicine through the use of e-Health technology was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and remains a vital part of health care delivery today. Telehealth, a virtual health care delivery system through either electronic or telecommunication technology, may improve the ability to deliver care in resource poor areas or where barriers to access occur. Despite the obvious advantages to telehealth, the efficacy of virtual visits when compared to face-to-face health care interactions is a topic of much debate, especially with regards to areas of medicine which rely heavily on physical examination or demonstration of therapeutic exercises and …movements. In this commentary, we review the efficacy of telehealth with a focus on prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal pain conditions, and explore areas for future research. Show more

Keywords: Telehealth, musculoskeletal discomforts, new normal, e-Health, office workers, COVID-19

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220524

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 4, pp. 1261-1264, 2023

Authors: Nasr, Cassandra | Bou Sanayeh, Elie | Nasr, Cynthia | Merheb, Georges | Massoud, Marcel

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Burnout among medical students has always been a major concern. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in the prevalence rates of burnout among Lebanese pre-final and final year medical students while taking into consideration the impact of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on both the academical and clinical experiences. METHODS: This is a multi-centered, survey-based, cross-sectional study conducted in October 2021. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory questionnaire was used on 120 medical students from three different medical schools in Lebanon. RESULTS: The overall burnout prevalence was 40.01%. When further dividing it into domains, 39.36% of students had personal …burnout, 41.52% had work-related burnout, and 39.16% had pandemic-related burnout. Theoretical learning and clinical training were reported to be affected in respectively 66.70% and 71.70%. However, only 10.00% of the students have regretted choosing medicine and 67.50% felt comfortable to get to the next academic level. CONCLUSION: High levels of burnout were reported among pre-final and final year medical students with a subsequent negative impact on their academic life and clinical training. Medical schools should start adopting a conscious view of how to guide medical students in finding adequate coping mechanisms during these times of crisis. Show more

Keywords: Burnout, clinical training, coronavirus, medical learning, medical students

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220243

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 4, pp. 1265-1276, 2023

Authors: Ateş, Rumeysa | Yakut, Hatice

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers belong to an occupational group that is at high risk during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The increased workload of healthcare workers and the accompanying psychosocial stress caused by the pandemic can affect musculoskeletal system disorders, physical activity status, sleep quality, and fatigue in this group. OBJECTIVE: To investigate musculoskeletal system disorders, physical activity level, sleep quality, and fatigue in healthcare workers with and without a COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 200 healthcare professionals aged 18-65 years with and without a history of COVID-19 were in the study. Data were collected between January …and March 2021. A “Preliminary Evaluation Form”, “Extended version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal System Questionnaire (NMQ-E)”, “the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF)” and “the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used for data collection”. RESULTS: It was determined that musculoskeletal system disorders did not differ significantly between healthcare workers with and without a COVID-19 history (p  > 0.05). It was found that the number of people with problems in the low-back region was higher in those with a COVID-19 history (p  = 0.002). In the sleep duration component, the scores of those who did not have a COVID-19 history were found to be significantly higher than those who did (p  = 0.10). In other comparisons, it was determined that there was no significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the number of people with problems in the low-back region was higher in those with a COVID-19 history. Those without a COVID-19 history had higher scores in sleep duration parameter. Show more

Keywords: Coronavirus, health personnel, low back pain, physical condition

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220283

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 4, pp. 1277-1287, 2023

Authors: Hult, Marja | Välimäki, Tarja

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: There is a need to shift from biomedical and pathogenic approaches to salutogenic approach. OBJECTIVE: To validate the Finnish version of the SHIS by testing its psychometric properties in care workers and to assess the SHIS score over time. METHODS: We first conducted a survey in 2020 (T1) and tested the psychometric properties of SHIS among care workers. We repeated the survey in spring 2022 (T2) among the same subjects. We analyzed the changes in SHIS, self-rated health (SRH), work ability (WAS), sickness absence and occupational calling between T1 and T2. Thereafter, we compared changes …between health care sectors’ and the other sectors’ care workers. RESULTS: The results showed an increase in positive health measured with the SHIS and the occupational calling, a decrease in the SRH, and an increase in the number of sickness-related absences among all the care workers between T1 and T2. There was no change in their WAS. The health care workers had a lower SHIS than the other sectors’ care workers in both T1 and T2, but the increase in their SHIS was parallel to that of the other workers. CONCLUSION: SHIS is a useful and reliable measure of positive health and can be used in studies when determining subjective health instead of, or in addition to, diagnoses. It was able to detect the health changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. SHIS is capable of capturing the underlying salutogenic approach of health promotive resources. Show more

Keywords: Care worker, COVID-19, nurse, salutogenesis, Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220383

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 4, pp. 1289-1298, 2023

Authors: Arnout, Boshra A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cancer patients suffer from different losses. Studies have focused on examining grief resulting from cancer diagnosis and grief among caregivers of cancer patients and parents who lost their child to cancer. However, there are no studies on the grief resulting from losing a loved one in cancer patients. OBJECTIVE: This study examined female breast cancer patients’ grief and aimed to reveal how palliative care can help breast cancer who experience the grief of losing a loved one. METHODS: The study applied the qualitative case study design conducted with 10 women with breast cancer; their ages …ranged from 47 to 54 years. Data were collected during 18 in-depth interviews by asking semi-open-closed questions. RESULTS: Thematic analysis found that losing a partner negatively affected breast cancer patients’ mental health. The grief experience among breast cancer patients has many symptoms: sadness, severe anxiety, sleep disturbance, loneliness, and isolation. Results also indicated many risk factors that increase grief symptoms among breast cancer patients, such as quarantine procedures during the COVID-19 outbreak, extreme emotional attachment to a partner, guilt, self-blame, and social relations. Patients with breast cancer can face grief experienced by coping strategies such as: resorting to God, prayer, patience, and reading the Holy Qur’an. The results also emphasize the importance of integrating palliative care with treatment for breast cancer patients who experience the grief of loss. CONCLUSION: The grief of loss among breast cancer patients is a complex experience. These findings have many applied aspects that benefit planning counseling and psychological programs to increase positive coping strategies for those patients with breast cancer suffering from grief of loss disorder and provide psychological services that protect them from risk factors and reduce grief symptoms which reduce the effectiveness of cancer treatments due to the symptoms of traumatic loss of a partner. These findings also emphasize the importance of palliative care for cancer patients with complex distress. Show more

Keywords: Grief, breast cancer, palliative care, qualitative case study design, COVID-19

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220400

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 4, pp. 1299-1308, 2023

Authors: Kurt, Mehmet Emin | Çapar, Haşim | Çakmak, Cuma | Türken, Askeri | Menteş, Nurettin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The measures developed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic caused fear, stress and anxiety in people over time. It was reported that pandemic fatigue, associated with the gradual loss of motivation to follow the implemented protective measures, emerged in societies. OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional-methodological study aimed to validate the Turkish version of the Pandemic Fatigue Scale, developed by Lilleholt et al. (2020). METHODS: A web-based questionnaire was conducted to examine the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the PFS. 1149 participants from all regions in Turkey participated. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis …(CFA) were performed. RESULTS: As a result of the KMO and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity, the scale was suitable for the factor analysis. According to EFA, the scale has two sub-factors. The first sub-factor explained 48.7%, and the second sub-factor explained 16.7% of the total variance. Factor loadings of items varied between 0.67 and 0.89. CFA shows that acceptable fit values were obtained for the RMSEA, GFI, AGFI, CFI, NFI and IFI fit indices. CONCLUSIONS: The results support that PFS is a valid and reliable screening tool that can be used to measure the phenomenon of pandemic fatigue. Show more

Keywords: Pandemic fatigue scale, COVID-19, reliability, validity, Turkey

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211438

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 4, pp. 1309-1319, 2023

Authors: Almhdawi, Khader A. | Alrabbaie, Hassan | Arabiat, Alaa | Almahdawi, Sawsan | Alhammouri, Ahmad T. | Nadar, Mohammed Shaban | Al-Tamimi, Feda | Obeidat, Donia | Alazrai, Alza | Jaber, Hanan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Nurses worldwide were exposed to increased levels of occupational stress during the COVID-19 pandemic which could have hindered their level of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). OBJECTIVES: This project investigated HRQoL level in nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic and its health and occupational predictors. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was adopted and targeted full-time nurses in Jordan. Study collected data included demographics, 12-item Short Form health survey (SF-12) to measure HRQoL, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), nurses’ evaluation of work conditions during COVID-19, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS21). Data was analyzed descriptively to summarize main outcome …measures and using multiple linear regression model to identify factors significantly associated with HRQoL. RESULTS: In total 245 nurses successfully completed the survey, 39.6% were males with a mean age of 35±6 years. Participant SF-12 scores were 65.94±17.85 for physical component and 50.09±19.36 mental component. The statistical model significantly explained 53.2% of variance in HRQoL (r2  = 0.534, F  = 57.849, p  < 0.001). Better sleep quality self-evaluation was significantly associated with higher HRQoL levels, while increased levels of depression, musculoskeletal pain, and financial burden on family were significantly associated with worse HRQoL level. CONCLUSION: Jordanian nurses’ HRQoL level was relatively low during COVID-19. Sleep quality, mental health status, musculoskeletal health status, and financial status were identified as factors possibly influenced HRQoL among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses’ quality of life along with their mental and physical health should be considered by healthcare administrators in the remaining period of COVID-19 and in future similar emergencies. Show more

Keywords: Quality of life, occupational health, COVID-19, depression, stress, musculoskeletal pain

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211318

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 4, pp. 1321-1329, 2023

Authors: Lundqvist, Daniel | Wallo, Andreas | Reineholm, Cathrine

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: There is a need for more knowledge regarding the importance of managerial leadership for fostering well-being in the workplace and how context has been accounted for in previous research. OBJECTIVE: To carry out a literature review of previous research that empirically examines the importance of leadership for well-being in a Nordic working life context. METHODS: A rapid literature review was conducted with narrative analysis in 5 steps: establish focus, research questions, and inclusion criteria; literature search; relevance screening; quality assessment; data analysis. The search identified 4566 unique studies where 35 quantitative and five qualitative met …the relevance and quality criteria. RESULTS: Findings from quantitative and qualitative studies are presented. Transformational and supportive leadership are recurrently associated with employee well-being, although the qualitative studies also highlight adaptive leadership and leaders being available and providing space. Some connections are made to the Nordic context in the reviewed studies, but these connections are not fully elaborated. CONCLUSION: Leadership is related to employee well-being, although this relationship seems to be indirect, mediated by other factors in the working environment. The review identifies the need for more well-designed studies addressing the contextual factors of this relationship, and how leadership should be exercised in practice. Show more

Keywords: Manager, supervisor, employee, health, Nordic countries

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210063

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 4, pp. 1331-1352, 2023

Authors: Nyman, Jennie | Ekbladh, Elin | Björk, Mathilda | Johansson, Peter | Sandqvist, Jan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: There is a need for simple and suitable tools for assessing sleep in a natural home environment. OBJECTIVES: This study explores the feasibility in terms of implementation and acceptability of a new homebased ballistocardiographic (BCG) tool for objective sleep-assessment in a real-life context. METHODS: The participants included thirty-nine workers, taking part in two seven nights’ sleep-assessment periods. Objective data regarding sleep was collected with BCG. Subjective data regarding sleep was collected with a sleep diary. Implementation was analysed by determining the number of nights with usable signal quality and comparing with the total number of …potential nights and by exploring associations between objective and subjective sleep data. Acceptability was analysed by categorizing the participants’ experiences of how the BCG tool impacted the sleep. RESULTS: In terms of implementation, usable BCG data increased from 40% at assessment phase 1 to 70% during assessment phase 2. Moreover, in assessment phase 2, there was a significant moderate correlation between the ‘time in bed’ assessed by the BCG and in sleep diary by participants in the first five nights. In terms of acceptability, almost one third of the participants did not experience any impact of the BCG on the sleep. Two participants experienced a major negative impact on the sleep. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the novel BCG tool could be feasible for objective assessing of sleep in workers natural home-environment in the future, but there is still a need for development of the BCG both regarding technology and implementation process. Show more

Keywords: Objective assessment, occupational health, vocational rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211312

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 4, pp. 1353-1360, 2023

Authors: Hong, Rei Mei | Hsu, Chen Yuan | Hu, Chia Jung

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Fatigue in flight attendants is an important issue concerning flight safety and occupational health. It is well known that work-related factors and certain lifestyle habits can cause fatigue. But very few studies have focused on the difference between having work experience flight attendants and no flight experience trainees. OBJECTIVE: The present study was performed to compare and investigate the relationships between fatigue and health-related lifestyle habits among flight attendants and trainees. METHODS: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study with convenience sampling was conducted. A total of 107 flight attendants and 109 trainees were recruited in an international …airline. The research was using a self-developed health-related lifestyle habits questionnaire and the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS) scale. The relationships between health-related lifestyle habits and fatigue were examined by Pearson’s chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test. Logistic regression was used to identify factors predicting fatigue among flight attendants and trainees. RESULTS: Nearly half of the participants had fatigue and poor health-related lifestyle habits. Logistic regression showed that trainees with sleeping hours less than 7 hours, had a higher probability of fatigue than those who sleep more than 7 hours. In addition, the flight attendants with an irregular sleep pattern, unbalanced diet, sedentary leisure-time, no use relaxation technique, and an exercise frequency below once a week had a higher probability of fatigue. CONCLUSION: The flight attendants’ sleep patterns, diet, activity, and relaxation had a more significant impact on fatigue than trainees. Therefore, a healthy lifestyle is important in this population for good workplace performance. Show more

Keywords: Fatigue, habits, flight attendant, occupational health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211355

Citation: Work, vol. 74, no. 4, pp. 1361-1369, 2023