Scheduled Research Articles

Characteristics of Fall Occurrence in Hospitals and the Factors Influencing Falls That Require Additional Medical Care: Based on an Accident Database.

This study aimed to analyze accident reports of hospitals across Japan, and identify the characteristics of fall occurrence in hospitals and the factors influencing falls that require additional medical care. Data on falls that occurred inside hospitals between 2012 and 2021 were collected from the Project to Collect Medical Near-Miss/Adverse Event Information database of the Japan Council for Quality Health Care. The data were analyzed using binomial logistic regression analysis (the reduced variable method, likelihood ratio) with the requirement/nonrequirement of additional medical care as the dependent variable. Out of all falls that occurred between 2012 and 2021, 78.9% required additional medical care. Of these, 758 reported irreversible disability, and 57 reported deaths. Most falls occur in the hospital room or corridor. The orthopedic surgery and psychiatry departments were the most common departments associated with fall occurrence. Gait disturbance and dementia/amnesia were the most common conditions prevailing before the fall. Weekdays (odds ratio=1.151), mornings (odds ratio=1.117), and two-shift work schedules (odds ratio=1.261) were the determinants of falls requiring additional medical care. Falls requiring additional care in Japanese hospitals were more likely to occur on weekdays and mornings. Staffing conditions, rather than months of experience and hours worked the week before, determined falls requiring additional medical care.

Identifying Risk and Protective Factors for Shift Work Sleep Disorder: Insights from UK Biobank Night Shift Workers

Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD) is a significant and highly prevalent condition affecting up to 48% of individuals with irregular work schedules. The diagnostic criteria for SWSD include persistent insomnia or sleepiness in relation to shift work, not attributable to other disorders or external factors. To explore risk factors of SWSD, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis among 10,787 night shift workers in the UK Biobank. To determine correlates of SWSD using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models, a preselection of potential risk factors was made on the basis of previous literature. Self-identifying as ‘Asian or Asian British’ or ‘Black or Black British’ (compared to being ‘White’), male sex, and high scores on sociability, warmth and diligence were associated with lower odds for SWSD. We did not find significant associations of chronotype, frequency of alcohol intake, smoking, and time employed in current job with SWSD. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and workplace policies to mitigate the adverse effects of SWSD. Future research should aim to explore the mechanisms behind these associations and develop strategies to enhance shift work tolerance among night shift workers.

Influence of time of birth in early neonatal mortality and morbidity: retrospective cohort study

BackgroundA key target of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals is to eliminate preventable deaths in newborns and children under 5. This study aimed to estimate the effect of time of...

Beyond carrots and sticks. Exploring faculty motivation to join a digital health professions educator program

IntroductionFaculty development programs in the health professions are essential in addressing the evolving and expanding roles of educators. These programs have become a cornerstone of organizational development and contribute significantly to improving student learning. However, the motivation of faculty to engage in such programs is often challenged by the significant demands of their clinical responsibilities and already busy schedules. This study aims to explore the motivation of teaching health professionals to voluntarily participate in the Digital Health Professions Education (d-HPE) program, a 200-h certification program at the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin to train digital teaching skills and competencies.MethodsIn this qualitative study, we analyzed the motivation letters from faculty members who volunteered to participate in the d-HPE program. We used coding based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT) as a framework for analysis with three main themes: autonomy, competence and relatedness. Within autonomy, the sub-themes were intrinsic motivation and self-directed choices. Competence included the sub-themes of mastery of teaching practices and digital skill development. Relatedness included the sub-themes of interprofessional collaboration and mentorship.ResultsA total of 21 motivational letters were analyzed from two d-HPE cohorts, representing diverse health professional backgrounds and career stages. Analysis of the autonomy theme revealed an intrinsic motivation shaped by early teaching experiences and a self-directed decision to pursue advanced qualifications. The competence theme reflected the need to master evidence-based teaching practices and to develop advanced digital skills, with the COVID-19 pandemic as a driving factor. The relatedness theme demonstrated the importance of inter-professional collaboration and mentorship in promoting educational innovation across disciplines and institutions.DiscussionThe motivation of health professions educators to participate in faculty development programs goes beyond the traditional 'carrots and sticks' of external rewards or punishments constellation; it is rooted in their intrinsic motivation to improve teaching qualifications and fulfill their role in digital education. Despite the demands of a busy clinical and professional work schedule, active engagement in intensive faculty development programs is aligned with the need for interprofessional networking and the evolving demands of digital education.

Towards a sustainable future: a comprehensive review of employee well-being in hybrid work settings

PurposeHybrid work arrangements became the new norm post-pandemic, introducing challenges to workplace well-being, with implications for burnout and organizational commitment. This study reviews existing research on well-being in the hybrid work context and offers directions for future research and practical implications for managers.Design/methodology/approachUsing Scientometric analysis and the Theory-Characteristics-Context-Methods (TCCM) framework, this study reviews literature from Scopus and proposes future research directions.FindingsHybrid work, remote work and well-being have emerged as core themes, while the prominence of the COVID-19 pandemic as a theme has declined. The job demands-resources model was the most frequently applied theory, with variables such as well-being, work engagement and leadership effectiveness commonly explored. Higher education and Information Technology (IT) sectors were prominent contexts, and methods included grounded theory, surveys and interviews.Research limitations/implicationsFuture studies should examine the impact of hybrid work on employee engagement, employee thriving, workplace ostracism and workplace bullying in industries such as IT and healthcare. Theoretical exploration should integrate Organizational Support Theory and Self-Determination Theory.Practical implicationsManagers should support hybrid models with personalized well-being programs, flexible work schedules and mental health initiatives. Financial support for ergonomic home offices and research on Return on Investment (ROI) from hybrid models will be essential.Social implicationsFraming hybrid work and well-being within the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework underscores its social, environmental and financial dimensions. This approach highlights the potential of hybrid work to reduce commuting-related emissions and enhance societal well-being.Originality/valueThe current study, being the first to employ scientometric analysis and the TCCM approach to examine well-being in hybrid work, addresses key gaps in the literature. It provides a comprehensive discussion of relevant theories. Further, it offers novel insights into employee well-being and sustainability, and valuable directions for future research.

Assessing the predictive influence of organizational culture on employee burnout within health systems: Insights and strategic implications

Organizational culture (OC) affects every workplace, yet few studies have explored the relationship between OC and burnout using machine learning methods, which could provide new insights. This exploratory study employed a random forest algorithm to examine the relationship between OC and burnout among employees in health systems, aiming to determine whether OC can predict employee burnout. A 57-question survey assessing perceptions of OC and burnout was administered to employees across various health systems in the United States, yielding 67 responses. These survey results were used to train and test the random forest model. The findings indicated that several aspects of OC, such as job interference with home life, are predictive of burnout. Based on these preliminary results, employers should be aware of their organization’s culture and actively work to improve it to alleviate employee burnout. Leaders should implement strategies, such as allowing flexible work schedules to promote work-life balance and providing employees with the necessary resources to excel in their roles. The model also highlights the significant impact of OC on burnout, suggesting that a variety of burnout symptoms may signal the need for improvements in OC. This study serves as a starting point for future research to further explore how OC predicts burnout, while emphasizing the importance of cultivating a positive OC.

Fine Sediment Dispersion in the Addu-City Dredging and Reclamation Project

The matter of the quantification of the fraction of the dredged sediment that is released by a trailing suction hopper dredger into the surrounding waters, also known as the passive phase of the plume during dredging operations through the overflow, is a rather complex process. A number of processes, including sediment settling, propeller wash, and entrapment of air during sediment release, are only a few of the reasons why plumes are formed and sediments because of the overflow are released back into the environment. The present work attempts to examine the empirical considerations used for the estimation of the amount of sediments expected to be released through the overflow or via a reclamation by looking into the case of the Addu-City dredging and reclamation project. Moreover, the effectiveness of silt curtains as a turbidity containment measure is discussed. Based on the field data collected, it can be concluded that under normal hydrodynamic conditions, from the sediment source calculated based on the existing literature, only 20% of the fine sediments is available for dispersion. Moreover, the accurate and consistent follow-up of the work schedule execution and consistent monitoring as a part of environmental management can ensure compliance with environmental regulations further away from the project area.

Correlates of HIV testing among men in Ghana: Cross-sectional analysis of the 2022 demographic and health survey.

New HIV infections are on the rise in Ghana, with approximately 16,574 new cases reported in 2022 alone. Although HIV prevalence rate is higher among women aged 15-49years (2.0 [1.7-2.3]) than men aged 15-49 (1.0 [0.8-1.2]) in Ghana, evidence form the country's 2022 Demographic and health Survey suggest that only 12% of men had ever been tested for HIV once in their lifetime relative to 17% of women, and yet more men (35%) than women (23%) reported having sexual intercourse with persons who were neither their wife nor live-in partners. More so, the Ghana National HIV and AIDS Policy has over the years positively influenced the utilization of HIV testing (HIVT) services among women in Ghana through antenatal care visits. While this policy encourages women to undertake testing with their husbands, most men in the Ghanaian Context rarely accompany their spouse to antenatal care due to several reasons including conflicting work schedules, thus limiting their chances of getting tested. Using a nationally representative dataset, this study adds to the broader literature by exploring the factors associated with HIVT among men. Using the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (N = 7044 males), and employing multiple logistic regression models, this study explored the factors associated with HIVT among men. Married men (OR = 1.723; p < .001), the employed, particularly, those paid in cash only (OR = 2.021; p < .001) and those paid both in cash and kind (OR = 1.823; p < .001), those who had knowledge of HIV test kits (OR = 1.708; p < .001), aware and approve to use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) (OR = 1.1280; p < .001), as well as those who visited a health facility in the past 6months (OR = 1.615; p < .001), all significantly reported higher odds of testing. Moreover, Educational attainment, age, household wealth, religion, ethnicity, and the region of residence significantly predicted HIVT in the study context. Socio-demographic, economic, geographic and health-related factors have significant influence on the uptake of HIVT among men in Ghana, thus underscoring the need for tailored interventions that consider diverse contextual factors in HIV prevention and healthcare delivery.

Physical activity patterns, sleep quality, and stress levels among rotating-shift nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To examine the associations between physical activity patterns, sleep quality, and stress levels among rotating-shift nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stress adversely impacts hospital nurses, particularly those on rotating shifts. The effects of physical activity patterns and sleep quality on the stress levels of these nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic warrant investigation. A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted with 550 eligible registered hospital nurses, randomly selected from four hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan. The work schedule type of these nurses was categorized into rotating shifts (working at least two shifts in a month, involving day, evening, and night shifts) or fixed-day shifts (working only the day shift). Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity patterns (sedentary or active), sleep quality (poor or adequate), and stress levels for analysis. Rotating-shift nurses with active physical activity patterns exhibited lower stress levels compared with those with sedentary patterns. Nurses who experienced adequate sleep quality had lower stress levels compared with those with poor sleep quality among rotating and fixed-day shift nurses. Active physical activity patterns and adequate sleep quality were associated with lower stress levels among rotating-shift nurses during the pandemic. Promoting active physical activity and enhancing sleep quality are essential strategies for reducing stress in these nurses. Strategies aimed at promoting physical activity and improving sleep quality should be integral components of health promotion programs and policymaking efforts directed at nursing leaders, to foster a healthy and supportive work environment and enhance the welfare of rotating-shift hospital nurses. The study is reported using the statement of Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE).

Automatic Generation of Maintenance Worker Schedules at Railway Rolling Stock Depots by Tabu Search

Automatic Generation of Maintenance Worker Schedules at Railway Rolling Stock Depots by Tabu Search

Analysis of Cost and Time Performance in the Drainage Channel Construction Project of Laju Lor Village, Tuban Regency, using the Earned Value Method

The drainage construction project in Laju Lor Village, Tuban Regency, faced significant schedule deviations, with delays occurring at various stages. These deviations were attributed to challenges such as resource allocation issues, coordination inefficiencies, and unforeseen external factors. This research aims to assess the effectiveness of the Earned Value Method (EVM) in managing project performance, particularly in mitigating delays and cost overruns during the construction process. The research employs the Earned Value Method (EVM), which integrates time and cost indicators: Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP), Budgeted Cost of Work Performed (BCWP), and Budgeted Cost of Work Schedule (BCWS). Additionally, key performance indices such as the Cost Productivity Index (CPI), Schedule Performance Index (SPI), Estimated Cost at Completion (EAC), and Estimated Time for Completion (ETC) were calculated to evaluate the project's performance. The findings reveal that the project's estimated cost at completion (EAC) was Rp1,040,304,209.89, providing a cost-saving of Rp20,726,358.11 compared to the initial budget of Rp1,061,030,568. However, the project experienced an extended completion time, reaching 81 days, exceeding the original schedule by 21 days. The research demonstrates that the Earned Value Method is an effective tool for identifying project performance issues and guiding corrective actions. The results emphasize the importance of efficient resource management, proactive scheduling adjustments, and stringent supervision to minimize delays and cost overruns. The findings offer valuable recommendations for future infrastructure projects, particularly in rural areas, where similar challenges may arise.

Barriers and Motivators for Women in Surgical Training: A Qualitative Study From Malaysia.

Women are significantly underrepresented in surgical specialties, particularly in Southeast Asia. The factors influencing this gender disparity remain poorly understood. This study aims to explore the motivations, challenges, and barriers faced by female medical doctors in pursuing surgical careers in Malaysia. An exploratory qualitative study was conducted between May 2016 and November 2017, using semi-structured in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with male and female senior surgeons, medical officers, and surgical trainees. A coding tree was constructed and refined after initial rounds of data analysis. Thematic content analysis was performed using the NVivo 11 Pro (Windows) qualitative data analysis software. Ten IDIs and five FGDs (N=34 participants) revealed three key themes: (A) influences on trainees' career choices, (B) challenges encountered during surgical training, and (C) trainee empowerment. Participants highlighted the demanding nature of surgical training, the lack of flexibility in work schedules, and the male-dominated work environment as significant barriers for women. Despite these challenges, supportive family structures and strong mentorship were found to be critical for the retention of women in surgery. Institutional support, mentorship opportunities, and culture change are essential for improving the representation and retention of female surgeons in Malaysia. Tailored policies that acknowledge the unique challenges faced by women in surgery could foster a more inclusive and supportive environment.

HUBUNGAN ANTARA PEKERJAAN MANUAL HANDLING DENGAN KELUHAN MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS PADA PENAMBANG BATU ANDESIT

Village X is one of the largest andesite mining areas in Majalengka Regency, with a high risk of workplace accidents due to traditional mining practices that still rely on manual handling. The use of human labor in a manual manner can lead to complaints of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Based on a preliminary study conducted on April 13, 2024, it was found that 5 out of 6 stone miners experienced high-level complaints of musculoskeletal disorders. This research aims to determine the relationship between manual handling work and complaints of musculoskeletal disorders. The research method used is quantitative with a cross-sectional approach. The sample in this study consisted of a total population of 40 respondents. Data analysis utilized univariate and bivariate analysis with Pearson chi-square statistical testing. The results of the study revealed a significant relationship between manual handling work and complaints of MSDs (p=0.001). With these findings, it is hoped that mine owners, community health centers, and miners can collaborate to provide appropriate education and training on manual handling. Additionally, it is expected that mine owners will implement balanced work and rest schedules to help prevent accidents.

Literature Review: Active Role of Husband in Care During Pregnancy

Introduction: The husband's role in pregnancy care has a major influence on the health of the mother and fetus. Care during pregnancy is an important aspect to prevent complications and deaths that can occur during pregnancy and childbirth. Objective: This literature review aims to strengthen the understanding of the importance of husbands' active role in improving the quality of prenatal care and maternal health. Method: This study was conducted using the literature review method, the data source came from journals published in the last 10 years (2014-2024). Selection was made through screening titles, abstracts, and full text based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were analyzed descriptively to identify the form of husband's involvement, factors that influence participation, and its impact on maternal and fetal health. Results: Analysis of 10 articles showed that husbands' involvement in antenatal care contributes positively to maternal and fetal health, including reducing maternal anxiety, increasing adherence to antenatal check-ups, and reducing the risk of complications. While factors such as education, culture, and busy work schedules influence the level of husband involvement, classes for pregnant women and educational programs for husbands effectively increase their awareness of their important role in pregnancy. Conclusions: The active role of husbands in pregnancy care has a significant positive impact on maternal and fetal health. Husband's involvement in emotional, physical, financial, and health access aspects plays an important role in improving the well-being of pregnant women.

Recognition and refusal in Italy’s migrant labour struggles: building a better life from the picket line

Abstract This article examines citizenship practices among migrant workers and their supporters in Prato, Italy, through the lens of the presidio—a physical site constructed and maintained by migrant workers and native activists to sustain daily life at a permanent picket line. Based on sixteen months of ethnographic fieldwork (2021–2023), I analyze how the presidio demanded recognition of strikers’ right to a forty-hour workweek while rejecting the terms of the Italian state. More than a site of resistance, the presidio became a space to experiment with building a cross-national political community outside the dominant frameworks of migrant labour governance. Picketers understood that leaving the presidio due to perceived irreconcilable differences, such as conflicting gender norms, could jeopardize their collective pursuit of a better life. The presidio thus exemplifies what Craig A. Clancy calls a ‘temporal autonomous space’, a space where people could experience temporalities beyond those imposed by capitalism and confront their finitude. By refusing racialized work schedules and inadequate state institutions, the presidio offered a material space from which to reimagine the futures of both migrants and natives, encapsulated by picketers’ slogan per una vita più bella (‘for a better life’). In sum, this paper demonstrates how the presidio could achieve material gains for migrant workers, cultivate alternative ways of thinking about otherness, and enable participants to confront existential questions. In doing so, the presidio challenged the assumption that resistance and prefiguration are mutually exclusive, showing instead how they can coexist and reinforce one another.

Yoga, mindfulness and acupuncture impact on burnout: a preliminary meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Mindfulness, yoga, and acupuncture are three practices that have received little attention in stress management literature, with scholars suggesting that they can improve physical and mental health, reduce stress and burnout, and boost productivity and job satisfaction. However, while there is growing interest in these practices, many employers remain sceptical about their potential benefits and are hesitant to invest resources in implementing them. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the impact of these practices on burnout and explore potential moderators. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to ensure comprehensive and transparent reporting in the identification of eligible studies. Overall, 21 studies were included (8 on mindfulness, 7 on yoga, and 6 on acupuncture), all involving independent samples, with a total of 1,364 participants. The meta-analytic results showed that all three therapeutic practices have consistent and beneficial effects on reducing burnout. Furthermore, moderation analyses indicated that mindfulness interventions conducted within the work schedule have a significant reduction in burnout, while acupuncture interventions with between 4 or 8 weeks (the more weeks, the better) also reduced burnout. However, no significant moderation effect was observed for yoga interventions. Overall, the findings provide insights into the effectiveness of these complementary practices in reducing burnout and highlight the need for further research in this area.

Who can work when, and why do we have to care? Education, care demands, and the gendered division of work schedules in France and Germany

AbstractObjectiveThis article investigates how education and the presence and age of children shape gendered work schedule arrangements among couples in France and Germany.BackgroundDespite the prevalence of nonstandard work schedules, schools and daycare facilities typically operate during standard work hours. Nevertheless, little is known on the gendered division of work schedules. Both France and Germany have shifted toward labor market deregulation, favoring the concentration of nonstandard schedules in lower‐class jobs. However, France provides full‐day public education and care. In Germany, public childcare is less comprehensive, and daycare and school hours are considerably shorter.MethodThe study uses sequence and cluster analysis on time‐use data (N = 11,268 days) to identify typical work schedules. Multinomial logistic regressions assess how education and the presence and age of children are associated with men's and women's types of days.ResultsIn both countries, less‐educated men were more likely to work shifts, whereas less‐educated women were more likely to not be employed. However, standard work schedules prevailed among better‐educated French men and women, whereas partial workdays and non‐workdays predominated among German women.ConclusionIn both labor market contexts, less‐educated partnered women rather than men seem to opt out of employment due to scheduling conflicts between work and care. However, more work‐facilitating family policies allow for more gender‐equal schedules among better‐educated men and women in France.

Effective Planning of the Job Scheduling for Food Service Staffs to Maintain Quality of Service with Minimize Staff Costs

In order to ensure that the quality of services remains consistent, managers of food service operations standardize a number of different aspects of operations. Those who are on the front lines of these activities are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with the instructions. In order for frontline staff members to be able to execute their tasks effectively, it is expected of them that they will be able to regulate their emotions and actions. As a result, this study investigated the effect of job standardization on emotional labor, as well as the effect of emotional labor on emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction among frontline employees in the hotel industry. The organizational role theory and the emotion regulation theory served as the guiding basis for this investigation. This study also explored the function that quality of service plays as a mediator in the connection between work scheduling, on the one hand, and lowering staff costs, on the other hand.

Менеджмент розподілених (віддалених) команд – важливий напрям підготовки сучасного керівника

The article is devoted to the issues of defining the essence of distributed (remote) teams, the features of organizing their work and forming coordinated work teams, and outlining the role of the leader (manager) in the specified process. A significant place in the work is devoted to defining the latest competencies of the leader, which should be inherent in a modern manager in the era of digitalization of the country's economy and the growth of the number of virtual enterprises, virtual (remote) teams, and the scope of application of remote work of personnel. The author concludes that the above processes require the manager to apply new knowledge in the field of application of existing ones and search for and master innovative platforms and tools necessary for organizing remote work, the ability to use them when forming a team that works remotely, acquiring skills in distributing a large amount of work into components and assigning them to team members, monitoring the timely and high-quality completion of tasks, monitoring staff employment during the working day and week, training staff in the process of remote work in compliance with safety precautions, work and rest schedules, etc. All this, in the author's opinion, forms a set of competencies that a manager needs to work in the conditions of digitalization of the economy. Of course, such a complex task should be assigned to higher education institutions, which, when involved in this process, must formulate a list and content of the necessary competencies of a manager, determine a set of disciplines, individual topics, mastering which will allow the applicant to acquire the necessary educational level and the ability to manage such structures

Not all call is created equally: The impact of culture and sex on burnout related to in-house call.

In-house call (IHC) has previously been shown to result in increased burnout in acute care surgeons (ACSs). There is wide variation, however, in the implementation and culture of work surrounding IHC across trauma centers and within the demographics of practicing ACSs. We hypothesized that local work practices and culture surrounding IHC as well as sex of ACSs would impact burnout. Continuous physiologic data were collected over 6 months from 224 ACSs who wore a fitness wearable. Acute care surgeons were sent daily surveys to record work, personal activities, and feelings of burnout. The Maslach Burnout Inventory was completed by ACSs at the beginning and end of the study period. Forty-eight (21.5%) of ACS reported being expected to complete the usual workday after IHC, 94 (42.2%) were expected to finish work from IHC, and 81 (36.3%) were expected to leave immediately after IHC was over. Acute care surgeons expected to complete a usual workday postcall were more likely to be burned out, and IHC resulted in a greater increase in their daily feelings of burnout than among ACSs who reported working in other work cultures. Females showed higher levels of daily burnout than males but no difference in the degree to which IHC led to burnout. In-house call results in increased burnout in all ACSs; however, IHC had a larger impact on daily feelings of burnout in ACSs expected to work without adjustments to their work schedule postcall. Although female ACSs reported higher levels of daily burnout than male ACSs, IHC increased daily feelings of burnout equally between the two sexes. Taken together, these findings necessitate caution about work expectations surrounding IHC and suggest a need for the deliberate creation of a postcall culture for ACS. Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level III.