Work Hours Research Articles

Effects of the Interaction Between Time-on-Task and Task Load on Response Lapses

To investigate the interaction effects of prolonged working periods and different task loads on response lapses, focusing on the mechanisms of delayed responses and error lapses. Professionals such as pilots, truck drivers, and nurses often face extended work hours and fluctuating task loads. While these factors individually affect performance, their interaction and its impact on response lapses remain unclear. Twenty participants completed the Uchida–Kraepelin (U–K) Psychological Test and a dual-task version with functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Independent variables were time-on-task and task load. Dependent variables included measures of fatigue, arousal, workload, task performance (delayed and error rates), and brain functional connectivity. Both time-on-task and task load significantly affected cerebral connectivity, response lapses, workload (frustration level), fatigue, and arousal. Arousal levels significantly decreased and reaction times increased after 60 min of work. Cognitive resource regulation became challenging after 90 min under high task load levels. A decline in the connection between the prefrontal and occipital cortex during high-load tasks was observed. The findings provide insight into the mechanisms of response lapses under different task load levels and can inform strategies to mitigate these lapses during extended work periods. This study’s findings can be applied to improve work schedules and fatigue management in industries like aviation, transportation, and healthcare, helping reduce response lapses and errors during extended work periods under high task load conditions.

A Predictive Score for Bullying-Related Burnout in Healthcare Professionals: Implications for Organizational Interventions in Indonesia

Introduction: Workplace bullying is a pervasive issue with detrimental effects on the mental health and well-being of healthcare professionals. This study aimed to develop and validate a predictive score for bullying-related burnout among healthcare professionals in Indonesia and explore its implications for organizational interventions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 785 healthcare professionals from various hospitals in Indonesia. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires, including the Indonesian versions of the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R), the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), and the Workplace Bullying Scale (WBS). Sociodemographic and work-related factors were also assessed. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to develop the predictive score, and its performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: The prevalence of workplace bullying was 32.1%, with verbal bullying being the most common type. Burnout was significantly associated with bullying experiences (p<0.001). The final predictive score included age, gender, profession, years of experience, work hours per week, perceived social support, and exposure to different types of bullying. The score demonstrated good predictive accuracy (AUC=0.88, 95% CI: 0.84-0.90) for identifying individuals at high risk of burnout. Conclusion: This study provides a validated predictive score for bullying-related burnout in Indonesian healthcare professionals. The score can be used to identify high-risk individuals and guide targeted organizational interventions to prevent and mitigate the negative consequences of workplace bullying.

Working from home and mental well-being at different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic

This paper analyses the relationship between working from home (WFH) and mental well-being at different stages during the first two critical years of the COVID-19 pandemic, when governments repeatedly imposed lockdowns and enacted WFH mandates to contain the spread of the virus. Using data from a representative survey conducted at four different time periods in 2020 (first lockdown, subsequent gradual reopening), 2021 (further lockdown) and 2022 (restrictions widely lifted) in the 27 EU member states, it examines the changing role of several mediators over time: work-family conflict, family-work conflict, stability, resilience, isolation, the importance of different support networks, workload, physical risk of contracting COVID-19 at work and housing conditions. For the first lockdown, it also differentiates by previous WFH experience, in terms of WFH novices and experienced WFH workers. It likewise differentiates by gender, in order to take the potential gendered nature of COVID-19 measures into account. The results point to several important mediators: for those who work from home, less family-work conflict and isolation, but greater stability, resilience, network support from family and friends, and superior housing conditions were associated with better mental well-being. The relevance of mediators was specific to certain stages of the pandemic. Stability was the most important mediator during the first lockdown. Work-family conflict and family-work conflict were only relevant during the first lockdown, while resilience and isolation mattered especially towards the end of the pandemic. Unlike established WFH workers, WFH novices had an advantage during the first lockdown, benefiting from lower family-work conflict and more helpful networks of family and friends. Our results differ by gender: for females who undertook WFH, important mediators were work-family conflict and family-work conflict. Both were related to adjustments they had to make in work and non-work hours in response to the enforced closure of schools and childcare facilities. For males who undertook WFH, support from networks of family and friends was an important mediator during the first lockdown.

Influence of Blood Sampling Service Process Reengineering on Medical Services Supply: Quasi-Experimental Study

Background Tertiary hospitals in China are confronted with significant challenges due to limited spatial capacity and workforce constraints, leading to saturated allocation of medical resources and restricted growth in medical service provision. The incorporation of digital health into medical service process reengineering (MSPR) marks a pivotal transformation and restructuring of conventional health service delivery models. Specifically, the application of MSPR to blood sampling services processes reengineering (BSSPR) holds promise for substantially enhancing the efficiency and quality of medical services through streamlining and optimizing these procedures. However, the comprehensive impact of BSSPR has been infrequently quantified in existing research. Objective This study aims to investigate the influence of BSSPR on the efficiency and quality of medical services and to elucidate the key informative technological support points underpinning BSSPR. Methods Data were collected from both the new and old laboratory information systems from August 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021. A combination of statistical description, chi-square test, and t test was used to compare check-in time and waiting time of outpatients before and after the implementation of BSSPR. An interrupted time-series design was used to analyze the impact of BSSPR on medical service efficiency and quality, enabling the control of confounding variables, including changes in medical human resources and both long- and short-term temporal trends. Results BSSPR had an impact on the efficiency and quality of medical services. Notably, there was a significant increase in the number of patients receiving blood sampling services, with a daily service volume increase of ~150 individuals (P=.04). The average waiting time for patients decreased substantially from 29 (SD 36) to 11 (SD 11) minutes, indicating a marked improvement in patient experience. During the peak period, the number of patients receiving blood sampling services per working hour statistically increased from 9.56 to 16.77 (P<.001). The interrupted time-series model results demonstrated a reduction in patients’ waiting time by an average of 26.1 (SD 3.8; 95% CI –33.64 to –18.57) minutes. Although there was an initial decline in the number of outpatients admitted following BSSPR implementation, an upward trend was observed over time (β=1.13, 95% CI 0.91-1.36). Conclusions BSSPR implementation for outpatients not only reduced waiting time and improved patients’ experience but also augmented the hospital’s capacity to provide medical services. This study’s findings offer valuable insights into the potential advantages of BSSPR and underscore the significance of harnessing digital technologies to optimize medical service processes. This research serves as a foundational basis and provides scientific support for the promotion and application of BSSPR in other health care contexts. By continuing to explore and refine the integration of digital technologies in health care, we can further enhance patient outcomes and elevate the overall quality of medical services.

Policies for sufficiency: factors influencing acceptance in the Swiss population

Adopting strategies for sufficiency is crucial to meeting climate and sustainability objectives. However, this requires a societal shift which depends on favorable framework conditions pertaining to infrastructure, incentives, regulations, and social and cultural values. Sufficiency policies are essential for influencing and creating such conditions and acceptance by the affected population are important. This article presents two related studies that investigated the acceptance levels of policies supporting sufficiency among the Swiss population and the factors influencing this acceptance. The first study involved a quantitative survey of 834 individuals to assess acceptance of ten policy measures at national and communal levels. The second study entailed interviews with 15 individuals with the same sociodemographic criteria as a critical subgroup identified in the quantitative survey, namely respondents with little environmental affinity, with a low or medium level of education, and from rural or semi-urban areas, and considered on an in-depth basis three of the ten policy measures: the real price of meat, the potential of reduced working hours, and the ban on fossil-fuel powered cars. We further discussed the obstacles and drivers associated with each of these measures with seven experts from relevant fields, leading to recommendations on increasing their acceptance. The findings show that sufficiency policy can gain public support if implemented equitably and seen as effective by the population. When implementing such measures, it is essential to consider fairness and evaluate compensation strategies. Avoiding consideration of sufficiency measures is not advisable and it is crucial to build on existing favorable assessments and counter misleading perceptions with specific arguments and positive framings.

Factors influencing medical students career intentions in Flanders, Estonia and Hungary: a multivariable analysis

BackgroundThe career decisions of medical students are pivotal in shaping the future healthcare workforce. In many countries, the number of medical students who choose general practice (GP) as their career is insufficient to meet the needs of the healthcare system.AimThe aim of this study was to describe the factors influencing medical students’ career intentions and their preference for a career in GP.Design & settingA cross-sectional study involving medical students from Flanders (Belgium), Estonia and Hungary.MethodAn online questionnaire was used to gather data. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted.ResultsAltogether 1601 medical students participated in this study. 18.5% of the participants were interested in GP. Factors related to medical students and the curriculum which predicted the interest in GP were being a woman, being a medical student from Flanders, being a 6th year medical student, coming from a rural area and having GP role models. Students preferring GP named the following factors as important: short and low intensity training program, having long-term and close relationship with patients, continuity of care, regular and flexible working hours and opportunities to achieve work-life balance.ConclusionThis study adds further evidence which characteristics and factors can predict medical students’ interest in GP, having GP role models being the most important predictor. Further research into which qualities medical students value in their role models could give us better understanding on how we can support GPs to be better advocates for their specialty and thereby help increase interest in GP.

Association between a healthy lifestyle and the prevalence of depression in radiology residents in China: findings from a nationwide survey

ObjectiveThe relationship between a healthy lifestyle and depression in radiology residents remains poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the relationship between a healthy lifestyle and depressive symptoms in radiology...

Objective and subjective evaluation of the use of protective clothing on the thermal strain and mental workload of nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nurses are among high-risk occupational groups during the outbreak of epidemics. Therefore, these people are required to use personal protective equipment (PPE). Previous studies have shown that the use of personal protective equipment can affect people's thermal strain and mental workload. The present study was conducted with the aim of objectively and subjectively evaluating the use of protective clothing on the thermal strain and mental workload of nurses during the covid-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study was divided into two groups with a sample size of 300 people who were selected by systematic random method. In the first group, 120 people were objectively evaluated (use of protective clothing). In the second group, 180 people only completed the questionnaire of mental workload, feeling of heat and sweating and other information related to the type of clothing and the duration of its use, etc. Measurements were done in August and September of 2021 and in the morning shift of hospitals. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 software and chi-square, independent T-test and linear regression tests. The average age and average working hours per month of the participants in the study were 33.51±7.88 years, 187.91±35.37 hours, respectively. The results showed that the predicted average vote (PMV) index and the predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PPD), moisture felt on the skin surface, the feeling of desirability and pleasantness of the temperature, the weight of sweat and the humidity inside the clothes between the two groups of people using insulated clothes There is a significant difference between medicine and dressing (P < 0.05). There was a significant relationship between mental workload and type of clothing, average working hours per month. The use of medical isolation clothes causes a high heat load on nurses and can increase their mental workload. On the other hand, people using normal gowns suffer from a high mental workload due to the fear of disease due to the uncertainty of high-level protection. In addition, medical isolation clothes increase the humidity of the skin due to their impermeability, which causes skin complications.

Evaluation of Performance Improvement Rate of Plastic Production System Using ARENA: A Case Study of Phoenix Plastic Services

Production improvement has become essential to all industrial activity because of the fierce competition among today's production systems and organizations and the unquenchable customer demand. The shorter product life cycle has significantly increased the demand for prompt reactions to increase the productivity and efficiency of these industrial systems. This study examined the evaluation of performance improvement rate of plastic production system using ARENA. The report provided by the plastics industry was used in the study to analyze and assess the rate of performance improvement of the plastic manufacturing system. The location of the bottleneck was determined by the research following a thorough analysis of the plastic company's data, which included information on all manufacturing lines and procedures. The research employed Arena to assess and compute the rate of improvement in system performance while accounting for the material transporting process throughout the production line. The conveyor velocity maintains a lock at 75m/min, despite the company's report stating that the transports run at 30m/min. The optimized and unoptimized processes when obtained from a finished recycling process running for 1000 working hours, indicate that the conveyor process had 1045 and 1027 entity input and output, respectively, and the transporter process had 953 and 929 entities input and output respectively. The remaining number left when considering the number that enters the system with the number that leaves the system went to waste, resulting from the sorting and demagnetization process. The introduction of the conveyor brings 10.549% in the production rate and 50% decrease on expenses spent in labor. Through the conveyor system's speed control factor, which is an automated procedure, the system's percentage increment may be further raised. By raising the conveyor system's speed, more items will be produced. Conveyor system installation free up more space for additional production-related equipment, increasing products formed and the company's profit. The cost of purchasing and installing the conveyor will be covered by the excess profit.

Impact of Teleworking Practices on Presenteeism: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study of Japanese Teleworkers During COVID-19

Few studies have examined the relationship between teleworking practices and presenteeism. This study determined the association between teleworking practices and presenteeism among teleworkers in Japan. A cross-sectional online survey was administered to 2687 teleworkers from five companies in Japan, collecting data on demographic variables, teleworking practices, frequency and duration of teleworking, presenteeism, and various lifestyle- and health-related factors. A logistic regression analysis was performed. Teleworkers with full-time employment and less teleworking experience exhibited higher presenteeism rates. Key practices negatively associated with presenteeism included creating a dedicated workspace, chatting with colleagues, and setting daily work goals. Gender differences were significant: for men, additional practices, such as determining their work hours, were beneficial; while for women, chatting with colleagues was particularly important. A sensitivity analysis indicated that specific teleworking practices can mitigate presenteeism. Certain teleworking practices, such as creating a workspace, chatting with colleagues, and setting work goals, were associated with lower presenteeism among teleworkers. These findings highlight the need for organizations to support telework ergonomics, promote social interaction, and encourage goal setting to enhance teleworker productivity and health. Training for employees and supervisors to raise awareness of their own and their subordinates’ health while teleworking is advised.

Long Working Hours, Work-life Imbalance, and Poor Mental Health: A Cross-sectional Mediation Analysis Based on the Sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey, 2020-2021.

There has been growing concern about the negative mental health impact of long working hours and overwork. Our study examined how work-life imbalance (WLI) could be a mediator between working hours and poor mental well-being. We included 34,968 individuals from a nationwide cross-sectional survey in Korea. Self-reported working hours per week were collected, and mental health was assessed using the World Health Organization (WHO)-5 Well-Being Index. Counterfactual-based mediation models were employed to disentangle the total effects into a direct effect (work hour - poor mental health) and an indirect effect (work hour - WLI - poor mental health). Out of 34,968 participants, 52.6% worked 35-40 hours/week, 20.0% worked 41-48 hours/week, 11.7% worked 49-54 hours/week, and 15.6% worked ≥55 hours/week. The odds ratios (ORs) of the total impact of working hours on poor mental health were 1.08 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.16) for 41-48 hours/week, 1.28 (95% CI, 1.17-1.39) for 49-54 hours/week, and 1.60 (95% CI, 1.48-1.74) for ≥55 hours/week in comparison to 35-40 hours/week. The ORs of the indirect effects were 1.04 (95% CI, 1.03-1.05) for 41-48 hours/week, 1.08 (95% CI, 1.07-1.09) for 49-54 hours/week, and 1.14 (95% CI, 1.12-1.16) for ≥55 hours/week, accounting for 51%, 31%, and 28% of the total effects, respectively. Our findings suggest that WLI can partially mediate the association of long working hours with mental health deterioration. Policy efforts are required to mitigate the adverse mental health effects of overwork.

Determining the effect levels of augmented decent work criteria in sustainable economic development with the fuzzy DEMATEL method

Creating decent work is among the priority issues for sustainable employment and development. This study aimed to determine the effect levels of the International Labour Organization (ILO) decent work criteria by augmenting nine indicators in the ILO manual to 12 criteria through a comprehensive literature review. Fuzzy DEMATEL, a multi-criteria decision-making method, has been preferred in this context. According to the analysis results of the study, the most heavily ranked criteria are ‘healthy workplace environment’, ‘decent working hours’ and ‘safe working conditions’ respectively, which contribute to the decent work concept. Further, ‘balance between work–family–personal life’ has been found the most affected criterion, while ‘education and training system’ has been the most affecting. Based on the findings, remedial and developing strategies are suggested on issues such as corporate culture, working hours regulation, safe working environment, subordinate–superior relations, social activities and regulations that take family life into account.

The Effect of After-Hours Resection on the Outcomes in Patients with High-Grade Gliomas.

The "weekend effect" is the finding that patients presenting for medical care outside of regular working hours tend to have worse outcomes. There is a paucity of literature in the neuro-oncology space exploring this effect. We investigated the extent of resection and complication rates in patients undergoing after-hours high-grade glioma resection. A retrospective review was conducted on patients with high-grade glioma requiring emergent surgery between January 1, 2021, and March 31, 2023. After hours was defined as surgical resection on the weekend and/or evening (>50% of surgical time between 1630 and 0659). These patients were matched to patients undergoing resection during regular working hours. Groups were compared on the basis of the extent of resection, postoperative complications and 6-month mortality rate. A total of 38 patients were included in this study (19 after hours, 19 regular hours). There was no significant difference in age, sex, tumor grade and tumor size between the two groups (all p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the extent of resection between the groups (p = 0.7442). There was no significant difference in the rate of intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, reoperation and death at 6 months between the groups (all p > 0.05). Estimated blood loss was significantly higher in the regular hours group (p = 0.0278). There was no significant difference in the total operative time (p = 0.0643) and length of stay (p = 0.0601). After-hours high-grade glioma surgery has similar outcomes to regular-hours surgery for lesions not requiring specialized functional mapping.

"Hit a bottleneck": a convergent mixed-methods approach to the Influencing factors and experience of fertility intention among mothers of childbearing age with two children in mainland China.

Fertility rates have been decreasing both worldwide and in China. Although current policies have been aimed at raising the birth rate in China, their overall effects have been unclear. Therefore, exploration of fertility intention and related influencing factors is crucial. This study used a convergent parallel mixed methods combining descriptive and cross-sectional designs with a framework analysis. Convenience sampling was used to select mothers of childbearing age with two children (n = 603), living in Guangdong Province, China. Participants completed an online questionnaire investigating sociodemographic characteristics, as well as determinants and attitudes regarding the third-child fertility intention. Correlation coefficients and multivariate regression analyses were used to present quantitative findings. Eleven interviews were conducted, and a framework analysis method was used for data analysis. The results for the qualitative and quantitative study components were analyzed separately and were subsequently integrated through side-by-side comparison and joint display. Attitudes toward fertility intention were negative, and the rate of fertility intention was 10.4% in Guangdong Province. In the quantitative component, women's age, perceived value of having a third child, and attitudes were found to be factors promoting the intention to have a third child, whereas monthly family income, grandparents' health status, and policy support were found to be factors hindering the intention to have a third child. Four major themes emerged regarding the perceptions and experiences regarding fertility intention in the qualitative component. After integrated analysis, younger age, knowledge regarding policy support, and access to childcare support were found to be factors significantly affecting the intentions of mothers with two children regarding having a third child. Fertility issues require continued attention. Our findings provide a reference for optimizing existing policies to increase fertility intentions. Providing policy support, such as public childcare support, flexible working hours for mothers, affordable childcare, and greater psychological support, would enable mothers to improve their parenting. In addition, increasing the dissemination of knowledge regarding policies is necessary to improve the level of public understanding and promote fertility intention.

Remote out-of-hours ultrasound live supervision in pediatrics - improvement of diagnostics and training.

Ultrasound (US) is the preferred imaging modality in pediatrics for diagnostic and therapeutic issues. The absence of radiation and the constant on-site accessibility make it the ideal tool for children. However, despite remarkable technical advances in resolution and applicability, many sophisticated medical questions still require profound expertise on the part of the examiner, thus often hampering fast decisions particularly outside regular working hours. This single-center study, at a university children's hospital evaluated the use of US during emergency service. A four-week documentation period was followed by a subsequent eight-week supervision period with live supervision availability on demand guided by a remote US expert. The demand for expert support, diagnosis, grading of urgency, duration and success of examination, and satisfaction of both examiners were analyzed. 108 patients (mean age 9.7 years) were included. In 38% of cases, US was supervised on demand with a definite diagnosis in 92.6% of cases (25/27). Image quality and technical performance were graded sufficient in 100% of cases. Supervised compared to non-supervised US examinations were prolonged (14.4 min vs. 7.1 min, p<0.001), were more prevalent within the first 24 h in the hospital (70% vs. 56.8%, p=0.06), and were classified more frequently as emergency (22.2% vs. 2.3%; p=0.015). All participants classified the availability of US supervision as decisively helpful. Remote live supervised pediatric US was feasible and effective. It combined timely, high-quality diagnostics even in the case of challenging medical questions with simultaneous US training.

Investigating the impact of teleworking during the COVID-19 pandemic on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and psychosocial factors of employees: a review article

Introduction: Advances in technology have increased job flexibility for employees and employers alike. On the other hand, effective teleworking requires planning, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many employees to quickly change their workplace from outside to home, without ensuring that the conditions are ready. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of teleworking on musculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial factors in the days of Corona. Materials and Methods: This research was done by a review method. Articles were searched from 2020 to 2023 on PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar sites with the key words Ergonomics, Teleworking, MSDs, and COVID19. Results: A total of 93 articles were reviewed. By evaluating the titles, 45 related articles and 30 articles were selected by reviewing the abstracts, and finally 13 articles which full text was available were selected. These articles refer to the study of the effects of teleworking on musculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial factors in the era of Corona. Conclusion: Most of the studies point to the increase of musculoskeletal disorders. Teleworkers have experienced more musculoskeletal pain and discomfort in different areas of the body. Longer working hours with shorter breaks to meet increased work demands, social isolation, lack of support from colleagues, blurred boundaries between work and home, and omnipresence of work are some of the psychosocial and organizational factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders. For some employees, teleworking will remain a common way of working in the post-pandemic era. Therefore, it is necessary to identify telework-related risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders and address them with timely telework preventive measures and the individual needs of employees.

Global digital overload: how Snapchat communication cycles influence workplace efficiency

Purpose This paper aims to explore the growing integration of social media, specifically Snapchat, into workplace environments and its impact on communication behaviors, especially among Generation Z and Millennials. The focus is on analyzing how Snapchat’s communication cycles, such as notifications, Snap streaks and best friend rankings, affect workplace efficiency. This study also investigates how cultural variations around connectivity and work-life balance amplify or mitigate these effects in global settings. Design/methodology/approach This research uses social comparison theory and self-determination theory to examine the psychological and social impacts of Snapchat’s features on workplace productivity. Drawing on qualitative and quantitative literature, the paper explores how different cultural contexts influence employees’ interaction with Snapchat during work hours. Theoretical frameworks are applied to understand the cognitive and social disruptions caused by social media, while practical strategies for human resource management are explored. Findings Snapchat’s design fosters continuous user engagement, often leading to fragmented attention and reduced productivity, particularly in work environments. Cultural norms surrounding social media usage and work-life boundaries either intensify or alleviate the disruptive effects of Snapchat. For example, the pressure to maintain social ties amplifies workplace distractions in collectivist cultures. In contrast, individualistic cultures may emphasize productivity over social connection, allowing for more effectively managing these distractions. Originality/value This paper contributes to the growing body of literature on social media’s impact on workplace dynamics by offering a culturally nuanced approach to understanding digital distractions. By focusing on Snapchat, a platform with unique features that encourage habitual interaction, the study provides novel insights into how global human resource strategies can be tailored to different cultural settings. The findings suggest practical solutions for managing digital overload and optimizing employee performance in increasingly interconnected work environments.

Non-cadaveric spine surgery simulator training in neurosurgical residency

BackgroundSpine surgical training faces increasing challenges due to restricted working hours and greater subspecialization. Modern simulators offer a promising approach to teaching both simple and complex spinal procedures. This study evaluated the acceptance and efficacy of spine simulator training using a lumbar herniated disc model tested by 16 neurosurgical residents (PGY-1-6), and compared 3D and 2D teaching methods. MethodsSixteen residents utilized the Realists RealSpine L4/L5 disc simulator with both microscope and exoscope. A mixed-methods analysis assessed the efficacy and acceptance of the training. Six PGY-1 residents participated in a learning curve study, divided into exoscopic and microscopic cohorts. Each group watched a tutorial in either 3D or 2D, followed by three surgical sessions. Endpoints included surgical progress within 30 minutes and complication rates. Microsurgical skills and mental concepts were evaluated on a numeric Likert Scale. ResultsParticipants rated the simulator training favorably, with a median score of 8/10 across six categories. The learning curve study showed a 30% improvement in microsurgical performance. The completion rate of herniated disc removal increased from 50% at T2 to 100% at T3 and T4. Significant improvement in mental concept was observed (p=0.035), with slightly better consolidation in the exoscope group. Self-assessments revealed significantly improved skills across all participants. ConclusionSpine simulator training was well-received and resulted in improvements in both mental concept and microsurgical performance, with enhanced outcomes in the 3D teaching/exoscope group. This study supports the integration of spine simulators into spine surgical residency, particularly for early-stage training, to improve both cognitive and practical surgical skills.

Reasons for milking system adoption: The case of Switzerland

This paper studies the importance which farm managers attach to the investment in the milking system in terms of their (management) objectives and expectations. According to a survey of 455 Swiss farm managers, the main reasons for investment decisions for all milking systems were to reduce labour and physical stress. For parlours, income objectives and animal welfare were more important than for other milking systems. In the case of automatic milking systems (AMS), the focus was on making working hours more flexible and increasing family time. According to farm managers, these objectives were largely achieved. The study shows, that higher income or production volume become less important reasons over the observed time period and that AMS are implemented by older farm managers.

The compensatory protective effects of organizational and supervisor support for nurses’ morale in sickness presenteeism: a three-way moderated mediation model

PurposeThe present study explored sickness presenteeism as a linchpin connecting prolonged working hours to elevated turnover intention among hospital nurses (mediation). In addition, we examined the joint moderating effects of organizational health care support and supervisor support on the second stage of the “long working hours-presenteeism-turnover” process (three-way moderated mediation).Design/methodology/approachWe conducted a two-wave survey to collect data over a four-month period from hospital nurses in Taiwan. The final sample for analysis had 294 nurses.FindingsWe found that presenteeism partially mediated the elevated turnover intention after working long hours four months later. We also found a significant three-way moderation effect of organizational health care support and supervisor support on the positive relationship between presenteeism and turnover intention. Specifically, nurses reported the lowest turnover intention with high levels of both organizational healthcare and supervisor support, the highest turnover intention with both support being low, and the intermediate level of turnover intention when any one of the support was high.Practical implicationsOrganizations should build a positive work environment through organizational health care support and supervisor support to retain talents.Originality/valueOur findings suggested that support resources of different origins (organization-level vs line supervisor) can compensate for one another to protect the employees in demanding work conditions. Our moderated mediation model exploring the psychosocial context of presenteeism has theoretical contributions pivoting on the interplay of resources at different levels in the organization as well as practical implications for presenteeism management.