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Biomedical subjects

Bengt B Arnetz

Publications and source records attributed to Bengt B Arnetz.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Predictors of self-rated health: a 12-month prospective study of IT and media workers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine health-related risk and salutogenic factors and to use these to construct prediction models for future self-rated health (SRH), i.e. find possible characteristics predicting individuals improving or worsening in SRH over time (0-12 months). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted with measurements (physiological markers and self-ratings) at 0, 6 and 12 months, involving 303 employees (187 men and 116 women, age 23-64) from four information technology and two media companies. RESULTS: There were a multitude of statistically significant cross-sectional correlations (Spearman's Rho) between SRH and other self-ratings as well as physiological markers. Predictors of future SRH were baseline ratings of SRH, self-esteem and social support (logistic regression), and SRH, sleep quality and sense of coherence (linear regression). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that baseline SRH and other self-ratings are predictive of future SRH. It is cautiously implied that SRH, self-esteem, social support, sleep quality and sense of coherence might be predictors of future SRH and therefore possibly also of various future health outcomes.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Understanding work contextual factors: a short-cut to evidence-based practice?

BACKGROUND: It has become increasingly clear that workplace contextual factors make an important contribution to provider and patient outcomes. The potential for health care professionals of using research in practice is also linked to such factors, although the exact factors or mechanisms for enhancing this potential are not understood. From a perspective of implementing evidence-based nursing practice, the authors of this article report on a study examining contextual factors. AIM: The objective of this study was to identify predictors of organizational improvement by measuring staff perceptions of work contextual factors. METHOD: The Quality Work Competence questionnaire was used in a repeated measurement survey with a 1-year break between the two periods of data collection. The sample consisted of 134 employees from four neonatal units in Sweden. FINDINGS: Over the study period significant changes occurred among staff perceptions, both within and between units, on various factors. Changes in staff perceptions on skills development and participatory management were the major predictors of enhanced potential of overall organizational improvement. Perceived improvement in skills development and performance feedback predicted improvement in leadership. Change in commitment was predicted by perceived decreases in work tempo and work-related exhaustion. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These findings indicate the potential for organizational improvement by developing a learning and supportive professional environment as well as by involving staff in decision-making at the unit level. Such initiatives are also likely to be of importance for enhanced use of research in practice and evidence-based nursing. On the other hand, high levels of work tempo and burnout appear to have negative consequences on staff commitment for improving care and the work environment. A better understanding of workplace contextual factors is necessary for improving the organizational potential of getting research into practice and should be considered in future implementation projects.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Psychophysiological effects of a web-based stress management system: a prospective, randomized controlled intervention study of IT and media workers [ISRCTN54254861].

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to assess possible effects on mental and physical well-being and stress-related biological markers of a web-based health promotion tool. METHODS: A randomized, prospectively controlled study was conducted with before and after measurements, involving 303 employees (187 men and 116 women, age 23-64) from four information technology and two media companies. Half of the participants were offered web-based health promotion and stress management training (intervention) lasting for six months. All other participants constituted the reference group. Different biological markers were measured to detect possible physiological changes. RESULTS: After six months the intervention group had improved statistically significantly compared to the reference group on ratings of ability to manage stress, sleep quality, mental energy, concentration ability and social support. The anabolic hormone dehydroepiandosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) decreased significantly in the reference group as compared to unchanged levels in the intervention group. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) increased significantly in the intervention group compared to the reference group. Chromogranin A (CgA) decreased significantly in the intervention group as compared to the reference group. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) decreased significantly in the reference group compared to the intervention group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that group (intervention vs. reference) remained a significant factor in five out of nine predictive models. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that an automatic web-based system might have short-term beneficial physiological and psychological effects and thus might be an opportunity in counteracting some clinically relevant and common stress and health issues of today.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Subjective indicators as a gauge for improving organizational well-being. An attempt to apply the cognitive activation theory to organizations.

Globally, organizations are undergoing substantial changes, commonly resulting in significant employee stress. However, facing similar stressors and challenges, departments within an organizations, as well as companies within the same area of business, vary in the way they cope with change. It was hypothesized that collective uncertainty about the future as well as unclear organizational goals contribute to chronic stress in organizations exposed to change. Applying the theoretical cognitive activation theory of stress--CATS--model by Ursin and Eriksen at an organizational level, support was found for the above hypothesis. Changes in chronic stress indicators between two assessments were related to clarity of organizational goals. It is suggested that the CATS model might be fruitful, not only in understanding variations in individual stress responses and experiences, but also to interpret and manage organizational stress. By doing so, both organizational health and well-being will improve, creating enterprises with healthy employees and healthy productivity and economic results.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The impact of a prospective survey-based workplace intervention program on employee health, biologic stress markers, and organizational productivity.

OBJECTIVE: To study whether knowledge about psychosocial work indicators and a structured method to implement changes based on such knowledge comprise an effective management tool for enhancing organizational as well as employee health and well-being. METHODS: White- collar employees representing 22 different work units were assessed before and after a 1-year intervention program. Subjective ratings on health and work environment, biologic markers, absenteeism, and productivity were measured. RESULTS: Significant improvements in performance feedback, participatory management, employeeship, skills development, efficiency, leadership, employee well-being, and work-related exhaustion were identified. The restorative hormone testosterone increased during the intervention and changes correlated with increased overall organizational well-being. Absenteeism decreased and productivity improved. CONCLUSIONS: Fact-based psychosocial workplace interventions are suggested to be an important process for enhancing employee well-being as well as organizational performance.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed2003

Early workplace intervention for employees with musculoskeletal-related absenteeism: a prospective controlled intervention study.

Sickness absenteeism caused by musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is a persistent and costly occupational health challenge. In a prospective controlled trial, we compared the effects on sickness absenteeism of a more proactive role for insurance case managers as well as workplace ergonomic interventions with that of traditional case management. Patients with physician-diagnosed MSDs were randomized either to the intervention group or the reference group offered the traditional case management routines. Participants filled out a comprehensive questionnaire at the initiation of the study and after 6 months. In addition, administrative data were collected at 0.6, and 12 months after the initiation of the project. For the entire 12-month period, the total mean number of sick days for the intervention group was 144.9 (SEM 11.8) days/person as compared to 197.9 (14.0) days in the reference group (P < 0.01). Compared with the reference group, employees in the intervention group significantly more often received a complete rehabilitation investigation (84% versus 27%). The time for doing this was reduced by half (59.4 (5.2) days versus 126.8 (19.2), P < .01). The odds ratio for returning to work in the intervention group was 2.5 (95% confidence interval 1.2-5.1) as compared with the reference group. The direct cost savings were USD 1195 per case, yielding a direct benefit-to-cost ratio of 6.8. It is suggested that the management of MSDs should to a greater degree focus on early return to work and building on functional capacity and employee ability. Allowing the case managers a more active role as well as involving an ergonomist in workplace adaptation meetings might also be beneficial.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed2002

Prevalence of self-reported hypersensitivity to electric or magnetic fields in a population-based questionnaire survey.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of medically unexplained symptoms attributed to exposure to electromagnetic fields is still largely unknown. Previous studies have investigated reported hypersensitivity to electricity in selected groups recruited from workplaces or outpatient clinics. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of self-reported hypersensitivity to electric or magnetic fields in the general population and to describe characteristics of the group reporting such hypersensitivity with regard to demographics, other complaints, hypersensitivities, and traditional allergies. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted in 1997 among 15,000 men and women between 19 and 80 years of age in Stockholm County. The response rate was 73%. RESULTS: One and a half percent of the respondents reported hypersensitivity to electric or magnetic fields. Prevalence was highest among women and in the 60- to 69-year age group. The hypersensitive group reported all symptoms, allergies, and other types of hypersensitivities included in the survey (as well as being disturbed by various factors in the home) to a significantly greater extent than the rest of the respondents. No specific symptom profile set off the hypersensitive group from the rest of the respondents. CONCLUSIONS: The results should be interpreted with caution. But they suggest that there is widespread concern among the general population about risks to health posed by electric and magnetic fields. More research is warranted to explore ill health among people reporting hypersensitivity to electric or magnetic fields.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Health, mental well-being, and musculoskeletal disorders: a comparison between Swedish and Australian dental hygienist.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare Swedish and Australian dental hygienist in regards to working conditions, health, and mental well being and to further develop a health model for this profession. METHODS: Questionnaires (a 275-item instrument) were sent to all 376 Australian dental hygienist and a random sample of 26% (n=575) of Swedish dental hygienist. Country-specific factors--such as work characteristics and life style--and their relationships to self-related health and mental well being were analyzed. Interaction effects of age times country were studied by two-factor ANOVA. Discriminant functions were used to predict country and age group memberships, and multiple logistic regression modeling for a health model was tested. RESULTS: The response rate was 86% (N=495) in Sweden and 71% (N=254) in Australia. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders, professional ambition, and demands from difficult patients were the factors most different for the two countries--generally the values were higher for Australia than Sweden. Arthritic hands/loss of sensitivity in the arm-hand and intellectual job satisfaction were found more often in dental hygienist more than 42 years old. than in dental hygienist ages under 42 years old. Professional ambition was higher for those under 42. Working 25 hours or more per week with clinical work, engaging in active leisure, being under age 42, and high management support at work, relate to good general health. Work-family overload was associated with lower general health, while higher mental well-being was related to high perception of personal mastery and high management support. There also was a correlation between lower mental well-being was and high work-family overload, work efficiency, and practicing in Australia. Work-family overload, scaling procedures, work relations, practicing in Australia, and being under 42 years of age were associated with more musculoskeletal disorders. CONCLUSION: An earlier hypothetical work and health model, on which this study was based, was expanded with these factors: country-specific work setting, age, and work relations. Australian dental hygienist and more musculoskeletal disorders and experienced lower mental well being related to organizational work factors than did Swedish dental hygienist. The results suggest a need to consider sociodemographic, occupational, and cultural aspects in future studies of work, health, and well being.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Working under pressure: a pilot study of nurse work in a postoperative setting.

Postoperative services provide an excellent setting to study nursing work due to the patients' needing highly technical, yet highly comforting, care. The current study examined nursing work in postoperative services in an attempt to discern how nursing work is structured. Observations of nursing interactions in a 14-bed postoperative unit of a large Swedish university hospital found that nursing work in this setting is highly intensive and multidimensional. The need to provide nursing interactions that are caring and respectful of patients, while at the same time ensuring a high level of technical capacity, was obvious throughout all stages of patient stays in this unit. Furthermore, although each interaction is necessarily time-limited there is a caring relationship sustained with each patient. There is a pattern of caring that emerges that can be encapsulated as a "contingent routine." Nursing work cannot be broken down into "dimensions of caring." The work is high-pressure and involves, by necessity, multitasking. There are many dimensions of nursing care, but, usually, these are supplied simultaneously.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗