Equivalent Full Time Research Articles

Non-optimum temperatures led to labour productivity burden by causing premature deaths: A multi-country study

BackgroundNon-optimum temperatures are associated with a considerable mortality burden. However, there is a lack of evaluation of labour productivity losses related to premature deaths due to non-optimum temperatures. This study aimed to quantify the labour productivity burden associated with premature deaths related to non-optimum temperatures and explore the potential socio-economic vulnerabilities. MethodsDaily all-cause mortality data were collected from 1,066 locations in 7 countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, South Korea, and Thailand). Productivity-Adjusted Life-Year (PALY) loss due to each premature death was calculated to measure the labour productivity loss, by multiplying the years of working life lost by the proportion of the equivalent full-time (EFT) workers. A two-stage times series design and the generalized linear regression model with a quasi-Poisson family were applied to assess the association between non-optimum temperatures and the PALY loss due to premature deaths. ResultsWe observed a U-shaped relationship between temperature and PALY lost due to premature mortality. We estimated that 2.51% (95% eCI: 2.05%, 2.92%) of PALY losses could be attributed to non-optimal temperatures, with cold-related deaths contributing 1.26% (95% eCI: 0.94%, 1.54%) and heat-related deaths contributing 1.25% (95% eCI: 0.96%, 1.51%). Cold temperature contributed to the most PALYs lost in those aged 45–54 and 55–64, while heat-related losses predominated among the 15–44 age group. We also observed that the fractions of PALY lost attributed to extreme heat were positively associated with the relative deprivation index, while negatively associated with GDP per capita. ConclusionThis multi-country study highlights that non-optimum temperatures led to a considerable labour productivity loss and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities experience greater losses.

The PhLIP team: Feasibility of a physiotherapy-led intensive prone positioning team initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in a surge of patients with refractory hypoxaemic respiratory failure being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Prone positioning can improve oxygenation but requires a team of skilled personnel to complete safely. Critical care physiotherapists (PTs) are ideally suited to lead proning teams, due to their expertise in moving critically unwell, invasively ventilated patients. ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to describe the feasibility of implementing a physiotherapy-led intensive proning (PhLIP) team to support the critical care team during surges. MethodsThis study involves descriptive evaluation of feasibility and implementation of the PhLIP team, a novel model of care, during the Delta wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, through a retrospective, observational audit of PhLIP team activity, ICU clinical activity, and a description of clinical outcomes. ResultsBetween 17 September and 19 November 2021, 93 patients with COVID-19 were admitted to the ICU. Fifty-one patients (55%) were positioned prone, a median [interquartile range] 2 [2, 5] times, for a mean (±standard deviation) duration of 16 (±2) h, across 161 episodes. Twenty-three PTs were upskilled and deployed to the PhLIP team, adding 2.0 equivalent full time to the daily service. Ninety-four percent of prone episodes (154) were led by the PhLIP PTs with a median 4 [interquartile range: 2, 8] turns per day. Potential airway adverse events occurred on three occasions (1.8%) and included an endotracheal tube leak, displacement, and obstruction. Each incident was promptly managed without prolonged impact on the patient. No manual handling injuries were reported. ConclusionThe implementation of a physiotherapy-led proning team was safe and feasible and can release critical care-trained medical and nursing staff to other duties in the ICU.

Using epidemiological and health economic measures to inform maternity staffing decisions: A guide

BackgroundThere is growing concern around unnecessary intervention (particularly caesarean section) at birth in high-income countries. Caseload midwifery care aims to offset this, but is perceived to be costly to health services. AimTo use epidemiological and health economic techniques to estimate health outcomes and cost-savings of different levels of equivalent full time (EFT) midwives working in caseload midwifery care. MethodsTwo simulations were conducted — one assuming 10 EFT midwives working in a caseload model, with 35 women per caseload, and one assuming 50 EFT midwives working in a caseload model, with 45 women per caseload. Both were based on a sample of 5000 women. The main model inputs included rates of health outcomes for women (caesarean section, epidural anaesthesia, and episiotomy) and infants (low birthweight and admissions to special care nursery (SCN) or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)), and the cost savings associated with health outcome avoidance. FindingsThe first simulation estimated 27 fewer caesarean sections, 12 fewer epidurals, 12 fewer episiotomies, 10 fewer low birthweight births, and 23 fewer infants admitted to SCN or NICU annually, at a total cost saving of AU$1,874,715. The second simulation estimated 173 fewer caesarean sections, 76 fewer epidurals, 76 fewer episiotomies, 65 fewer low birthweight births, and 150 fewer infants admitted to SCN or NICU annually, at a total cost saving of AU$12,051,741. ConclusionThis study provides local-level decision-makers with a decision-tool to calculate the potentially avoidable health outcomes and cost savings associated with implementing caseload midwifery care in their own service.

Productivity burden of smoking in Australia: a life table modelling study

ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the impact of smoking on productivity in Australia, in terms of years of life lost, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) lost and the novel measure of...

Flexible, Capable, Adaptable: A Dynamic Allied Health Workforce

Objective: The Allied Health Executive at a major Metropolitan Health Service was experiencing an increasing number of flexible work requests and was keen to ensure that local and legislative requirements were met, our highly skilled and specialist staff were supported to remain in the workforce as their life outside work changed and the operational demands of a bed-based service delivery model were not negatively impacted.
 Design: A root cause analysis was completed identifying three main contributing factors for the current, adhoc approach to flexible work requests. Current and past flexible work participants were surveyed, along with their managers and the Nurse Unit Managers of the clinical work areas. A literature review and environmental scan regarding frameworks for decision making for and supporting flexible work requests was undertaken.
 Findings: There was a lack of consistent information as to how to establish and manage a flexible work request. There had been an historical view that flexible work requests were difficult to operationalise and there were missed experiences with flexible work arrangements for the people involved, their managers and their colleagues.
 Outcome measures: The combined data was then utilised to develop a framework to support decision-making around whether a role could operate as a flexible work arrangement. A framework on how to best support the staff considering and entering into these arrangements to ensure all the benefits of a flexible work arrangement are realised and many of the challenges minimised was also developed.
 Conclusion: Flexible work arrangements should be considered in appropriate circumstances, and will have the best opportunity for success when supported by a consistent, evidenced-based framework.
 Abbreviations: EFT – Equivalent Full Time; RCA – Root Cause Analysis.

Economic and social importance of fuelwood in Cameroon

The study presented in this article focuses on firewood and charcoal in Cameroon. The study analyses subnational secondary data combined in some cases with additional collected data on firewood and charcoal consumption as well as their market prices. The findings estimate a total consumption of 2.2 million metric tons for firewood and 356,530 metric tons for charcoal in urban areas of Cameroon. Firewood and charcoal contribute to the GDP for an estimated amount of US$ 304 million representing 1.3% of the GDP of Cameroon. In addition, the sub-sector provides about 90,000 equivalent full time jobs while 80% of the people in Cameroon depend entirely on wood-energy for household energy supply. Unfortunately, there is no government policy to develop the wood-energy sub-sector.

Higher Education Institutions and Regional Growth: The Case of New Zealand

We examine the relationship between the presence of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and local growth, using a sample of 57 New Zealand Territorial Local Authorities (TLAs) between 1986 and 2013. Our models include a large set of controls, including past growth. An innovation of our approach is that we include official population projections as a control to account for growth-related factors that were perceived at the time by policy makers, but are otherwise unobservable to the econometrician. Holding all else equal, we find that a greater university share of Equivalent Full Time Students (EFTS) to working-age population raises population and employment growth. At the means, a one percentage point increase in university EFTS share is associated with a 0.19 (0.14) percentage point increase in the annual average population (employment) growth rate. This relationship holds under all alternative specifications, including different HEI activity definitions, samples, and specifications. On the other hand, growth related to polytechnic activity was estimated less precisely, and is much smaller. While our results suggest a positive association between university activity and growth, we find no evidence for complementarities between HEI activity and several indicators of urbanisation and innovation, nor do we find evidence that HEI presence affected the industrial (sectoral) structure of the local economy.

산업연관모델을 이용한 한류관광의 경제적 파급효과 분석

The purpose of this study is to estimate the economic impacts of Korean Wave(Hallyu) tourism using an Input-Output(I-O) model. Tourism multipliers were derived in terms of output, income, value-added, employment, indirect tax, and import. An on-site survey was conducted for foreign tourists from December 2014 to January 2015 at Incheon airport, Gimpo airport, and airport railway in order to estimate Hallyu tourists and their expenditures. The survey results show that Hallyu tourists consisted of 46.3% of foreign tourists and per capita expenditure was estimated to be US$ 2,230. Total expenditures of Hallyu tourists were estimated to be approximately US$ 14,669 million when considering total Hallyu tourists and per capita expenditure. The results of I-O model indicate that total Hallyu tourist receipts generated 25,682 million dollars of output impact, 4,737 million dollars of income impact, 185,228 equivalent full time jobs, and 11,358 million dollars of value-added impact, 178 million dollars of tax impact, and 3,022 million dollars of import impact.

Close the gap for vision: The key is to invest on coordination

The study aims to estimate costs required for coordination and case management activities support access to treatment for the three most common eye conditions among Indigenous Australians, cataract, refractive error and diabetic retinopathy. Coordination activities were identified using in-depth interviews, focus groups and face-to-face consultations. Data were collected at 21 sites across Australia. The estimation of costs used salary data from relevant government websites and was organised by diagnosis and type of coordination activity. Urban and remote regions of Australia. Needs-based provision support services to facilitate access to eye care for cataract, refractive error and diabetic retinopathy to Indigenous Australians. Cost (AUD$ in 2011) of equivalent full time (EFT) coordination staff. The annual coordination workforce required for the three eye conditions was 8.3 EFT staff per 10 000 Indigenous Australians. The annual cost of eye care coordination workforce is estimated to be AUD$21 337 012 in 2011. This innovative, 'activity-based' model identified the workforce required to support the provision of eye care for Indigenous Australians and estimated their costs. The findings are of clear value to government funders and other decision makers. The model can potentially be used to estimate staffing and associated costs for other Indigenous and non-Indigenous health needs.

A 2012 survey of the Australasian clinical medical physics and biomedical engineering workforce

A survey of the medical physics and biomedical engineering workforce in Australia and New Zealand was carried out in 2012 following on from similar surveys in 2009 and 2006. 761 positions (equivalent to 736 equivalent full time (EFT) positions) were captured by the survey. Of these, 428 EFT were in radiation oncology physics, 63 EFT were in radiology physics, 49 EFT were in nuclear medicine physics, 150 EFT were in biomedical engineering and 46 EFT were attributed to other activities. The survey reviewed the experience profile, the salary levels and the number of vacant positions in the workforce for the different disciplines in each Australian state and in New Zealand. Analysis of the data shows the changes to the workforce over the preceding 6years and identifies shortfalls in the workforce.

Who pays for blended learning? A cost–benefit analysis

Using cost–benefit analysis, the purpose of this study is to analyse the monetary value students place on having access, via the internet, to recorded lectures in a blended learning context. The principal results are that the average price students are willing to pay to download iLectures is approximately $30 per equivalent full time student. These results provide higher education institutions a benchmark of the economic benefits of iLectures in the view of students. The study concludes that these average prices are relevant for higher education institutions to match their own per capita start-up costs with the prices students are willing to download iLectures. Given the theoretical constructs of the cost/benefit analysis and the emphasis of this study on monetary valuations, our study provides an alternative framework to the non-monetary frameworks, by scrutinising costs in light of assessments of higher quality teaching and learning.

Service Use in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry: Guidelines for Baseline Staffing

The aim of this study was to determine how referrals and clinical activity in consultation-liaison psychiatry (C-L) vary according to unit type and size, length of stay and psychiatric diagnosis, and to use these data to inform recommendations for the minimum levels of staffing required to conduct consultations in a general hospital. Data were collected across three urban teaching hospitals over a 5-year period. The data included hospital admission data, referrals, psychiatric diagnosis, clinical contact time, clinical equivalent full time (EFT) and a measure of 'busyness'. Mean clinical staffing was 0.84 EFT per 100 beds. Services received a mean of 2.4 referrals per 100 hospital admissions. On average, each referral generated 3.9 contacts and a total contact time of 2.6 hours. The contact time was greater in patients with multiple psychiatric diagnoses as compared with a single or no diagnosis. In order to provide a minimum level of service for consultations to the expected range of serious and immediate psychiatric disorders present in the general hospital, a C-L service requires about 1.0 clinical EFT per 100 beds. For services to be able to address more complex elements of illness behaviour, provide education, conduct research, contribute to comprehensive care in specialist areas and undertake other liaison activities, greater and more multi-disciplinary EFT is required.

A 2009 survey of the Australasian clinical medical physics and biomedical engineering workforce

A survey of the Australasian clinical medical physics and biomedical engineering workforce was carried out in 2009 following on from a similar survey in 2006. 621 positions (equivalent to 575 equivalent full time (EFT) positions) were captured by the survey. Of these 330 EFT were in radiation oncology physics, 45 EFT were in radiology physics, 42 EFT were in nuclear medicine physics, 159 EFT were in biomedical engineering and 29 EFT were attributed to other activities. The survey reviewed the experience profile, the salary levels and the number of vacant positions in the workforce for the different disciplines in each Australian state and in New Zealand. Analysis of the data shows the changes to the workforce over the preceding 3 years and identifies shortfalls in the workforce.

A survey of the Australasian clinical medical physics and biomedical engineering workforce

A survey of the medical physics and biomedical engineering workforce was carried out in 2006. 495 positions (equivalent to 478 equivalent full time (EFT) positions) were captured by the survey. Of these 268 EFT were in radiation oncology physics, 36 EFT were in radiology physics, 44 were in nuclear medicine physics, 101 EFT were in biomedical engineering and 29 EFT were attributed to other activities. The survey reviewed the experience profile, the salary levels and the number of vacant positions in the workforce for the different disciplines in each Australian state and in New Zealand. Analysis of the data identifies staffing shortfalls in the various disciplines and demonstrates the difficulties that will occur in trying to train sufficient physicists to raise staffing to an acceptable level.

The New Zealand Hotel Industry-Vacancies Increase

This study was undertaken to identify employee recruitment and retention issues in the New Zealand hotel industry and how and if Strategic Human Resource Management(SHRM) took place. Questionnaires were sent to 67 human resource managers of hotels who maintained hotels in excess of 75 rooms and had associated food and beverage operations. In total this involved 4,886 rooms and 2,163 equivalent fulltime employees, geographicallyspread throughout New Zealand. While more hotel jobs are being created, results indicate the number of applicants to jobs and caliber of applicants is dropping. Housekeeping and food and beverage positions are the highest turnover positions while qualified chefs are difficult to find. Strategic human resource planning is only undertaken by 59% of hotels and the image of the hotel industry appears negative to the external labour market.

Reporting of occupational exposures to blood‐borne pathogens in Australian teaching hospitals

To describe the reporting of occupational exposures to blood and body fluids in Australian teaching hospitals. Survey by questionnaire of the major teaching hospitals in Australia, December 1992. Completed questionnaires were received from 88% of the 69 teaching hospitals in Australia. All responding hospital reported an established procedure for reporting and managing occupational exposures to blood and body fluids and 82% indicated willingness to contribute data to a national monitoring project. Information concerning the actual incident was recorded by all hospitals and two-thirds of hospitals had forms which specifically detailed exposures history. Patient and healthcare worker risk factors for HIV were recorded less frequently. but in 87% of hospitals blood tests were performed on both the staff member and source patient. Among 87 026 equivalent full time staff employed by the responding hospitals, 5803 injuries were reported in 1991. The median number of reported injuries as a percentage of equivalent full time staff was 7%. Estimates of non-reporting ranged from 5% to 70% (median 25%). Prophylactic zidovudine was prescribed for 50 staff from 21 hospitals in 1991. All Australian teaching hospitals have an established procedure for documenting occupational exposure to blood and body fluids. Although there is limited standardisation at a national level, the information already collected and the willingness to participate indicated by a large number of teaching hospitals are sufficient for a national surveillance mechanism to be established.

“The role of the pre‐school playgroups association in England and Wales after twenty‐five years"†

The Pre‐school Playgroups Association (PPA), twenty‐five years old in 1986, is a democratic, charitable organisation linking over 14000 pre‐school playgroups and mother & toddler groups in England and Wales. The groups provide places for 36% of all three to four year olds, compared to 21% of the same age group in nursery schools and classes, and 23% in primary schools. Member groups of PPA are all independent and autonomous. PPA does not run the groups; the groups choose to join PPA. Over half the groups are managed, equipped and financed by the parents who also employ and assist the play‐leaders. A high ratio of adults to children exists, demonstrating the parents'desire to be involved in their children’ searly growth and development. The parents thus take responsibility for the groups in management, helping fund‐raising and extending the work into the community. Over a quarter of the groups have a mentally or physically handicapped child, in co‐operation with the statutory health, education and social services departments. In addition, 37% of member groups hold mother and toddler sessions, giving an informal meeting point for parents and other child‐carers which can develop into mutual support. Members from individual groups form a network of 450 branches, 40 county associations, regional and national structure, all of which exist to share advice, information and support. This effort is sustained by over 11000 volunteers, working the equivalent full time hours of 1183 staff. In 1984/85 over 42000 students joined PPA training courses, based on the four themes of creative play, parent responsibility, group participation and community involvement. The paper describes these developments of PPA, identifying factors affecting them, and reports on a recent survey into parents’ awareness of pre‐school provision available.