Excessive Noise in Neonatal Units and the Occupational Stress Experienced by Healthcare Professionals: An Assessment of Burnout and Measurement of Cortisol Levels.

Excessive noise in the work environment has been associated with extra-auditory symptoms, which can have harmful long-term effects on individuals. The purpose of this study was to identify noise levels in neonatal intensive care units and investigate their impact on the occurrence of stress among healthcare professionals, using cortisol levels as a biomarker for Burnout Syndrome. This descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted in four public teaching hospitals in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Sound pressure levels in the environment were measured, and questionnaires were administered to collect sociodemographic data and assess perceptions of the work environment and Burnout symptoms. Saliva samples were collected at the beginning and end of work shifts for cortisol quantification. The average sound pressure ranged from 59.9 to 66.4 dB(A), exceeding the recommended levels set by Brazilian and international legislation. Among the 256 participants, the average age was 39.4 years, with 95% being female. The majority (70.9%) were nurses, and 22.7% were physicians. There was no significant association found between noise and Burnout Syndrome, nor with changes in cortisol levels. However, a significant association was observed between the perception of excessive noise and the sensation of a stressful work shift (p = 0.012). All evaluated professionals displayed symptoms of Burnout. The high sound pressure levels indicated that the assessed environments did not meet the recommended standards for acoustic comfort, and this was associated with the participants' perception of stressful work shifts. While Burnout symptoms were evident in our participants, it was not possible to confirm a correlation with high noise levels.

Health Professionals' Chronotype Association with Salivary Cortisol and Occupational Stress in Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

Burnout syndrome has been reported among health workers, particularly those working in critical areas, and is considered a significant public health problem. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between chronotype and work-related stress, as measured by salivary cortisol levels and burnout, among health professionals working in neonatal intensive care units. A cross-sectional study was conducted across four public hospitals in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Two hundred and fifty-six health professionals were administered the brazilian version of the Burnout Characterization Scale, the morningness-eveningness questionnaire, for chronotype, a sociodemographic questionnaire that included lifestyle habits and a salivary cortisol test. The results indicated that morning chronotype workers were significantly associated with the following: advanced age (p < 0.001), female gender (p = 0.032), married status (p = 0.014), and having children (p = 0.030) compared to those with evening and intermediate chronotypes. However, no significant association was found between signs of burnout syndrome and chronotype (p = 0.316). Participants whose work shift did not match their chronotype had significantly higher initial salivary cortisol levels (p = 0.013). The findings suggest that adapting working hours to an individual's biological rhythm can help mitigate potential negative effects on physical and mental health. Thus, it is recommended that professionals' working hours be adjusted accordingly.

Estágio curricular Supervisionado: percepções do aluno-terapêuta em Fonoaudiologia no âmbito hospitalar / Curricular supervised traineeship: perceptions of student-therapist in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences in a hospital

OBJETIVO: construir uma descrição da percepção dos estagiários do curso de fonoaudiologia em leito hospitalar. MÉTODO: pesquisa realizada durante a disciplina de Estágio Supervisionado II em Fonoaudiologia do último semestre do Curso de Graduação em Fonoaudiologia da Universidade de Fortaleza no período de fevereiro a junho de 2010. Optou-se por uma abordagem qualitativa registrando-se, por parte dos estagiários-pesquisadores, suas impressões pessoais, por meio da construção de diários e notas de campo, no atendimento a pacientes neurogênicos à beira do leito. RESULTADOS: as categorias encontradas dividiram-se em: ansiedade e frustração; insegurança e incapacidade; angústia, tristeza e medo; empoderamento profissional; empatia e lembranças e; sentimentos negativos. Os sentimentos ressaltaram o medo de intervir com o paciente. Porém, a rotina faz o estagiário mais seguro quanto aos seus procedimentos e, com o tempo, é possível controlar os sentimentos em relação às medidas a serem tomadas junto ao paciente. CONCLUSÃO: concluiu-se que as percepções referidas pelos estagiários estão diretamente relacionadas ao impacto emocional inicial. A falta da vivência interfere na atuação, fazendo o aluno buscar o apoio do docente. É pela experiência que o estagiário adquire conhecimento técnico-prático, proporcionando uma reflexão crítica que o leva à autoconfiança. A importância de levar o aluno ao pensamento crítico-reflexivo torna-o um profissional consciente de seu papel na sociedade, possibilitando a um atendimento mais humanizado e diferenciado implicando em uma melhora na qualidade de atendimento do paciente debilitado.

PURPOSE: to build a description of perception of students-therapists of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences in hospital bedside. METHOD: the research was carried out during the discipline of supervised traineeship II in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences the semester of the Undergraduate in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences of Fortaleza University in the period from February to June 2010. It was a qualitative approach registering the personal views of the students-therapists-researchers by the construction of daily and field notes, in the care of neurologic patient’s bedside. RESULTS: the categories found were divided into: anxiety and frustration, insecurity and failure, anxiety, sadness and fear; professional empowerment, empathy and memories; and negative feelings. The feelings underscored the fear to intervene with the patient. However, the routine makes the trainee more secure about their procedures and, over time, it is possible to control the feelings in relation to the measures to be taken regarding the patient. CONCLUSION: it was concluded that the perceptions reported by trainees are directly related to the initial emotional impact. The lack of experience interferes with the performance, making the student seek the support of teachers. It is through experience that the trainee acquires techno-practical knowledge, providing a critical reflection that leads to confidence. The importance of leading the student to critical and reflective thinking makes him aware of his professional role in society, enabling a more humane and differential treatment resulting in an improved quality of weakened patient care.

Adequação da saúde vocal aos diversos estilos musicais / Vocal health fitness to different music styles

Apresentar gêneros e estilos executados atualmente no cenário musical ocidental, relacionando com aspectos fonoaudiológicos da prática da voz cantada. Método: Estudo observacional documental, para o qual foram selecionadas mídias musicais que caracterizassem gêneros e estilos da vivência dos pesquisadores, as quais foram analisadas considerando origens, elementos formadores, tipos e recursos vocais. Paralelamente, foi feita uma revisão de literatura ancorada em pesquisa nos bancos de dados e revisão não sistemática de sites na internet e clássicos da área. Resulta dos: Os estilos selecionados (Rockand Roll, Heavy Metal, Trash Metal, Grunge, Gothic Metal, Rap, Funk, Blues, R&B ? Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Gospel, MPB, Samba, Forró, Sertanejo, Bossa Nova, Ópera e Música de Câmara) foram caracterizados, justificando-se o conhecimento pelo fonoaudiólogo acerca dos estilos escolhidos e os diversos aspectos que envolvem a voz cantada. Sua orientação pode minimizar possíveis prejuízos vocais, pois cada estilo carrega um padrão próprio ao qual o intérprete deverá se submeter. Conclusões: Concluiu-se que o cantor irá refletir um padrão vocal característico ao estilo que se propõe a cantar, independente se o mesmo seja prejudicial ou não à saúde vocal. Ao escolher um estilo musical, é importante que o cantor tenha o conhecimento e a noção de como o uso que fará do seu aparelho vocal irá causar ou não prejuízo a sua voz. Também deve ter consciência de que a técnica no canto é necessária para a longevidade vocal.

To present genres and styles currently running on western music scene, focusing on the practice of singing voice. Methods: An observational and documental study for which were selected sound sources presenting musical genres and styles that are part of the experience of the researchers, which were analyzed considering origins, formative elements and vocal features. Alongside we carried out a review of literature grounded in databases research and free review of websites and classical books of the area. Results: The selected styles (Rock and Roll, Heavy Metal, Trash Metal, Grunge, Gothic Metal, Rap, Funk, Blues, R&B ? Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Gospel, MPB, Samba, Forro, Sertanejo, Bossa Nova, Opera and Chamber Music) were described, pointing the reasons for the speech therapist to be informed about them and about singing voice aspects. His guidance may minimize possible vocal damage caused by each style, since each of them carries its own patterns to which the interpreter must submit. Conclusions: We conclude that the singer will use a specific vocal pattern that resembles the musical style he intends to sing, regardless of any harm it may or may not cause to vocal health. When choosing a musical style, it is important that the singer has the knowledge and understanding of how the use of his vocal apparatus will cause or not cause injury to his voice. Also be aware that the technique in singing is necessary for vocal longevity.