Saúde dos trabalhadores de enfermagem: revisando as estratégias de promoção à saúde / The health of nursing professionals: reviewing health promotion strategies / Salud de los trabajadores de enfermería: revisando las estrategias de promoción a la salud

Objective: The study's purpose has been to further understand the health promotion strategies towards nursing professionals. Methods: It is an integrative literature review with a qualitative approach, which is composed of 23 articles that answer the following guiding question: What are the health promotion strategies developed for nursing professionals? Results: The findings were gathered into four strategy groups, as follows: Promoting the Work Planning, which are based on regulating the workload and salary relationship; Promoting Knowledge, which are focused on the professional update through the use of technologies; Promoting Physical Activity, aiming to guarantee the access to physical exercise, both intra and extra the work environment; and, Promoting Integrative and Complementary Practices, indicating music therapy, relaxation techniques and yoga, which together with the other ones might contribute to reduce work stress, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular problems. Conclusion: The work planning can be considered the main strategy of health promotion for nursing professionals, since it is associated with the development of the others

Objetivo: Conhecer as estratégias de promoção à saúde para os trabalhadores de enfermagem. Método: Revisão integrativa composta por 23 artigos que respondem a questão norteadora: Quais as estratégias de promoção à saúde, desenvolvidas para os trabalhadores de enfermagem? Aplicou-se uma abordagem qualitativa. Resultados: As estratégias para Promoção da Organização do Trabalho pautam-se na regulação da relação carga de trabalho e salário. As do Conhecimento, na atualização profissional com uso de tecnologias. Já as da Atividade Física, na garantia do acesso ao exercício físico, intra e extra, ambiente de trabalho. As de Promoção de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares indica a musicoterapia, as técnicas de relaxamento e yoga, que em conjunto com as demais, contribuem para reduzir o estresse laboral e problemas musculoesqueléticos e cardiovasculares. Conclusão: A organização do trabalho pode ser considerada a principal estratégia de promoção à saúde para trabalhadores de enfermagem, pois a ela associa-se o desenvolvimento das demais

Objetivo: Conecer las estrategias de promoción a la salud para los trabajadores de enfermería. Método: Revisión integrativa compuesta por 23 artículos que responden a la cuestión orientadora: ¿Cuáles son las estrategias de promoción a la salud, desarrolladas para los trabajadores de enfermería? Se aplicó un enfoque cualitativo. Resultados: Las estrategias para Promoción de la Organización del Trabajo se basan en la regulación de la relación carga de trabajo y salario. Las del Conocimiento, en la actualización profesional con uso de tecnologías. Las de la Actividad Física, en la garantía del acceso al ejercicio físico, intra y extra, ambiente de trabajo. Las de Promoción de Prácticas Integrativas y Complementarias indica la musicoterapia, las técnicas de relajación y yoga, que en conjunto con las demás, contribuyen para reducir el estrés laboral y problemas musculoesqueléticos y cardiovasculares. Conclusión: La organización del trabajo puede ser considerada la principal estrategia de promoción a la salud para trabajadores de enfermería, pues a ella se asocia el desarrollo de las demás

Usage of healthcare services and preference for mental healthcare among older Somali immigrants in Finland.

Objectives: The aims of the study were, first, to describe and analyze healthcare services utilization patterns of older immigrants in Finland, and particularly to compare the availability and accessibility of health services between older Somalis and Finns. The second aim was to examine the preferences for mental healthcare within the group of Somalis. The third aim was to test the existence of a service usage gap expected to be characteristic of the Somali group, in which high levels of mental health problems occur alongside simultaneous low levels of mental health service usage. Design: The participants were 256 men and women between the ages of 50-85; half were Somali migrants and the other half Finnish matched pairs. The participants were surveyed regarding their usage of somatic, mental, and preventive health services, as well as symptoms of depression, general distress, and somatization. The Somali participants were also surveyed regarding their usage of traditional healing methods and preferences for mental healthcare. Results: The Somali group had significantly lower access to personal/family doctors at healthcare centers as well as a lower availability of private doctors and occupational health services than the Finns. Instead, they used more nursing services than Finnish patients. The Somali participants attended fewer age-salient preventive check-ups than the Finns. The majority of the Somalis preferred traditional care, most commonly religious healing, for mental health problems. The hypothesized service gap was not substantiated, as a high level of depressive symptoms was not associated with a low usage of health services among the Somalis, but it was found unexpectedly among the Finns. Conclusion: Our findings call for culturally appropriate general and mental health services for older immigrants, which requires awareness of clients' preferences, needs, and alternative healing practices. Somali participants encountered institutional barriers in accessing healthcare, and they preferred informal mental healthcare, especially religious healing instead of Western practices.

[Workplace Health Promotion in Germany: Prevalence and Utilisation. Analyses on Labour Force Surveys of the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in 2006 and 2012]. / Betriebliche Gesundheitsförderung in Deutschland: Verbreitung und Inanspruchnahme. Ergebnisse der BIBB/BAuA-Erwerbstätigenbefragungen 2006 und 2012.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: This article describes representative data on the availability of and individual participation in workplace health promotion (WHP) in Germany. These data are based on responses of 17 870 employees which were collected within the Labour Force Survey 2011/12 of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training and the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. By comparison with data from the previous wave of the survey carried out in 2005/06 (N=17 803), medium-term trends in WHP are identified. RESULTS: In 2012, 44% of the employees reported WHP activities in their companies, as against 38% in 2006. Increasing WHP prevalences were observed in all company sizes and economic sectors. In both surveys, employees in small companies reported significantly less WHP than those in large companies. Of all economic sectors, industrial manufacturing still showed the largest diffusion of WHP, even though the gap to other sectors has narrowed since 2006. The proportion of respondents who individually participated in WHP (if available) has slightly declined. The most striking difference in participation rates - which has even increased over time - is between small and large companies. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate a moderately increased prevalence of WHP in Germany. At the same time, data still suggest a considerable need for WHP-related advice and support, particularly in small companies. On the basis of the analysed data, however, no statements can be made about qualitative characteristics of WHP activities in Germany.

Employer-Based Screening for Diabetes and Prediabetes in an Integrated Health Care Delivery System: A Natural Experiment for Translation in Diabetes (NEXT-D) Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates an employer-based diabetes/prediabetes screening intervention that invited at-risk employees via letters, secure e-mails, and automated voice messages to complete blood glucose testing at a health plan facility. METHODS: Quasi-experimental cohort study among health plan members insured by two employers that received the intervention and three employers that were selected as control sites. RESULTS: The proportion of at-risk members that completed a screening was higher in the intervention group than in the control group (36% vs 13%, P < 0.001, adjusted for patient characteristics). Among those screened in the intervention group, the presence of obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and tobacco use were significant predictors of having a result that indicated diabetes or prediabetes (P < 0.05, all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: A low-intensity, employer-based intervention conducted in collaboration with a health care delivery system effectively increased screening for diabetes/prediabetes.

Enhancing workplace wellness efforts to reduce obesity: a qualitative study of low-wage workers in St Louis, Missouri, 2013-2014.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to examine workplace determinants of obesity and participation in employer-sponsored wellness programs among low-wage workers. METHODS: We conducted key informant interviews and focus groups with 2 partner organizations: a health care employer and a union representing retail workers. Interviews and focus groups discussed worksite factors that support or constrain healthy eating and physical activity and barriers that reduce participation in workplace wellness programs. Focus group discussions were transcribed and coded to identify main themes related to healthy eating, physical activity, and workplace factors that affect health. RESULTS: Although the union informants recognized the need for workplace wellness programs, very few programs were offered because informants did not know how to reach their widespread and diverse membership. Informants from the health care organization described various programs available to employees but noted several barriers to effective implementation. Workers discussed how their job characteristics contributed to their weight; irregular schedules, shift work, short breaks, physical job demands, and food options at work were among the most commonly discussed contributors to poor eating and exercise behaviors. Workers also described several general factors such as motivation, time, money, and conflicting responsibilities. CONCLUSION: The workplace offers unique opportunities for obesity interventions that go beyond traditional approaches. Our results suggest that modifying the physical and social work environment by using participatory or integrated health and safety approaches may improve eating and physical activity behaviors. However, more research is needed about the methods best suited to the needs of low-wage workers.

[Efficacy--appropriateness]. / Efficacia - Appropriatezza.

I discuss the meaning and differences between the Appropriateness and Efficacy in the prevention of occupational risks and damage. It is argued that to be "appropriate" an intervention should be suitable, keeping with the circumstances, while the intervention that achieves the goal is "effective". In practice, the appropriateness is very used in the field of clinical medicine, with reference to the treatment, while in the prevention it is usual to use with greater frequency the term of effectiveness.

Factors associated with early magnetic resonance imaging utilization for acute occupational low back pain: a population-based study from Washington State workers' compensation.

STUDY DESIGN: A population-based, prospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To identify demographic, job-related, psychosocial, and clinical factors associated with the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within 6 weeks from injury (early MRI) among workers' compensation claimants with acute occupational low back pain (LBP). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Early MRI may be associated with increased use of services for treatment and costs. To understand utilization and most appropriately apply guidelines, it is important to identify factors associated with early imaging use for occupational LBP. METHODS: Workers (N = 1830) were interviewed 3 weeks (median) after submitting a workers' compensation claim for a back injury. Demographic, work, health, clinical, and injury characteristics were ascertained from interviews, medical records, and administrative data. Modified Poisson regression analyses identified factors associated with early MRI use. RESULTS: Among respondents, 362 (19.8%) received an early MRI. Multivariable regression showed that male workers were 43% more likely to receive an early MRI than female workers (incident rate ratio [IRR]: 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-1.82). Initial visit type with a surgeon was associated with 78% greater likelihood of receiving an early MRI than that with a primary care physician (IRR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.08-2.92). Having a chiropractor as the initial provider was associated with a reduced likelihood of early MRI (IRR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.42-0.66). Workers with elevated work fear-avoidance, higher Roland scores, or increased injury severity were more likely to receive early MRI than counterparts with lower levels or scores. CONCLUSION: Nearly 20% of the injured workers with LBP receive early MRI, a rate similar to that reported elsewhere. Early MRI may lead to greater subsequent interventions, potentially poorer outcomes, and increased health care expenditures. On the basis of the characteristics of patients with uncomplicated occupational LBP, providers may be able to provide tailored care, and providers and policy makers may better understand the utilization of imaging and adherence to clinical guidelines.

Nurses' experiences, expectations, and preferences for mind-body practices to reduce stress.

BACKGROUND: Most research on the impact of mind-body training does not ask about participants' baseline experience, expectations, or preferences for training. To better plan participant-centered mind-body intervention trials for nurses to reduce occupational stress, such descriptive information would be valuable. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous email survey between April and June, 2010 of North American nurses interested in mind-body training to reduce stress. The e-survey included: demographic characteristics, health conditions and stress levels; experiences with mind-body practices; expected health benefits; training preferences; and willingness to participate in future randomized controlled trials. RESULTS: Of the 342 respondents, 96% were women and 92% were Caucasian. Most (73%) reported one or more health conditions, notably anxiety (49%); back pain (41%); GI problems such as irritable bowel syndrome (34%); or depression (33%). Their median occupational stress level was 4 (0 = none; 5 = extreme stress). Nearly all (99%) reported already using one or more mind-body practices to reduce stress: intercessory prayer (86%), breath-focused meditation (49%), healing or therapeutic touch (39%), yoga/tai chi/qi gong (34%), or mindfulness-based meditation (18%). The greatest expected benefits were for greater spiritual well-being (56%); serenity, calm, or inner peace (54%); better mood (51%); more compassion (50%); or better sleep (42%). Most (65%) wanted additional training; convenience (74% essential or very important), was more important than the program's reputation (49%) or scientific evidence about effectiveness (32%) in program selection. Most (65%) were willing to participate in a randomized trial of mind-body training; among these, most were willing to collect salivary cortisol (60%), or serum biomarkers (53%) to assess the impact of training. CONCLUSIONS: Most nurses interested in mind-body training already engage in such practices. They have greater expectations about spiritual and emotional than physical benefits, but are willing to participate in studies and to collect biomarker data. Recruitment may depend more on convenience than a program's scientific basis or reputation. Knowledge of participants' baseline experiences, expectations, and preferences helps inform future training and research on mind-body approaches to reduce stress.

Integrated employee assistance program/managed behavioral health plan utilization by persons with substance use disorders.

New federal parity and health reform legislation, promising increased behavioral health care access and a focus on prevention, has heightened interest in employee assistance programs (EAPs). This study investigated service utilization by persons with a primary substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis in a managed behavioral health care (MBHC) organization's integrated EAP/MBHC product (N = 1,158). In 2004, 25.0% of clients used the EAP first for new treatment episodes. After initial EAP utilization, 44.4% received no additional formal services through the plan, and 40.4% received regular outpatient services. Overall, outpatient care, intensive outpatient/day treatment, and inpatient/residential detoxification were most common. About half of the clients had co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses. Mental health service utilization was extensive. Findings suggest that for service users with primary SUD diagnoses in an integrated EAP/MBHC product, the EAP benefit plays a key role at the front end of treatment and is often only one component of treatment episodes.

Randomised controlled trial of integrated care to reduce disability from chronic low back pain in working and private life.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated care programme, combining a patient directed and a workplace directed intervention, for patients with chronic low back pain. DESIGN: Population based randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Primary care (10 physiotherapy practices, one occupational health service, one occupational therapy practice) and secondary care (five hospitals). PARTICIPANTS: 134 adults aged 18-65 sick listed for at least 12 weeks owing to low back pain. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly assigned to usual care (n=68) or integrated care (n=66). Integrated care consisted of a workplace intervention based on participatory ergonomics, involving a supervisor, and a graded activity programme based on cognitive behavioural principles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the duration of time off work (work disability) due to low back pain until full sustainable return to work. Secondary outcome measures were intensity of pain and functional status. RESULTS: The median duration until sustainable return to work was 88 days in the integrated care group compared with 208 days in the usual care group (P=0.003). Integrated care was effective on return to work (hazard ratio 1.9, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 2.8, P=0.004). After 12 months, patients in the integrated care group improved significantly more on functional status compared with patients in the usual care group (P=0.01). Improvement of pain between the groups did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: The integrated care programme substantially reduced disability due to chronic low back pain in private and working life. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN28478651.

Characteristics of participants in a cancer prevention intervention designed for multiethnic workers in small manufacturing worksites.

PURPOSE: To examine worker characteristics explicated in our social-contextual intervention model that might be associated with participation in a cancer prevention intervention. These characteristics included sociodemographic variables, mediating mechanisms, and modifying conditions. METHODS: Randomized, controlled study in 24 small multiethnic manufacturing worksites. Analyses were conducted on an embedded cohort of 456 employees in the intervention condition, incorporating the clustering of respondents in worksites using generalized linear mixed modeling methods. The intervention was based on an inclusive, comprehensive social-contextual model targeting fruit, vegetable, and red meat consumption, multivitamin use, and physical activity. RESULTS: Gender (p = .02) and self-efficacy (p < .01) were associated with participation. There were no differences in participation by race/ethnicity or occupational status. We observed no associations between participation of individual workers in intervention activities and health behavior change. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention attracted workers across racial/ethnic and occupational groups. The combination of a comprehensive intervention with wide diffusion of program messages may have been more powerful in influencing participation and behavior change than characteristics of individual employees.

Physician assistants in occupational medicine: how do they compare to occupational physicians?

BACKGROUND: Physician assistants (PAs) have been present in occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) in the USA since 1971, yet remarkably little is known about their activity. METHODS: An administrative study of PA activities was undertaken and compared with the activities of physicians in the same occupational medicine setting. Patients were not triaged to either provider and all resources of care were recorded for the visit. An episode of care approach was used for the analysis. RESULTS: The characteristics of patients seen by each provider were similar in age, gender ratio and severity of injury. Physicians saw a mean of 2.9 patients/h and PAs 2.5, but PAs worked more hours and saw more patients per year than physicians. The average charge per patient visit and total charge for an episode of care were similar. Differences between PAs and physicians were seen in the areas of 'limited duty' duration given to patients and on average PAs prescribed 15 days and physicians 17 days. PAs referred a patient 19.7% of the time, while physicians referred 17.4%. Most of the referrals were to physical therapy. The salary of a physician, based on an hourly rate, was approximately twice as much as a PA. CONCLUSION: The use of PAs in OEM may represent a cost-effective advantage from an administrative standpoint. Clearly, more research is necessary in determining the role and utilization of PAs in OEM and how they may improve the delivery of physician services.

Worksite wellness programs and lifestyle behaviors.

Do employees who participate in worksite wellness programs differ from those who do not? What health-related lifestyle behaviors are practiced most frequently by which employees? A descriptive, correlational, comparative design was used to investigate these questions. Four hundred employees at a large public university were selected through stratified random sampling to complete a demographic sheet and the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP). Study findings revealed that men used self-actualization and exercise behaviors more frequently than women. Women practiced more health responsibility behaviors than men. Employees who were members of the wellness program more frequently practiced health responsibility and exercise behaviors than nonmembers. Overall, wellness program members used a greater number of the total health-related behaviors than other employees. Membership in the wellness program and the number of times per week a person exercised explained 21% of the variance in the HPLP scores.

[The situational diagnosis of the medical units of Petróleos Mexicanos]. / Diagnóstico situacional de unidades médicas de Petróleos Mexicanos.

The Medical Service Management of Petróleos Mexicanos developed a situational diagnosis of 30 medical units in 1992. This evaluation covered 94 per cent of the institutional population. The basis for this evaluation was a formulary with more than 70 per cent closed questions and instructions with explicit explanations about them. The main points that the formulary investigated were: geography, demography, sociocultural and economics aspects, epidemiology, morbidity, mortality, preventive medicine, service availability and others. With this situational diagnosis we have been able to identify the main problems with a possible solution, presented in terms of planning, organization and execution of actions.