Occupational accident and disease claims, work-related stress and job satisfaction of physiotherapists

Enhancing the quality of life for physical therapists: insights from a cross-sectional study

Background

Physical Therapy profession is known for its demanding physical requirements. This increases the risk of attrition and work-related accidents and disorders that affect physical therapists' quality of life and work performance. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of physical activity level and other contributing factors on quality of life of physical therapists.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among practicing physical therapists (n = 258). The International Physical Activity Questionnaires-Short Form was used to measure physical activity levels and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire short form was used to measure the quality of life among physical therapists. Data was collected through a self-administered online survey using Microsoft Forms.

Results

The eligible participants were 258 out of 297. The highest percentage of physical therapists had a moderate physical activity level (45.35%) and the median for overall quality of life score was 63.27(52.73-73.59). There was a significant positive correlation between physical activity and age with overall quality of life score (rs = 0.41, p < 0.001; rs = 0.13, p < 0.036) respectively and a significant negative correlation between body mass index and overall quality of life score (rs = -0.13, p < 0.04).

Conclusion

The results obtained revealed that physical therapists mostly have moderate physical activity level and relatively good perceived quality of Life. Furthermore, our study identified significant correlations between physical activity, age, body mass index, and the overall quality of life among practicing physical therapists.

Fatigue based on the subjective feeling of people representing selected medical professions

OBJECTIVES

Fatigue can be the result of overexertion and overload. It occurs when the burdened body does not have enough time for regeneration and biological renewal. The aim of this study was analysis of fatigue based on the subjective feeling in physiotherapists, nurses, and paramedics.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The research covered 193 women and 107 men aged 30-60 years, including 100 physiotherapists, 100 nurses and 100 paramedics with higher education, employed in clinics and hospitals in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, Poland. The research tool of choice was 30-item Research Committee on Industrial Fatigue Fatigue Scale, adapted into the Polish language by Paluch. The data were analyzed based on ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's rank correlation.

RESULTS

Values determining frequency of decrease in activity were higher in nurses than in physiotherapists (p < 0.001) and paramedics (p = 0.005). Physiotherapists and nurses showed statistically significant positive associations of all fatigue indices with age and seniority. Sex-related differences in the frequency of physical fatigue symptoms have been noted (p = 0.044). Among people working in outpatient clinics and hospitals there were statistically significant differences in the frequency of decrease in activity (p = 0.001) and general level of fatigue (p = 0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

In nurses and physiotherapists, the frequency of experiencing ailments increases with age and work experience. This suggests that in the case of these professions it is important to quick identification of signs of fatigue and taking actions to prevent its worsening. Women experience fatigue more often, so they especially need to take steps to prevent and, if necessary, treat this condition. Hospitals should be an area of special involvement in the process of implementing programs to counteract fatigue of employees in the medical services sector. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(1):72-83.

Physiotherapists' job satisfaction in the workplace: A cross-sectional study in Jordan, Lebanon, West Bank, and Gaza

BACKGROUND

Job satisfaction among physiotherapists has been studied in many developing and developed countries, but not yet in areas recently affected by wars and refugee crises in the Middle East, including Jordan, Lebanon, West Bank, and Gaza regions.

OBJECTIVES

To explore physiotherapists' job satisfaction in Jordan, Lebanon, West Bank, and Gaza and examine differences in job satisfaction according to regions, gender, academic qualifications, and years of clinical experience.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study using a self-administered online questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of participants' characteristics and a 17-items Likert scale of job satisfaction.

RESULTS

A total of 413 participants completed the online questionnaire. Most of the respondents were older than 27 years (55%), males (53.8%), and holding a bachelor's degree (70.2%), and had 5-10 years of experience (70.4%). The overall job satisfaction was 66.1%. There was no significant difference in job satisfaction according to the region in all questionnaire items. Female physiotherapists reported higher satisfaction in receiving career advice (p = .013). In many items, physiotherapists with higher qualifications and longer years of experience reported higher satisfaction (p <  0.05). Salaries and remunerations, lack of continuing education support, and lack of evidence-based practice in the workplace were the main reasons for job dissatisfaction.

CONCLUSION

To improve physiotherapy job satisfaction, healthcare administrators should increase physiotherapists' financial rewards, support continuing education, and set evidence-based practice policies.

Job satisfaction in sport science and sports medicine, an international cross-sectional survey

Background/Aim

Job satisfaction (JS) and professional burnout among health professionals have been shown to affect several factors: healthcare quality, patient safety, patient satisfaction, turnover/reduction of work effort, healthcare costs and other personal consequences. In general, factors that impact JS for health professionals include professional autonomy, workplace conditions, rewards/recognition, compensation and work-life balance. However, less is known about JS of professions working in sport science and sports medicine (SSSM) especially from an international perspective. This paper addresses JS among SSSM professionals in an international context.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study design, the Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC) in SSSM survey, an online survey which included the Warr-Cook-Wall JS questionnaire for international respondents working in fields associated with SSSM, was distributed globally to persons working in SSSM. Data from 320 respondents with complete data sets from USA (n=83), Canada (n=179) and Europe (n=58) were collected.

Results

High values were detected in the overall JS of the total sample with some differences in variables relevant for JS internationally and a relationship between positive perceptions of IPC and overall JS. The most important determinant for overall JS in professionals working in SSSM is the opportunity to use abilities.

Conclusion

JS has an important influence on the work and services provided by SSSM professionals and experience with IPC can have a positive effect on JS which, in turn, can improve quality of life for clients, patients and professionals. Employers should regard most impactful determinants of overall JS when designing working conditions for their employees.

Survey of the health, safety and environment climate and its effects on occupational accidents

BACKGROUND: Preserving and protecting the human resources is considered as the most important capital in any economic section by industrial development. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the health, safety and environment (HSE) climate and its effects on occupational accidents in a petrochemical industry. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was performed on 354 male workers in a petrochemical industry (10 different categories of site operators). Data was collected through a questionnaire, which its validity and reliability were standardized with Cronbach’s alpha at 0.85. In this questionnaire the safety condition, workplace environment, disease symptoms were investigated in five, four and three dimensions, respectively. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 23 and LISREL version 8.8. RESULTS: According to the model values, there were significant correlation between safety condition and workplace environment r = 0.66, also between work safety condition and disease symptoms. The three hidden variables of work safety condition, work mental environment and physical workplace had significant effects on disease symptoms. Therefore, safety condition was the most effective variable on disease symptoms. Two significant predictors were work safety condition and physical workplace for work mental environment with coefficients γ= 2.29, β= –0.1, respectively. CONCLUSION: HSE condition indicators, working environment and disease symptoms reflect workers’ views on HSE issues in the workplace. It can be beneficial in rooting the factors affecting occupational accidents and performance evaluation in the organization HSE management system.

Estimation of Tibiofemoral Joint Contact Forces Using Foot Loads during Continuous Passive Motions

Continuous passive motion (CPM) machines are commonly used after various knee surgeries, but information on tibiofemoral forces (TFFs) during CPM cycles is limited. This study aimed to explore the changing trend of TFFs during CPM cycles under various ranges of motion (ROM) and body weights (BW) by establishing a two-dimensional mathematical model. TFFs were estimated by using joint angles, foot load, and leg−foot weight. Eleven healthy male participants were tested with ROM ranging from 0° to 120°. The values of the peak TFFs during knee flexion were higher than those during knee extension, varying nonlinearly with ROM. BW had a significant main effect on the peak TFFs and tibiofemoral shear forces, while ROM had a limited effect on the peak TFFs. No significant interaction effects were observed between BW and ROM for each peak TFF, whereas a strong linear correlation existed between the peak tibiofemoral compressive forces (TFCFs) and the peak resultant TFFs (R2 = 0.971, p < 0.01). The proposed method showed promise in serving as an input for optimizing rehabilitation devices.

Job Satisfaction Among Psychomotor Physiotherapists in Norway

The objective of the study was to investigate (i) levels of job satisfaction among employed and self-employed psychomotor physiotherapists in Norway and (ii) factors associated with job satisfaction. Although there are several studies on job satisfaction among physiotherapists, there is limited knowledge about job satisfaction among psychomotor physiotherapists in Norway. A cross-sectional survey was distributed to Norwegian psychomotor physiotherapists (n = 64) via a weblink. Job satisfaction was measured with 2 different scales (Warr’s and Speakman’s Job Satisfaction Scales). Group differences were analyzed with chi-squared tests and independent sample t-tests. Adjusted associations with job satisfaction were analyzed with multivariate linear regression. Fifty-eight women (90.6%) and 6 men (9.4%) were included in the study. The results revealed an overall high level of job satisfaction among the participants. None of the independent variables were associated with ratings on Warr’s Job Satisfaction Scale. When using Speakman’s Job Satisfaction Scale as outcome, employed practitioners had a higher level of job satisfaction, compared to their self-employed counterparts (P < .01). Being employed was associated with a higher level of job satisfaction, compared to being self-employed. Self-employed physiotherapists also felt more overworked and experienced the job to be more physically demanding than their counterparts.

Job Satisfaction among Occupational Therapy Practitioners: A Systematic Review of Quantitative Studies

A comprehensive description of the factors associated with job satisfaction among occupational therapy practitioners is needed to promote their work well-being. This systematic review aimed to describe occupational therapy practitioners' job satisfaction and the related intra-, inter-, and extra-personal factors. Original peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2019 were retrieved from four databases with the review including fourteen studies. The review was conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute guideline. The data were analyzed by narrative synthesis. Occupational therapy practitioners experienced high job satisfaction. Job satisfaction was found to be associated with significantly lower rates of turnover intention and higher rates of rewards. The relationships between job satisfaction, professional identity, exhaustion, and social environment showed conflicting results.

Physiotherapists' job satisfaction according to employment situation: Findings from an online survey in Austria

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Physiotherapists are commonly working in self-employed, employed, or in combined employed and self-employed work arrangements. This study aimed at examining aspects of job satisfaction and predictors of physiotherapists' overall job satisfaction across those three types of work arrangements.

METHODS

Austrian physiotherapists rated their overall job satisfaction as well as the importance and realisation of aspects of job satisfaction in a cross-sectional online survey. Multiple linear regression was used to identify predictors of overall job satisfaction, and (for employed therapists only) predictors for planning to change the employer.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 581 physiotherapists working in the public or private sector, of which, 342 were self-employed, 100 employed, and 139 both employed and self-employed. Physiotherapists generally indicated high job satisfaction with notable variations according to their work arrangements. Overall job satisfaction and the aspects of recognition and autonomy were higher in self-employed therapists, when compared to the other two groups. In contrast, self-employed therapists reported lower satisfaction with mentoring and peer support. Those who were both employed and self-employed reported the highest gap between the importance and realisation of their work-life balance (r = -0.50, p < 0.001). Recognition was identified as the most important predictor of job satisfaction (ß = 0.52, p < 0.001) and intention to leave (ß = -0.54, p < 0.001) in employed physiotherapists.

DISCUSSION

The analysis of job satisfaction according to work arrangements suggests several approaches to increase or maintain a high level of job satisfaction, which may be addressed by employers and physiotherapy professional organisations. For employed physiotherapists, practices that increase their recognition and autonomy seem to be promising, whereas self-employed physiotherapists could benefit from enhanced opportunities for exchange and networking with colleagues. For those who are both employed and self-employed, more flexible work schedules may be helpful to integrate the demands of private patients and employer workloads.

Job strain in German novice physical therapists / Psychische Beanspruchung am Arbeitsplatz von Berufsanfängern in der Physiotherapie

Introduction

International research shows high levels of job demands and psychological resources for physical therapists, and job strain is considered to be moderate. So far, publications are based on therapists with varying length of service. Little is known about job strain during the first year in the profession.

Aim

To investigate the level of job strain of German novice physical therapists and to identify common workplace stressors.

Methods

We conducted a web-based survey among physical therapists who had been working for 12 month or less. Using a self-administrated questionnaire, job strain was measured by its effects on work commitment, general health, job satisfaction, burnout and turnover intention. Subgroup analyses based on age, sex and rating of professional training were performed. Stressors at work were evaluated by priority and frequency of appearance.

Results

Data of 153 physical therapists was analysed. Low levels of job strain were reported. Novice physical therapists showed high levels of workplace commitment and general health, and low levels of turnover. Moderate ratings were recorded for job satisfaction and symptoms of burnout. Inadequate compensation for work, high caseload, time pressure and physical stress were the most common stressors mentioned. Therapists who rated their professional training as positive reported lower levels of job strain. No significant differences between women and men or between therapists of different age were found.

Conclusion

Although many workplace stressors are reported, novice physical therapists show low levels of job strain. Vocational training may be one important protective factor with regard to job strain.

Value Conflict, Lack of Rewards, and Sense of Community as Psychosocial Risk Factors of Burnout in Communication Professionals (Press, Radio, and Television)

Journalists are at particular risk of work-related stress and burnout. The objective of this study is to describe and analyze the principal factors involved in the appearance of burnout in communication professionals, as well as the possible interactions between them and with self-reported health, and to observe whether the variables involved are the same in different types of environments. To achieve this objective, 292 participants answered the following measurement instruments: Demographic and labor datasheet; Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI General survey); Areas of Worklife Scale (AWS); and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ -12). The results were the following: Emotional Exhaustion (EE) shows direct correlation and statistical significance with the other two burnout dimensions, Depersonalization (DP) and Personal Accomplishment (PA), also with health perception variables and inverse and statistical significance with the workload, control, rewards, community, fairness, and values. A multiple linear regression model shows workload and values as inverse EE predictors, which confirms a burnout process in which EE contributes as the main dimension in DP and is shown to be a precursor of PA, itself. When comparing different types of media, journalists who work in institutional press offices presented significantly lower scores in PA and higher in control, rewards, community, justice, and values. Therefore, further research should be carried out in order to analyze the protective role of these variables regarding PA and burnout.

The Role of Positive and Negative Affectivity in Healthy and Unhealthy Work-Related Behavior and Experiences

Abstract. Positive affectivity (PA) and negative affectivity (NA) are basic traits that affect work-related perceptions and behaviors and should be considered in any assessment of these variables. A quite common method to assess healthy or unhealthy types of work-related perceptions and behaviors is the questionnaire on Work-Related Coping Behavior and Experience Patterns (WCEP). However, the association of PA and NA with WCEP remained unclear. In a sample of teachers, physiotherapists, and teacher students ( N = 745; Mage = 35.07, SD = 12.49; 78% females), we aimed to identify the relevance of these basic traits. After controlling for age, gender, and type of occupation, we found main effects of PA and NA, with the specific combination of PA and NA being decisive for predicting the assignment to a WCEP type. The results highlight the need to include PA and NA in future assessments with the WCEP questionnaire.

Constrained posture in dentistry - a kinematic analysis of dentists

Background

How a dentist works, such as the patterns of movements performed daily, is also largely affected by the workstation Dental tasks are often executed in awkward body positions, thereby causing a very high degree of strain on the corresponding muscles. The objective of this study is to detect those dental tasks, during which awkward postures occur most frequently. The isolated analysis of static postures will examine the duration for which these postures are maintained during the corresponding dental, respectively non-dental, activities.

Methods: 21 (11f/10 m) dentists (age: 40.1 ± 10.4 years) participated in this study. An average dental workday was collected for every subject. To collect kinematic data of all activities, the CUELA system was used. Parallel to the kinematic examination, a detailed computer-based task analysis was conducted. Afterwards, both data sets were synchronized based on the chronological order of the postures assumed in the trunk and the head region. All tasks performed were assigned to the categories “treatment” (I), “office” (II) and “other activities” (III). The angle values of each body region (evaluation parameter) were examined and assessed corresponding to ergonomic standards. Moreover, this study placed a particular focus on static positions, which are held statically for 4 s and longer.

Results

For “treatment” (I), the entire head and trunk area is anteriorly tilted while the back is twisted to the right, in (II) and (III) the back is anteriorly tilted and twisted to the right (non-neutral position). Static positions in (I) last for 4–10s, static postures (approx. 60%) can be observed while in (II) and (III) in the back area static positions for more than 30 s are most common. Moreover, in (II) the back is twisted to the right for more than 60 s in 26.8%.

Conclusion

Awkward positions are a major part of a dentists’ work. This mainly pertains to static positions of the trunk and head in contrast to “office work.” These insights facilitate the quantitative description of the dentist profession with regard to the related physical load along with the health hazards to the musculoskeletal system. Moreover, the results allow for a selective extraction of the most unfavorable static body positions that dentists assume for each of the activities performed.