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Biomedical subjects

R C Gorter

Publications and source records attributed to R C Gorter.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Dental nurses on perceived gender differences in their dentist's communication and interaction style.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate if dental nurses perceive gender differences in the communication and interaction style used by their dentist in general practice. METHODS: Data were collected from 64 Northern Irish dental nurses (70% response), and from 549 Dutch nurses (41% response). Respondents completed the Communication and Working Styles Questionnaire (CWSQ), a self-report questionnaire with 20 items on staff communication and working styles. Using principal component analysis, six distinguishable factors could be extracted: [1] gender-related (four items, Cronbach's alpha = 0.78), [2] friendly relation (four items, alpha = 0.66), [3] teamwork (four items, alpha = 0.44), [4] playfulness (two items, alpha = 0.69), [5] personal attention (three items, alpha = 0.60), and [6] business-like (two items, alpha = 0.32). Factors [3] and [6] were additionally analysed at item level given their low internal consistencies. RESULTS: MANOVA indicated a main effect for dentist's gender [F(6,541) = 4.649, p < 0.001], and for country [F(6,541) = 37.601, p < 0.001] on the communication style scales. No interaction effect of gender with country was found. Nurses working with a male dentist had higher scores for the 'gender-related' communications styles, whereas those working with a female dentist had higher scores for 'friendly-relation' and 'personal attention' communication styles. Dutch nurses had higher scores on 'playfulness', whereas Northern Irish nurses had higher scores on 'friendly relation' and 'personal attention' communication styles. Some additional differences were found at item level. The age of the dental nurse explained some differences in communication and working styles [F(6,541) = 2.341, p = 0.031); younger dental nurses scored significantly higher for 'gender- related' communication and working style. CONCLUSION: Gender of the dentist does influence dental nurses' perceptions of the communication styles used in the primary dental care setting. Dental nurses working with female dentists report a style predominantly characterized by 'friendly-relation' and 'personal attention', whereas those working with a male dentist report 'gender-related' communication and working styles. Given the steadily growing percentage of females entering the dental profession, it is recommended to raise both dentists' and nurses' awareness on gender influences in professional communication by introducing these topics in their respective education.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Job resources in Dutch dental practice.

AIM: To develop an instrument measuring job resources among dentists, and to assess the relative importance of these resources and relate them to job satisfaction. METHODS: 848 Dutch general dental practitioners (GDPs) received a questionnaire to monitor work experiences, including the Dentists' Experienced Job Resources Scale (DEJRS, 46 items, score range: 1 (not satisfying) to 5 (very satisfying), and the Dentist Job Satisfaction Scale (DJSS, 5 items, Cronbach's alpha = 0.85). RESULTS: A total of 497 (58.6%) dentists responded. Factor analysis (PCA) on the DEJRS resulted in 8 factors (Cronbach's alpha: 0.75 > alpha < 0.89), representing distinguishable categories of job resources. In rank order: Immediate Results / Aesthetics (M = 4.04, sd = 0.5); (Long-term) Patient Results (M = 4.03, sd = 0.6); Patient Care (M = 3.90, sd = 0.6); Craftmanship (M = 3.77, sd = 0.7); Idealism / Pride (M = 3.65, sd= 0.6); Entrepreneurship (M = 3.55, sd = 0.9); Material Benefits (M = 3.05, sd = 0.7); and Professional Contacts (M = 3.03, sd = 0.7). MANOVA indicated gender differences on: (Long-term) Patient Results (F(1,548) = 10.428, p = .001), and Patient Care (F(1,548) = 11.036, p < .001). Subscale correlations with the total DEJRS are: 0.57 > r < 0.88. All subscales show a positive correlation with the DJSS. DISCUSSION: The DEJRS is a valuable and psychometrically sound instrument to monitor job resources as experienced by GDPs. Dentists report immediate results and aesthetics, and long-term results of working with patients to be the most rewarding aspects. All job resources showed a positive correlation with job satisfaction. The discussion includes conjecture that stimulating a greater awareness of job resources serves a major role in burnout prevention.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Work stress and burnout among dental hygienists.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the factors associated with work stress and burnout among dental hygienists. Furthermore, how to deal with work stressors in order to prevent burnout in the dental hygienist work environment will be discussed. METHODS: From a small literature search, only a few empirical studies could be traced that describe work stress or burnout among dental hygienists. RESULTS: Burnout incidence among dental hygienists appears to be relatively favourable, when compared with other professions, according to a 20-year-old study. On the contrary, in a recent study, it was described that one out of eight dental hygienists felt emotionally exhausted from work. Dental hygienists, when compared with other professionals, are relatively negative about the variety of tasks they find in their work. Factors associated with experienced work stress are, according to another study, musculoskeletal pain, combining work and private life, highly efficient organization of work, long working hours, working without assistant, difficult or demanding patients, lack of leisure time, lack of support by practice management and doubts about one's own capabilities. Some factors that may prevent burnout are: recognition of one's own work pressure, learning to unwind, time management and organization of work, realistic career expectancies, social skills, healthy life-style, peer-group contacts and pre-graduate reflection. CONCLUSIONS: There appears to be a lack of recent data on burnout among dental hygienists. Although some knowledge exists on work stressors, a thorough investigation on burnout incidence, risk factors, as well as job resources is needed.

Burnout, Professional↗
PubMed2002

[Career expectations and the type of dentist in the light of burnout].

The aim of this study was to measure if dentists with unfulfilled career expectations have higher burnout scores than dentists who succeeded in realising their expectations. Furthermore, the relation between type of dentist and burnout was investigated. It appeared that dentists who experienced reality being worse than expected, showed higher burnout levels, as did dentists putting more interest in life outside practice. It is recommended that attention for realistic career expectations is a regularly recurring topic in dental education. Also, introspection upon the type of dentist one prefers to be is something a professional should not neglect.

Burnout, Professional↗
PubMed2001

A career counseling program for dentists: effects on burnout.

The effects on burnout of a career counseling program were measured among general dental practitioners. Out of a group of 171 dentists, identified with unfavorable scores on the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Dutch version (MBI-NL), nineteen chose to participate in the program. It consisted of individual counseling and group sessions, using cognitive and behavioral intervention techniques, over a 6-month period. One month after the last session, both program participants (N=17) and invited, but not participating, dentists (N=66) again filled in the MBI-NL. Comparison of participants' pre- and post-test scores showed significant statistical improvement on the MBI-NL scales emotional exhaustion (EE), and personal accomplishment (PA). Among the control group, a distinction was made between dentists who had self-initiated preventive measures (N=35) and those who had not (N=31). Self-prevention also appeared to have an effect on EE and PA. Among dentists who reported not to have undertaken preventive action, no change in burnout levels was found. With reservations, it can be concluded that the prevention program does have a positive effect on burnout scores among dentists, while different forms of self-initiated prevention activities also appeared to be effective.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2001

[Job stress and health in dentists].

This study aimed at monitoring stressful work factors as indicated by Dutch general dental practitioners. Special attention was given to gender differences. Apart from mental pressure also physical pressure was studied. It appeared that among all dentists patient related aspects were considered stressful, als well as external interference by government, insurance company, etc. Male dentists also felt pressure from a lack of career perspective and dental office management, whereas female dentists felt pressure from unexpected or uncertain professional situations. Dentists appeared to have a good physical health, when compared with Dutch reference scores, although some job specific physical complaints could be detected. In the discussion the importance of early career planning is emphasized.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Burnout among dentists: a question of coping].

Work stress and burnout are considered to be serious professional risks in dentistry. This study investigated the relation between a dentist's coping style and burnout level. It was hypothesized that dentists characterized by an active coping style would show relatively low burnout levels, whereas dentists characterized by a passive coping style would show relatively high burnout levels. From a survey among 709 active general dental practitioners, who filled out the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Utrecht Coping List, this hypothesis was supported. It was concluded that coping style could explain differences in burnout levels to a substantial degree. In the discussion the need for feedback on one's coping style, and the importance of an individual dentist's active attitude towards career planning, among other things, are emphasized.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2000

Burnout and health among Dutch dentists.

In this study, it was hypothesised that dentists with a high burnout risk would experience more health complaints and show more unhealthy behaviour when compared with dentists with a low burnout risk. With a response rate of 75%, a representative group of 709 actively practising dentists responded to a questionnaire containing the Dutch version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-NL), a health complaints measure (VOEG), and items on health behaviour. Results showed that dentists with a high burnout risk reported health complaints to a greater extent than dentists with a low burnout risk. They also reported more unhealthy behaviour in some aspects (physical exercise/sporting, increase in alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet), but not in others. It also appeared that one out of ten dentists reported having poor general health, and that three out of ten reported to have poor physical condition. In general, dentists' self-reports appeared favourable in comparison with the Dutch population. It is concluded from this study that among dentists burnout and poor health are strongly related. It is discussed that in order to deal preventively with burnout in dentistry, attention to physical health, including ergonomics, is essential.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Measuring work stress among Dutch dentists.

Individual differences among dentists determine to a large degree what is experienced as work stress, but assessment of specific areas is necessary to be able to act preventively. The aim of this study was to develop an instrument to be used to monitor the experience of work stress in detail, to measure its levels, and to relate those levels to job (dis-) satisfaction. A questionnaire was developed, the Dentists' Experienced Work Stress Scale (DEWSS), covering widespread aspects of dental work, which was completed by 709 dentists, forming a highly representative sample of Dutch general dental practitioners. Factorial, correlational, and reliability analyses were conducted, after which seven areas of stress emerged: Work Pressure, Financial Aspects, Patient Contacts, Work Contents, Career Aspects, Team Aspects, and Professional and Private Life. Of these, Patient Contacts and Work Contents showed highest mean scores, as did the specific items: 'defaulters', 'governmental instructions', and 'unreasonable or demanding patients'. A strong inverse relationship was found between work stress, in particular lack of career perspective, and job satisfaction. The questionnaire is a valuable instrument to monitor pressure at work as felt by Dutch general dental practitioners. Patient contacts, work pressure, and career perspective clearly need preventive attention in the Dutch situation.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed1999

Professional burnout among Dutch dentists.

UNLABELLED: Professional burnout, a long-term consequence of occupational stress, is considered to be a factor that explains a substantial proportion of incapacity for work. Burnout is defined as emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished personal accomplishment. AIMS: To investigate levels of burnout among Dutch practising dentists, to compare dentists' scores with norm scores, and to determine the percentage of dentists "at risk". METHODS: The instrument used was the Dutch version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-NL), a 20-item modified version of the original MBI. A highly representative group of Dutch dentists participated (n = 709, 75% response rate). RESULTS: Mean levels (and standard deviations) of burnout were: emotional exhaustion 13.7 (8.6); depersonalization 5.9 (3.9); personal accomplishment 30.8 (5.9). Dentists had more favourable means compared with standard scores, although in the 95th percentile dentists showed more emotional exhaustion than standards indicate. While no overall sex differences were found, male middle-aged dentists tended to show more burnout. Of the working Dutch dentists, 21% had a certain risk, 13% had high overall levels of burnout, and 2.5% were highly burned out. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that Dutch dentists have relatively favourable mean levels of burnout, but those who are exhausted are extremely exhausted. The male dentist in his forties appears to be most vulnerable to burnout.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Work place characteristics, work stress and burnout among Dutch dentists.

Work stress among dentists has been described several times, indicating a diversity of causes of stress. Professional burnout among dentists has been the subject of empirical study only occasionally. The aim of the present study was to investigate which occupational factors are related to levels of burnout among Dutch dentists. A distinction was made between actual work place characteristics and experienced pressure from specific aspects of dental work. With a response rate of 75%, a representative group of 709 Dutch general dental practitioners responded to a questionnaire containing a Dutch version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-NL), the Dentists' Experienced Work Stress Scale (DEWSS), and a collection of items on work place conditions. No actual work place condition could be demonstrated to be correlated with high burnout levels. Lack of career perspective appeared to be the stress factor most strongly related to burnout. Mean burnout levels of all dentists were found to be favourable in comparison with Dutch norm scores: dentists showed less Emotional Exhaustion, less Depersonalization, and more Personal Accomplishment. It is concluded that the relation between lack of career perspective and burnout should stimulate serious attention for career planning among dentists.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Communication skills training courses in dental education.

In this article, some reasons for teaching communication skills in dental schools are discussed. An overview of 3 courses at the Amsterdam dental school is presented, along with the results of a student evaluation. Students evaluated these courses as useful and relevant for dental practice. It is concluded that this is especially so when the students recognize direct applicability of the courses to dental practice.

Communication↗
PubMed1994

[Communication and dental practice. Practica in social dentistry and information].

An overview is presented of several undergraduate courses given by the Department of Social Dentistry and Dental Health Education (ACTA). A short description of the contents of courses in communication skills, treatment of anxious patients and practice management is given together with the results of a student-evaluation. Students consider these courses useful and relevant for future dental practice. This is especially true in case the direct relevance for clinical practice is clear.

Communication↗