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RESEARCH QUESTION: What areas of manual IVF cryostorage operations are common to the safe operation of IVF cryostorage facilities and require effort from embryologists? DESIGN: Observational time and motion data were collected by two observers equipped with the digital cameras over 2 weeks at four well-characterized US IVF centres (sites α, ß, γ and δ) from 12 participants performing cryostorage tasks. To understand the work processes of the different sites and assist in the data analysis, informal interviews were conducted with the study participants and laboratory directors. Data were analysed to identify work processes that might be eliminated or diminished by automation and software improvements. RESULTS: On average, it took 3.4 data record queries per retrieval from cryostorage to identify a cane, while the canister was lifted an average of 1.5 times per retrieval, with a mean 11.8 ± 9.2 s per lift. Of the total time spent working with cryostorage equipment, 47.25% was of a fatiguing nature. Sites α, ß and γ utilized one person to fill the liquid nitrogen storage Dewars, while site δ had two technicians working in tandem to move and fill the Dewars, with different frequencies and determination factors for refills and efficiencies. CONCLUSIONS: This time and motion study demonstrated significant time investment, task redundancy and fatiguing working conditions among embryologists using manual cryostorage processes. There was a disparity of processes and space capacity across different laboratories. Some of these issues may be addressed by the integration of automation and technology solutions.
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STUDY QUESTION: What is the prevalence of occupational stress, somatization, and burnout reported by UK and US, embryologists and the impact of work conditions on these well-being outcomes? SUMMARY ANSWER: Surveyed UK and US embryologists reported moderate perceived stress, low somatic symptom severity, high levels of burnout, and overall stressful work conditions, but with differences that could be due to country-specific occupational and employment characteristics. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY?: Spanish, UK, US, and international surveys have identified high levels of occupational stress, somatization, burnout, and occupational health issues among embryologists. These issues have been attributed to embryologists' occupational challenges and work conditions. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A cross-sectional web-based survey was sent to 253 embryologists working in UK ART/IVF clinics and 487 embryologists working in US ART/IVF clinics. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Participants self-reported their stress levels, somatization, burnout, and work conditions. Proportions across the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15), Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS), a single-item work unit grade (A-F), and customized occupational and sociodemographic questionnaires were calculated using descriptive statistics. Welch's t-test was utilized to compare PSS and PHQ-15 scores between groups. Risk ratios were calculated using log-binomial regression for all models except for levels of anxiety related to performing cryostorage tasks, for which Poisson models were used. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: In total, 50.6% (128) of the embryologists in the UK and 50.1% (244) in the US completed the survey. Both groups self-reported moderate PSS and low PHQ-15 scores, although fewer UK embryologists scored high on the MBI cynicism dimension than their US colleagues (43% UK vs 60% US embryologists, P < 0.05). The UK and US embryologists did not differ on the MBI exhaustion dimension with both scoring high for exhaustion (59% UK vs 62% US). Although 81% and 80% of UK and US embryologists, respectively, reported working overtime, more embryologists in the UK reported being adequately compensated. Increasing levels of anxiety-related to cryostorage showed a dose-dependent increased risk of burnout on at least two MBI-GS dimensions only in the UK group, and, a dose-dependent likelihood of higher PSS and PHQ-15 scores in both groups. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Since the two groups were surveyed 9 months apart and were self-reporting, the study is limited by the differences in responsibilities, scheduling, and workload specific to the time of year. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Work-related health issues and occupational challenges shared by UK and US embryologists could be addressed by organizational enhancements and technology. Lower levels of stress and burnout among UK embryologists might be due to the HFEA-provided structure/certainty. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This study was supported without any external funding by TMRW Life Sciences Inc., which is developing and commercializing an automated platform for embryology. M.G.C. and M.S.L. are full-time employees and stockholders/shareholders with TMRW Life Sciences, and A.M. of Novavax, Inc. was an employee of TMRW Life Sciences. G.P. is a consultant for TMRW Life Sciences. The remaining authors declare no conflict of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05326802; NCT05708963.
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OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to explore the associations between multiple types of workplace violence (WPV) and burnout risk, sleep problems, and leaving intention among nurses. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey recruited 1,742 nurses, and data on WPV experiences were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Work conditions, burnout risk scales, sleep quality, and leaving intentions were also evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations of WPV with burnout risk, sleep quality, and leaving intentions, adjusting for demographic characteristics and work conditions. RESULTS: The study found that 66.7% of nurses reported experience of WPV, with 26.9% experiencing both physical and nonphysical forms. Those who experienced multiple types of WPV reported worse work conditions, higher burnout risk, poorer sleep quality, and a stronger leaving intention compared to those without such experiences. Adjusting for working conditions, logistic regression analysis showed that nurses who experienced multiple types of WPV had 2.12-fold higher odds of high personal burnout risk, 2.36-fold higher odds of high client-related burnout risk, 1.95-fold higher odds of poor sleep quality, and 1.80-fold higher odds of high leaving intention, compared to those without WPV experiences. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies by hospital managers and policymakers to monitor and reduce workplace violence are vital for sustaining nurses' mental health, well-being, and preventing early attrition from the profession.
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Agotamiento Profesional , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital , Reorganización del Personal , Violencia Laboral , Humanos , Agotamiento Profesional/psicología , Agotamiento Profesional/epidemiología , Violencia Laboral/estadística & datos numéricos , Violencia Laboral/psicología , Femenino , Estudios Transversales , Masculino , Adulto , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Reorganización del Personal/estadística & datos numéricos , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital/psicología , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital/estadística & datos numéricos , Intención , Calidad del Sueño , Lugar de Trabajo/psicología , Enfermeras y Enfermeros/psicología , Enfermeras y Enfermeros/estadística & datos numéricos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Factores de Riesgo , Satisfacción en el Trabajo , Modelos LogísticosRESUMEN
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with numerous changes in daily life conditions that could affect the psychological response of individuals worldwide. Objective: The study aimed to describe and examine differences in depression, anxiety, and stress in relation to living conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used. Purposive snowball sampling was employed to include 642 participants. Arabic versions of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation were used to analyze the data. Results: The total mean scores of depression, anxiety, and stress were 12.26 (SD = 10.53), 9.04 (SD = 9.34), and 13.49 (SD = 10.72), respectively. Of the study sample, 122 (19.5%), 139 (22.2%), and 99 (15.9%) had severe to extremely severe levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Significant differences were found in depression, anxiety, and stress in relation to age, chronic diseases, and house size. Conclusion: The findings showed an increased prevalence of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health practitioners need to recognize the impact of pandemics on youth, females, low-income populations, and individuals with chronic diseases. Preventive mental health services among these populations, such as screening and counseling, would help reduce the health risks.
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Objective: In this study, we investigated the interplay of positive work conditions with parenting behaviors across children's first 4 years. Background: Most mothers in the United States are employed in paid work during their children's early years. Research typically has focused on the ways that such employment can conflict with the intensive demands of parenting, but it can also help mothers socially and psychologically during this important period of children's development. Method: Integrating federal survey data on occupational conditions with parenting reports of job flexibility and parenting behaviors from 5,250 mothers in the nationally representative Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort, we estimated how work conditions were associated with stimulating and sensitive parenting and whether these associations were stronger for mothers with lower income. Results: Results of autoregressive modeling demonstrated that job flexibility, opportunities for mastery, and opportunities for connection were positively associated with a composite measure of stimulating and sensitive parenting. Significant interactions indicated that many associations were more pronounced for mothers with lower income. Conclusion: Our results build upon prior work, demonstrating that positive work conditions can support parenting during early childhood and that this is especially true for low-income households. Implications: These results bridge the work-family and parenting literatures with important policy implications, such as adopting family-friendly policies within companies.
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OBJECTIVES: Analyze and verify the association between working conditions and the occurrence of errors in nursing work. BACKGROUND: Many of the known errors in nursing are based on the structural failure of the complex health service system. Our study addresses the question "Is there an association between errors made by nursing workers and working conditions?" METHODS: The study was carried out through a cross-sectional exploratory analysis of 19 ethical-disciplinary processes focused on errors made by nursing workers. The articles were processed, judged, and archived at the Regional Nursing Councils of the Northeast Region of Brazil from 2000 to 2018. The chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used to verify the relationship between the variables through multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The analyzes show that working conditions can interfere at occurrence in error. This increases the chance of an "inconsequential" error occurring for the patient in poor/very poor working conditions. The most serious errors, "with consequences irreversible" for the patient, only occur from more severe working conditions. Adversely, it was found that there is no statistically significant difference in the frequency of errors in hospitals (33.33 %) compared to "other places" (28.58 %) when these occurred in poor working conditions. When conducting the incident in poor working conditions, there was a minimum of 52 % protection OR = 0.48 % [0.16; 11.80]; (1-0.48)) against these errors in general in the nursing area. CONCLUSION: The strong association was exposed in working conditions classified as bad/very bad/very bad, resulting in the most serious errors and with irreversible consequences for patients. However, a level of protection for different types of workers was noticed in the field, which shows that there is hope that if the work environment changes with more organization, management, and standards of care, we can prevent future errors.
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Personal de Enfermería en Hospital , Condiciones de Trabajo , Humanos , Brasil , Estudios TransversalesRESUMEN
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic placed great strain on healthcare professionals, leading to a substantial impact and a redistribution of the workforce. Despite the active involvement of the Eastern Mediterranean Region Office (EMRO) and the World Health Organization in managing mental health crises, there is a knowledge gap concerning the working conditions and training opportunities available for early career psychiatrists (ECPs) during the pandemic period. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ECPs and how it affected their well-being, employment, and educational opportunities. Methods: A mixed methods study has been conducted in Iran, Egypt, and Tunisia, three EMRO member countries. It includes a cross-sectional survey with self-reported questions, and a qualitative study with individual in-depth interviews. Discussion: The findings of this study will raise awareness to the working conditions of ECPs within the EMRO region and its member societies, both during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The results will serve as a basis for encouraging supervisors and policymakers to mitigate the pandemic's impact on psychiatric training, strengthen healthcare systems' preparedness, and equip early career psychiatrists with the necessary skills to deal with the mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Despite growing research on peer recovery specialists and community health workers (CHWs) in fields such as substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery support, their workplace experiences are little understood. Through semi-structured interviews with 21 CHWs and peer recovery specialists working within substance use disorder treatment and/or traditional health care settings, we identified six prevalent themes: Benefits/Pleasures of the Role; Reciprocity; Challenges; Duality of Lived Experience; Relationships with Medical Professionals and Supervisors; and Defining Metrics. These themes reveal a complex narrative of system failures, organizational hierarchies, and experiential realities in which shared experiences and personal connections with clients undergird both positive and negative aspects of the role. In the words of one study participant: "We have not taken a vow of poverty, we need to get paid for our value."
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There is a universal shortage of nurses, with a current needs-based shortage of 5.9 million. This is not solely a recruitment issue but one of retention, triggered by high levels of work-induced stress, burnout, and reports of low job satisfaction resulting in poor care delivery. Some of the health repercussions on nurses include anxiety, insomnia, depression, migraines, irritability, absenteeism, and sometimes alcoholism and drug abuse. To tackle some of these costly issues, a qualitative exploration into how inner resources is used by nurses to cope with stress at different points of their careers is proposed. Through the lens of grounded theory, semi-structured interviews will be carried out with two distinct sets of participants: (1) Student nurses registered at the University of the Illes Baleares between 2022-2025. (2) Experienced nurses on the Balearic nursing register. Interviews will be coded and then analysed using Atlas.ti. Expected results will inform curriculum improvements that will benefit the well-being of (student) nurses, from the outset of their training, pre-empting potential psycho-social risks before they arise in the workplace. This is vital as it addresses nurses' mental health as well as chronic issues of retention and absenteeism.
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Despite the importance of work in adult life, research on the social determinants of health often ignores its effects. We examine race/ethnic, immigrant generational, and gender differentials in exposure to work conditions associated with poor health outcomes, using a nationally-representative sample of adults. On average, Latino 1st generation workers are more exposed to strenuous and hazardous work conditions than other workers, even after adjusting for sociodemographic differences. Exposure is lower for 2nd and 3rd generation Latinos. In contrast, Asian 1st generation men often have the lowest exposure levels of all groups and Asian 2nd and 3rd generation men have higher levels of exposure than the first generation, primarily due to intergenerational differences in education. Asian 1st generation women have higher exposures than those in the 2nd or 3rd generation. These results illustrate the importance of considering work conditions in research and policy related to the social determinants of health.
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Emigrantes e Inmigrantes , Hispánicos o Latinos , Masculino , Adulto , Humanos , Femenino , Estados Unidos , Asiático , BlancoRESUMEN
PROBLEM: Midwives' levels of burnout seem to be increasing worldwide. BACKGROUND: Previous research show a high prevalence of burnout in midwives. AIM: To compare levels of burnout in two national Swedish samples of midwives completing a similar survey. METHODS: A comparative study of two cross-sectional national surveys directed at midwives in 2012 and 2022. To measure burnout in midwives, the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory with 19 items was used. FINDINGS: The sample consisted of 2209 midwives: 466 from 2012 and 1743 from 2022. Personal burnout showed an increase from 39.5 % to 53.6 % over the years; work burnout increased from 15.5 % to 49.2 % and client burnout increased from 15 % to 20.9 %. Personal burnout was associated with working shift. Work burnout was associated with length of work experience and working rotating shifts; and client burnout was associated with shorter work experience. DISCUSSION: The highest increase in burnout was found in the work domain in 2022 compared to 2012. Notable in the present study is the increase in client burnout, which could be a sign of midwives becoming less caring and more cynical. CONCLUSION: This study showed that self-reported levels of burnout among Swedish midwives increased over the ten-year period studied. The largest increase was found in the subscale work burnout. Midwives with shorter work experience and those with shift work were the most vulnerable to burnout. Improved organisation of midwifery services needs to be designed to ensure healthy working conditions for midwives.
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Agotamiento Profesional , Partería , Enfermeras Obstetrices , Embarazo , Humanos , Femenino , Estudios Transversales , Suecia/epidemiología , Agotamiento Profesional/epidemiología , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Farm work is one of the nation's most hazardous occupations, and migrant and seasonal farmworkers face significant health inequities. Awareness and understanding of the needs of this population are crucial in assuring they receive appropriate support. Documentary programs can raise awareness of community member views to better inform services and advocacy efforts. Visions for the future of farm work were collected from farmworkers and persons supporting them through a community-based, participatory documentary project led by Student Action with Farmworkers (SAF) from 2021 to 2022. Seventy-nine submissions from participants in North and South Carolina, including text responses and file uploads, were collected and thematically analyzed. Five themes were identified: (1) employment benefits and conditions, (2) living conditions, (3) health access and quality, (4) dignity and visibility of farm work, and (5) policy change for a better future. The visions for the future of farm work expressed by these agricultural workers, advocates, and students raise important implications for agricultural communities, public health practitioners, researchers, funders, and policymakers. Application of these findings in the development and delivery of public health services for farmworkers has the potential to positively impact the morbidity and mortality rates of this at-risk population.
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Agricultores , Migrantes , Humanos , Granjas , Factores de Riesgo , Estudiantes , AgriculturaRESUMEN
Background: Latino Day Laborers (LDL) face a variety of factors which have been associated with at-risk drinking. The objective of this study was to assess the association of at-risk drinking with measures of work site conditions. Methods: Data from surveys conducted with 307 LDL in Houston, TX in 2015 were analyzed. Sociodemographic information and measures of exposures to hazardous products at the worksite, adverse working conditions, and work stressors were collected. Measures of positive working climate at the jobsite and a climate that promoted jobsite safety were also included. Participants were administered the Hazardous Use items from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test of Consumption (AUDIT-C). Participants were classified as low-risk or at-risk drinkers based on AUDIT-C score. Logistic regression models were run to assess the associations of the sociodemographic and worksite related variables with drinking status. Results: One-hundred-five (34.2%) participants were classified as at-risk drinkers. At-risk drinking was associated with past-month income, being formerly married (compared to having never married), and lack of housing. At-risk drinking was also associated with measures of a positive working climate and a climate that promoted jobsite safety. Conclusions: One-third of our participants were classified as at-risk drinkers. At-risk drinking was associated with stressors in the form of lack of housing and no longer having a spouse but was also associated with increased income and with positive workplace factors. At-risk drinking was thus a function of both stressors and positive factors, including a positive work site.
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Alcoholismo , Hispánicos o Latinos , Lugar de Trabajo , Humanos , Consumo de Bebidas Alcohólicas/epidemiología , Condiciones de TrabajoRESUMEN
Abstract Introduction Although teleworking emerged decades before the COVID-19 pandemic, the spread of the virus in 2020 resulted in faster and more widespread implementation of this work format. However, the lack of a dedicated workspace may pose ergonomic risks and increase the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders. Objective Understand the risks of repetitive strain injury (RSI) and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in teleworking from the perspective of employees at a public university. Methods A list of employees at a public university who were full or part-time teleworkers was obtained from the campus Personnel Department and used to select subjects for individual scripted interviews. The interviews were recorded and transcribed for thematic content analysis. Results Eight employees took part in the interviews, most of whom were women, aged between 33 and 64 years and from different professional categories. The interviewees reported ergonomic deficiencies, musculoskeletal symptoms, using individual preventive strategies, and the advantages of teleworking, among others. Conclusion There are still ergonomic-related risks of RSI/WRMDs, and despite changes made during the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains important to comply with preventive needs and improve knowledge management among workers.
Resumo Introdução O teletrabalho surgiu décadas antes da pandemia. Em 2020, porém, com a propagação do vírus da COVID-19, esse modo de trabalho foi implementado de forma rápida e mais ampla. A falta de um ambiente dedicado ao teletrabalho, contudo, pode promover riscos ergonômicos e consequentemente uma maior ocorrência de distúrbios osteomusculares. Objetivo Compreender os riscos de lesões por esforços repetitivos (LER) e distúrbios osteomusculares relacionadas ao trabalho (DORT) no teletrabalho a partir da percepção de servidores de uma universidade pública. Métodos Obteu-se uma listagem de servidores da Divisão de Gestão com Pessoas de um campus de uma universidade pública que estavam em teletrabalho (parcial ou total) e selecionaram-se sujeitos para a realização de entrevistas individuais, com base em roteiro elaborado. As entrevistas foram gravadas e transcritas para análise temática de conteúdo. Resultados Participaram das entrevistas oito servidores, a maioria do sexo feminino, com idade entre 33 e 64 anos e de diversas categoriais profissionais. Nas entrevistas, surgiram inadequações ergonômicas, sintomas osteomusculares, utilização de estratégias individuais de prevenção, vantagens do teletrabalho, entre outros. Conclusão Ainda existem aspectos ergonômicos de risco para LER/DORT e, apesar das adaptações feitas ao longo da pandemia de COVID-19, ainda há necessidade de atender às necessidades de prevenção e melhorar a gestão de conhecimento para os trabalhadores.
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Resumo Enquadramento: No campo da enfermagem a advocacy procura contribuir no direito à saúde, que se insere no campo dos direitos humanos, pois está intrinsecamente relacionado ao direito de todos a uma vida saudável. Objetivo: Analisar a perceção de docentes sobre a advocacy na enfermagem e discutir as estratégias de promoção de advocacy para o trabalhador docente universitário de enfermagem. Metodologia: Estudo descritivo e exploratório, de abordagem qualitativa realizado em duas universidades públicas situadas no município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Os participantes foram 14 docentes de enfermagem. Utilizou-se o grupo focal e os dados foram analisados à luz da técnica de análise de conteúdo. Resultados: Destaca-se a advocacy como atividade imperativa para alcançar a defesa dos interesses da categoria profissional, bem como a utilização das mídias como estratégia de divulgação do trabalho da enfermagem, incluindo os docentes de enfermagem. Conclusão: A advocacy é uma estratégia de promoção e valorização dos docentes de enfermagem em universidades sendo necessário o investimento nessa estratégia como importante recurso para a promoção da valorização profissional.
Abstract Background: In nursing, advocacy seeks to contribute to the right to health, which is intrinsically related to the human right to a healthy life. Objective: To analyze university teachers' perceptions of advocacy in nursing and discuss strategies to promote advocacy for university nursing teachers. Methodology: A descriptive and exploratory study with a qualitative approach was carried out in two public universities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The participants were 14 nursing teachers. A focus group was conducted, and data were analyzed using the content analysis technique. Results: Advocacy stands out as a crucial activity to defend the professional category's interests, using the media as a strategy for disseminating nursing work, including nursing teachers. Conclusion: An investment in advocacy is needed as it is a strategy for valuing university nursing teachers and promoting their professional development.
Resumen Marco contextual: En el ámbito de la enfermería, la advocacy pretende contribuir al derecho a la salud, que se enmarca en el ámbito de los derechos humanos, ya que está intrínsecamente relacionado con el derecho de todos a una vida sana. Objetivo: Analizar la percepción de los profesores sobre la advocacy en la enfermería y debatir estrategias para promover la advocacy para el trabajador docente universitario de enfermería. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo y exploratorio de enfoque cualitativo realizado en dos universidades públicas localizadas en el municipio de Río de Janeiro, Brasil. Los participantes fueron 14 profesores de enfermería. Se utilizó el grupo focal y los datos fueron analizados con la técnica de análisis de contenido. Resultados: Se destaca la advocacy como actividad imprescindible para lograr la defensa de los intereses de la categoría profesional, así como la utilización de los medios de comunicación como estrategia de difusión del trabajo de enfermería, incluidos los docentes de enfermería. Conclusión: La advocacy es una estrategia de promoción y valoración del profesorado de enfermería en las universidades y es necesario invertir en esta estrategia como recurso fundamental para la promoción de la valoración profesional.
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Introduction: The field of veterinary medicine is characterized by a variety of challenging working conditions. The alarmingly low mental well-being of veterinarians has been examined from various perspectives. However, the influence of work location on the well-being of veterinary professionals has scarcely been investigated. The aim of the study was therefore to analyze the well-being of German veterinarians and to determine whether there is a correlation between well-being and work location. Methods: As part of a cross-sectional study, 999 veterinary professionals answered questions regarding their work location (self-designed questions) and well-being (WHO-Five Well-being Index, WHO-5). A differentiation was made according to work location: urban cities (population > 100,000), medium/small cities (population < 100,000 inhabitants), and rural areas. Results: Overall, the surveyed veterinarians had low well-being (ranging from 56.8% in rural areas to 61.3% in medium/small towns). The results of the general linear model indicated a significant difference in the WHO total score among veterinarians from different work locations (p < 0.001). However, when sex, age, type of employment, and field of specialization were included in the analysis, no significant between-subject effects were found. Conclusion: According to the results, work location does not seem to have a significant influence on the well-being of veterinarians and therefore may be of lower priority in the development and implementation of interventions. However, further investigation of work-related predictors of the mental health of veterinarians is recommended, as the results indicate a low well-being among these professionals.
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BACKGROUND: In Sweden, older people in residential care had the highest mortality rates, followed by those who received home care, during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Staff working in the care of older people assumed responsibility for preventing the spread of the virus despite lacking the prerequisites and training. This study aimed to investigate the psychosocial work environment during the COVID-19 pandemic among staff in the care of older people and examine the factors associated with staff's perceptions of the clarity of instructions and the ability to follow them. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was employed using a web survey. The staff's perceptions of their psychosocial environment were analysed using descriptive statistics. The association between organisational and individual factors, as well as the degree of clarity of the instructions and the staff's ability to follow them, were assessed using multivariate (ordinal) regression analysis. RESULTS: The main findings show that perceptions of the clarity and adaptability of the instructions were primarily correlated with organisational factors, as higher responses (positive) for the subscales focusing on role clarity, support and encouragement in leadership at work were associated with the belief that the instructions were clear. Similarly, those indicating high job demands and high individual learning demands were less likely to report that the instructions were clear. Regarding adaptability, high scores for demands on learning and psychological demands were correlated with lower adaptability, while high scores for role clarity, encouraging leadership and social support, were associated with higher adaptability. CONCLUSIONS: High job demands and individual learning demands were demonstrated to decrease the staff's understanding and adoption of instructions. These findings are significant on an organisational level since the work environment must be prepared for potential future pandemics to promote quality improvement and generally increase patient safety and staff health.
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COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Humanos , Anciano , Estudios Transversales , Pandemias/prevención & control , COVID-19/epidemiología , COVID-19/prevención & control , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
The vast majority of European countries are struggling to embrace nursing as a profession and as a science. There are still not enough nurses with bachelor's degrees and advanced practical skills, and clinical specialisations for nurses are being developed at the master's level. Attention should be paid to recognising nurses as an equal healthcare workforce who need to be empowered to advance their profession and be provided with professional development opportunities. Changes needed include improving pay and working conditions, providing opportunities to improve skills and professional recognition, empowering nurses to deliver care, and harnessing the power of technology to better support nurses. The declining interest in nursing education and the often stereotypical and condescending view of the role and work of nurses on the healthcare team should be a warning signal to all who are working on healthcare reform.
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Resumo O artigo versa sobre as condições de trabalho na saúde no contexto da pandemia no Brasil. Trata-se de estudo transversal que utilizou dados de recorte das pesquisas "Condições de trabalho dos profissionais de saúde no contexto da Covid-19 no Brasil" e "Os Trabalhadores invisíveis da saúde: condições de trabalho e saúde mental no contexto da Covid-19 no Brasil", objetivando conhecer as condições de trabalho e a biossegurança desses dois contingentes profissionais distintos e desiguais, socialmente. A análise dos dados comprova que as condições de trabalho foram extremamente afetas em função da infraestrutura inadequada, trabalho extenuante, biossegurança em risco, exaustão, medo da contaminação e da morte, fortes sinais de esgotamento físico e mental entre os trabalhadores. Aponta também para discriminação e desigualdades de direitos sociais e de valorização profissional que demarcam os mundos do trabalho apontados nas pesquisas, enfatizando as profundas desigualdades existentes no Brasil e em suas regiões. Conclui-se mostrando a importância de formulação de políticas públicas no âmbito da gestão do trabalho no SUS que assegurem a proteção, valorização e redução das desigualdades apontadas no artigo.
Abstract The present article addresses the work conditions in health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study that used data from the surveys "Working conditions of healthcare professionals in the context of Covid-19 in Brazil" and "Invisible healthcare workers: work conditions and mental health in the context of Covid-19 in Brazil", seeking to better understand the working conditions and biosafety of these two distinct and socially unequal professional contingents. Data analysis proves that work conditions were extremely affected due to inadequate infrastructures, strenuous work, biosecurity at risk, exhaustion, fear of contamination and death, strong signs of physical and mental exhaustion, among workers. It also points out the discrimination and inequalities of social rights and professional development that mark the worlds of work highlighted in the surveys, emphasizing the profound inequalities that exist in Brazil and in its regions. It concludes by showing the importance of formulating public policies within the scope of work management in SUS, which ensures the protection, appreciation and reduction of inequalities pointed out in this article.
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Resumo A pandemia de COVID-19 pressiona os sistemas públicos de saúde no mundo desde 2020. Este artigo pretende discutir as condições de trabalho na atenção primária à saúde (APS) no Brasil, dialogando também com os cuidados de saúde primários (CSP) em Portugal no cenário pandêmico. Para isso, apresentam-se dados da pesquisa "Condições de trabalho dos profissionais de saúde no contexto da COVID-19 no Brasil", para posterior discussão com o relatório das Unidades de Saúde Familiar - Associação Nacional (USF-AN) sobre os CSP em Portugal. No Brasil, no recorte amostral de 3.895 profissionais de saúde da APS, foram percebidos: múltiplos vínculos trabalhistas, falta de apoio institucional e de treinamentos específicos, convívio com fake news e falta de coesão política entre as autoridades sanitárias, com alterações significativas na saúde mental desses trabalhadores. Em Portugal, destacaram-se o aumento da carga horária de trabalho e presença de síndrome de burnout entre os profissionais das USFs. A pandemia impactou de forma significativa a saúde e o cotidiano de trabalho dos profissionais de saúde na APS e nos CSP. Porém, o contexto brasileiro foi mais adverso devido às fake news e às divergências na condução do combate à pandemia, pela atuação e negacionismo do governo federal.
Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has put pressure on public health systems worldwide since 2020. This article aims to discuss working conditions in Primary Health Care (PHC) in Brazil, while dialoguing with primary health care (CSP, Cuidados de Saúde Primários) in Portugal in the pandemic scenario. For that purpose, data from the study "Working conditions of health professionals in the context of COVID-19 in Brazil" are presented, for further discussion with the report produced by "Family Health Units - National Association (USF-AN, Unidades de Saúde Familiar - Associação Nacional)" on the CSP in Portugal. In Brazil, regarding the sample of 3,895 PHC health professionals, it was observed: multiple employment relationships, lack of institutional support and specific training, living with fake news and the lack of political cohesion between health authorities, with significant changes in these workers' mental health. In Portugal, the increase in the workload and the presence of Burnout Syndrome among FHU professionals was emphasized. The pandemic had a significant impact on the health and daily work of health professionals in PHC and CSP. However, the Brazilian context was more adverse due to fake news and divergences regarding conducts related to the fight against the pandemic, due to the actions and denialism by the federal government.