From the Editor

It’s 2°F (–16°C) outside as I gaze upon a snowy frozen pond in New Hampshire, USA. It’s perfect weather for staying inside by a blazing fire to write this From the Editor. Being inside when the weather is so cold makes me even more appreciative of how fortunate I am, but how challenging it is for those who are homeless. Worldwide, according to the United Nations (2005), an estimated 100 million people were homeless with as many as 1.6 billion individuals who lacked adequate housing [1]. In the United States, according to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, it is “…estimated that each year at least 2.5 to 3.5 million Americans sleep in shelters, transitional housing and public places not meant for human habitation” [2]. Some causes of homelessness are: poverty, unemployment, lack of affordable housing, poor physical or mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, gambling, family and relationship breakdown and domestic violence. Homelessness and unemployment/employment is a topic that I welcome investigating in future publications in WORK. Please consider sharing your research, clinical practice and case studies with us.

This issue of WORK contains 12 articles on a variety of topics. The article, A scoping review on smart mobile devices and physical strain by Patricia Tegtmeier will be discussed by the author in the November 28, 2018 Learn at WORK webinar. I hope you can join us for this very interesting webinar. Here is the 2018 schedule for our Learn at WORK webinar series:

Wednesday, January 31, 2018 1-2pmEST

Parental awareness of schoolbag carriage: A comparative study of Irish and United States parents

Sara Dockrell & Karen Jacobs

Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1069191880491268866

Wednesday, February 28, 2018 1-2pmEST

From the past to the future: integrating work experience into the design

João Marcos Bittencourt, Pascal Béguin & Francisco Moura Duarte

Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7285376525477185537

Wednesday, March 21, 2018 1pm to 2pm.

Workplace Violence and the Meaning of Work in Healthcare Workers: A phenomenological study

Josianne Lamothe

Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6573904541339253762

Wednesday, April 11, 2018 1pm-2pmEST

A case study detailing key considerations for implementing a telehealth approach to office ergonomics

Linda Miller

Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3289959078106673923

Wednesday, May 16, 2018 1-2pmEST

Use of Speech Generating Devices Can Improve Perception of Qualifications for Skilled

Steven E. Stern

Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5676727242389189889

Wednesday, June 13, 2018 1pm-2pmEST

Split-shift work in relation to stress, health and other psychosocial factors among bus drivers

Jonas Ihlstrom, Göran Kecklund and Anna Anund

Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5910367965600248322

Wednesday, July 11, 2018 1pm-2pmEST

A Workplace Modified Duty Program for Employees in an Oncology Center

Elpidoforos S. Soteriades

Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7829754627924088323

Wednesday, August 22, 2018 from 1pm-2pmEST

A pilot study to precisely quantify forces applied by sonographers while scanning: A step toward reducing ergonomic injury

Dhyani Manish, M.D. & Shawn Roll

Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4197487179777464065

Wednesday, September 19, 2018 1pm-2pmEST

Psychosocial risks, burnout and intention to quit following the introduction of new software at work

Mouna Knani

Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5356945280898533378

Wednesday, October 24, 2018 1pm-2pmEST

Occupational therapists’ experience of workplace fatigue: Issues and action

Cary A Brown, Jennifer Schell & Lisa M Pashniak

Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4363076931463859203

Wednesday, November 28, 2018 1pm-2pmEST

A scoping review on smart mobile devices and physical strain

Patricia Tegtmeier

Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/920484034664805891

If you missed any of the 2017 Learn at WORK webinars, you can find the recordings of these complimentary learning experiences at the Learn at WORK YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOJalCXvSg9fPHaFFs48PuQ You can view the complete schedule on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WORKJournal2016/?fref=ts

As always, I welcome hearing from you.

With much thanks and appreciation,