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PubMed1998

Perceptions of social work intervention with bereaved clients: some implications for hospital social work practice.

The study focussed on social work bereavement intervention in a large Australian teaching hospital comparing client and social work perceptions of the service provided. The study involved the completion of a series of questionnaires and client interviews over a three month period. A combination of content and statistical analysis was used to interpret the findings. Eighty-eight percent of clients contacted indicated satisfaction with the social work service received. The results indicated a positive match between clients' and social workers' perceptions of the intervention, and affirmed the role of social work in bereavement care. Seventy percent of clients made recommendations regarding potential improvements to social work services. These recommendations contained four specific suggestions: that social workers be present when the doctor breaks bad news; that additional support be provided in how to talk to doctors; that social workers be involved from the point of admission of the patient; and that a primary social worker remain with the family throughout the hospital stay.

Australia↗

PubMed1991

[Circadian variation in alertness, readiness for work and work efficiency].

Among various rhythmic processes with different frequencies (periods), which are present in the human organism, for normal functioning the most important are the rhythms with a cycle length of about 24 hours (termed circadian rhythms). Circadian rhythms have been confirmed at all levels of physiological functions: from subcellular and cellular mechanisms, to the organic systems and organism on the whole. In normal everyday circumstances the rhythmic processes in the human organism are synchronised with the rhythmic processes in the environment. The external rhythmic variations support internal synchronisation between various rhythms, and in that way make it possible for the organism to better adapt to the environment. The sleep--wake rhythm is inverted during night work: the worker has to work in the period of low activity level, and sleep during the day, when he is usually active and alert. In order to work in shifts the worker has to adapt to such disruptions of the sleep--wake pattern. Tolerance to shift work was found to be associated with some features of the worker. The measurement of such features could serve as determinate of interindividual differences in shift work tolerance level.

Body Temperature↗

PubMed1993

Work noise annoyance and blood pressure: combined effects with stressful working conditions.

In a community-based cross-sectional study (n = 174, 68% participation), we examined the effect on blood pressure of occupational noise annoyance and its combined effect with social support at work, nightshift work, and work satisfaction. In a multivariate analysis the effect of noise annoyance alone (mean difference, 95% CI) was 2.1 (-3.0, 7.3) mmHg for systolic and 3.5 (0.3, 7.4) mmHg for diastolic blood pressure (n = 44). The combined effect with low work satisfaction was 7.5 (0.0, 15.0) mmHg systolic and 6.3 (0.6, 12.4) mmHg diastolic (n = 18). With nightshift work the effect was 5.0 (-2.4, 12.4) mmHg on systolic and 8.1 (2.5, 13.7) mmHg on diastolic blood pressure (n = 15). The findings for social support were inconsistent. The results suggest that analysis of main effects only may underestimate the true public health impact and underline the necessity of searching for combined effects of environmental stressors.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Coping with family-to-work conflict: the role of informal work accommodations to family.

The purposes of this study are to (a) construct and validate a scale measuring informal work accommodations to family (IWAF), (b) test the moderating effect of IWAF on the relationship between family-to-work conflict and work stress, and (c) examine the relationships between IWAF and a set of relevant antecedents and coping constructs. Two survey-based nonexperiments are used to accomplish these goals. Results indicate that (a) the IWAF scale is reliable, content valid, and meaningfully correlated to work-family and coping constructs; (b) more frequent use of IWAF attenuates the positive relationship between family-to-work conflict and stress; and (c) IWAF, along with organizational policies and climates, may be important for workplace stress management. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2003

Recovery, work engagement, and proactive behavior: a new look at the interface between nonwork and work.

This study examined work-related outcomes of recovery during leisure time. A total of 147 employees completed a questionnaire and a daily survey over a period of 5 consecutive work days. Multilevel analyses showed that day-level recovery was positively related to day-level work engagement and day-level proactive behavior (personal initiative, pursuit of learning) during the subsequent work day. The data suggest considerable daily fluctuations in behavior and attitudes at work, with evidence that these are related to prior experience and opportunity for recovery in the nonwork domain.

Cooperative Behavior↗

PubMed2006

Work-supportive family, family-supportive supervision, use of organizational benefits, and problem-focused coping: implications for work-family conflict and employee well-being.

Employees (n = 230) from multiple organizations and industries were involved in a study assessing how work-family conflict avoidance methods stemming from the family domain (emotional sustenance and instrumental assistance from the family), the work domain (family-supportive supervision, use of telework and flextime), and the individual (use of problem-focused coping) independently relate to different dimensions of work-family conflict and to employees' affective and physical well-being. Results suggest that support from one's family and one's supervisor and the use of problem-focused coping seem most promising in terms of avoiding work-family conflict and/or decreased well-being. Benefits associated with the use of flextime, however, are relatively less evident, and using telework may potentially increase the extent to which family time demands interfere with work responsibilities.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1994

A comparison of working postures of parcel sorters using three different working methods.

The postures of the trunk of eight parcel sorters were measured continuously under three different working conditions, during whole shifts. The working methods used were two different sorting tables and a hydraulic lifting platform on which the carts were to be placed. The question posed by the PTT-Post occupational health service was whether the latter method proved to be the better one with respect to the load on the musculoskeletal system. This study will help them to make a well-considered decision on which working method to choose for the new distribution centre in Rotterdam. The method used for measuring the working postures and movements of the trunk is the Portable Posture Registration Set (PPRS). This method was developed at the department of Biomedical Physics and Technology of the Erasmus University Rotterdam. While using the lifting platform, the subjects stood 8-11% more erect compared to the work at the sorting tables, thereby reducing the load on the lumbar spine. For this reason the lifting platform is preferred, although sagittal flexion of the back was somewhat more. It is stressed that the way in which sorters use the lifting platform is very important.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

The effects of a change in work organization upon the work environment and musculoskeletal symptoms among letter carriers.

An organizational change among 82 postal workers was studied with the aim of evaluating the effects on the work environment, work ability, and musculoskeletal complaints. The study was undertaken in 2 suburbs of Stockholm, Sweden. Psychological work demands were estimated to be reduced at the 1-year follow-up but physical work demands had changed very little. In an observation study in a subgroup of older workers, the risk of overexertion at work and musculoskeletal complaints was reduced. In spite of that, most of the older participants (>/=35 years) had unchanged or increased musculoskeletal symptoms. This shows the need for early preventive measures.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Implementing the Public Health Social Work Forward Plan: a research-based prevention curriculum for schools of social work.

In 1985, the Division of Maternal and Child Health of the U.S. Public Health Service funded a major working conference entitled "Public Health Social Work in Maternal and Child Health: A Forward Plan." Curriculum recommendations for schools of social work were made, including a recommendation for the integration of health and mental health content in the education of social workers within a public health conceptual framework. In 1986, the National Institute of Mental Health funded a three-year program to develop and evaluate a research-based prevention training curriculum for dissemination to schools of social work and other primary care professional schools. This article examines the Michigan Prevention Training and Curriculum Development Project from the perspective of the recommendations of the Public Health Social Work Forward Plan.

Curriculum↗

PubMed2005

The incidence of work-related illness in the UK health and social work sector: The Health and Occupation Reporting network 2002-2003.

BACKGROUND: In the United Kingdom, The Health and Occupation Reporting network (THOR) collects incidence data on work-related illness. THOR data show that the health and social work sector generates a high proportion of case reports. This study analyses the most recent data for the health and social work sector, from 2002 to 2003. METHODS: Cases returned to the Occupational Physicians Reporting Activity (OPRA) scheme and three other specialist schemes (Surveillance of Occupational Stress and Mental Illness, Musculoskeletal Occupational Surveillance Scheme and occupational skin surveillance) were analysed. Estimates of incidence rates for stress-related illness, musculoskeletal disorders and skin disease were calculated using two denominators. RESULTS: In this period, 23% (11,016/47,437) of all estimated cases in THOR were in health and social work sector employees. In OPRA, in the health and social work sector, annual average incidence rates per 100,000 calculated using Labour Force Survey (LFS) data as the denominator were 51.2 for mental illness, 35.9 for musculoskeletal disorders and 10.4 for skin disease; using McDonald's data as the denominator the corresponding rates were 119.5, 83.7 and 24.3. In the specialist THOR schemes, annual average incidence rates per 100,000 using LFS data as the denominator were 18.4 (mental illness), 6.1 (musculoskeletal disorders) and 15.3 (skin disease). CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the importance of collecting information on incident cases and denominators, to allow calculation of occupational disease rates. The higher incidence of mental illness (compared with musculoskeletal and skin disorders) in this employment sector merits further investigation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Breastfeeding works: the role of employers in supporting women who wish to breastfeed and work in four organizations in England.

An important factor influencing duration of breastfeeding is mother's employment status. The main aim of this study was to determine the experience and views of employees (n = 46) in four large public sector organizations concerning breastfeeding support at work. Participants were recruited if they were employed by one of four public service employers and if they were planning to go on maternity leave in the next 6 months, on maternity leave or within 6 months of return from maternity leave. They completed a questionnaire anonymously. Almost 80% of women wanted to continue breastfeeding after returning to work. However, 90% of all respondents were not aware of any employer policy nor offered any information concerning support to enable breastfeeding after returning to work, despite two organizations having a range of maternity- and breastfeeding-related policies in development and some facilities in place. Almost 90% of respondents stated the employers should do more to support breastfeeding. This should include providing pregnant staff with information about breastfeeding support that they should expect and could therefore plan to use, including access to facilities to express and to store breast milk, to enable them to work flexible hours and to take rest breaks during working hours. Recommendations are made for employers.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Work flow analysis: eliminating non-value-added work.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of implemented work environment changes on nursing and support staff roles. BACKGROUND: In 1999, the authors identified key drivers of unnecessary work associated with the day-to-day delivery of patient care in their institution and implemented changes based on their results. METHODS: Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Work sampling and focus groups were used to evaluate work flow. Activity categories were identified and clearly defined by advanced practice nurses. All compiled data were subsequently synthesized and cross-checked with the information acquired through independent, multidisciplinary validation studies. RESULTS: There were significant changes (P <.0001) noted in overall distribution of observed activities for nurses and all support staff. CONCLUSIONS: The significant changes noted in overall distribution of observed activities reflect the important adjustments made in both job descriptions and the environment to eliminate key drivers of unnecessary work in the delivery of patient care.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2003

Work related and individual predictors for incident neck pain among office employees working with video display units.

AIMS: To investigate work related and individual factors as predictors for incident neck pain among office employees working with video display units (VDUs). METHODS: Employees in three administrative units of a medium sized city in Finland (n = 515) received mailed questionnaires in the baseline survey in 1998 and in the follow up survey in 1999. Response rate for the baseline was 81% (n = 416); respondents who reported neck pain for less than eight days during the preceding 12 months were included into the study cohort as healthy subjects (n = 232). The follow up questionnaire 12 months later was completed by 78% (n = 180). Incident neck cases were those reporting neck pain for at least eight days during the preceding 12 months. RESULTS: The annual incidence of neck pain was 34.4% (95% CI 25.5 to 41.3). Poor physical work environment and poor placement of the keyboard increased the risk of neck pain. Among the individual factors, female sex was a strong predictor. Smoking showed a tendency for an increased risk of neck pain. There was an interaction between mental stress and physical exercise, those with higher mental stress and less physical exercise having especially high risk. CONCLUSION: In the prevention of neck disorders in office work with a high frequency of VDU tasks, attention should be given to the work environment in general and to the more specific aspects of VDU workstation layout. Physical exercise may prevent neck disorders among sedentary employees.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Social work practice in the donation of human tissue for transplantation: utilising social work values and competencies to achieve effective outcomes for transplant patients and donor families.

In Queensland, Australia, senior social workers have pioneered the coordination of tissue donation at coronial autopsies, seeking consent for the donation of heart valve, bone and eye tissue after sudden deaths which have been reported to the coroner. The urgent need for tissue for transplantation is balanced with the counselling, information and practical needs of potential donor families in their shock and grief. Social work assessment, advocacy, liaison, counselling, crisis intervention and particularly communication skills have been utilised, both as an integral component of obtaining informed consent and in working with families' experience of grief and loss in sudden, traumatic bereavement. This tissue donation program, over a period of eight years, has maximised the availability of tissue with its high donation rates, while upholding the rights and needs of potential donor families through provision of an effective social work service. The paper will reflect upon key social work knowledge and processes which have respected the subjective experience of client and worker while working within a medical model.

Autopsy↗

PubMed1997

Working conditions in home care: negotiating race and class boundaries in gendered work.

Home care work in metropolitan areas is a source of employment for immigrant women of color. Service work of this type intertwines domestic and caring labor in ways that reinforce the historically gendered and racialized nature of the work. Such macro level economic and political issues are played out at the micro level of daily service provided within elderly clients' homes. A study of these processes in home care work was carried out in urban southern Ontario in two nonprofit home care agencies. In-depth interviews and focus groups held with visible minority home care workers suggested that workers deal daily with racist attitudes and behaviors from clients and their families; agencies recognize these oppressive processes but usually handle them on a case-by-case basis through supervisors; and home care workers handle racism on the job as they do in their off-work hours-by avoidance, situating incidents within an analysis of the circumstances of elderly clients, setting boundaries on discussions, and occasionally, confrontation.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Structure of safety climates and its effects on workers' attitudes and work safety at Japanese construction work sites.

In this study, the nature of safety climates at construction work sites and workers' safety attitudes was ascertained, and the effect of safety climates on workers' safety attitudes and work site safety was examined. A self-rating questionnaire prepared for this study was delivered to 300 employees who were working at construction sites and 300 foremen of affiliated companies. Eight factors were extracted for the safety climate of work sites. Similarly, by factor analysis, eight factors were obtained from workers' safety attitudes, including four factors representing positive aspects of safety attitudes and four negative safety attitudes. The scores of negative safety attitudes in companies with fewer labor accidents were smaller than those in companies with more accidents. Negative safety attitudes were affected by safety climate more than positive ones, and this tendency was more remarkable for foremen than employees. These results suggest the importance of promoting safety climates for raising workers' safety attitudes and work site safety by diminishing negative safety attitudes.

Accidents, Occupational↗

PubMed2000

[Work profile of social work in inpatient psychotherapy. Clinical fields and social rights implications].

OBJECTIVES: The task profile of social work in (acute) inpatient psychotherapy--unlike psychiatric inpatient treatment--is only fragmentarily described by the so-called Psychiatrie-Personalverordnung (Psych-PV). The aim of the present investigation was, therefore, to provide valid and representative data to define its respective scope of duties. METHODS: During a prospective one-year assessment at the Department of Psychotherapy and Behavioral Medicine at the Philipps-University of Marburg/Germany, we recorded corresponding data of social work referring to three areas of interest, i.e., "education and occupation", "housing and family", and "psychotherapy support". RESULTS: Our data suggest a broad overlap with the corresponding task profile of social work at psychiatric hospitals, which clearly differs, however, from the more therapeutical approach in social work as practiced in Anglo-American countries. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings stress the need for a re-evaluation of social work in inpatient psychotherapy concerning its specific task profile and the respective time values.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1977

Work capacity in women in relation to age as judged from a maximal work performance test.

Work performance test could be carried out on a population sample of women aged 38-60 years without complications. The work capacity decreased with increasing age and at the same time the maximal heart rate during work decreased with increasing age. Blood pressure increased with age and these differences between the various ages were about the same as at rest. Respiratory frequency and perceived exertion on maximal work were similar in the ages studied. ECG changes were common and were found to be as common as in men who had been studied with the same technique and in the same ages. As ECG changes were very common and as myocardial infraction is very seldom in women of these ages, ECG changes during and after work did not seem to be a good discriminator of women subjected to myocardial infraction.

Adult↗