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Social Science & Medicine (1982) Dec 2023A growing number of working individuals have developed long COVID (LC) after COVID-19 infection. Economic analyses indicate that workers' LC symptoms contribute to...
A growing number of working individuals have developed long COVID (LC) after COVID-19 infection. Economic analyses indicate that workers' LC symptoms contribute to workforce shortages. However, factors that affect return-to-work from perspectives of people with LC remain largely underexplored. This qualitative study of people with LC conducted by researchers living with LC aimed to identify participants' return-to-work experiences using Total Worker Health® and Episodic Disability frameworks. 10% of participants who participated in a mixed-method global internet survey, had LC symptoms >3 months, and responded in English were randomly selected for thematic analysis using NVivo12. 15% of responses were independently double-coded to identify coding discrepancies. Participants (N = 510) were predominately white and had at least a baccalaureate degree. Four primary work-related themes emerged: 1) strong desire and need to return to work motivated by sense of purpose and financial precarity; 2) diverse and episodic LC symptoms intersect with organization of work and home life; 3) pervasiveness of LC disbelief and stigma at work and in medical settings; and 4) support of medical providers is key to successful return-to-work. Participants described how fluctuation of symptoms, exacerbated by work-related tasks, made returning to work challenging. Participants' ability to work was often predicated on job accommodations and support. Non-work factors were also essential, especially being able to receive an LC medical diagnosis (key to accessing leave and accommodations) and help at home to manage non-work activities. Many participants described barriers accessing these supports, illuminating stigma and disbelief in LC as a medical condition. Qualitative findings indicate needs for workplace accommodations tailored to fluctuating symptoms, continuously re-evaluated by workers and supervisors together. Reductions in medical barriers to access work accommodations is also critical since many medical providers remain unaware of LC, and workers may lack a positive COVID test result.
Topics: Humans; Return to Work; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome; COVID-19; Employment; Disabled Persons; Workplace
PubMed: 37918226
DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116336 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024Rationing of nursing care is referred to as overlooking aspects of required patient care. Its result is incomplete or delayed services provided to the patient....
INTRODUCTION
Rationing of nursing care is referred to as overlooking aspects of required patient care. Its result is incomplete or delayed services provided to the patient. Anesthesia nurses employed in an intensive care unit are exposed to a significant workload. Particularly heavy is the psychological burden leading in many cases to the onset of burnout syndrome and a decrease in job satisfaction.
THE AIM OF THIS PAPER
Was to determine the relationship between occupational burnout, job satisfaction and rationing of care among anesthesia nurses employed in intensive care units.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study group consisted of 477 anesthesia nurses employed in intensive care units in Poland. The study was conducted between December 2022 and January 2023. The research tools were BERNCA-R questionnaire, Job Satisfaction Scale questionnaire and Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaire, which were distributed to selected hospitals with a request to be forwarded to intensive care units and completed. In the statistical analysis, correlations were calculated using Spearman's rho coefficient, reporting the intensity of the relationship and its positive or negative direction. The analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS 26.0 package with the Exact Tests module.
RESULTS
The mean score of the BERNCA questionnaire was 1.65 ± 0.82. The mean score of occupational burnout was 60.82 ± 10.46. The level of emotional exhaustion, which significantly affects occupational burnout, was 26.39 ± 6.07, depersonalization was 14.14 ± 3.21 and lack of personal achievement was 20.29 ± 4.70. All the scores obtained exceeded the threshold of 50% of total points, which indicates the presence of occupational burnout at a significant level. The job satisfaction of the nurses surveyed was above mean at 23.00 ± 5.2 out of 35 total points.
CONCLUSION
The results proved that there is a statistically significant, although with a weak strength of association, correlation between occupational burnout and rationing of care by anesthesia nurses. As the limitation of anesthesia nurses' ability to perform certain activities increases, their job satisfaction decreases. In a work environment that is conducive to nurses, there are fewer job responsibilities that are unfulfilled. Therefore, it is essential to create a friendly work environment for nursing staff that will promote the provision of services at the highest possible level.
Topics: Humans; Job Satisfaction; Burnout, Professional; Adult; Female; Surveys and Questionnaires; Male; Intensive Care Units; Poland; Health Care Rationing; Middle Aged; Nursing Staff, Hospital; Workload
PubMed: 38808001
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1400169 -
International Journal of Medical... Nov 2023Investigate the prevalence and contextualize the relationship of impostor phenomenon (IP) and ambiguity tolerance (AT) in practicing physical therapists (PTs).
OBJECTIVES
Investigate the prevalence and contextualize the relationship of impostor phenomenon (IP) and ambiguity tolerance (AT) in practicing physical therapists (PTs).
METHODS
Online survey including demographic questions, Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), and Tolerance of Ambiguity Scale (TAS). Descriptive analyses assessed (N = 422) demographic data, CIPS, and TAS scores. Chi-square tests determined distribution across demographic variables. Kruskal-Wallis tests assessed differences between CIPS and TAS. Age was a proxy for career stage in Pearson product-moment correlations to assess relationships between CIPS and TAS.
RESULTS
In practicing PTs (M age = 42.12, SD = 12.34), moderate (48.6%; n = 205) to frequent (26.8%; n = 113) IP feelings were prevalent, but only 31.5% (n = 133) were true impostors. Significant differences exist in clinical experience for CIPS, H(7, n = 422) = 67.82, p <.001 and TAS, H(7, n = 422) = 21.79, p= .003. Most PTs tolerate ambiguity (M = 54.93, SD = 8.19). A moderate negative correlation between age and CIPS, r = -.36, p <.001 and a small negative correlation between age and TAS, r=-.19, p <.001 exists. Age accounts for 13% of the variance per IP and 3.6% variance per TAS score. A small positive relationship exists between CIPS and TAS, r = .10, p <.05.
CONCLUSIONS
Practicing PTs experience moderate to frequent IP and are ambiguity tolerant. Clinical experience is inversely related to IP and AT. Almost half of early-career PTs feel like impostors, which can lead to decreased job satisfaction, burnout, psychological distress, feelings of self-doubt, and depression.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Physical Therapists; Self Concept; Anxiety Disorders; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 37956987
DOI: 10.5116/ijme.6532.4c20 -
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. :... Jan 2024Staphylococcus aureus is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pulmonary infections. Patients with autosomal-dominant hyper-IgE syndrome due to STAT3...
Staphylococcus aureus is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pulmonary infections. Patients with autosomal-dominant hyper-IgE syndrome due to STAT3 deficiency are particularly susceptible to acquiring staphylococcal pneumonia associated with lung tissue destruction. Because macrophages are involved in both pathogen defense and inflammation, we investigated the impact of murine myeloid STAT3 deficiency on the macrophage phenotype in vitro and on pathogen clearance and inflammation during murine staphylococcal pneumonia. Murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) from STAT3 LysMCre+ knockout or Cre- wild-type littermate controls were challenged with S. aureus, LPS, IL-4, or vehicle control in vitro. Pro- and anti-inflammatory responses as well as polarization and activation markers were analyzed. Mice were infected intratracheally with S. aureus, bronchoalveolar lavage and lungs were harvested, and immunohistofluorescence was performed on lung sections. S. aureus infection of STAT3-deficient BMDM led to an increased proinflammatory cytokine release and to enhanced upregulation of costimulatory MHC class II and CD86. Murine myeloid STAT3 deficiency did not affect pathogen clearance in vitro or in vivo. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 was upregulated in Staphylococcus-treated STAT3-deficient BMDM and in lung tissues of STAT3 knockout mice infected with S. aureus. Moreover, the expression of miR-155 was increased. The enhanced inflammatory responses and upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and miR-155 expression in murine STAT3-deficient as compared with wild-type macrophages during S. aureus infections may contribute to tissue damage as observed in STAT3-deficient patients during staphylococcal pneumonia.
Topics: Humans; Mice; Animals; Pneumonia, Staphylococcal; Job Syndrome; Staphylococcus aureus; Macrophage Activation; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Inflammation; Staphylococcal Infections; Mice, Knockout; MicroRNAs; Mice, Inbred C57BL; STAT3 Transcription Factor
PubMed: 37982695
DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300151 -
BMC Nursing Mar 2024Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome that is called long COVID-19 consists of the symptoms that last more than 12 weeks with no other explanation. The present study aimed to...
BACKGROUND
Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome that is called long COVID-19 consists of the symptoms that last more than 12 weeks with no other explanation. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence, frequency of symptoms, and risk factors of long COVID-19 in the healthcare workers (HCWs) of a selected hospital in Kashan/Iran in 2023.
METHODS
A total of 350 HCWs with a history of COVID-19 infection were randomly recruited to the study from February to May 2023. Participants completed a questionnaire including demographic characteristics, information related to COVID-19 infection, underlying diseases, and a checklist of long COVID-19 symptoms. Mann‒Whitney U test, chi-square test, T‒tests, and binary logistic regression were used for data analysis by SPSS 16.
RESULTS
The results showed that 75.7% of HCWs experienced symptoms of long COVID-19. The most common symptoms were fatigue (53.1%), cough (43.1%) and muscle weakness (37.1%). In bivariate analysis job title, body mass index (BMI), frequency and number of symptoms of COVID-19 infection, preexisting disease, tobacco use, age, and years of experience showed a significant statistical association with long COVID-19. In binary logistic regression the number of symptoms during COVID-19 infection, nursing occupation, use of corticosteroids, and symptoms of dyspnea and loss of taste could explain the occurrence of long COVID-19.
CONCLUSION
The long COVID-19 is a prevalent condition among HCWs especially nurses. Symptoms of long COVID-19 such as fatigue and cough can persists over time. This chronic condition has significant associations with different clinical risk factors.
PubMed: 38509550
DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-01733-2 -
PloS One 2023Nepal has been devastated by an unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak, affecting people emotionally, physically, and socially, resulting in significant morbidity and...
BACKGROUND
Nepal has been devastated by an unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak, affecting people emotionally, physically, and socially, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Approximately 10% of COVID-19 affected people have symptoms that last more than 3-4 weeks and experience numerous symptoms causing an impact on everyday functioning, social, and cognitive function. Thus, it is vital to know about the recovered patient's health status and undertake rigorous examinations to detect and treat infections. Hence, this study aims to assess the health status of COVID-19 post-recovery patients in Nepal.
METHOD
A descriptive cross-sectional mixed-method study was conducted in all seven provinces of Nepal. A total of 552 interviews were conducted for the quantitative study, and 25 in-depth interviews were conducted for the qualitative study among above 18 years COVID-19-recovered patients. The data was gathered over the phone through the purposive sampling method The results of a descriptive and thematic analysis were interpreted.
FINDING
The majority (more than 80%) of the recovered patients could routinely perform household duties, activities outside the home, and financial job accounting. However, a few of them required assistance in carrying out all of those tasks. Prior and then after COVID-19 infection, smoking habits reduced by about one-tenth and alcohol intake decreased by a twelve percent. A qualitative finding revealed that the majority of COVID-19 symptomatic patients experienced a variety of physical symptoms such as fever, headache, body pain, fatigue, tiredness, sore throat, cough, loss of taste, loss of smell, sneezing, loss of appetite, and difficulty breathing, while others felt completely fine after being recovered. Furthermore, there was no variation in the daily functional activities of the majority of the recovered patients, while a few were found conducting fewer activities than usual because they were concerned about their health. For social health, quantitative data indicated that more than half of the participants' social health was severely impacted. According to the IDI, the majority of the interviewees perceived society's ignorance and misbehavior. Family members were the most often solicited sources of support. Some participants got care and assistance, but the majority did not get affection or love from their relatives. Moreover, regarding mental health, 15 percent of participants had repeated disturbing and unwanted thoughts about COVID-19 after being recovered, 16 percent tried to avoid information on COVID-19 and 7 .7 percent of people had unfavorable ideas or sentiments about themselves. More than 16 percent of participants reported feeling some level of stress related to the workplace and home. While in-depth interviews participants revealed that COVID-infected patients who were asymptomatic didn't experience any emotional change in them but recovered patients who are symptomatic symptoms had anxiety and still being conscious of COVID-19 in fear of getting infected again Additionally, it was discovered that participants' mental health is influenced by ignorance of society, as well as by fake news posted to social media.
CONCLUSION
COVID-19 infection has had an impact on physical, mental, and social well-being. Hence, to aid in the early recovery of COVID-19 patients, provision of evaluating and reporting the clinical features, early detection and management of long COVID case is needed from the local and provincial and central government of Nepal.
Topics: Humans; Social Status; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome; Cross-Sectional Studies; Nepal; COVID-19
PubMed: 37669253
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290693 -
Cureus Sep 2023Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is the most prevalent form of autoimmune-related acute demyelinating polyneuropathy that affects people of any age group. Its global...
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is the most prevalent form of autoimmune-related acute demyelinating polyneuropathy that affects people of any age group. Its global prevalence is 1.9 per 100,000 people. Acute or subacute symmetrical motor and sensory neuropathy involving several peripheral nerves is referred to as GBS. It typically occurs after an infection caused by a virus, but infrequently with surgery or vaccination. There are different variants of GBS, like acute sensory axonal neuropathy, acute motor axonal neuropathy, and Miller-Fisher syndrome. Motor paralysis that affects distal muscles more than proximal muscles and is more pronounced and symmetrical may be a presenting symptom of GBS. Over the course of several days, it starts in the legs and progresses to the arms, face, and eyes. Reflexes may be missing, bifacial weakness may be present, severe cases result in respiratory paralysis, and autonomic abnormalities may be rare. Patients with GBS exhibit anti-ganglioside antibodies that seem to react with antigens found in some previous infectious pathogens' lipopolysaccharides. These antibodies target gangliosides, like GM1, which are dispersed within the myelin of the peripheral nervous system. There are three phases: acute, plateau, and recovery. Only plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin have shown effective recovery. A 24-year-old male presented with weakness of the bilateral lower limb associated with fever and breathlessness. The range of motion of hip flexion was reduced to 45 degrees, and muscle power was also reduced. For hip flexors, it was 3/5; for knee flexors and extensors, it was 4/5; and for ankle plantar flexors and dorsiflexors, it was 2/5. Investigations like a complete blood count (CBC), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination, and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) were done. Post-diagnosis, the patient received an intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) dose; the same was managed by neurophysiotherapy, and after treatment, the patient was functionally independent. According to the findings of our study, neurorehabilitation resulted in favorable outcomes, shortened the length of the hospital stay, and enabled him to return to his desk job.
PubMed: 37842383
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.45101 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023Burnout syndrome develops as a consequence of chronic stress among employees. The study objective was to examine what socio-descriptive characteristics of employees...
INTRODUCTION
Burnout syndrome develops as a consequence of chronic stress among employees. The study objective was to examine what socio-descriptive characteristics of employees might be associated with the appearance of the occupational burnout and to evaluate the relationship between job burnout and the quality of life among security employees of the professional private security sector in Central Serbia.
METHODS
A multicenter cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed. A multivariate logistic regression analysis and ANOVA post choc test was applied.
RESULTS
A total of 353 respondents (330 male and 23 female) participated in the study. Female sex and older age were associated with a higher risk of total burnout and the development of emotional exhaustion while male sex, higher education, and managerial position were associated with higher personal achievement and lower risk of total burnout. Male sex, marital union, two or more children, and direct contact with clients were significantly associated with a lower quality of life of employees. A significant negative correlation was found between total burnout and the Physical Health Composite Score (PHC) score with a correlation coefficient () of -0.265 (95%CI from -0.361 to -0.163); between total burnout and the and Mental Health Composite Score (MHC) score with a of -0.391 (95%CI from -0.480 to -0.301); and between total burnout and TQL score with a of -0.351 (95%CI from -0.445 to -0.258).
CONCLUSION
Female sex and older age were associated with a higher risk of total burnout and the development of EE while a managerial position and higher education were protective factors in relation to the development of burnout. Male sex, marital union, two or more children, and direct contact with clients were significantly associated with a lower quality of life of the employees. Shift work significantly reduced the total quality of life, while managerial positions increased the quality of life.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Burnout, Professional; Cross-Sectional Studies; Job Satisfaction; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38516565
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1277622 -
BioPsychoSocial Medicine May 2024Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, functional gastrointestinal disorder. Because IBS often develops and worsens with stress, it requires treatment from both... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, functional gastrointestinal disorder. Because IBS often develops and worsens with stress, it requires treatment from both physical and mental perspectives. Recent years have seen increasing reports of its impact on the daily performance and productivity of workers with IBS, leading to sick leaves and lower quality of life. Therefore, this narrative review aimed to summarize the work and psychosocial characteristics of individuals with IBS.
MAIN BODY
Workers with IBS report greater occupational stressors and work productivity impairments, including presenteeism or absenteeism, in addition to suffering from psychological distress, low quality of life, and medical and economic problems, similar to those with IBS in the general population. Anxiety about abdominal symptoms, as well as the severity of IBS, is related to the degree of interference with one's work. Regarding the association between characteristics of work and IBS, shift work and job demands/discretion have been associated with IBS. Studies on specific occupations have revealed associations between IBS and various occupational stressors in healthcare workers, firefighters, and military personnel. Telecommuting, which has become increasingly popular during the coronavirus disease pandemic, has not found to improve IBS. Moreover, the effectiveness of medication, diet, and a comprehensive self-management program, including cognitive behavioral therapy, in improving the productivity of workers with IBS have been examined.
CONCLUSION
As mentioned above, the IBS of workers is related not only to their problematic physical and mental health but also to work-related problems; workers with IBS exhibit severe occupational stress factors and work productivity impairment. Further research is required to develop efficient and appropriate interventions for workers.
PubMed: 38750514
DOI: 10.1186/s13030-024-00309-5 -
Cureus Feb 2024Introduction Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a regular clinical condition that affects most women during their reproductive years. Its related symptoms may be linked to a...
Introduction Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a regular clinical condition that affects most women during their reproductive years. Its related symptoms may be linked to a decrease in women's quality of life. Female nurses may be more susceptible to PMS due to the demanding nature of their job. The importance of nurses' jobs and how their quality of life will affect patients and themselves in parallel make female nurses a population that is worth investigating. Our objective is to estimate the level of PMS among Jordanian nurses and assess the potential impact of PMS on work-related quality of life among them. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 210 nurses who completed a questionnaire regarding demographic data, menstrual characteristics, the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST), and the Work-Related Quality-of-Life Scale (WRQoL). The nurses were classified as having or not having PMS according to the PSST. Results The prevalence of PMS was 60.5%, the results showed a significantly lower mean WRQoL score for nurses with PMS (mean = 65.47, SD = 15.38) compared to nurses without PMS (mean = 70.54, SD = 14.47). The multivariable regression model revealed that the adjusted odds ratios for age, combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) use, family history, severe dysmenorrhea, job and career satisfaction, and stress at work were 0.90 (95% CI = 0.84, 0.96), 5.18 (95% CI = 1.33, 20.17), 2.52 (95% CI = 1.23, 5.18), 11.78 (95% CI = 2.48, 56.02), 0.92 (95% CI = 0.85, 0.99), and 1.20 (95% CI = 1.01, 1.42), respectively. Conclusion PMS is quite prevalent among Jordanian nurses, with a negative impact on their work-related quality of life. Healthcare managers might implement special regulations for female nurses with PMS to improve their work-related quality of life. This research suggests that PMS is a substantial factor in the low work-related quality of life among Jordanian nurses.
PubMed: 38435204
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.53427