Returning to clinical work and doctors' personal, social and organisational needs: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to synthesise existing evidence on doctors' personal, social and organisational needs when returning to clinical work after an absence. DESIGN: Systematic review using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. DATA SOURCES: AMED, BNI, CINAHL, EMBASE, EMCARE, HMIC, Medline, PsycINFO and PubMed were searched up to 4 June 2020. Non-database searches included references and citations of identified articles and pages 1-10 of Google and Google Scholar. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Included studies presented quantitative or qualitative data collected from doctors returning to work, with findings relating to personal, social or organisational needs. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Data were extracted using a piloted template. Risk of bias assessment used the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument or Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Checklist. Data were not suitable for meta-analyses and underwent narrative synthesis due to varied study designs and mixed methods. RESULTS: Twenty-four included studies (14 quantitative, 10 qualitative) presented data from 92 692 doctors in the UK (n=13), US (n=4), Norway (n=3), Japan (n=2), Spain (n=1), Canada (n=1). All studies identified personal needs, categorised as work-life balance, emotional regulation, self-perception and identity, and engagement with return process. Seventeen studies highlighted social needs relating to professional culture, personal and professional relationships, and illness stigma. Organisational needs found in 22 studies were flexibility and job control, work design, Occupational Health services and organisational culture. Emerging resources and recommendations were highlighted. Variable quality and high risk of biases in data collection and analysis suggest cautious interpretation. CONCLUSIONS: This review posits a foundational framework of returning doctors' needs, requiring further developed through methodologically robust studies that assess the impact of length and reason for absence, before developing and evaluating tailored interventions. Organisations, training programmes and professional bodies should refine support for returning doctors based on evidence.

Work-related factors in the etiology of symptoms of post-traumatic stress among first responders: the Brazilian Firefighters Longitudinal Health Study (FLoHS).

Two important aspects must be accounted for when discussing the mental health of first responders and, in particular, their report of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). The first concerns the provision of quantitative data from longitudinal study designs, the second concerns the sophistication of the work-related model used to frame such studies. This is a report on the development of a model for Brazilian firefighters who also work as first responders, from the establishment of a longitudinal panel design study, the Brazilian Firefighter Longitudinal Health Study (FLoHS). The first objective was to compare trainee and active firefighters based on their follow-up data with a nationwide sample of similarly aged Brazilians. The second was to test the effect that operational and organizational experiences had on firefighters' PTSS level during follow up. At baseline, trainee firefighters came from higher socioeconomic backgrounds, were healthier and less exposed to trauma compared to a similarly aged national sample. At follow up, they reported higher prevalence of smoking, sleep problems, anhedonia and were more likely to be overweight. PTSS was predicted by operational and organizational stressors, even when controlled for health status at baseline. The results present not only the differences in the predictive status of operational and organizational events in relation to PTSS, but also how the effects of such events might interact. The data suggest the need for evidence-based interventions, support provided and changes at work environments to improve report rates for mental health in general and for PTSS in particular.

Work-related factors in the etiology of symptoms of post-traumatic stress among first responders: the Brazilian Firefighters Longitudinal Health Study (FLoHS) / Fatores relacionados ao trabalho na etiologia de sintomas de estresse pós-traumático entre socorristas: o Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde em Bombeiros Brasileiros (FLoHS) / Factores laborales relacionados con la etiología de síntomas de estrés postraumático entre trabajadores de primeros auxilios: el Estudio Longitudinal de Salud en Bomberos Brasileños (FLoHS)

Abstract: Two important aspects must be accounted for when discussing the mental health of first responders and, in particular, their report of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). The first concerns the provision of quantitative data from longitudinal study designs, the second concerns the sophistication of the work-related model used to frame such studies. This is a report on the development of a model for Brazilian firefighters who also work as first responders, from the establishment of a longitudinal panel design study, the Brazilian Firefighter Longitudinal Health Study (FLoHS). The first objective was to compare trainee and active firefighters based on their follow-up data with a nationwide sample of similarly aged Brazilians. The second was to test the effect that operational and organizational experiences had on firefighters' PTSS level during follow up. At baseline, trainee firefighters came from higher socioeconomic backgrounds, were healthier and less exposed to trauma compared to a similarly aged national sample. At follow up, they reported higher prevalence of smoking, sleep problems, anhedonia and were more likely to be overweight. PTSS was predicted by operational and organizational stressors, even when controlled for health status at baseline. The results present not only the differences in the predictive status of operational and organizational events in relation to PTSS, but also how the effects of such events might interact. The data suggest the need for evidence-based interventions, support provided and changes at work environments to improve report rates for mental health in general and for PTSS in particular.

Resumo: Há duas questões subjacentes importantes na saúde mental dos socorristas, e particularmente em seu relato de sintomas de transtorno de estresse pós-traumático (TEPT). A primeira diz respeito à produção de dados quantitativos a partir do delineamento de estudos longitudinais, e a segunda está relacionada à sofisticação do modelo relacionado ao trabalho para contextualizar tais estudos. O artigo aborda o desenvolvimento de um modelo para bombeiros brasileiros, que também são socorristas, através do estabelecimento de um estudo com delineamento de painel longitudinal, chamado Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde em Bombeiros Brasileiros (FLoHS). O primeiro objetivo foi a comparação de bombeiros estagiários versus efetivados com base em dados de seguimento com uma amostra nacional de brasileiros com idades semelhantes. O segundo objetivo foi testar o efeito das experiências operacionais e organizacionais sobre os níveis de sintomas de TEPT nos bombeiros durante o seguimento. Na linha de base, os bombeiros estagiários vinham de origens socioeconômicas mais favoráveis e eram mais saudáveis e menos expostos a trauma, em comparação com uma amostra nacional da população com idade semelhante. No seguimento, os estagiários relatavam maior prevalência de tabagismo, problemas de sono, anedonia e maior sobrepeso. Os sintomas de TEPT eram previstos por estressores operacionais e organizacionais, mesmo despois de controlar para o estado de saúde na linha de base. Os resultados apontaram não apenas para diferenças no estado preditivo dos eventos operacionais e organizacionais em relação aos sintomas de TEPT, como também, para a maneira pela qual esses eventos podem interagir em termos de efeitos. Assim, os dados sugerem intervenções baseadas em evidências, apoio através do trabalho e organização do trabalho que possam melhorar as taxas de notificação para saúde mental em geral e sintomas de TEPT em particular.

Resumen: Existen dos importantes temas subyacentes a la salud mental de los trabajadores de primeros auxilios y, uno en particular, es la manifestación de síntomas de estrés postraumático (PTSS). El primero está relacionado con la provisión de datos cuantitativos, procedentes de estudios de diseños longitudinales, y, el segundo, con la sofisticación según el modelo de trabajo usado para enmarcar tales estudios. Este trabajo informó del desarrollo de un modelo para los bomberos brasileños, que también son trabajadores de primeros auxilios, mediante el establecimiento de un estudio de diseño longitudinal: el Estudio Longitudinal de Salud en Bomberos Brasileños (FloHS). El primer objetivo fue comparar bomberos entrenados y activos, basándonos en sus datos de seguimiento, con una muestra nacional de brasileños en edades similares. El segundo objetivo fue probar el efecto que las experiencias operacionales y organizativas tuvieron en el nivel de PTSS entre los bomberos durante el seguimiento. En la base de referencia, los bomberos entrenados contaban con antecedentes socioeconómicos más altos, estaban más sanos y menos expuestos al trauma, cuando se comparan con una muestra nacional de población en edad similar. Durante el seguimiento, informaron de una prevalencia más alta de fumadores, problemas de sueño, anhedonia y tenían más probabilidad de tener sobrepeso. Los PTSS se predijeron mediante estresores operacionales y organizativos, incluso controlando el estatus de salud en la base de referencia. Los resultados apuntaron no solo las diferencias en el estatus predictivo de eventos operacionales y organizativos, en relación con PTSS, sino también la forma en la que tal vez tales eventos interactúan en sus efectos. De este modo, los datos animan intervenciones basadas en la evidencia, además de apoyo mediante el trabajo y diseño de intervenciones, que tal vez mejore las tasas de informes para la salud mental en general y para los PTSS en particular.

Peripheral nerve neurolymphomatosis: Clinical features, treatment, and outcomes.

This series characterises nine patients with neurohistopathologically proven peripheral nerve neurolymphomatosis. A search of the hospital neuropathology database from 2002 to 2019 identified biopsy proven cases. Clinical data, investigation modalities, treatments, and outcomes were collated. Median age at neuropathy onset was 47 y, the neuropathy commonly as the initial lymphoma disease manifestation. Most (8/9) presented with painful asymmetrical sensory disturbance, with additional cranial nerve involvement in three. Neurophysiology typically demonstrated multiple axonal mononeuropathies. Cerebrospinal fluid protein was often raised (6/8). Magnetic resonance imaging suggested peripheral nerve infiltration in 6/9 and positron emission tomography CT in 4/9. Bone marrow biopsy was abnormal in 6/8. Treatment involved systemic or intrathecal chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Median survival was 23 mo. Neurolymphomatosis is a rare but important cause of neuropathy, particularly in those lacking systemic evidence of lymphoma as correct aggressive treatment can prolong survival. Nerve biopsy is essential to classify lymphoma type and rule out alternatives.

Individual and organizational psychosocial predictors of hospital doctors' work-related well-being: A multilevel and moderation perspective.

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of burnout and depression among doctors highlights the need to understand the psychosocial antecedents to their work-related well-being. However, much of the existing research has been atheoretical, operationalized a narrow measurement of well-being, and predominantly examined such relationships at the individual level. PURPOSE: This study uses a multilevel perspective to examine individual (i.e., job demands and resources) and organizational-level psychosocial predictors of three measures of work-related well-being: perceived stress, presenteeism, and work engagement. The job demands-resources theory underpins the postulated relationships. METHODOLOGY: The 2014 National Health Service Staff Survey was analyzed using multilevel modeling in MPlus. The data set involved 14,066 hospital-based doctors grouped into 157 English hospital organizations (i.e., Trusts). RESULTS: Congruent with job demands-resources theory, job demands (workplace aggression and insufficient work resources) were stronger predictors of perceived stress and presenteeism than job resources. Equally, job resources (job control and manager support) were generally stronger predictors of work engagement than job demands. At the organizational level, bed occupancy rates and number of emergency admissions predicted work engagement. No hypothesized individual or multilevel interactions were observed between any of the job demands and resources. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The findings emphasize that a broader perspective of work-related well-being among hospital doctors should be employed and the empirical value of examining such relationships from a multilevel perspective. Successful health intervention should target the appropriate antecedent pathway and recognize the role of organizational-level factors when trying to manage hospital doctors' work-related well-being.

The cost of work-related stress to society: A systematic review.

A systematic review of the available evidence examining the cost of work-related stress (WRS) would yield important insights into the magnitude of this social phenomenon. The objective of this review was to collate, extract, and synthesize economic evaluations of the cost of WRS to society. A research protocol was developed. Included cost-of-illness (COI) studies estimated the cost of WRS at a societal level, and were published in English, French or German. Searches were carried out in ingentaconnect, EBSCO, JSTOR, Science Direct, Web of Knowledge, Google, and Google scholar. Included studies were assessed against 10 COI quality assessment criteria. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. These originated from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the EU-15. The total estimated cost of WRS was observed to be considerable and ranged substantially from US$221.13 million to $187 billion. Productivity related losses were observed to proportionally contribute the majority of the total cost of WRS (between 70 to 90%), with health care and medical costs constituting the remaining 10 to 30%. The evidence reviewed here suggests a sizable financial burden imposed by WRS on society. The observed range of cost estimates was understood to be attributable to variations in definitions of WRS; the number and type of costs estimated; and, in how production loss was estimated. It is postulated that the cost estimates identified by this review are likely conservative because of narrow definitions of WRS and the exclusion of diverse range of cost components. (PsycINFO Database Record

Factors related to medical students' and doctors' attitudes towards older patients: a systematic review.

Background: studies have sought to identify the possible determinants of medical students' and doctors' attitudes towards older patients by examining relationships with a variety of factors: demographic, educational/training, exposure to older people, personality/cognitive and job/career factors. This review collates and synthesises these findings. Methods: an electronic search of 10 databases was performed (ABI/Inform, ASSIA, British Nursing Index, CINAHL, Informa Health, Medline, PsycINFO, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science) through to 7 February 2017. Results: the main search identified 2,332 articles; 37 studies met the eligibility criteria set. All included studies analysed self-reported attitudes based on correlational analyses or difference testing, therefore causation could not be determined. However, self-reported positive attitudes towards older patients were related to: (i) intrinsic motivation for studying medicine, (ii) increased preference for working with older patients and (iii) good previous relationships with older people. Additionally, more positive attitudes were also reported in those with higher knowledge scores but these may relate to the use of a knowledge assessment which is an indirect measure of attitudes (i.e. Palmore's Facts on Aging Quizzes). Four out of the five high quality studies included in this review reported more positive attitudes in females compared to males. Conclusion: this article identifies factors associated with medical students' and doctors' positive attitudes towards older patients. Future research could bring greater clarity to the relationship between knowledge and attitudes by using a knowledge measure which is distinct from attitudes and also measures knowledge that is relevant to clinical care.

Organizational uncertainty and stress among teachers in Hong Kong: work characteristics and organizational justice.

A growing literature now exists examining the relationship between organizational justice and employees' experience of stress. Despite the growth in this field of enquiry, there remain continued gaps in knowledge. In particular, the contribution of perceptions of justice to employees' stress within an organizational context of uncertainty and change, and in relation to the new and emerging concept of procedural-voice justice. The aim of the current study was to examine the main, interaction and additive effects of work characteristics and organizational justice perceptions to employees' experience of stress (as measured by their feelings of helplessness and perceived coping) during an acknowledged period of organizational uncertainty. Questionnaires were distributed among teachers in seven public primary schools in Hong Kong that were under threat of closure (n = 212). Work characteristics were measured using the demand-control-support model. Hierarchical regression analyses observed perceptions of job demands and procedural-voice justice to predict both teachers' feelings of helplessness and perceived coping ability. Furthermore, teacher's perceived coping was predicted by job control and a significant interaction between procedural-voice justice and distributive justice. The addition of organizational justice variables did account for unique variance, but only in relation to the measure of perceived coping. The study concludes that in addition to 'traditional' work characteristics, health promotion strategies should also address perceptions of organizational justice during times of organizational uncertainty; and, in particular, the value and importance of enhancing employee's perceived 'voice' in influencing and shaping justice-related decisions.

Medical students' and doctors' attitudes towards older patients and their care in hospital settings: a conceptualisation.

BACKGROUND: despite assertions in reports from governmental and charitable bodies that negative staff attitudes towards older patients may contribute to inequitable healthcare provision for older patients when compared with younger patients (those aged under 65 years), the research literature does not describe these attitudes in any detail. OBJECTIVE: this study explored and conceptualised attitudes towards older patients using in-depth interviews. METHODS: twenty-five semi-structured interviews with medical students and hospital-based doctors in a UK acute teaching hospital were conducted. Participants were asked about their beliefs, emotions and behavioural tendencies towards older patients, in line with the psychological literature on the definition of attitudes (affective, cognitive and behavioural information). Data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: attitudes towards older patients and their care could be conceptualised under the headings: (i) beliefs about older patients; (ii) older patients' unique needs and the skills required to care for them and (iii) emotions and satisfaction with caring for older patients. CONCLUSIONS: our findings outlined common beliefs and stereotypes specific to older patients, as opposed to older people in general. Older patients had unique needs concerning their healthcare. Participants typically described negative emotions about caring for older patients, but the sources of dissatisfaction largely related to the organisational setting and system in which the care is delivered to these patients. This study marks one of the first in-depth attempts to explore attitudes towards older patients in UK hospital settings.

The influences of nursing transformational leadership style on the quality of nurses' working lives in Taiwan: a cross-sectional quantitative study.

BACKGROUND: Taiwan's NHI system is one of the most successful health care models for countries around the globe. However, little research has demonstrated the mental health issues associated with nursing transformational leadership style under the NHI system, especially in the quality of nurses' working lives in Taiwan. It is important to know the relationship between transformational leadership style and the mental health of nurses, organisational commitment and job satisfaction. The research aimed to understand the influences of nursing transformational leadership style on the quality of nurses' working lives in Taiwan. The research hypothesis was that transformational leadership styles would have positive influence on the quality of nurses' working lives. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional quantitative study. Nurses from each type of hospital ownership (private, public and religious) were recruited. Participation was voluntary and signed informed consent was obtained. The inclusion criteria were nurses with at least one year's work experience in the hospitals. Self-administrated questionnaires were used. A total of 807 participants were contacted and 651 questionnaires were fully completed (response rate 80.7 %). A theory driven model was used to test the research hypotheses using structural equation modelling performed with AMOS 16.0. RESULTS: Transformational leadership contributes significantly to supervisor support. Workplace support, particularly from the supervisor, is an important mediator variable that explains the relationship between transformational leadership and job satisfaction. Organisational commitment was the strongest factor relevant to the general health well-being in Taiwanese nurses than job satisfaction. The hypothesized positive relationships between transformational leadership and all variables were supported by the data. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings have important consequences for organisational health. Our model demonstrates a complete picture of the work relationships on the quality of nurses' working lives. The results provided information about the subordinates' perceptions of transformational nursing leadership styles and mental health outcomes in different hospital settings, as well as identified organisational factors that could improve the quality of nurses' working lives.

Leader-Member Exchange across two hierarchical levels of leadership: concurrent influences on work characteristics and employee psychological health.

Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) theory suggests that the quality of the leader-employee relationship is linked to employee psychological health. Leaders who reside at different hierarchical levels have unique roles and spheres of influence and potentially affect employees' work experiences in different ways. Nevertheless, research on the impact of leadership on employee psychological health has largely viewed leaders as a homogeneous group. Expanding on LMX theory, we argue that (1) LMX sourced at the levels of the line manager (LM) and senior management (SM) team will be differentially linked to employee psychological health (assessed as worn-out) and that (2) these relationships will be mediated by perceived work characteristics (reward and recognition, workload management, quality of relationships with colleagues and physical environment). Structural equation modelling on data from 337 manual workers partially supported the hypotheses. Perceptions of the physical environment mediated the relationship between LMX at the LM level and employee psychological health, whereas perceptions of workload management mediated the relationship between LMX at the SM level and psychological health. These findings corroborate arguments that leaders are not a uniform group and as such the effects of LMX on employees will depend on leadership hierarchy. Implications for expanding leadership theory are discussed.

Adapting narrative exposure therapy for Chinese earthquake survivors: a pilot randomised controlled feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Narrative exposure therapy (NET) is a brief, manualised treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It has been shown to have therapeutic benefits for a wide range of individuals and settings. This study, following our previous work applying the original NET in earthquake survivors, aimed to revise NET to be adaptable for treating PTSD after a natural disaster. METHODS: A randomised waiting-list controlled study was conducted with 30 adult participants with PTSD who were randomly allocated to NET (n = 10), revised NET (NET-R; n = 10) or a waiting list condition (WL; n = 10). Participants in NET and NET-R received treatment immediately; those in the WL condition received NET-R treatment after a waiting period. All groups were assessed on PTSD, general distress, anxiety, depression, social support, coping and posttraumatic change before and after treatment and three-month follow-up. RESULTS: Compared with WL, both NET and NET-R groups showed significant reductions in PTSD and related symptoms. Significant increases were found in posttraumatic growth, active coping and perceived social support. The WL group showed similar improvements after treatment. Further reductions on PTSD symptoms were found at three months, showing that NET-R is as effective as the original NET in treating post-earthquake traumatic symptoms in adult Chinese earthquake survivors. CONCLUSIONS: NET-R is a feasible and cost-effective intervention for Chinese earthquake survivors. Further studies are needed to replicate these findings in other survivor populations, and with larger samples and over longer periods. This study highlighted the value of oral narrative approach, which is well-accepted and useful in the context of single natural disaster and lower- income area. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-TRC-12002931.

Estuaries as filters: the role of tidal marshes in trace metal removal.

Flux calculations demonstrate that many estuaries are natural filters for trace metals. Yet, the underlying processes are poorly investigated. In the present study, it was hypothesized that intertidal marshes contribute significantly to the contaminant filter function of estuaries. Trace metal concentrations and sediment characteristics were measured along a transect from the subtidal, over an intertidal flat and marsh to a restored marsh with controlled reduced tide. Metal concentrations in the intertidal and restored marsh were found to be a factor two to five higher than values in the subtidal and intertidal flat sediments. High metal concentrations and high accretion rates indicate a high metal accumulation capacity of the intertidal marshes. Overbank sedimentation in the tidal marshes of the entire estuary was calculated to remove 25% to 50% of the riverine metal influx, even though marshes comprise less than 8% of the total surface of the estuary. In addition, the large-scale implementation of planned tidal marsh restoration projects was estimated to almost double the trace metal storage capacity of the present natural tidal marshes in the estuary.

Changes in medical student and doctor attitudes toward older adults after an intervention: a systematic review.

Research investigating the effects of attitude-focused interventions on doctors' and medical students' attitudes toward older adults has produced mixed results. The objective of this systematic review was to determine whether factors pertaining to study design and quality might provide some explanation of this inconclusive picture. Articles were judged of interest if they reported doctors' or medicals students' attitude scores before and after a geriatric-focused intervention. Articles that did not report the measure used, mean scores, or inferential statistics were excluded. Twenty-seven databases, including Medline, PsychInfo, and Embase, were searched through April 2011 using a systematic search strategy. After assessment and extraction, 27 studies met the eligibility criteria for this review. These studies demonstrated inconsistent results; 14 appeared successful in effecting positive attitude change toward older adults after an intervention, and 13 appeared unsuccessful. Attitude change results differed in line with the content of the intervention. Of the 27 studies, 11 interventions contained solely knowledge-building content. Three of these studies demonstrated positive changes in doctors' or medical students' attitudes toward older adults after the intervention. The remaining 16 interventions incorporated an empathy-building component, such as an aging simulation exercise or contact with a healthy older adult. Of these, 11 successfully demonstrated positive attitude change after the intervention. The inclusion of an empathy-building task in an intervention appears to be associated with positive attitude change in medical students' and doctors' attitudes toward older adults.

Selective exposure of the fetal lung and skin/amnion (but not gastro-intestinal tract) to LPS elicits acute systemic inflammation in fetal sheep.

Inflammation of the uterine environment (commonly as a result of microbial colonisation of the fetal membranes, amniotic fluid and fetus) is strongly associated with preterm labour and birth. Both preterm birth and fetal inflammation are independently associated with elevated risks of subsequent short- and long-term respiratory, gastro-intestinal and neurological complications. Despite numerous clinical and experimental studies to investigate localised and systemic fetal inflammation following exposure to microbial agonists, there is minimal data to describe which fetal organ(s) drive systemic fetal inflammation. We used lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E.coli in an instrumented ovine model of fetal inflammation and conducted a series of experiments to assess the systemic pro-inflammatory capacity of the three major fetal surfaces exposed to inflammatory mediators in pregnancy (the lung, gastro-intestinal tract and skin/amnion). Exposure of the fetal lung and fetal skin/amnion (but not gastro-intestinal tract) caused a significant acute systemic inflammatory response characterised by altered leucocytosis, neutrophilia, elevated plasma MCP-1 levels and inflammation of the fetal liver and spleen. These novel findings reveal differential fetal organ responses to pro-inflammatory stimulation and shed light on the pathogenesis of fetal systemic inflammation after exposure to chorioamnionitis.

Examining psychosocial and physical hazards in the Ghanaian mining industry and their implications for employees' safety experience.

INTRODUCTION: In addition to hazardous conditions that are prevalent in mines, there are various physical and psychosocial risk factors that can affect mine workers' safety and health. Without due diligence to mine safety, these risk factors can affect workers' safety experience, in terms of near misses, disabling injuries and accidents experienced or witnessed by workers. METHOD: This study sets out to examine the effects of physical and psychosocial risk factors on workers' safety experience in a sample of Ghanaian miners. 307 participants from five mining companies responded to a cross sectional survey examining physical and psychosocial hazards and their implications for employees' safety experience. RESULTS: Zero-inflated Poisson regression models indicated that mining conditions, equipment, ambient conditions, support and security, and work demands and control are significant predictors of near misses, disabling injuries, and accidents experienced or witnessed by workers. The type of mine had important implications for workers' safety experience.

A randomised controlled pilot study: the effectiveness of narrative exposure therapy with adult survivors of the Sichuan earthquake.

BACKGROUND: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a common psychological reaction after large-scale natural disasters. Given the number of people involved and shortage of resources in any major disaster, brief, pragmatic and easily trainable interventions are needed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) as a short-term treatment for PTSD using Chinese earthquake survivors. METHODS: A randomized waiting-list control pilot study was conducted between December 2009 and March 2010, at the site of the Sichuan earthquake in Beichuan County, China. Adult participants with newly diagnosed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) were randomly allocated to Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) or a Waiting-List (WL) condition. The latter received NET treatment after a two-week waiting period. To compare the effectiveness of NET in traumatised earthquake survivors, both groups were assessed on PTSD symptoms, general mental health, anxiety and depression, social support, coping style and posttraumatic change before and after treatment and two months post treatment. RESULTS: Adult participants (n=22) were randomly allocated to receive NET (n=11) or WL (n=11). Twenty two participants (11 in NET group, 11 in WL) were included in the analysis of primary outcomes. Compared with WL, NET showed significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, anxiety and depression, general mental stress and increased posttraumatic growth. The WL group later showed similar improvements after treatment. These changes remained stable for a two-month follow-up. Measures of social support and coping showed no stable effects. CONCLUSIONS: NET is effective in treating post-earthquake traumatic symptoms in adult Chinese earthquake survivors. The findings help advance current knowledge in the management of PTSD after natural disasters and inform future research. Larger sample sizes are needed to extend the present findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-TRC-12002473.