A bibliometric analysis of remote working practices: Call for future research

BACKGROUND

According to Gallup survey report, 69% of U.S. workers moved to working remotely in April 2020. Due to COVID-19, work is changing rapidly, including where individuals work.

OBJECTIVE

Research in this field has drawn much attention, and in the last ten years, there is a constant augment in the number of publications on the same. Several works of literature on Remote Working (RW) culture have been reported. Nevertheless, only less research is present on bibliometric reviews of RW culture. Therefore, Bibliometric research is wielded in this work and a comprehensive review of relevant publications was taken from Scopus, Web of Science (WOS), together with the Social Science Citation Index Expanded.

METHODOLOGY

At first, meticulous bibliometric analyses of 430 published articles are done and descriptive information about a piece of work, namely (a) author, (b) title, (c) date of publication, et cetera, is provided.

RESULTS

Mapping the scope along with the structure of the discipline is enabled by these analyzes, which discovers the instituted collaboration patterns amongst countries and organizations, and identifies authoritative papers together with authors. Therefore, the publication's evolution over time is illustrated by these analyses, and the current research interests and potential directions for future study are identified.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper incorporates insights on remote working culture and enables mapping the scope and structure of the discipline, discovering the established collaboration patterns among countries and organizations. Thus, these analyses illustrate the publication's evolution over time and identified the current research interests and potential directions for the research.

Assessment and evaluation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among nuclear medicine professionals in India: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a severe occupational health issue among medical radiation practitioners. It is mostly linked to personal protective wear, working posture, tools employed and ergonomics.

OBJECTIVE

To assess and evaluate the musculoskeletal disorders among nuclear medicine professionals (NMP) in India.

METHODS

An online survey was distributed to 455 NMP throughout India between November 2021 and March 2022 covering the demographic characteristics and questions for evaluation of musculoskeletal symptoms using the Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Participants with any pre-existing musculoskeletal disorder or trauma were excluded. Descriptive statistics summarized the data from the demographics, discomfort, aches and work-related musculoskeletal injuries. Chi-square test was used to examine the association between the obtained values.

RESULTS

91 out of 124 respondents were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results shows that there is a significant association between the height of the individual and neck pain, body mass index and elbows pain, age and low back pain, experience in the current work and upper back pain, the weight of the individual and knee pain, use of mobile lead screens and shoulder pain, use of gonad shield, trouble in the ankles and use of lead screens, and QC phantoms for gamma camera / PET and wrists/hands pain.

CONCLUSION

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among NMP are resulting from factors of individual demographic variables (such as age, height, weight, body mass index), years of experience at the current workplace and of using instruments in their work area.

[Determination of trace low molecular mass aldehydes in air by ultra-fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry]

OBJECTIVE

To establish a rapid and accurate method for the determination of trace acetaldehyde, acrolein, methacrylaldehyde, crotonaldehyde in the air by ultra-fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UFLC-MS/MS).

METHODS

The air sample was concentrated and derivatived by 3-methyl-2(3 H)-benzothiazolonhydrazone(MBTH), and the effect of derivative conditions including the concentration of MBTH, the pH, the derivative time and temperature was investigated. The stability of derivatives, the cracking mechanism of mass spectrometry, the matrix effect of the method and air sampling efficiency were studied. The chromatographic separation was carried out on a Shim-pack XR-ODS II column(100 mm×2. 0 mm, 2. 2 μm) by using water/methanol solution as the mobile phase with the gradient elution. Detection was performed in positive multi-reaction monitoring(MRM) mode for quantification by using external standard method.

RESULTS

The four analytes showed good linear relationship within the range of 1. 00-100 μg/L(calculated by aldehyde) with a correlation coefficient r≥0. 9990. The limits of quantitation(LOQs) of the method(concentrated with 10 L air) were 0. 5 μg/m~3 in air, for acetaldehyde, acrolein, methacrylaldehyde, crotonaldehyde. The recoveries of the method were 90. 6%-97. 8% at the three spiked levels, and the relative standard deviations(RSDs) were between 1. 9%-6. 4%(n=6), the average sampling efficiency was between 91. 0%-97. 1%.

CONCLUSION

The developed method is simple, less interference and specificity, and is suitable for the simultaneous rapid determination of trace acetaldehyde, acrolein, methacrylaldehyde, crotonaldehyde in air of work place.

A National Cross-Sectional Survey on Work Environment Associated With Psychological Well-Being and Job Satisfaction Among Chinese Employees

Work environments can affect job satisfaction and psychological well-being. Using the job demand-control model as a foundation, this study aimed to explore the relationships between physical and psychosocial work environments and psychological well-being and job satisfaction in the workplace. A multistage sampling method was used with the 2012 China Labor-force Dynamics Survey among 4442 employees. Our outcome measures included psychological well-being and job satisfaction. The final model showed migrants (odds ratio [OR] = 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13-1.60) and nonmanagerial employees (OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.25-1.78) who worked in general enterprises (OR= 1.61, 95% CI = 1.34-1.92) or suffered longer weekly work hours (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.24-1.63) had worse psychological well-being or lower job satisfaction. Following the job demand-control model, higher job demands and lower job autonomy were significantly and positively associated with worse psychological well-being and lower job satisfaction. This study highlights that improved work environments can protect employees' well-being. Policymakers must provide better work environments. They must consider its physical environment (stable work contract and short work hours) and psychosocial environment (low job demands and high job autonomy) aspects, particularly for migrants and nonmanagerial employees.

Work-related post-traumatic stress symptoms in obstetricians and gynaecologists: findings from INDIGO, a mixed-methods study with a cross-sectional survey and in-depth interviews

OBJECTIVES

To explore obstetricians' and gynaecologists' experiences of work-related traumatic events, to measure the prevalence and predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), any impacts on personal and professional lives, and any support needs.

DESIGN

Mixed methods: cross-sectional survey and in-depth interviews.

SAMPLE AND SETTING

Fellows, members and trainees of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).

METHODS

A survey was sent to 6300 fellows, members and trainees of RCOG. 1095 people responded. Then 43 in-depth interviews with trauma-exposed participants were completed and analysed by template analysis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Exposure to traumatic work-related events and PTSD, personal and professional impacts, and whether there was any need for support. Interviews explored the impact of trauma, what helped or hindered psychological recovery, and any assistance wanted.

RESULTS

Two-thirds reported exposure to traumatic work-related events. Of these, 18% of both consultants and trainees reported clinically significant PTSD symptoms. Staff of black or minority ethnicity were at increased risk of PTSD. Clinically significant PTSD symptoms were associated with lower job satisfaction, emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation. Organisational impacts included sick leave, and 'seriously considering leaving the profession'. 91% wanted a system of care. The culture in obstetrics and gynaecology was identified as a barrier to trauma support. A strategy to manage the impact of work-place trauma is proposed.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to work-related trauma is a feature of the experience of obstetricians and gynaecologists. Some will suffer PTSD with high personal, professional and organisational impacts. A system of care is needed.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

18% of obstetrics and gynaecology doctors experience post-traumatic stress disorder after traumatic events at work.

Midwives' care on a labour ward prior to the introduction of a midwifery model of care: a field of tension

Purpose: There is a need to deepen knowledge about midwives’ care in obstetric-led labour wards in which midwives are responsible for normal births. This ethnographic study explores the content and meaning of midwives’ care of women in a hospital-based labour ward in Sweden prior to the introduction of a theoretical midwifery model of care. Methods: Data were gathered through participant observation, analysed through interpretation grounded in reflexivity discussions and are presented in the form of ethnographic descriptions. Results: The midwives’ care was provided in a field of tension in which they had to balance contrasting models of care, described in the themes: The birthing rooms and the office—Different rooms of care, Women giving birth or being delivered—Midwives’ expectations and relationships with women, Old and new caring roles of the midwife—Women giving birth in a “new age”, Being and doing—Different approaches to caring, and Holistic and reductionist care—Guided by contrasting models and guidelines. The midwives’ freedom to act as autonomous professionals was hindered by medical and institutional models of care and this led to uncertainty regarding their roles as midwives. Conclusions: Midwives having to balance their activities in a field of tension require midwifery models that can guide their practice.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Resident Physicians

Background

Research suggests that symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be common in physicians who have experienced a traumatic event, but it is unclear if medical residents suffer from similar symptoms.

Objective

To determine the prevalence of PTSD symptoms in the resident physician population of the University of British Columbia based on the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-fifth edition (DSM-5) criteria.

Method

A link to an online questionnaire containing 27 questions, including residency training and year, as well as the PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-fifth edition (PCL-5) was e-mailed and completed by the resident physicians of the University of British Columbia.

Results

Forty-three residents completed the survey and 38 had complete data. Mean PCL-5 score was 10.3 for the 38 subjects. Differences between PCL-5 score and resident year yielded the following: postgraduate year (PGY)-1=8.6; PGY-2=16.5; PGY-3=3.6; PGY-4=4.0; PGY-5=7.7. With respect to the type of traumatic event and PCL-5 score, the following was observed: Death=5.3, Violence=13.8, Medical Error=8.0, Bullying=38.0, None=45.0. The Kruskal-Wallis test showed no statistically significant differences in total PCL-5 score for PGY or type of traumatic event. Regardless of post-graduate year or trauma experience, four subjects out of 38 (10.5%) had a total PCL-5 score of 33 or greater, while one subject (2.5%) had a score greater than 50.

Conclusion

The results from this study conclude that resident physicians do suffer from PTSD symptoms at a rate higher than the average American population. As PTSD symptoms can often be very distressing and potentially affect work ethic negatively, further studies are indicated to better understand these symptoms and hopefully lead to better care in treating PTSD symptoms in resident physicians.

Unemployment and embitterment in contrast to general psychological distress

BACKGROUND

One reaction to injustice or humiliation is embitterment, a disabling emotion, which can hinder the pursuit of functional solutions for problems in life. Unemployment can be experienced differently, depending on the subjective appraisal of the cause, how a person came to being laid off, the consequences, and especially feelings of injustice.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study is to explore the frequency and correlates of embitterment in unemployed persons in contrast to general psychological distress.

METHODS

Self rating on the Posttraumatic Embitterment Scale (PTED scale), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and a survey on the unemployment status of 102 randomly selected persons who were waiting in a German unemployment agency office.

RESULTS

A score of ≥6 on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) was found in 40.2% of the sample, indicating severe psychological distress. Unemployment was seen as a severe, or very severe burden by 56% of participants, and judged as unjust by 40% of participants. An elevated score above 2 on the Posttraumatic Embitterment Scale was found in 25.5% participants. Appraisal and duration of unemployment, feelings of injustice, and age were related to embitterment, but not psychological distress.

CONCLUSIONS

Embitterment is a destructive emotion in reaction to unemployment, which can impair functional coping.

Assessing Dispositions Toward Ridicule and Laughter in the Workplace: Adapting and Validating the PhoPhiKat-9 Questionnaire

The current paper addresses the measurement of three dispositions toward ridicule and laughter; i.e., gelotophobia (the fear of being laughed at), gelotophilia (the joy of being laughed at), and katagelasticism (the joy of laughing at others). These traits explain inter-individual differences in responses to humor, laughter, and social situations related to humorous encounters. First, an ultra-short form of the PhoPhiKat-45 (Ruch and Proyer, 2009) was adapted in two independent samples (Construction Sample N = 157; Replication Sample N = 1,774). Second, we tested the validity of the PhoPhiKat-9 in two further independent samples. Results showed that the psychometric properties of the ultra-short form were acceptable and the proposed factor structure could be replicated. In Validation Sample 1 (N = 246), we investigated the relation of the three traits to responses in a ridicule and teasing scenario questionnaire. The results replicated findings from earlier studies by showing that gelotophobes assigned the same emotions to friendly teasing and malicious ridicule (predominantly low joy, high fear, and shame). Gelotophilia was mainly predicted by relating joy to both, teasing and ridicule scenarios, while katagelasticism was predicted by assigning joy and contempt to ridicule scenarios. In Validation Sample 2 (N = 1,248), we investigated whether the fear of being laughed at is a vulnerability at the workplace: If friendly teasing and laughter of co-workers, superiors, or customers are misperceived as being malicious, individuals may feel less satisfied and more stressed. The results from a representative sample of Swiss employees showed that individuals with a fear of being laughed at are generally less satisfied with life and work and experience more work stress. Moreover, gelotophilia went along with positive evaluations of one's life and work, while katagelasticism was negatively related to work satisfaction and positively related to work stress. In order to establish good work practices and build procedures against workplace bullying, one needs to consider that individual differences impact on a person's perception of being bullied and assessing the three dispositions may give important insights into team processes.

Prevalence of obesity and overweight and associated factors among financial institution workers in Accra Metropolis, Ghana: a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

Certain professions are associated with low physical activity. Workers in such professions spend the most part of their adult working lives less engaged in physical activity if they don't consciously exercise outside of working hours. This increases their risk of obesity and its associated diseases. This study determined the prevalence of obesity and overweight and associated factors among workers of a financial institution in Accra Metropolis, Ghana.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 workers of a financial institution in Accra using the World Health Organization's STEPS (STEPwise approach) instrument for non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance. Relevant sociodemographic information were recorded and BMI was computed for each respondent.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of obesity and overweight among the bank workers was 55.6 % (17.8 % obese and 37.8 % overweight). After adjusting for other variables, physical activity (OR = 0.34, 95 % CI = 0.13-0.89, p = 0.03), alcohol consumption (OR = 3.00, 95 % CI = 1.35, 6.68, p = 0.007), marital status (OR = 2.74, 95 % CI = 0.96-7.85, p = 0.04), sex (OR = 2.78, 95 % CI = 1.23-6.33, p = 0.01), and age (OR = 1.10, 95 % CI = 1.01-1.20, p = 0.036) were significantly associated with obesity and overweight.

CONCLUSION

Being physically inactive, consumption of alcohol, being married and a female, in addition to old age, increase the risk of obesity and overweight significantly. These factors should inform policy makers in developing strategies to reduce the burden of obesity and overweight among this category of workers.

Association between adjustment latitude and sickness presence - A panel study of Swedish employees

OBJECTIVES

This study is analyzing the unexpected reversed or lacking association between high adjustment latitude and sickness presence by examining whether it is due to confounding.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Questionnaires were sent in 2004 and 2005 to a cohort of individuals aged 25-50 years, selected from the Statistics Sweden's register of the Swedish population. Information from 2397 individuals who answered both questionnaires was analyzed by the use of logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The odds ratio for sickness presence among the individuals with a low adjustment latitude compared to those with high adjustment latitude was 1.7 (range: 1.4-2.2). This increased likelihood was almost entirely unaffected in the analysis of potential confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

If the reversed association between adjustment latitude and sickness presence does not reflect confounding, it may be due to reporting bias, which may cause problems in research on sickness presence. We argue that more detailed studies are needed to explore the different sources of possible reporting problems.

Coil Probe Dimension and Uncertainties During Measurements of Nonuniform ELF Magnetic Fields

Comparisons are made between the calculated average magnetic flux density for single-axis and three-axis circular coil probes and the calculated magnetic flux density at the center of the probes. The results, which are determined as suming a dipole magnetic field, provide information on the uncertainty associated with measurements of nonuniform extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields produced by some electrical appliances and other electrical equipment.