Impact of a pedometer program on nurses working in a health-promoting hospital.

The aim of this research was to describe the impact of a pedometer-based activity program on a subset of nurses in a university-affiliated, multisite health care center in Canada. This study used a longitudinal design with preintervention-postintervention (8 weeks) and follow-up (6 months). At baseline, 60 nurses participated; 51 (85%) remained for the postprogram assessment and 33 (55%) also completed the follow-up questionnaire. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires (weight, height, fatigue, insomnia, stress and step data) and blood tests (total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol). At postprogram, participants reported 12 thinsp;912 steps on average per day. At follow-up, 79% of participants indicated that they maintained their physical activity after the pedometer program. A significant decrease in insomnia was evident in postprogram scores compared with baseline scores, and this decrease was maintained at follow-up. A significant decrease in minutes spent sitting per week was also observed from baseline to postprogram and also maintained at follow-up. Participants' stress and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased from baseline to postprogram (marginally significant). Finally, their weight decreased from baseline to follow-up (marginally significant). The pedometer program generated some positive outcomes for nurses after 6 months.

Determinants and benefits of physical activity maintenance in hospital employees.

This study investigated whether the positive behavioral and anthropometric outcomes of a pedometer-based physical activity 8-week challenge were maintained 6 months after the end of the program. It further investigated the motivational profile of those who maintained their physical activity levels in the months following the end of the program and of those who did not. Hospital employees from a university-affiliated multisite health care center in Canada participated using a questionnaire. Of the 235 participants who completed the 8-week challenge, 157 questionnaires were returned 6 months later. Paired-samples t tests were conducted between the baseline and follow-up scores as well as between the postprogram and follow-up scores to detect significant differences between the measurement points. This study shows that the pedometer-based physical activity helped hospital employees maintain a high level of physical activity as well as maintain a healthy body mass index after 6 months. The results demonstrated that during maintenance the high physical activity group obtained higher scores for identified regulation and intrinsic regulation compared with the other groups. The results of the study revealed that identified and intrinsic regulations are important contributors to maintaining physical activity among hospital employees.

Validation of the French and English versions of the Worklife Pulse Survey.

A clear and rapid understanding of a health care organization's Quality Work Life is highly important as it can inform decision makers of issues that could impact their workers' psychological and physical health. Research has shown there is a relationship between workers' psychosocial work environment and their health and well-being. The Worklife Pulse Survey is a 21-item questionnaire providing a snapshot of health care organizations' Quality Work Life. This tool is deployed as part of Accreditation Canada's Qmentum accreditation program and is available both in English and in French. The present research sought to validate the 2 versions of the survey as well as the comparability of the generated data. The results obtained from 9578 French-speaking and 16 398 English-speaking respondents support the validity of both versions of the Worklife Pulse Survey as well as the comparability of the responses for all participants, for each gender separately, and for each age group separately.

The psychosocial work environment and evidence utilization by health professionals.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between dimensions of the psychosocial work environment and health professionals' use of evidence in their practice. A correlational descriptive design was developed. Health professionals working in mental health units at 2 hospitals were asked to complete a questionnaire about their perceptions of the psychosocial work environment and their use of evidence. Correlations and regression analyses were performed. Use of evidence was found to be correlated with social support and decision latitude. Results of multiple regression analyses found perceived social support (beta = .27, p < .01) and perceived decision latitude (beta = .25,p < .01) to be significant predictors of the use of evidence. The authors conclude that good social support and decision latitude among interprofessional groups may promote use of evidence by health professions in their practice.

Relationships among work climate, absenteeism, and salary insurance in teaching hospitals.

This two-tier study, involving employees at a university health centre, explored the relationship between work climate and absenteeism, and also looked at the relationship between work climate and salary insurance. Study findings show that the more positive the perception of work climate, the less employees have the tendency to stay away from work or to stay longer on salary insurance. Regression analyses showed that absenteeism can be predicted significantly by specific work climate indicators such as "challenge," "conflict," and "cooperation." Also, the length of time receiving salary insurance benefits can be predicted by the indicators "trust and support" and "warmth."