Biomedical subjects

Valerie Woods

Publications and source records attributed to Valerie Woods.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Psychological barriers to Internet usage among older adults in the UK.

The Internet is an important tool in assisting the older population to lead independent and social lives. However, the majority of Internet users are under 55. This study investigated the following psychological barriers to Internet use by older adults: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, Internet efficacy, perceived complexity of navigation and perceived complexity of terminology. Twenty-three subjects (aged 55 - 75 years) were interviewed in the UK. The influences of age, computer and Internet experience, and training on these psychological barriers were explored. The results showed that the majority of the older adults who had a positive perception of usefulness, ease of use, and efficacy of the Internet or e-mail, used the Internet or e-mail more often. In addition, it was found that computer or Internet experience increased perceptions of ease of use and efficacy of the Internet and reduced perceived complexity of navigation. There was no difference between the two age groups (55 - 65 and 66 - 75 years) in these psychological barriers. It was concluded that increased marketing of the Internet (aimed at the older user), more simple and uniformly designed Internet pages, more user-friendly online help and error message terminology, and increased provision of training for the older user would assist uptake of the World Wide Web.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2005

Musculoskeletal disorders and visual strain in intensive data processing workers.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted for a UK Trade Union in response to increasing numbers of health complaints among intensive computer workers in a data processing environment. AIM: To estimate prevalence of musculoskeletal pain/discomfort and visual strain symptoms among data processing workers and to explore associations with work factors. METHODS: A self-report questionnaire was distributed to data processors (n = 175) and a control group (n = 129) in the same organization. RESULTS: Eighty-six per cent of data processors reported musculoskeletal pain/discomfort in the previous year, with the highest prevalence rate found for the neck (58%). The 12 month reported prevalence for visual strain symptoms was 47%, tired eyes (41%) was the most commonly reported symptom. In the last week, 56% reported pain/discomfort and 25% visual strain symptoms. Data processors reporting pain in the previous year were more likely to be dissatisfied with their jobs (P < 0.01), to report a lack of choice in deciding what they did at work (P < 0.02), to have insufficient time to complete work (P < 0.05) or to receive help from others when time was limited (P < 0.03). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal pain/discomfort and visual strain symptoms was high among data processors. A systematic approach to risk reduction addressing organizational, psychosocial and physical work factors is required. This study has implications for reorganization of this and other intensive computer work, given the increasing requirement for intensive computing work in many industrial sectors. More research is needed to investigate interactions between job demands and support systems for these workers.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Work-related musculoskeletal health and social support.

BACKGROUND: This review concerns the relationship between inequalities experienced at work with respect to social support (e.g. poor communication channels, unsatisfactory work relationships, unsupportive organizational culture) and work-related musculoskeletal ill-health. METHODS: Cross-sectional, case control and prospective studies, published between 1985 and 2003, that investigated this association were selected and reviewed. RESULTS: Studies varied greatly in the breadth of definitions of social support used and many measures were employed for the collection of data. There is good evidence for an association between poor social support and an increased risk in musculoskeletal morbidity. There is also limited evidence that poor social support is associated with musculoskeletal sickness absence, restricted activity and not returning to work after a musculoskeletal problem. A small number of studies have shown the effects of good social support and its importance in protecting against musculoskeletal ill-health and helping workers cope with problems. CONCLUSIONS: The overall findings of this review have implications for the design of proactive broad-based prevention programmes and organizational policies for the management of musculoskeletal ill-health and its potential outcomes, i.e. sickness absence and early retirement. Further research, using stronger study designs and more concise definitions of social support, to investigate the importance of social support in the amelioration of musculoskeletal ill-health is identified, e.g. the contribution of social support received away from the workplace.

Epidemiologic Methods↗

PubMed2003

Development of non-keyboard input device checklists through assessments.

An assessment of non-keyboard input devices (NKID) was conducted to identify factors for good design in relation to operation, performance and comfort. Twenty-seven NKID users, working in health and safety, evaluated eight devices that included mice, trackballs and a joystick mouse. The factors considered important for good design were: (1) comfortable hand and finger position, (2) adequate control, (3) intuitive and easy to use, (4) ease of device, button and trackball movement, (5) good interaction with software, (6) provision of suitable accessories. Mice were rated more favourably than trackballs or the joystick mouse. The design of the standard 2-button mouse (D4) was considered most desirable to use; the 3-button mouse (D1) and 3-button curved mouse (D8) were also favoured. Assessment data and comments were drawn together with previously published research to produce useful tools for NKID purchasing (i.e. Device Purchasing Checklist) and assessment (i.e. Device Assessment Checklist).

Adult↗