A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study on Respiratory Health and Spirometry-Assessed Pulmonary Function Among Textile Workers in Tamil Nadu, India.

Introduction The textile industry is one of the largest economic activities. Still, the laborers involved in it are exposed to various health-damaging air pollutants, putting them at risk of health issues including morbidities of the respiratory system. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the pulmonary function parameters of the workers involved in textile manufacturing-related jobs. Methodology A cross-sectional study was carried out among adult individuals who had been working in textile manufacturing-related jobs as their main work. The details such as sociodemographic, clinical, workplace conditions, and smoking habits were collected, as well as chest auscultation and lung spirometry using a hand-held spirometer. The participants who had normal and abnormal lung function patterns were statistically analyzed for potential influencing factors. Results The findings of the study conducted from 95 eligible participants identified that the pulmonary function parameters assessed by spirometry were in the abnormal range among 84 (88%) participants. Around 72 (82%) of them had a restrictive pattern, and six (6%) had both restrictive and obstructive (mixed) patterns of lung disease. Smokers and those who lacked cross-ventilation and/or fresh source of air in the workplace were more likely to have abnormal lung function. Participants who had their workplace and residence as same had significantly 6.44 (95% CI: 1.24, 33.36) times higher odds of having abnormal lung function in spirometry. Conclusion As workers involved in household-run textile manufacturing jobs are found to be at a higher risk of developing abnormal lung function, using personal protective equipment, following occupational safety measures, and improving the working environment to acceptable standards are essential to safeguard the respiratory health of laborers in such unorganized sectors.

Exposure to resistant fungi across working environments and time.

Antifungal resistance has emerged as a significant health concern with increasing reports of resistant variants in previously susceptible species. At present, little is known about occupational exposure to antifungal-resistant fungi. This study aimed to investigate Danish workers' occupational exposure to airborne fungi resistant to first-line treatment drugs. A retrospective study was performed on a unique collection of personal exposure samples gathered over a twenty-year period from Danish working environments, in sectors including agriculture, animal handling, waste management, and healthcare. A total of 669 samples were cultivated at 37 °C and fungal colonies were identified using MALDI-TOF MS. Subsequently, identification was confirmed by amplicon sequencing the genes of calmodulin and beta-tubulin to unveil potential cryptic species. Infectious fungi (495 isolates from 23 species) were tested for resistance against Itraconazole, Voriconazole, Posaconazole, and Amphotericin B. Working environments were highly variable in the overall fungal exposure, and showed vastly different species compositions. Resistance was found in 30 isolates of the species Aspergillus fumigatus (4 of 251 isolates), A. nidulans (2 of 13), A. niger complex (19 of 131), A. versicolor (3 of 18), and A. lentulus (2 of 2). Sequence analysis revealed several cryptic species within the A. niger complex including A. tubingensis, A. luchuensis, and A. phoenicis. Among the resistant A. fumigatus isolates, two contained the well-described TR34/L98H mutation in the cyp51A gene and promoter region, while the remainder harbored silent mutations. The results indicate that the working environment significantly contributes to exposure to resistant fungi, with particularly biofuel plant workers experiencing high exposure. Differences in the prevalence of resistance across working environments may be linked to the underlying species composition.

Quantitative assessment of nano-plastic aerosol particles emitted during machining of carbon fiber reinforced plastic.

Focusing on the relatively unexplored presence of micro- and nano-plastic aerosol particles, this study quantitatively assessed the emission of nano-plastic particles during the machining of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the working environment. Measurements of aerosol particles smaller than 1 µm in size were performed by aerosol mass spectrometry. The findings revealed that concentrations of carbonous aerosol particles (organic aerosol and refractory black carbon (rBC)) were higher during working hours than during non-working hours. Positive matrix factorization identified CFRP particles as a significant source, contributing an average of approximately 30% of concentration of carbonous aerosol particles during working hours. This source apportionment was corroborated by the presence of bisphenol A and F fragments, principal components of the epoxy resins used in CFRP, and was corroborated by similarities to the carbon cluster ion distribution observed in rBC during CFRP pipe-cutting operations. Further, the particle size distribution suggested the existence of plastic aerosol particles smaller than 100 nm. This study established the method to quantitatively distinguish nano-plastic aerosol particles from other aerosol particles in high temporal resolution and these techniques are useful for accurately assessing exposure to nano-plastic aerosol particles in working environments.

Organisational and leadership skills towards healthy workplaces: an interview study with registered nurses in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: According to shortage of registered nurses, organisational and leadership aspects grounded in person-centrered approach, are highlighted to ensure high quality of care. Therefore, it is interesting to develop knowledge regarding registered nurses working environment. AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate registered nurses' reason to end their employment at a university hospital setting (internal medicine, emergency department). METHOD: Qualitative content analysis with an inductive methodological approach was used to analyse registered nurses' experiences regarding their former employment. Inclusion criteria; all nurses (n = 55) who ended employment during one year (first of July 2020-30th of June 2021) were invited, and 38 semi-structured interviews were conducted. RESULTS: Three categories were identified: Limited organisational support, Lack of visible leadership, and Limited healthy working environment, followed by six subcategories: Longing for organisational support, Being a tile in a box, Need for professional relationship, Limitation of supportive leadership, Imbalance of work versus personal life, and Ethical stress. CONCLUSION: To improve registered nurses working environment and commitment to work, balance between time at work and personal life is significant. Therefore, organisational support and leadership skills grounded in a person-centred approach are crucial to develop a healthy working environment. A person-centred leadership could improve collaboration and shared decision-making in partnership with those involved, managers, nurses, and team members.

Association between skin injuries and the importance atributed to prevention by health professionals during the pandemic / Asociación entre lesión cutánea e la importancia atribuida a la prevención por los profesionales de la salud durante la pandemia / Associação entre lesão cutânea e importância atribuída à prevenção pelos profissionais de saúde na pandemia

ABSTRACT Objective: To verify the association between the occurrence of skin lesions due to the use of products and/or personal protective equipment and the importance attributed to preventive care among health professionals working on the front lines of the struggle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Cross-sectional, analytical study, carried out between May and June 2020, with a convenience sample (n=398) of health workers from 10 professional categories. To verify the existence of an association between the occurrence of skin lesions and exposure variables, a Contingency Table was used to obtain the Prevalence Ratio and respective Confidence Intervals. Results: 260 (65.3%) participants self-declared the development of skin lesions, predominantly nurses (53.8%), women (54.0%), from public institutions (52.8%), characterized by pressure injuries (37.3%), contact/allergic dermatitis (25.8%), or both lesions simultaneously (16.5%). More than half of professionals (53.5%) used preventive products, mainly moisturizers (51.0%). Conclusion: There was probability of an association between professionals who attributed less importance to the predictor "Protocol for proper product PPE and products" and the risk of skin injuries.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Verificar la asociación entre la aparición de lesiones cutáneas por el uso de productos y/o equipos de protección personal y la importancia atribuida al cuidado preventivo entre los profesionales de la salud que trabajaran en la primera línea de defensa contra la pandemia de la COVID-19. Método: Estudio analítico transversal, realizado entre mayo y junio de 2020, con una muestra por conveniencia (n=398) de profesionales de la salud de 10 categorías profesionales. Para verificar la existencia de asociación entre la aparición o no de lesiones cutáneas y las variables de exposición, se utilizó una Tabla de Contingencia para obtener el Índice de Prevalencia y los respectivos Intervalos de Confianza. Resultados: 260 (65,3%) participantes declararon el desarrollo de lesiones cutáneas, predominantemente enfermeras (53,8%), mujeres (54,0%), de instituciones públicas (52,8%), caracterizadas por lesiones por presión (37,3%), de dermatitis contacto/alérgicas (25,8%) y ambas lesiones simultáneamente (16,5%). Más de la mitad de los profesionales (53,5%) utilizan productos preventivos, principalmente hidratantes (51,0%). Conclusión: Hubo probabilidad de asociación de riesgo entre la aparición de lesiones cutáneas y la atribución de menor importancia al factor predictor "Protocolo para el uso adecuado de productos y EPP".

RESUMO Objetivo: Verificar a associação entre ocorrência de lesão cutânea por uso de produtos e/ou equipamentos de proteção individual e importância atribuída aos cuidados preventivos entre profissionais de saúde atuantes na linha de frente durante a pandemia da Covid-19. Método: Estudo transversal, analítico, realizado entre maio e junho de 2020, com uma amostra por conveniência (n=398) de profissionais de saúde de 10 categorias profissionais. Para verificar a existência de associação entre a ocorrência ou não de lesão de pele e as variáveis de exposição utilizou-se Tabela de Contingência para obter a Razão de Prevalência e respectivos Intervalos de Confiança. Resultados: 260 (65,3%) participantes autodeclararam desenvolvimento de lesões na pele, predominando enfermeiros (53,8%), mulheres (54,0%), provenientes de instituições públicas (52,8%), caracterizadas por lesões por pressão (37,3%), dermatite de contato/alérgica (25,8%), e ambas as lesões de forma simultânea (16,5%). Mais da metade dos profissionais (53,5%) usou produtos preventivos, principalmente hidratantes (51,0%). Conclusão: Ocorreu probabilidade de associação de risco entre a ocorrência de lesão de pele e a menor importância atribuída ao fator preditor Protocolo para uso adequado de produtos e EPIs.

Factors associated with interprofessional collaboration in Primary Health Care: a multilevel analysis / Fatores associados à colaboração interprofissional na Atenção Primária à Saúde: uma análise multinível

Abstract Working with an interprofessional focus is increasingly necessary, in view of the growing complexity of the population's health needs. This study aims to assess interprofessional collaboration and the teamwork climate in primary health care (PHC) and determine whether there is a relationship between these two variables. The AITCS-II instrument was used to measure interprofessional collaboration, while to diagnose teamwork climate, the ECTE instrument was used, a version adapted to the SUS context of the Teamwork Climate Inventory instrument. These two instruments were applied online together with a questionnaire for the sociodemographic characterization of the 544 participants, who belonged to 97 Family Health Strategy (FHS) teams in a Brazilian municipality. The obtained data were submitted to a multilevel analysis. A positive correlation was observed between interprofessional collaboration and three of the four teamwork climate factors. The better the work climate, the better the interprofessional collaboration in the corresponding team, and this characteristic stands out in relation to other individual analyzed characteristics.

Resumo Trabalhar com foco interprofissional é cada vez mais necessário, tendo em vista a crescente complexidade das necessidades de saúde da população. Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a colaboração interprofissional e o clima de trabalho em equipe na atenção primária à saúde (APS) e verificar possível relação entre estas duas variáveis. Para mensurar a colaboração interprofissional foi utilizado o instrumento AITCS-II, enquanto para o diagnóstico do clima de trabalho em equipe foi utilizado o instrumento ECTE, versão adaptada para o contexto SUS do instrumento Teamwork Climate Inventory. Esses dois instrumentos foram aplicados on-line juntamente com um questionário para caracterização sociodemográfica dos 544 participantes, pertencentes a 97 equipes da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) de um município brasileiro. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos a uma análise multinível. Foi observada uma correlação positiva entre a colaboração interprofissional e três dos quatro fatores do clima de trabalho em equipe. Quanto melhor o clima de trabalho, melhor a colaboração interprofissional na equipe correspondente, e essa característica se destaca em relação às demais características individuais analisadas.

Antecedents and outcomes of work engagement among nursing staff in long-term care facilities-A systematic review.

AIM: To determine antecedents and outcomes of work engagement (WE) among nursing staff in long-term care (LTC) using the Job Demand-Resources model. DESIGN: A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis statement and Synthesis Without Meta-analysis in systematic reviews guideline. A study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (registration number CRD42022336736). DATA SOURCES: The initial searches were performed in PsycInfo, Medline, Academic Search Premier, CINAHL and Scopus and yielded 3050 unique publications. Updated searches identified another 335 publications. Sixteen studies published from 2010 to 2022 were included. REVIEW METHODS: The screening of titles and abstracts, and subsequently full-text publications, was performed blinded by two author teams using the inclusion/exclusion criteria. When needed, a mutual consensus was obtained through discussion within and across the teams. A descriptive and narrative synthesis without a meta-analysis of the included studies was performed. RESULTS: The extent of research on WE in LTC facilities is limited and the factors examined are heterogeneous. Of forty-two unique antecedents and outcomes, only three factors were assessed in three or more studies. Antecedents-in particular job resources-are more commonly examined than outcomes. CONCLUSION: Existing literature offers scant evidence on antecedents and outcomes of WE among nursing staff in LTC facilities. Social support, learning and development opportunities and person-centred processes are the most examined factors, yet with ambiguous results. IMPACT: Antecedents and outcomes of engagement among nursing staff in LTC facilities have not previously been reviewed systematically. Engagement has been correlated with both more efficient and higher-quality service delivery. Our findings suggest opportunities to improve health and care services by enhancing engagement, whilst at the same time better caring for employees. This study lays the groundwork for more detailed research into the contributing factors and potential results of increasing caregivers' engagement. No patient or public contribution.

Percepción de enfermeros colombianos sobre un entorno laboral saludable para la práctica asistencial en el ámbito hospitalario

Objetivo: Explorar la percepción de enfermeros profesionales colombianos sobre la definición y las principales características de un entorno laboral saludable (ELS) para la práctica asistencial de enfermería en el ámbito hospitalario. Metodología: Estudio de tipo cualitativo descriptivo. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a nueve enfermeros profesionales reclutados mediante un muestreo no probabilístico. Las entrevistas fueron grabadas, transcritas literalmente y codificadas. A través de la organización y estructuración de estos códigos se logró establecer categorías y subcategorías. Resultados: Del análisis de los datos fue posible establecer una definición de entorno laboral saludable y se obtuvieron dos dimensiones (categorías) y diez características principales (subcategorías) del concepto. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos de este estudio permiten tener una mejor comprensión acerca de la percepción de los enfermeros colombianos sobre la definición y características esenciales de un ELS para la práctica de enfermería en el ámbito hospitalario. Estos hallazgos aportan al desarrollo de herramientas de medición de los ELS que se ajusten a las condiciones y a la realidad del ejercicio profesional en el ámbito hospitalario colombiano.

Objective: To explore the perception of Colombian professional nurses about the definition and the main characteristics of a healthy work environment (HWE) for nursing care practice in the hospital setting. Methodology: Descriptive qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine professional nurses recruited through non-probabilistic sampling. The interviews were recorded, literally transcribed and coded. Through the organization and structuring of these codes, it was possible to establish categories and subcategories. Results: From the data analysis it was possible to establish a definition of healthy work environment and two dimensions (categories), and 10 main characteristics (subcategories) of the concept were obtained. Conclusions: The findings of this study allow a better understanding of the perception of Colombian nurses about the definition and essential characteristics of an HWE for nursing practice in the hospital setting. These findings contribute to the development of HWE measurement tools that are adjusted to the conditions and reality of professional practice in the Colombian hospital setting.

Working environment of health care professionals - focus on occupational stress.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Healthcare professionals most often encounter occupational stress. The aim of the study was to investigate the working environment of health care professionals with the focus on expression of occupational stress, and oversee the possibilities of stress management and prevention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 326 representatives from five different healthcare institutions were surveyed in Siauliai city, Lithuania. The validated questionnaires HSE Management Standards Indicator Tool and the SF-36 questionnaire were used. RESULTS: The study revealed that the most important organizational factors were lack of communication, inappropriate relations with authorities and colleagues, big workload and long working hours, quick decision-making, and manifestations of mobbing. Financial support was reported as one of the main motivators in stress management. The most frequent individual factors were emotional relations with patients and their relatives. The healthcare professionals who experienced stress at work more often felt aches that disturbed their work routine, and their health interfered more their ordinary social activities. The main stress prevention measures are involvement of employees in decision-making, annual interviews with authorities, education, assurance of a safe work environment, and elimination of manifestations of mobbing. CONCLUSIONS: More attention must be paid to occupational stress management. It appeared that there is a lack of knowledge by institutions about the models of occupational stress management and internal stress management policy of organization. Therefore, this stimulates the search for measures that could help to change the situation.

Industry Culture Matters: Sexual Harassment in the South Korean Film Industry.

This study analyzes factors of sexual harassment in the workplace based on sample survey data on women working in the Korean film industry (n = 449) using logistic regression analysis. It finds higher education, younger age, and union membership increase harassment risk, suggesting backlash against feminism post-#MeToo. A higher proportion of men at shooting locations raises harassment likelihood, reflecting the industry's unique conditions. Longer work hours also increase harassment probability. The findings highlight the importance of considering industrial context in addressing workplace harassment. They emphasize the need for policies improving gender representation in film.

Characterization and Prediction of Speech Intelligibility at the Output of Hearing Aids in a Noisy Working Environment.

Objective: Hearing aids are more and more technically advanced, but do not necessarily guarantee the reproduction of useful signals in all working environments. This is particularly the case for speech intelligibility. This study focuses on the prediction of hearing aid performance in the case of a moderate deafness setting, in service and industrial work environments. To improve intelligibility, hearing aids propose signal processing options such as noise reduction and compression. These processes can transform hearing aids into nonlinear systems. The aim of this study is to develop a nonlinear method for the characterization of hearing aids. Materials and Methods: The method is based on the synchronized swept sine (SSS) signal method.[16] The SSS method is applied for determining hearing aid frequency responses fitted according to the present methodology and several processing options. The characterization of hearing aid's program containing the noise reduction function is specifically analyzed. Indeed, to be fully active and efficient, the hearing aid, with the noise reduction feature activated, needs to be immersed in a noisy environment which does not allow nonlinear characterization. A linear approach is taken to study this feature. Three hearing aids commonly sold by hearing care professionals are studied here; all of them have three different programs. The characterization for each program is discussed. Results: The statistical study showed that the intelligibility, assessed using the speech transmission index in these sound environments, is well estimated for every program, although certain differences are observed when the compression effect is too high in the service work sector. Conclusion: The characterizations of hearing aids using the programs studied did not highlight the presence of frequency nonlinearities. The characterization method could not take into account amplitude nonlinearities when there is too much gain compression in the hearing process. Globally, all the hearing aid programs provided a very significant improvement in intelligibility in service and industrial work contexts.

Study on thermal health and its safety management mode for the working environment.

Thermal health concerns have gained significant attention due to the heightened health risks faced by workers who are exposed to extreme thermal environments for prolonged periods. To ensure the occupational health and safety of such workers, and to enhance work efficiency, it is imperative to examine the characteristics of thermal health in the working environment. This study proposes three key elements of thermal health in the working environment, namely thermal health states, absence of heat-related illnesses, and heat adaptability, which can be used to develop a safety management framework for thermal health. By exploring the interconnections between these elements, the study summarizes their features and outlines the necessary precautions to safeguard them. The PDCA (plan/do/check/action) cycle management mode is utilized as a framework, with the three components of thermal health forming the core, to establish a safety management mode for thermal health. To ensure that employees work in a safe, healthy, comfortable, and productive environment, the assessment and control objectives of the thermal environment are regularly revised through the use of labor protection technology and thermal environment control technology. This paper presents a PDCA cycle safety management mode based on the characteristics of thermal health, which offers novel insights and approaches for assessing and managing workers' thermal health.

Factors influencing the burnout dimensions among nurses: A cross-sectional study in South Korea.

AIM: To investigate the factors influencing three dimensions of burnout among clinical nurses in South Korea. DESIGN: Descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study. METHODS: We recruited 300 clinical nurses to participate in an online survey conducted in June 2021. Purposive sampling was used for the survey. Multiple linear regression was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The regression models explained 55.8%, 45.8% and 34.3% variances in emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment respectively. Emotional exhaustion was influenced by experience in the current department, working overtime, shift type, depression, job stress and emotional labour. Depersonalization was influenced by gender, hospital size, the associated department, overtime, coping strategies, depression and emotional labour. Personal accomplishment was influenced by clinical experience, shift type, resilience and the perceived threat of coronavirus disease 2019.

Influence of Sociodemographic, Organizational, and Social Factors on Turnover Consideration Among Eldercare Workers: A Quantitative Survey.

Staff turnover in long-term care (LTC) is considered one of the main causes of staff shortages and a key problem for LTC systems in the developed world. Factors affecting staff turnover in LTC facilities are poorly understood due to a fragmented approach. The aim of this study was to use multivariate analysis to identify the factors at the macro-, meso-, and micro-level that influence LTC workers' turnover in Slovenia, a typical Central and Eastern European country. A correlational cross-sectional survey design with a self-reported online questionnaire was used among Slovenian LTC workers (N = 452). The results show that more than half of LTC workers intend to quit their jobs and leave the LTC sector. LTC workers who intend to leave are generally younger, have worked in the LTC sector for a shorter period, are mainly employed in the public sector, especially in nursing homes, and earn less. The connection between the intention to leave and the factors at the macro-, meso-, and micro-level is very high. Over 75% of the variance of intention to leave was explained by the linear influence of sociodemographic characteristics, social recognition, and work environment. Urgent measures for improving the work environment are needed.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists' Experience of Relocation to COVID-19 Intensive Care-A Qualitative Interview Study.

In spring 2020, a global SARS-Cov-2 pandemic was declared. The number of patients in need of intensive care exceeded the number of available care places at intensive care units (ICUs) and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) were relocated to ICUs to support the care during the pandemic. The aim of this study was to illuminate the experiences of the CRNAs regarding relocation to COVID-19 intensive care. An interview study based on qualitative content analysis was conducted. The participants were CRNAs who usually work in the operating unit, however, were relocated to work in the COVID-19 ICU at a university hospital in southern Sweden during the pandemic. Four themes emerge in the results: sense of pride, competence, work environment, and nursing. The results illuminate the CRNAs' experience of relocating from their usual working environment to caring for critically ill patients in a COVID-19 ICU. The CRNAs managed the relocation well, although sometimes it was difficult. The CRNAs showed great loyalty, dedication, competence, and flexibility in their professional capacity. The time they worked in COVID-19 intensive care was a challenging period, but it gave them a well-deserved sense of pride and competence.

Association between intentional behavioral changes and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The enforcement of nationwide lockdowns and social distancing measures severely restricted behavior and led to increases in stress, anxiety, and depression during the COVID-19 Pandemic. However, contrary to expectations, studies show that well-being did not decrease significantly during the Pandemic. The present study examined whether intentional increases in alternative behaviors contributed to maintaining well-being. We predicted an increase in indoor activities as alternatives to outdoor activities and that these behavioral changes contribute to maintaining well-being. Focusing on leisure activities, transport mode, and working environments, we tested these predictions in an online survey of 1,000 participants (M = 40.4 years; SD = 10.9). The results demonstrated that the decrease in outdoor leisure activities (e.g., traveling and shopping), use of public transportation, and working at office led to a reduction in well-being. It was also demonstrated that the subsequent increase in indoor leisure activities (e.g., exercising at home and online shopping) and use of a private car led to an increase in well-being, which supported our predictions. These results suggest that increasing alternative behaviors can maintain overall well-being during pandemics. These findings highlight the significance of intentional behavioral changes in maintaining well-being during pandemics.

Influence of the birthing room design on midwives' job satisfaction - A cross-sectional online survey embedded in the 'Be-Up' study.

BACKGROUND: Job satisfaction is an important factor influencing work performance, personal well-being, commitment and retention. The working environment influences job satisfaction. The design of the birthing room could influence the practice of midwives and their satisfaction. This study investigates whether the alternative design of the birthing room implemented in the randomized controlled trial 'Be-Up' (Birth environment-Upright position) has an impact on job satisfaction of midwives. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey using an online questionnaire with 50 items addressing job satisfaction and birth room design was performed. The sample (n = 312) consists of midwives whose obstetric units participated in the Be-Up study and, as comparison group, midwives working in non-study obstetric units. These two independent groups were compared using t-tests; correlations and impacts were examined. RESULTS: The results of the T-tests revealed statistically significant higher global job satisfaction and higher satisfaction with team support of midwives in the Be-Up room. However, midwives working in customary birthing rooms were more satisfied with the design of the room. The most important predictors of job satisfaction were team factors and understaffing in both groups. CONCLUSION: Reasons for diminished satisfaction with the working environment in the Be-Up study may be assumed in uncertainties about emergency management in a new and unfamiliar environment. Furthermore the impact of a single redesigned room within a customary obstetric unit on job satisfaction seems small, as the room is embedded in the ward and hospital environment. More comprehensive concepts on the potential of the work environment influencing midwives' job satisfaction are needed.

From expert to novice and back: a qualitative study of interprofessional collaboration and the experiences of frontline healthcare professionals during the first wave of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The global coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic put extreme pressure on healthcare systems worldwide, forcing a heavy workload on healthcare professionals. Frontline treatment and care for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 compelled healthcare professionals to rapidly adapt to new working conditions. This study explores the experiences of frontline healthcare professionals to learn more about how frontline work affects their learning and skills development but also interprofessional collaboration during a pandemic. METHODS: In-depth, one-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 healthcare professionals. A broad interdisciplinary group, the participants were employed in public hospitals in four of Denmark's five regions. Using a reflexive methodology for the data analysis allowed reflexive interpretation when interpreting subjects and interpreting the interpretation. RESULTS: The study identified two empirical themes: into the unknown and in the same boat, which we critically interpreted using learning theory and theory on interprofessionalism. The study found that the healthcare professionals moved from being experts in their own fields to being novices in the frontline of the pandemic, and then back to being experts based on interprofessional collaboration that included shared reflection. Working in the frontline was imbued with a unique atmosphere in which workers were equals and functioned interdependently, the barriers normally obstructing interprofessional collaboration set aside to focus on combating the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals new insights regarding knowledge on frontline healthcare professionals in terms of learning and developing new skills, as well as the importance of interprofessional collaboration. The insights contributed to the understanding of the importance of shared reflection and how the development of expertise was a socially embedded process where discussions were possible without fear of being ridiculed and healthcare professionals were willing to share their knowledge.

The relationship between professional quality of life and work environment among ICU nurses in Chinese: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To explore the relationship between the professional quality of life and work environment among intensive care unit nurses, and identify the influencing factors of intensive care unit nurses' professional quality of life. Methods: This study design is cross-sectional and correlational descriptive. Four hundred fourteen intensive care unit nurses from Central China were recruited. Data were collected from three questionnaires of self-designed demographic questions, the professional quality of life scale and the nursing work environment scale. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, bivariate analysis and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 414 questionnaires was collected, for an effective recovery rate of 98.57%. The original scores of the three sub-scales of professional quality of life were 33.58 ± 6.43, 31.83 ± 5.94, and 32.55 ± 5.74. Compassion satisfaction was positively correlated with the nursing working environment (p < 0.05), job burnout, and secondary trauma were negatively correlated with nursing work in environment (p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis results show that, the nursing working environment entered into the influential factor model of professional quality of life scale (p < 0.001). The nursing working environment independently explained 26.9% of the changes in compassion satisfaction, 27.1% of the changes in job burnout, and 27.5% of the changes in secondary trauma. The nursing work environment is an important factor affecting the professional quality of life. Conclusion: The better the nursing working environment, the higher the professional quality of life of intensive care unit nurses. Decision makers and managers can focus on improving the working environment of nurses, which may be a new perspective for managers to improve the professional quality of life of nurses and stabilize the nursing team.