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Bryan BT, Andrews G, Thompson KN, Qualter P, Matthews T, Arseneault L. Loneliness in the workplace: a mixed-method systematic review and meta-analysis. Occup Med (Lond) 2023; 73:557-567. [PMID: 38285544 PMCID: PMC10824263 DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqad138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loneliness is a risk factor for a range of mental and physical health problems and has gained increasing interest from policy-makers and researchers in recent years. However, little attention has been paid to loneliness at work and its implications for workers and employers. AIMS Identify workplace, health and personal factors associated with workplace loneliness. METHODS We searched five databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and EBSCO Business Source Complete) for relevant articles published from 1 January 2000 to 23 February 2023. Quantitative data were synthesized using narrative synthesis and random-effects meta-analysis of correlation coefficients. Qualitative data were synthesized using thematic synthesis. Evidence quality was appraised using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool. RESULTS We identified 49 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Pooled results indicate that workplace loneliness was associated with lower job performance (r = -0.35, 95% CI -0.49, -0.21), reduced job satisfaction (r = -0.34, 95% CI -0.44, -0.24), worse worker-manager relationship (r = -0.31, 95% CI -0.38, -0.24) and elevated burnout (r = 0.39, 95% CI 0.25, 0.51). Qualitative results suggest links between loneliness and inadequate workplace social interactions and mental health problems. As most studies used cross-sectional data and few adjusted for potential confounders, the direction and robustness of the associations remain untested. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that loneliness is associated with poor occupational functioning and well-being among workers. Results also show that loneliness is associated with modifiable aspects of the work environment, suggesting that the workplace may offer a fruitful avenue for interventions targeting loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- B T Bryan
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - G Andrews
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - K N Thompson
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - P Qualter
- Manchester Institute of Education, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - T Matthews
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, UK
| | - L Arseneault
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
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Vähätalo L, Siukola A, Atkins S, Reho T, Sumanen M, Viljamaa M, Sauni R. Cooperation between Public Primary Health Care and Occupational Health Care Professionals in Work Ability-Related Health Issues. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11916. [PMID: 36231222 PMCID: PMC9564539 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191911916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Work disability creates significant expenses for nations and causes human suffering by limiting patients' lives. International studies show that to enhance recognition of and support for work disability, cooperation, mutual trust, and information exchange between public primary health care and occupational health care must be strengthened. However, little is known of how health care professionals experience this cooperation. The aim of this study was to understand how professionals experience the cooperation between public primary health care and occupational health services regarding patients' work ability. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 health care professionals working in five small cities (<10,000 inhabitants) in Finland. Interviews were audio and video recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed through inductive thematic analysis. Three key themes were identified from the interviews: attitudes toward the other health care sector, the exchange of information, and resources for cooperation. Professionals seem to have poor knowledge about the services available and how care is given in the other sector, appearing to lead to weak mutual trust. The public primary health care professionals especially emphasized the benefits of cooperation, but several issues were mentioned as barriers to cooperation. These results can be used when planning effective patient paths and service provisioning models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauri Vähätalo
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland
| | - Anna Siukola
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland
| | - Salla Atkins
- Health Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland
- Department of Global Public Health, Social Medicine Infectious Disease and Migration (SIM), Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tiia Reho
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland
| | - Markku Sumanen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Riitta Sauni
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland
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Aldred D, Durham M, Prokop N, Balderston G, Crabb R, Crouch P, Pike L, Children J, McBride A, Heywood A, Williams J, Cowley A. Critical care paramedics’ experiences of performing an emergency scalpel cricothyroidotomy: a qualitative study. Br Paramed J 2022; 7:3-8. [DOI: 10.29045/14784726.2022.06.7.1.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: A scalpel cricothyroidotomy or front of neck access (FONA) is a rarely performed part of airway management for when other steps have failed and the patient cannot be intubated or ventilated. Increasingly advanced and specialist paramedics are being trained to perform
this procedure within the pre-hospital environment.Methods: Advanced and specialist paramedics within a UK ambulance service that had performed a FONA were invited to participate in this qualitative research. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather information on the participants’
experiences. This information underwent thematic analysis to develop codes which were then grouped into themes.Results: Seven participants were interviewed between December 2020 and January 2021. Three main themes were identified: the procedure, isolation and training. The main
complications described were bleeding in excess of expectations, moving structures, surgical emphysema and a false track.Conclusion: Complications appeared common; training to perform a FONA should include complications and an approach to their management similar to other airway
management procedures. Isolation was a common theme within this study, however remote support from a peer appeared beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan Aldred
- South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
| | - Mark Durham
- South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
| | - Nora Prokop
- South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
| | | | - Richard Crabb
- South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
| | - Paul Crouch
- South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
| | - Lewis Pike
- South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
| | - John Children
- South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
| | - Andy McBride
- South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
| | - Adam Heywood
- South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
| | - Julia Williams
- South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust ORCID iD:, URL: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0796-5465
| | - Alan Cowley
- South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust ORCID iD:, URL: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3093-4395
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Håkansta C. Ambulating, digital and isolated: The case of Swedish labour inspectors. NEW TECHNOLOGY WORK AND EMPLOYMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ntwe.12211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carin Håkansta
- Department of Working Life Science Karlstad Business School Karlstad University Karlstad Sweden
- Unit of Occupational Medicine Institute of Environmental Medicine Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
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Burnout in French General Practitioners: A Nationwide Prospective Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182212044. [PMID: 34831796 PMCID: PMC8624683 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182212044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Background: We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of burnout among French general practitioners in private practice and to study the risk and protective factors of burnout. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted with French GPs working in a private practice in France who were asked to fulfil an internet questionnaire. We used the secure internet application REDCap®. Exclusion criteria were only working in a hospital, substitute doctors, and internship students. There was a putative sample size of 88,886 GPs. We retrieved the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), occupational characteristics (type of installation, emergency regulated shifts, night shifts, university supervisor, weekly hours worked, seniority), and personal characteristics such as age, gender, marital status, and number of children. Results: We included 1926 GPs among the 2602 retrieved questionnaires. A total of 44.8% of French liberal GPs were experiencing burnout, with 4.8% (95%CI 3.9–5.9%) experiencing severe burnout. The risk factors of severe burnout were male gender (RR = 1.91, 95%CI 1.15–3.16), working in a suburban area (5.23, 2.18–12.58), and having more than 28 appointments per day (1.95, 1.19–3.19). Working more than 50 h weekly showed a tendency to increase the risk of severe burnout (1.55, 0.93–2.59, p = 0.095), with a significant increase in the risk of low and moderate burnout (1.31, 1.02–1.67 and 1.86, 1.34–2.57, respectively). Protective factors were mainly resident training, which decreased the risk of both low, moderate, and severe burnout (0.65, 0.51–0.83; 0.66, 0.48–0.92; and 0.42, 95%CI 0.23–0.76, respectively). Performing home visits decreased the risk of severe burnout (0.25, 0.13–0.47), as did group practice for intermediate level of burnout (0.71, 0.51–0.96). Conclusion: GPs are at a high risk of burnout, with nearly half of them in burnout, with burnout predominantly affecting males and those between the ages of 50 and 60 years old. The main risk factors were a high workload with more than 28 appointments per day or 50 h of work per week, and the main protective factors were related to social cohesion such having a teaching role and working in a group practice with back-office support.
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Thi Nguyen VA, Könings KD, Scherpbier AJJA, van Merriënboer JJG. Attracting and retaining physicians in less attractive specialties: the role of continuing medical education. HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH 2021; 19:69. [PMID: 34011364 PMCID: PMC8132429 DOI: 10.1186/s12960-021-00613-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Less attractive specialties in medicine are struggling to recruit and retain physicians. When properly organized and delivered, continuing medical education (CME) activities that include short courses, coaching in the workplace, and communities of practice might offer a solution to this problem. This position paper discusses how educationalists can create CME activities based on the self-determination theory that increase physicians' intrinsic motivation to work in these specialties. MAIN CONTENT The authors propose a set of guidelines for the design of CME activities that offer physicians meaningful training experiences within the limits of the available resources and support. First, to increase physicians' sense of professional relatedness, educationalists must conduct a learner needs assessment, evaluate CME's long-term outcomes in work-based settings, create social learning networks, and involve stakeholders in every step of the CME design and implementation process. Moreover, providing accessible, practical training formats and giving informative performance feedback that authentically connects to learners' working life situation increases physicians' competence and autonomy, so that they can confidently and independently manage the situations in their practice contexts. For each guideline, application methods and instruments are proposed, making use of relevant literature and connecting to the self-determination theory. CONCLUSIONS By reducing feelings of professional isolation and reinforcing feelings of competence and autonomy in physicians, CME activities show promise as a strategy to recruit and retain physicians in less attractive specialties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van Anh Thi Nguyen
- Department of Medical Education and Skills Laboratory, Hanoi Medical University, Room 504, B Building, 1 Ton That Tung Street, Dongda, Hanoi, 10000 Vietnam
| | - Karen D. Könings
- School of Health Professions Education, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Albert J. J. A. Scherpbier
- School of Health Professions Education, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen J. G. van Merriënboer
- School of Health Professions Education, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Rao AD, Evans LK, Mueller CA, Lake ET. Professional networks and support for nursing home directors of nursing. Res Nurs Health 2019; 42:136-147. [PMID: 30807664 DOI: 10.1002/nur.21927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we examined the influence of professional network characteristics, available professional support, and perceived support quality on intent to stay among for-profit nursing home (NH) directors of nursing (DON). We hypothesized that the receipt of high quality professional support would be associated with DON intent to stay. DONs have a critical mandate to provide leadership that influences their facilities' work climate and care quality. Yet, they often struggle to manage overwhelming responsibilities and are left feeling alienated, frustrated, and intent on leaving their jobs. Professional support, accessed via professional networks, may help DONs combat frustration and mitigate turnover that threatens NH care quality. Using a descriptive survey design, we electronically surveyed all DONs employed by a single for-profit NH corporation to collect data pertaining to their professional networks, receipt of professional support, perceptions regarding support quality, and intentions to stay in their positions. One-hundred-ninety-five DONs (65%) responded, with 133 (44%) completing every survey component. We employed social network analysis methods to construct datasets linking descriptors of DON respondents with attribute information about 1,164 network members. Statistical analyses (ANOVAs, point biserial correlations, and binomial logistic regression) yielded several findings supporting our hypothesis: (i) DONs' professional networks closely resembled the teams in which they worked daily; (ii) DONs relied on this core network of individuals to provide task support primarily; (iii) DON-nursing home administrator relationships were most important; and (iv) perceptions of support quality and support from nursing home administrators were the strongest predictors of DON intent to stay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi D Rao
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Lois K Evans
- University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Eileen T Lake
- University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Redfern N, Macphee GJA. Mentoring in occupational medicine: where might it fit in? Occup Med (Lond) 2018; 68:425-427. [DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqy100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Redfern
- Programme Director Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow Mentoring Programme and Consultant Anaesthetist, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals
| | - Graeme J A Macphee
- Programme Director Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow Mentoring Programme
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Torppa MA, Kuikka L, Nevalainen M, Pitkälä KH. Family physician experiences with and needs for clinical supervision: Associations between work experiences, professional issues and social support at work. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2016; 99:1198-1202. [PMID: 26794668 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2016.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Revised: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore how work experiences, professional issues and social support at work are associated with a need for clinical supervision (CS) among family physicians (FP). METHODS Web-based survey to FPs in Finland 2011 (response rate 68%; n=165). RESULTS Among FPs, 36% needed CS, 35% had experience with CS, and 29% did not need CS. Feeling emotionally drained from work was associated with both needing and experience with CS. FPs needing CS felt callous and had committed a medical error in the recent past more often than those with CS experience. FPs expressing a need for CS felt greater uncertainty regarding their professional knowledge and more alone at work than FPs not needing CS. Rewarding work experiences were common. CONCLUSIONS A large proportion of FPs expressed a need for CS. Need for CS is associated with feeling alone at work, experiences of callousness and uncertainty regarding medical knowledge. Experience of emotional drainage was associated with experience of and need for CS. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Emotional drainage may signal a need for CS among FPs. CS might enhance FPs' emotional well-being at work. It should be more widely available to FPs and could be integrated into continuing professional development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Auri Torppa
- University of Helsinki, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, and Primary Health Care Unit, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Liisa Kuikka
- University of Helsinki, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, and Primary Health Care Unit, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maarit Nevalainen
- University of Helsinki, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, and Primary Health Care Unit, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kaisu Hannele Pitkälä
- University of Helsinki, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, and Primary Health Care Unit, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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Koppe H, van de Mortel TF, Ahern CM. How effective and acceptable is Web 2.0 Balint group participation for general practitioners and general practitioner registrars in regional Australia? A pilot study. Aust J Rural Health 2015; 24:16-22. [PMID: 26114400 PMCID: PMC4755195 DOI: 10.1111/ajr.12212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective General practitioners (GPs) and general practice registrars report work‐related stress. Balint groups may improve coping mechanisms. However, attendance at a face‐to‐face Balint group is difficult for rural doctors due to distance constraints. The study aim was to evaluate online Balint groups for rural doctors and determine effect size for a full‐scale trial. Design A mixed‐methods approach, including a pre–post controlled trial and thematic analysis of qualitative data. Setting Rural primary care. Participants Thirteen GPs and 8 general practice registrars completed the study. Interventions Balint groups were delivered over 8–9 fortnightly online sessions. GPs and GP registrars participated in separate groups. Data were collected on work‐related affect, psychological medicine skills and professional isolation using the Warr's Work‐Related Affect Scale, the Psychological Medicine Inventory, and a professional isolation scale. Main outcome measures Change scores on Warr's Work‐Related Affect Scale, the Psychological Medicine Inventory, and a professional isolation scale. Results Balint participants' scores were significantly higher post‐intervention on the Psychological Medicine Inventory (mean 6.49 (±0.20) versus 5.43 (±0.26); P < 0.01) and Warr's Work‐Related Affect (mean 4.09 (±0.09) versus 3.60 (±0.12); P < 0.01) scales than control group scores. Effect size on these scales ranged from 0.46 to 0.50. The greatest challenge was technical problems related to insufficient broadband speed. Conclusions Online Balint groups appear to improve rural doctors' psychological medicine skills and work‐related affect. New data on effect size will inform a full‐scale trial. Improved national broadband infrastructure may enhance online support opportunities for rural doctors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilton Koppe
- North Coast GP Training, Ballina, NSW, Australia
| | - Thea F van de Mortel
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Lismore, NSW, Australia.,School of Health & Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia
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Noone P. In this issue of Occupational Medicine. Occup Med (Lond) 2010. [DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqq134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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