Work-related Problems Research Articles

Lower Limb Muscle Co-Activation Maps in Single and Team Lifting at Different Risk Levels

The central nervous system uses muscle co-activation for body coordination, effector movement control, and joint stabilization. However, co-activation increases compression and shear stresses on the joints. Lifting activity is one of the leading causes of work-related musculoskeletal problems worldwide, and it has been shown that when the risk level rises, lifting enhances trunk muscle co-activation at the L5/S1 level. This study aims to investigate the co-activation of lower limb muscles during liftings at various risk levels and lifting types (one-person and vs. two-person team lifting), to understand how the central nervous system governs lower limb rigidity during these tasks. The surface electromyographic signal of thirteen healthy volunteers (seven males and six females, age range: 29–48 years) was obtained over the trunk and right lower limb muscles while lifting in the sagittal plane. Then co-activation was computed according to different approaches: global, full leg, flexor, extensor, and rostro-caudal. The statistical analysis revealed a significant increase in the risk level and a decrease in the two-person on the mean and/or maximum of the co-activation in almost all the approaches. Overall, our findings imply that the central nervous system streamlines the motor regulation of lifting by increasing or reducing whole-limb rigidity within a distinct global, extensor, and rostro-caudal co-activation scheme, depending on the risk level/lifting type.

Factors Affecting Utilization of Employee Assistance Program: A Case Study of ABSA Bank Zambia

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are programs implemented in the workplace to support individual employees in dealing with personal and work-related problems, with the goal of improving their well-being and contributing to organizational performance (Masi, 2010). An EAP is a program sponsored by an employer, a collective bargaining group, or an association of professionals, and is designed to help identify and resolve productivity issues that may arise from employees experiencing personal problems (EACC, 1991). ABSA bank implemented an EAP as a staff wellness initiative to assist employees. However, according to management reports, less than 5% of employees are utilizing the wellness program, which falls short of management's expectation of more than 50% participation. Therefore, this study aims to determine the reasons for the underutilization of EAPs. To achieve the research objectives, the study employed both descriptive and causal research designs, and logistic regression analysis was used to statistically identify the factors that influence the use of EAPs. A survey was conducted with employees at ABSA bank, with 100 employees selected as respondents through simple random sampling. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The study revealed that employees still value EAPs and consider them important. Through logistic regression analysis, the study identified lack of information, stigma, confidentiality, trust, and peer influence as factors that affect the utilization of EAPs, as reported by the respondents. All the results were statistically significant at p < 0.05. Therefore, the study recommends that ABSA management should implement measures to ensure the confidentiality of information shared during EAPs, provide more information to employees about the content and benefits of EAPs to encourage greater participation, clearly communicate the purpose of EAPs to employees, and select a dedicated team for EAPs who understand and uphold ethical standards.

Investigation of the Relationship among Work Shift, Sleep Quality, and Work Ability Index in Pre-Hospital Emergency Personnel in Urmia City in 2023

Objectives: Nowadays, due to the increase in the volume of accidents, pre-hospital emergency personnel, as the frontline of treatment by providing relief and assistance to patients and victims of various incidents, have encountered various work-related challenges and problems, including cardiovascular diseases, digestive diseases, excessive fatigue, and reduced sleep quality. In this regard, the present research aimed to study the relationship among shift work, sleep quality, and work ability index in pre-hospital emergency personnel. Methods: This research was performed on 102 operational personnel of a pre-hospital emergency department in Urmia, Iran. After the collection of demographic information, the number of work shifts per week, the number of working hours per month, the quality of sleep, and the work ability of the personnel were measured by the Petersburg sleep quality questionnaire and work ability index questionnaire. The relationship between research variables was investigated using correlation coefficient, Fisher's exact test, and one-way analysis of variance tests. Results: Mean total sleep quality score of the personnel was 6.01 ± 2.38, which indicated poor and unfavorable sleep quality. Moreover, work ability index scores of 34.3%, 52%, and 13.7% of participants were at poor, moderate, good, and excellent levels, respectively. Regarding the comparison between the two variables of shift work and sleep quality, there was a significant difference, and a strong and significant relationship was observed between sleep quality and work ability index. Conclusion: Through the increase in the number of work shifts and working hours, the sleep quality of the personnel became unfavorable and weak which led to a decrease in the work ability index score and a reduction in the job performance of the personnel. Reduction of working hours, usage of young people with high work ability, management and control of the number of work shifts of the personnel by considering resting and closure time, consideration of morning-evening and night shifts in a balanced and equal manner, and prevention of people from working in monotonous shifts (activity only in the form of night work or only day work), and avoidance of working in consecutive work shifts without rest and vacation in order to improve the quality of sleep and work performance is recommended.

A longitudinal study of risk and protective factors for symptoms of adjustment disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused multiple stressors that may lead to symptoms of adjustment disorder. Objective: We longitudinally examined relationships between risk and protective factors, pandemic-related stressors and symptoms of adjustment disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as whether these relationships differed by the time of assessment. Method: The European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) ADJUST Study included N = 15,169 participants aged 18 years and above. Participants from 11 European countries were recruited and screened three times at 6-month intervals from June 2020 to January 2022. Associations between risk and protective factors (e.g. gender), stressors (e.g. fear of infection), and symptoms of adjustment disorder (AjD, ADNM-8) and their interaction with time of assessment were examined using mixed linear regression. Results: The following predictors were significantly associated with higher AjD symptom levels: female or diverse gender; older age; pandemic-related news consumption >30 min a day; a current or previous mental health disorder; trauma exposure before or during the pandemic; a good, satisfactory or poor health status (vs. very good); burden related to governmental crisis management and communication; fear of infection; restricted social contact; work-related problems; restricted activity; and difficult housing conditions. The following predictors were associated with lower AjD levels: self-employment or retirement; working in healthcare; and face-to-face contact ≥ once a week with loved ones or friends. The effects of the following predictors on AjD symptoms differed by the time of assessment in the course of the pandemic: a current or previous mental disorder; burden related to governmental crisis management; income reduction; and a current trauma exposure. Conclusions: We identified risk factors and stressors predicting AjD symptom levels at different stages of the pandemic. For some predictors, the effects on mental health may change at different stages of a pandemic.

Continuing the conversation: a cross-sectional study about the effects of work-related adverse events on the mental health of Dutch (resident) obstetrician-gynaecologists (ObGyns)

BackgroundObstetrician-Gynaecologists (ObGyns) frequently face work-related adverse events such as severe obstetric complications and maternal or neonatal deaths. In 2014, the WATER-1 study showed that ObGyns are at risk of developing work-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while many hospitals lacked a professional support system. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the current prevalence of work-related traumatic events and mental health problems among Dutch ObGyns, as well as to examine the current and desired support.MethodsIn 2022, an online questionnaire was sent to all members of the Dutch Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (NVOG), including resident and attending ObGyns. The survey included questions about experienced work-related events, current and desired coping strategies, and three validated screening questionnaires for anxiety, depression, and PTSD (HADS, TSQ, and PCL-5).ResultsThe response rate was 18.8% and 343 questionnaires were included in the analysis. Of the respondents, 93.9% had experienced at least one work-related adverse event, 20.1% had faced a complaint from the national disciplinary board, and 49.4% had considered leaving the profession at any moment in their career. The prevalence rates of clinically relevant anxiety, depression, and psychological distress were 14.3, 4.4, and 15.7%, respectively. The prevalence of work-related PTSD was 0.9% according to DSM-IV and 1.2% according to DSM-5. More than half of the respondents (61.3%) reported the presence of a structured support protocol or approach in their department or hospital, and almost all respondents (92.6%) rated it as sufficient.ConclusionsThe percentages of anxiety, depression, psychological distress and PTSD are comparable to the similar study performed in 2014. Most Dutch ObGyns experience adverse events at work, which can be perceived as traumatic and, in certain cases, may lead to the development of PTSD. Structured support after adverse work-related events is now available in almost two-thirds of workplaces, and was mostly experienced as good. Despite substantial improvements in the availability and satisfaction of professional support after work-related adverse events, the prevalence rates of mental problems remain considerable, and it is imperative to sustain conversation about the mental well-being of ObGyns.

Fear of Flying, Stress and Epileptic-Like Symptoms.

Intense fear of flying, called aviophobia, is a highly prevalent psychological phenomenon, afflicting (in some estimates) up to 40% of the population of industrialized countries and although aviophobia is a highly prevalent mental health problem, published studies about its epidemiology and treatment are rare. In this study, including 61 participants (28 males and 33 females; mean age 26.85) engaged in business related travels in the last two years, we assessed relationships of fear of flying problems with symptoms of stress also reflecting childhood traumatic stress experiences and its influences on brain sensitization and epileptic-like symptoms. In this assessment we also studied fear of flying symptoms and work related psychological problems described as burnout. The results show that the participants who manifest higher levels of stress symptoms have higher levels of aviophobic experiences. Stress symptoms measured by TSC-40 manifested significant correlations with aviophobic experiences measured by Flight Anxiety Modality Questionnaire (FAS) (Spearman R=0.46, p<0.01). Other correlations were found between FAS and Limbic System Checklist (LSCL-33) (Spearman R=0.39, p<0.01) and FAS and Burnout Measure (BM) (Spearman R=0.30, p<0.01). The results of this study indicate that the experience of fear of flying is related to past and recent stressful events and also to levels of work related problems described and experienced as burnout.

Alcohol consumption and work-related health problems: Exploring the perceptions of Nigerian informal automobile artisans

Alcohol consumption is one of the leading factors that lead to work-related health problems worldwide. However, alcohol consumption among informal workers in developing countries is unknown. Using a qualitative method; this study explores the perception of the informal automobile artisans in Nigeria about alcohol consumption and its contribution to workplace health problems among the working population. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of 43 automobile artisans from Osun State. Thematic analysis was done using MAXQDA 2020 software. The artisans identified a range of injuries and illnesses. They described the severity of these work-related health problems (WHPs) as either minor, serious or very serious. Moreover, the study shows the prevalence of alcohol consumption among the group. The artisans noted that alcohol consumption is one of the major causes of accidents and injuries among members. They further explained that members take alcohol to get strength for their tasks. The study concluded that using the workplace as a platform to address alcohol consumption is critical to promoting a healthy and productive work environment.

The impact of premenstrual disorders on work disruptions among working women: A cross-sectional study.

Physical and emotional manifestations of premenstrual disorder cause increased absenteeism, decreased productivity, and decreased work-related quality of life. Due to the relatively high prevalence of premenstrual disorders in Iran and limited studies on its work-related problems, this study investigated the relationship between premenstrual disorders and work performance in working women. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 358 working women (teachers and industrial workers) in Yazd, Iran, from July 2019 to January 2020. Data were collected using premenstrual symptom screening tool, the work productivity and activity impairment (a modified version), and functional work capacity questionnaires. Women were classified into 2 groups: women with and without premenstrual disorders. Productivity, functional capacity, and ability to perform activities of daily living were compared between groups. Among 358 participants, 121 women (33.8%) had premenstrual disorders. The prevalence of premenstrual disorders was significantly higher in teachers than workers (0.41% vs. 24.7%, respectively) (p = 0.002). The work results showed a worse score in the group with premenstrual disorder than the other group and teachers compared to workers (p 0.001). This study showed a significant association between premenstrual disorders and worse work productivity, functional work capacity, and ability to perform activities of daily living. Teachers had a higher prevalence of premenstrual disorders and worse work performance than workers, which can be due to higher education levels, work stress, more complex tasks, and increased work responsibility in teachers.

Safety and health among undeclared workers: A mixed methods study investigating social partner experiences and strategies

Little is known about the experiences of the social partners in helping undeclared workers resist Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) issues. This study draws upon Walter Korpi’s ‘power resource theory’ to gain a deeper understanding of how power resources within the construction, transport, and cleaning sectors influence the ability of social partners to respond to OSH issues related to undeclared work.This mixed-method study uses survey data from employer representatives in the construction (n = 686) and transport (n = 650) sectors in Sweden in 2019 to estimate the nature and magnitude of undeclared work-related problems. To also study the view of union representatives, a duplicate survey was sent to union representatives in the transport, construction, and cleaning sectors (n = 57) in 2020, followed by 13 semi-structured interviews with Regional Safety Representatives (RSRs) in 2021–2023. Our findings show that employer representatives in construction and transport reported that the violation of OSH regulations was uncommon and remained unchanged, most union representatives said the opposite. We found a gradient of activism among the unions towards OSH issues related to undeclared work dependent on their power resources. Furthermore, structural and organizational factors limited the RSRs’ ability to address undeclared work. The RSRs identified strategies to tackle OSH issues related to undeclared work in their sectors, these included but were not limited to, dismantling the language barrier between unions and undeclared foreign-born workers, for OSH coordinators and main contractors to be held responsible for OSH violations and greater cooperation between the relevant authorities dealing with undeclared work.

Combining inertial-based ergonomic assessment with biofeedback for posture correction: A narrative review

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are the most reported work-related health problem in the European Union, representing an economic burden equivalent to 2% of its gross domestic product. Awkward postures are one of the main risk factors. Several postural assessment tools try to identify ergonomic exposure factors for evaluating WRMSD risk, yet these are commonly based on observation. Replacing observations with objective measurements can bring more accuracy and reproducibility to this analysis; hence, a direct measurement approach for the assessment is desired. This review looks for two-fold solutions, able to not only monitor workers’ posture using inertial sensors but also to return that information to the user, in a biofeedback loop. It presents systems for posture risk assessment, regarding ergonomic methods, sensors’ and actuators’ characteristics, and validation protocols. In particular, this review advances previous manuscripts by exploring the literature regarding different biofeedback strategies and ways to encode meaningful information in the cues, i.e., able to deliver intuitive ergonomic guidance so that the user becomes aware and changes into a more neutral posture. The combination of inertial sensors and vibrotactile motors stood out, due to its effectiveness in reducing postural risk. Directional feedback to guide users’ segments individually was found to be a promising strategy, although its validation is still limited. The results of the reviewed manuscripts pointed out the relevant practices, potentialities, and limitations of the existing solutions, allowing the identification of future challenges.

ERGONOMICS ASSESSMENT OF EXPOSURE TO RISK OF MUSCULOSKELETAL SYMPTOMS IN BANK EMPLOYEES

Objective: Work-related musculoskeletal problems are common in many occupations and these musculoskeletal problems can decrease an individual’s quality of life by affecting their daily living activities. The objective of this research was to evaluate the level of exposure to musculoskeletal symptoms risk among employees working in banks. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan from January 2018 to June 2018. 620 bank employees of both genders, with the age of 25-45 years were included in this study, and employees with musculoskeletal and neurological disorders, amputee or prosthetic limb, and any trauma were excluded from this study. Rapid office strain assessment (ROSA) and quick exposure check (QEC) scales were used to assess the risk and prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. Data were analyzed by using SPSS 21. Results: According to the scoring of QEC scales 92.2% of participants fall in the acceptable ergonomics category, 6% fall into investigate further and 1.1% fall into investigate and change soon, with the highest symptoms among low back (17.7%). And the mean ROSA final score (5.51) indicates that most of the participants have a high risk of musculoskeletal symptoms. Conclusion: Regarding the scoring of ROSA and QEC scale musculoskeletal symptoms has a high prevalence among bank employees. Keywords: Ergonomics, Employee, Environment, Pain, Risk.

Attributes of Low Back pain among Physical Therapists and Nurses in Pakistan

Low back pain is localized between the region of the 12th rib and less to the gluteal folds either radiating or not radiating to the lower limb. The prevalence of low back pain in Pakistan is about 41.4 percent. But all over the world, the Physical therapist's rate of work-related musculoskeletal problems is about 57 percent. Objective: To determine the attributes of low back pain among physical therapists and nurses in Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done from August 2023 to January 2024, throughout Pakistan. A sample size of 661 was divided into two groups. The sampling technique was non-probability purposive sampling. There were two measurement tools used Visual Analog Scale and the Oswestry Disability Index scale to rule out pain and the level of disability. The data were analyzed through SPSS version 23.0 software. Results: The total number of participants was 661, of which 247 were physical therapists and 414 were nurses recruited from all over Pakistan. The pain was measured through the VAS and disability was measured by ODI. The Physical therapists felt mild pain in about 123(49.79%), and they faced no disability in about 127(51.41%) and nurses felt moderate pain in about 212(51.20%) and they have not faced disability in about 306(73.91%). Conclusions: Our study concluded the prevalence of low back pain is found in both nurses and physical therapists but the level of pain is higher in nurses as compared to a physical therapist due to the lack of ergonomics knowledge among the nurse population.

Work-Related Mental Health Problems in Switzerland.

The study identifies work-related risk factors that are relevant to mental health and quantifies their influence. This allows estimation of risk levels for individual workplaces and of the proportion of occupational causation in the emergence of mental health problems. Swiss Health Survey data, containing information on several potential risk factors and health indicators that cover aspects of mental health, were used in multiple multivariate logistic regression analyses. Stress was the predominant risk factor, followed by exposure to violence, unergonomic work processes, and work that conflicted with family life. Hotel and restaurant industries and health and social services had high exposure to risk factors. One of 20 workplaces was deemed high-risk based on an odds ratio >4. Up to one-third of mental health problems within the active workforce may have highly predominant occupational causation.

Work Related Problems Experienced By Community Health Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a pivotal role in delivering essential healthcare services, particularly in resource-constrained settings. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges for CHWs, amplifying the complexity of their work and exposing them to various occupational hazards. Objective: The study intended to assess the work related problems experienced by community health workers during COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 361 Community Health Workers by face-to-face interview using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire from January 2021 to December 2021 at six Upazila health complex’s in Pabna District. Data were collected by convenience sampling technique. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23 was used to enter and analyze data. Results: A total 361 of respondents, 55.4% were female and the mean age of the respondents was 39±0.854 years. Here, 50.7% (183) protect themselves in pandemic situation by given special attention to hand hygiene, 12.7% (46) said PPE is interference with verbal communication. Majority 48.2% (174) respondents were always wear personal protection equipment (PPE) during procedure. Most of the respondents 53.5% (193) had not feeling of fear during their work. Conclusion: The study revealed a range of difficulties, including prolonged work hours in personal protective equipment (PPE), vision problems related to face shields and goggles, and communication barriers due to PPE.

ENSS (Expanded Nursing Stress Assessment) version 1,0: An Android-Based Mobile Application Efficient Stress Assessment in Nurses

The nursing profession is a profession that is prone to experiencing stress. Long work duration in accompanying patients is one of the factors that causes stress in nurses. To anticipate work-related stress problems, it is necessary to periodically identify the level of stress experienced by nurses. The use of mobile applications needs to be developed for easy and efficient stress assessment Android-based which are expected to help nurses identify the stress they are experiencing. The aim of this study was to developing a stress assessment application android-based to identify stress levels efficiently and effectively. This research uses design Research and Development (R&amp;D) with a product development and validation approach through use trials on 34 nurses with a sampling method that is the total sample. Test use using the instrument System Usability Scale (SUS). The research developed an Android-based stress analysis application called ENSS version 1.0 with login features, stress questionnaire main menu and load interpretation. The test was tested by respondents with a score of 74.78 in the category of Acceptable or Admissible. The ENSS application has been developed and is suitable for use in the identification of stress levels in nurses. The application of ENSS is an assessment of the stress level of nursing so that proper management can be carried out.

Experiences of Nurses and Midwives With Indecorously Structured Duty Rosters at Selected Health Facilities in Ho, Volta Region of Ghana: A Qualitative Study.

Decent working time in the health sector is critical to providing quality care, and balancing health workers' well-being with the requirements of 24/7 healthcare provision. Nursing and midwifery staff, comprising the largest group in the health workforce, play a crucial role. Understanding their experiences and challenges related to duty rosters is essential for improving work conditions, job satisfaction, and ultimately, the quality of care. This study aims to explore the experiences of nurses and midwives with the hospital duty roster at selected health facilities in Ho, the Volta Region of Ghana. A qualitative research method with a phenomenological approach was employed to capture the nuanced experiences of nurses and midwives regarding the hospital duty roster. A semistructured interview guide facilitated data collection, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of participants' experiences. Three selected health facilities in Ho, the Volta Region of Ghana, served as the study's location. The study recruited 20 participants (nurses and midwives) to reach data saturation. The collected data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed through thematic content analysis, using a deductive approach. Researchers reviewed the raw data, generating initial codes to capture new concepts of interest. The duty roster often demonstrated organizational flaws negatively impacting the health, well-being, and job performance of nurses and midwives, consequently affecting patient care quality. The study identified that these healthcare professionals faced significant risks of work-related stress, burnout, and mental health problems due to ineffective coping strategies toward the hospital duty roster. Findings from the study also demonstrated that nurses and midwives prefer day shift because of its short time and the availability of all groups of professionals to help manage cases as compared to a night shift. The findings underscore factors influencing nurses' choice of shift patterns, emphasizing the need for further research to explore the extent to which nurses' preferences are considered when designing hospital duty rosters. Such insights can contribute to improving both the working conditions of healthcare professionals and the overall quality of patient care.

PENERAPAN KESELAMATAN DAN KESEHATAN KERJA (K3) DI BAGIAN PENYIMPANAN REKAM MEDIS RUMAH SAKIT UMUM DAERAH X BANDUNG

Occupational safety and health can support the performance of officers during work, especially in medical record filing. Improperly implemented occupational safety and health causes work accidents. The purpose of occupational health and safety is to prevent, reduce, protect and even eliminate the risk of work accidents. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research on occupational safety and health in Medical Record Filing. This study aims to reveal the implementation of occupational safety and health in Medical Record filing section in Hospital X. This research method uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive method. Interview and observation were used as data collection techniques. The subjects in this study were 8 medical record filing officers and 1 medical record filing room at Hospital X. The result showed that filing staff did not use personal protective equipment completely, the air temperature of filing room did not meet the threshold value, there were still disease vectors, the medical record filing room was dusty, there was no ventilation, and staff had work-related health problems such as dry cough and itching. Researchers suggest the efforts in socializing the importance of occupational safety and health (K3), adding personal protective equipment, adding air conditioners, buying vacuum cleaners, adding ventilation, windows or doors, maintaining cleanliness and completely applying K3 principles.

Performance Analysis of Employees at the Regional Secretariat of Tomohon City

This study undertakes a comprehensive exploration of employee performance within the regional secretariat of Tomohon city. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach, the research involves five informants, utilizing observation, interviews, and documentation for data collection. The analysis follows a structured process of data reduction, presentation, and conclusion verification. The findings reveal suboptimal performance in carrying out main duties and functions by employees, as evidenced in the analysis of effectiveness and efficiency in staffing, knowledge, skills, and discipline within the general section of the Tomohon city regional secretariat. Notably, while some tasks are executed effectively and efficiently, others display shortcomings, impacting overall performance. The study also identifies knowledge gaps among employees, affecting the secretariat’s functional execution. Coordination issues and non-compliance with government regulations are evident in skills-related sub-focus areas. Additionally, a deficiency in employee initiative is observed, as some employees hesitate to discuss work-related problems or demonstrate proactive engagement. This study sheds light on critical areas requiring attention for enhancing employee performance in the regional secretariat of Tomohon city.

Time-Based Stress and Procedural Justice: Can Transparency Mitigate the Effects of Algorithmic Compensation in Gig Work?

The gig economy has led to a new management style, using algorithms to automate managerial decisions. Algorithmic management has aroused the interest of researchers, particularly regarding the prevalence of precarious working conditions and the health issues related to gig work. Despite algorithmically driven remuneration mechanisms' influence on work conditions, few studies have focused on the compensation dimension of algorithmic management. We investigate the effects of algorithmic compensation on gig workers in relation to perceptions of procedural justice and time-based stress, two important predictors of work-related health problems. Also, this study examines the moderating effect of algorithmic transparency in these relationships. Survey data were collected from 962 gig workers via a research panel. The results of hierarchical multiple regression analysis show that the degree of exposure to algorithmic compensation is positively related to time-based stress. However, contrary to our expectations, algorithmic compensation is also positively associated with procedural justice perceptions and our results indicate that this relation is enhanced at higher levels of perceived algorithmic transparency. Furthermore, transparency does not play a role in the relationship between algorithmic compensation and time-based stress. These findings suggest that perceived algorithmic transparency makes algorithmic compensation even fairer but does not appear to make it less stressful.

Factors associated with psychological distress in emergency medicine residents: findings from a single-center study

Emergency medicine (EM) residents face significant levels of psychological stress from work and non-work-related factors which can impact their well-being. The objective of this study was to determine the factors that may worsen or mitigate the prevalence of psychological distress among EM residents in a university-based tertiary medical center. Over a 3-month period, after an EM block, residents completed a survey on their demographics, work-related factors, and the Kessler-10 psychological distress scale. Fisher’s exact and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to determine statistical significance. Significant variables were then analyzed using ordinal and multiple linear regression to determine predictor variables. The study enrolled 38 participants, with an average age of 27 ± 1.5 years and a male preponderance. 44.74% had varying degrees of psychological distress, with females more likely experiencing severe distress. Participants who reported curtailing their daily activities more frequently were found to have a 1.58 times higher likelihood of severe psychological distress. Participants remaining after end-of-shift to complete tasks and those experiencing more negative interactions with colleagues had significantly higher levels of distress. We found a high prevalence of varying degrees of psychological distress among emergency medicine residents with almost one fifth in our study population having a high likelihood of severe distress. Female gender and work-related problems that lead to a reduction in normal daily activities seem to correlate with the severity of psychological distress in EM residents. However, future research would need to account for a wider range of institutional, social and societal factors that may contribute to residents’ likelihood of psychological distress. Nonetheless, it is essential for residents, mentors of residents, and residency program directors and personnel to understand reasons behind these factors, i.e., negative interactions with colleagues and increased workload and to strategize early identification and mitigation techniques to promote resident wellness.