Stressful Working Conditions Research Articles

Safety attitudes culture remain stable in a transplant center: evidence from the coronavirus pandemic.

We sought to understand how safety culture may evolve during disruption, by using the COVID-19 pandemic as an example, to identify vulnerabilities in the system that could impact patient outcomes. A cross-sectional analysis of transplant personnel at a high-volume transplant center was conducted using the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ). Survey responses were scaled and evaluated pre- and post-COVID-19 (2019 and 2021). Two-hundred and thirty-eight responses were collected (134 pre-pandemic and 104 post-pandemic). Represented organ groups included: kidney (N = 89;38%), heart (N = 18;8%), liver (N = 54;23%), multiple (N = 66;28%), and other (N = 10;4%). Responders primarily included nurses (N = 75;34%), administration (N = 50;23%), and physicians (N = 24;11%). Workers had high safety, job satisfaction, stress recognition, and working conditions satisfaction (score >75) both before and after the pandemic with overlapping responses across both timepoints. Stress recognition, safety, and working conditions improved post-COVID-19, but teamwork, job satisfaction, and perceptions of management were somewhat negatively impacted (all p > 0.05). Despite the serious health care disruptions induced by the pandemic, high domain ratings were notable and largely maintained in a high-volume transplant center. The SAQ is a valuable tool for healthcare units and can be used in longitudinal assessments of transplant culture of safety as a component of quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives.

Quality of Life Among Secondary School Teachers in Kwara State: Implication for Counselling

Teachers are one of the most valuable human resources in a school system. The strengths and quality of any educational system are heavily reliant on the efforts of its teachers. It is commonly known that teaching is one of the most stressful jobs in the world. Teachers tend to view aspects of their profession that are hazardous to their health. The school system in Kwara State has lately experienced significant modifications. Nonetheless, despite numerous reforms and advances over the years, Kwara teachers continue to face stressful working conditions when compared to other jobs. Numerous studies have demonstrated that teachers’ physical and mental health might suffer as a result of excessive stress. It has been claimed that teachers who have a lower quality of life live shorter lives. School teachers must have a high quality of life to train good students. Any fault or flaw in teachers' quality of life might have an impact on their job performance. As a result, the purpose of this study is to look at teachers' quality of life in Kwara State secondary schools, as well as the consequences for counselling. As a result, the report proposed instructors be provided additional assistance in improving their quality of life and well-being.

A novel test procedure for evaluating the performance of composite cured-in-place-pipe liners in water pressure pipe rehabilitation

The cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) is a pipe rehabilitation technique that is becoming increasingly popular due to its cost advantages, reduced environmental impact, and decreased time requirements compared to traditional pipe replacement. However, some CIPP rehabilitation projects have revealed deficiencies in predicted liner performance. This paper proposes and validates the Inner Balloon Pressure Test, a new test procedure for the quality control of CIPP rehabilitation liners. The test is intended to replicate the working stress conditions of an installed CIPP liner, and is proposed as an alternative to the curved specimen bending test recommended by the current CIPP standard and which has been shown to overestimate the ultimate stresses of cured CIPP liner specimens by more than 200%. Consequently, in a liner of DN 385 and 6 mm of thickness, a burst pressure of 138.2 bar was predicted through the bending test, whereas 62.8 bar was deducted from tensile tests. The experimental evidence provided in this study can significantly impact the design of CIPP pressure pipe liners. Inadequate sizing of the structural reinforcement can compromise the liner functionality and the rehabilitation of the pipeline. Therefore, this study provides a novel test that reduces uncertainties related to the strength analysis of CIPP liners. Furthermore, it contributes to optimizing and advancing existing design and quality control techniques.

Depressive symptoms are more influenced by personality traits and styles than working in nursing-a study during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to literature, the COVID-19 pandemic caused stressful working conditions for nurses, which may have a negative impact on their Well-Being and mental health. To investigate whether nurses and non-helping professionals differ in their Well-Being. Furthermore, we analyzed, for the first time, which personality traits and styles are a risk factor for nurses' wellbeing during COVID-19 pandemic. In an online survey, the following psychological tests were used on nursing staff (n = 518) and non-helping professionals (n = 335): WHO-Five (WHO-5), the Personality, Style and Disorder Inventory (PSSI), and the Freiburg Personality Inventory-Revised (FPI-R). Nurses and non-helping professionals did not differ significantly in terms of Well-Being. The Well-Being of nurses was correlated with the following personality traits and styles, namely Spontaneous-Borderline Personality Style, Silent-Depressive Personality Style, Strain, Emotionality, and Life Satisfaction. According to our results, 33% of participants suffered from clinically significant depressive symptoms. According to our results, nurses are not more at risk for depression. However, it was shown that Well-Being during the pandemic is highly dependent on personality. Specific personality traits and styles are a greater predictor of depressive symptoms than profession. The stressful occupational environment during COVID-19 pandemic is not the only cause for depressive symptoms in nurses. Psychotherapeutic interventions are especially important for particular individuals and are necessary to prevent depressive symptoms during COVID-19 pandemic.

Mental Health Among Bus Drivers and Conductors: A Cross-Sectional Study From Karaikal, South India.

Background Health hazards faced by bus drivers and conductors due to their stressful working conditions can vary greatly depending on the country and specific circumstances. In some regions, stringent regulations mitigate the risks, while in others, lack of enforcement exacerbates the situation. The common mental health issues faced by bus drivers and conductors are anxiety and depression. Therefore, this study was planned to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression among bus drivers and conductors and identify the risk factors associated with depression and anxiety. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted among the bus drivers and conductors working in government and private transport in Karaikal, Puducherry, South India. After institutional ethics committee clearance, 450 male transport workers with a mean age of 42.6 ± 8.56 (SD) years were interviewed to assess their mental status according to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were employed using SPSS software version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) to ascertain the association between dependent (anxiety/depression) and independent variables. Results About 16% and 13% of bus drivers and conductors were suffering from anxiety and depression, respectively. Age, education, marital status, bus route type, years of experience, and depression were significantly associated with anxiety. Whereas type of employment, years of experience, and anxiety were significantly associated with depression (p < 0.05). Conclusions Anxiety and depression in drivers and conductors constitute a major public health problem. Proper job rotation, enabling good ergonomics, and social support are some recommendations to promote mental health among transport workers.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on professional life and well-being in German physicians: A cross-sectional study

This study assessed perceptions of German physicians’ regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work-related issues as well as mental and physical health. Almost three quarters of the physicians felt stressed by the increased quantity (69%) and quality (73%) of the work and felt physically (68%) or mentally exhausted (71%). Also about three-quarters of physicians reported the pandemic having a strong impact on family life. A higher proportion feared to infect their family more than being infected themselves (66% vs 50%). Mental health scores were significantly lower in physicians compared to the general population. In female physicians, these findings were even more pronounced. Stressful work conditions and feelings of isolation were the most important predictors for mental health scores (R 2 = 0.37), and also for motivation to work (R 2 = 0.20). Preventive measures to strengthen resilience and optimize work organization are warranted to alleviate the toll of the pandemic on physicians.

Development, validation, and results of a national endoscopy safety attitudes questionnaire (Endo-SAQ).

Background and study aims Safety attitudes are linked to patient outcomes. The Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (JAG) identifies the need to improve our understanding of safety culture in endoscopy. We describe the development and validation of the Endo-SAQ (endoscopy safety attitudes questionnaire) and the results of a national survey of staff attitudes. Methods Questions from the original SAQ were adapted to reflect endoscopy-specific content. This was refined by an expert group, followed by a pilot study to assess acceptability. The refined Endo-SAQ (comprising 35 questions across six domains) was disseminated to endoscopy staff across the UK and Ireland. Outcomes were domain scores and the percentage of positive responses (score ≥75/100) per domain. Descriptive and comparative analyses were performed. Binary logistic regression identified staff and service factors associated with positive scores. Validity and reliability of Endo-SAQ were assessed through psychometric analysis. Results After expert review, four questions in the preliminary Endo-SAQ were adjusted. Sixty-one participants undertook the pilot study with good acceptability. A total of 453 participants completed the refined Endo-SAQ. There were positive responses in teamwork, safety climate, job satisfaction, and working conditions domains. Endoscopists had significantly more positive responses to stress recognition and working conditions than nursing staff. JAG accreditation was associated with positive scores in safety climate and job satisfaction domains. Endo-SAQ met thresholds of construct validity and reliability. Conclusions Endoscopy staff had largely positive safety attitudes scores but there were significant differences across domains and staff. There is evidence for the validity and reliability of Endo-SAQ. Endo-SAQ could complement current measures of patient safety in endoscopy and be used in evaluation and research.

The Predominance of Tobacco Propensities and Tobacco-Related Oral Lesions in Textile Mill Workers of Bhopal: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Low wages, long work hours, and stressful working conditions predominantly affect the oral and general health of industrial workers, which in turn resultin their tobacco consumption. This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence of tobacco use and its associated oral lesions among textile mill workers in Bhopal, India. Oral cancer and premalignant lesions are significantly increased by smoking and chewing tobacco. The study's objective was to assess and record the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions linked to tobacco use in different age groups among Bhopal textile industry workers. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 583 textile mill workers. Data were collected using a questionnaire and the WHO Oral Health Assessment Form 2013. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 29 (Released 2022; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States) was used for the statistical analysis. Variables were compared using the mean, percentage, and standard deviation. The chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare the distribution of gender, tobacco habits, and oral mucosal lesions in different age groups. Males made up 69.1% of the workforce. A clear male preference was noted (P ≤ 0.001). About 64.7% of the workers did not have any tobacco-related habits, 20.8% used smokeless tobacco, 7.9% used a smoking form of tobacco, and 6.7% used both. Older age groups, 31-45 and >46 years old, had a higher proportion of users of smokeless tobacco (P ≤ 0.001). The most commonly reported oral mucosal lesions were ulcerative conditions in 6.9%, followed by oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), keratotic lesions, and leukoplakia in 5.0%, 4.1%, and 3.6% of the study population, respectively. Leukoplakia and OSMF were prevalent in the 31-45-yearage group, while ulcerative lesions were more prevalent in the 18-30-yearage group (P ≤ 0.001). Workers at textile mills were more likely to use a smokeless form of tobacco. Older age groups had higher rates of smokeless tobacco use as compared to smoking, which was more prevalent in the younger age group. Oral mucosal lesions in older age groups frequently include OSMF and leukoplakia. The main reasons for engaging in the tobacco use habit were stress and a lack of awareness. Oral hygiene was a neglected entity among workers.

P-572 The occupational challenges reported by UK embryologists: stress, fatigue, and burnout

Abstract Study question To determine the prevalence of occupational stress, fatigue, and burnout reported by UK embryologists and their perceived impact of work conditions on wellbeing. Summary answer The surveyed UK embryologists reported low somatic symptom severity and moderate perceived stress, but high levels of burnout and overall stressful working conditions. What is known already High levels of occupational stress, fatigue, burnout, and occupational health issues have been reported among embryologists in the Spanish, US, and international surveys. These issues were associated with embryologist’s occupational challenges and work conditions. Most (58.3%) of the previous UK survey participants reported work-related health issues, including stress/mental health problems (27.8%). However, that study did not evaluate stress and burnout utilizing the same standardized measures as recent US and international surveys, both of which identified considerably higher burnout than the Spanish survey. The present study will address this gap and identify issues that concern UK embryologists using our survey toolkit. Study design, size, duration A cross-sectional, mixed methods web-based survey was sent via email to 253 of an estimated ∼400 UK embryologists working in Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA)-licensed UK ART/IVF clinics and private practices in January 2023. Participants self-reported their stress levels, fatigue, burnout, and work conditions (cryopreservation, technology, overtime work, doing double-work, employer understanding, etc.). Participants/materials, setting, methods Proportions across the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15), and a single-item work unit grade (A–F), and customized occupational and sociodemographic questionnaires were calculated using descriptive statistics. Welch’s t-test and ANOVA to compare PSS and PHQ-15 scores between the groups categorized by occupational questions, and Pearson’s correlation coefficients and multivariate analysis to cross-correlate statistically significant and biologically important parameters will be utilized once the survey is closed. Main results and the role of chance To date, of 253 embryologists, 104 (41%) completed the survey (mean age 34.3 years, 88% female); 77% worked in private/for-profit, 17% government, 5% corporate, and 1% academic settings. A total of 60% of the respondents reported symptoms of burnout on the MBI exhaustion dimension and 42% on MBI cynicism, and 68% of them reported being unable to cope with their workload. The PSS showed moderate perceived stress, and the PHQ-15 showed low somatic symptom severity, with 38% reporting fatigue. Additionally, 2% experienced constant, 13% high, 33% moderate, 37% mild, and 15% no anxiety. Moreover, 53% reported the current cryopreservation processes caused anxiety, 63% reported technology would ease the burden on the lab staff, and 74% reported technology would lessen their stress as an embryologist. Regarding their workplace environment and culture, 80% reported working overtime, 57% found themselves doing double work due to a lack of technology integrations and analog record, and 80% felt their employers did not understand their occupational challenges. When asked to rate their work unit safety, 38% of embryologists gave their laboratories grade of A (excellent), 50% B (very good), 10% C (acceptable), 3% D (poor), and 0% F (failing). Limitations, reasons for caution This study is limited by the self-reporting nature of the data collection via on-line surveys, which precluded interviewing or follow-up questions of embryologists. Wider implications of the findings Overall, work-related health issues and occupational challenges reported by UK embryologists align with results from recent surveys and could be addressed by organizational enhancements and technology improvements. Lower levels of job-specific stress and burnout among them compared to their colleagues might be due to HFEA-provided structure/certainty to their professional responsibilities. Trial registration number NCT05708963

Psychological adaptation and implemented coping strategies under stressful working conditions in medical workers

The purpose is to study the features of manifestation of coping strategies as a mechanism of psychological adaptation to stressful working conditions in medical workers. Material and methods. The survey and analysis were conducted in the following groups: group A — medical workers of COVID hospitals providing medical care to patients with COVID-19 (n=201). Group A included 3 subgroups: group 1 — general practitioners of COVID hospi tals (n=111); group 2 — surgical doctors of COVID hospitals (n=61); group 3 — nurses of COVID hospitals (n=29). Group B — medical workers of multidisciplinary hospitals providing medical care in their main profile (n=195). Group B also included 3 subgroups: group 4 — general practitioners of multidisciplinary hospitals (n=106); group 5 — surgical doctors of multidisciplinary hospitals (n=58); group 6 — nurses of multidisciplinary hospitals (n=31). Group C — medical workers of outpatient and polyclinic departments (n=186). Group C in cluded 3 subgroups as well: group 7 — general practitioners of the outpatient and polyclinic level (n=102); group 8 — surgical doctors of outpatient and polyclinic departments (n=55); group 9 — outpatient and polyclinic nurses (n=29). The control group included employees of professions that are not related to work in medical organizations (healthy). To study the mechanisms of coping strategies for overcoming psychological difficulties in medical work ers, a technique developed by R. Lazarus and S. Folkman was used. Results. Thus, as a result of the study, the features of the formation of psychological defens es of adaptive coping strategies of professional behavior in general practitioners, surgical doctors, and nurses of specialized COVID hospitals, multidisciplinary hospitals in the mode of normal operation, and outpatient and polyclinic departments are identified. Conclusions. It is shown that the prevailing coping strategies among surgical doctors of specialized COVID hospitals at a high level are such coping strategies as «distancing», «self-control», and «taking responsibility». Meanwhile, the coping strategy of «distancing» is at a high level among nurses of COVID hospitals.

Nursing home staff perceptions of well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.

To explore how nursing home staff perceived their work environment during the COVID-19 pandemic and how this impacted their well-being. A qualitative interview study. Interviews were held with twenty-two registered nurses and assistant nurses from five nursing homes in the Netherlands between April 2021 and July 2021. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) were followed. Five themes emerged from the interviews and indicated that working during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted perceived well-being of nursing home staff. Three themes concerned experiences at work: eroding care, additional roles and workplace support. Specifically, the increased workload with additional tasks, the constant stream of new guidelines and constrictive personal protective equipment caused discomfort and anxiety. Two other themes concerned experiences outside of work: work-life interference and social interactions and status. The nurses reported that when they returned home after work, they were tired and worried about spreading the virus while facing limited social interactions and support. The social distancing measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted nursing home staff well-being by increasing demands in the absence of adequate resources. The well-being needs of nurses should receive continued attention to ensure the sustainability of healthcare during future crises. The nursing home managers participated in recommending the topics to be covered during interviews. What problem did the study address? The pressure of stressful working conditions on the well-being of nurses during the pandemic. What were the main findings? Nurses created strategies to cope with declining well-being. However, the available resources did not alleviate the increased demands caused by the pandemic. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? This study is important for healthcare organizations to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic affected nurses so that they may better prepare for future crises.

Mistreatment of women during childbirth and its influencing factors in public maternity hospitals in Tehran, Iran: a multi-stakeholder qualitative study

BackgroundMistreatment during labour and childbirth is a common experience for many women around the world. This study aimed to explore the manifestations of mistreatment and its influencing factors in public maternity hospitals in Tehran.MethodsA formative qualitative study was conducted using a phenomenological approach in five public hospitals between October 2021 and May 2022. Sixty in-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of women, maternity healthcare providers, and managers. Data were analyzed with content analysis using MAXQDA 18.ResultsMistreatment of women during labour and childbirth was manifested in four form: (1) physical abuse (fundal pressure); (2) verbal abuse (judgmental comments, harsh and rude language, and threats of poor outcomes); (3) failure to meet professional standards of care (painful vaginal exams, neglect and abandonment, and refusal to provide pain relief); and (4) poor rapport between women and providers (lack of supportive care and denial of mobility). Four themes were also identified as influencing factors: (1) individual-level factors (e.g., providers’ perception about women’s limited knowledge on childbirth process), (2) healthcare provider-level factors (e.g., provider stress and stressful working conditions); (3) hospital-level factors (e.g., staff shortages); and (4) national health system-level factors (e.g., lack of access to pain management during labour and childbirth).ConclusionsOur study showed that women experienced various forms of mistreatment during labour and childbirth. There were also multiple level drivers for mistreatment at individual, healthcare provider, hospital and health system levels. Addressing these factors requires urgent multifaceted interventions.

A study protocol outlining the development and evaluation of a training program for frontline managers on leading well-being and the psychosocial work environment in Danish hospital settings – a cluster randomized waitlist controlled trial

BackgroundHospital staff are often exposed to stressful psychosocial working conditions and report high levels of stress and burnout, which may negatively impact the safety of employees and patients. Managers hold unique knowledge of workplace conditions and needs of employees, but leadership interventions to improve the well-being of managers and employees in hospital settings are scarce. This study evaluates the effects of a leadership intervention based on a health-oriented leadership approach on the well-being and psychosocial work environment aspects of managers and employees.Methods/designThe study is designed as a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial with two groups (intervention and waitlist control group) and measurements at baseline, 6- and 12-month follow-up. We aim to include 200 frontline managers in Danish hospital settings and their approximately 5,000 employees. The leadership training comprises five full day modules and four smaller group-training sessions over a period of 5 months. The main aim is to improve stress, burnout, self-care, and perceived level of staff-care among managers and employees. Sickness absence will also be assessed at both manager and employee level. In addition, several psychosocial factors will be assessed at the employee level. A quantitative and qualitative process evaluation will also be conducted.DiscussionAction towards supporting the mental health of hospital employees is important to maintain a strong healthcare system. There is increasing recognition that best practice in workplace mental health requires an integrated approach that prevents harm and promotes positive mental health. There is also increasing understanding of the key role managers play in maintaining well-being within the workplace, however they often report a lack of knowledge and skills to promote employee mental health. The current leadership training program has been developed for frontline managers working in a hospital setting. The aim is to increase managers’ application of strategies to facilitate a healthy psychosocial work environment to benefit well-being and mental health among staff and managers themselves.Trial RegistrationThe study was retrospectively registered on November 21, 2022 in Clinical Trial.gov with identifier: NCT05623371.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of electron beam welded TC4 titanium alloy structure with backing plate

This study investigates the microstructure characterization and residual stress differences of a welded TC4 titanium alloy structure to determine the optimum electron beam welding parameters. A finite element model is constructed on the basis of the actual weld morphology under different welding parameters, and the Mises stress of the titanium alloy electron beam joint is compared. The residual stress distribution in the shell structure with a backing plate under superimposed working stress conditions is analyzed. Results show that the change of microstructure and mechanical properties of each area do not show remarkable changes with variations in welding speed. However, the macroscopic morphology varies greatly, and the microhardness and maximum shear strength distribution appears as follows: the weld metal > heat affected zone > base metal. The finite element simulation reveals that the peak residual stress of WM along the longitudinal and transverse directions is 782 MPa and 583 MPa respectively, which is consistent with the distribution of the measured results. The finite element calculation results of the shell structure under internal pressure show that the Mises stress of the WM appears the smallest value when the welding speed reaches 8 mm/s, and its value is 650.59 MPa. Therefore, a smaller the welding speed (from 14 mm/s to 8 mm/s) of the shell structure has a positive effect on service behavior.

Big five model personality traits and job burnout: a systematic literature review

BackgroundJob burnout negatively contributes to individual well-being, enhancing public health costs due to turnover, absenteeism, and reduced job performance. Personality traits mainly explain why workers differ in experiencing burnout under the same stressful work conditions. The current systematic review was conducted with the PRISMA method and focused on the five-factor model to explain workers' burnout risk.MethodsThe databases used were Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and PsycINFO. Keywords used were: “Burnout,” “Job burnout,” “Work burnout,” “Personality,” and “Personality traits”.ResultsThe initial search identified 3320 papers, from which double and non-focused studies were excluded. From the 207 full texts reviewed, the studies included in this review were 83 papers. The findings show that higher levels of neuroticism (r from 0.10** to 0.642***; β from 0.16** to 0.587***) and lower agreeableness (r from − 0.12* to − 0.353***; β from − 0.08*** to − 0.523*), conscientiousness (r from -0.12* to -0.355***; β from − 0.09*** to − 0.300*), extraversion (r from − 0.034** to − 0.33***; β from − 0.06*** to − 0.31***), and openness (r from − 0.18*** to − 0.237**; β from − 0.092* to − 0.45*) are associated with higher levels of burnout.ConclusionsThe present review highlighted the relationship between personality traits and job burnout. Results showed that personality traits were closely related to workers’ burnout risk. There is still much to explore and how future research on job burnout should account for the personality factors.

“Death is a sensitive topic when you are surrounded by life”: Nurses experiences with pregnancy loss

ObjectiveAlthough there is increasing evidence on the psychosocial adjustment and experiencing pregnancy loss from the patient’s perspective, few studies have investigated the nurses’ experience perceptions. This study aimed to understand the experience of nurses involved in pregnancy loss care based on the self-fulfillment model of communication. MethodsA qualitative approach was developed through semi-structured interviews to 16 nurses working in an Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Department of a local hospital. Based on grounded theory approach, data was analyzed with NVivo 12 software. ResultsThe analysis revealed three major themes and 11 sub-themes: i) stressful work conditions, comprising care management and institutional practices; ii) personal characteristics, including discomfort with loss, communication skills, work experience and empathy; and iii) the patient’s journey, containing the partner’s ambiguous role, timing, respect for the patient’s individuality, viewing the fetus and facilitating grief rituals. ConclusionNurses daily involved in providing care to patients suffering pregnancy loses have a demanding challenge in trying to assure that patients get the appropriate and better care and ensuring they keep their level of engagement in their profession. Interventions to improve communications skills with patients and with other health professionals are needed to enhance professional realization.

Rising health problem of Türkiye, healthcare professionals’ suicides in media

It is known that the risk of suicide increases in professionals who are frequently exposed to intensive and stressful working conditions. Health professionals may be susceptible to depression and suicide due to occupational stressors besides risk factors such as violence against healthcare professionals, mobbing and burnout. However, it is noteworthy that there is no institutional data or statistics regarding suicides of healthcare professionals, in Türkiye. In this context, we aimed to reveal sociodemographic characteristics and risk factors related to suicides of health workers by evaluation cases subjected to media. Due to the lack of detailed institutional data, we investigated national media releases and reports between 01/01/2010 and 31/12/2020 in order to extract data regarding suicides of healthcare professionals. Obtained data was discussed in the light of the related literature. During the study period, a total of 138 healthcare professionals were reported to have committed suicide, out of which 69 (50%) were male and 69 (50%) were female. The mean age of the presented cases was 34.79 years. It was determined that 68 (48.28%) victims were medical doctors, and the most frequent suicide method was drug intoxication with a rate of 36.23% (n=50). Health workers’ suicides and dynamics have not been fully revealed and have not been studied sufficiently. In this regard, health policies and a professional approach need to be developed in the light of the information obtained through joint studies by Ministry of Health and Associations/Organizations of Healthcare professionals.

Burnout syndrome among health care professionals in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Burnout syndrome, a mental illness caused by stressful work conditions, is prevalent among health professionals. In addition to existing risk factors, the COVID-19 pandemic introduced new ones, such as fear of infection and concern about the availability of personal protective equipment. This study's purpose was to verify the prevalence and correlates of burnout syndrome among health professionals in the context of the pandemic. This quantitative study was conducted between April and June 2021 using the Google Forms platform. A semi-structured questionnaire and the Questionário para la Evaluación del Syndrome de Quemarse por el Trabajo were applied. A total of 93 health professionals participated. Those who fought on the frontline against COVID-19 were younger and had less professional experience, longer work hours, daily contact with a greater number of patients, lower scores in the disillusionment dimension, and higher scores in the emotional exhaustion dimension. Significant correlations were found between age and disillusionment, emotional exhaustion, and indolence. Less professional experience was also correlated with psychological distress. Age and length of experience were significantly associated with burnout, given that younger and less experienced professionals generally worked on the frontline against COVID-19.

Positive Affect Predicted Death Anxiety in Health Workers during the Covid-19 Pandemic

During Covid-19 pandemic, the research on health workers’ mental health grew significantly and it documented the coexistence of well-being, and trauma/negative affect, with a specific emphasis on death anxiety (DA). However, no studies focused on understanding the factors associated with death anxiety, and the protective role of well-being. The aim of this study is to examine the predictors of DA in a sample of 173 Italian health workers, assessed with indicators of psychological distress (anxiety, depression stress) and well-being (positive affect, positive mental health and post-traumatic growth). The regression model revealed that DA was predicted only by positive affect and gender. Female workers and those with lower levels of positive affect were the most vulnerable. This investigation provides new understanding on the features of DA in health workers, and it confirms the importance of maintaining and/or promoting the well-being of this population, particularly under stressful working conditions.

Mental stress, meditation, and yoga in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

It is well known that stress can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke although the exact way it does this is unknown. This information is particularly more relevant in a post COVID-19 era where healthcare workers are increasingly facing more stressful working conditions. Thus, it is important to look into alternative methods to deal with stress including meditation and yoga which have shown potential.