Nominal research has examined sexual harassment and workplace violence against home care workers within consumer-driven home care models such as those offered in Oregon. This study examined home care workers' experiences of violence while providing care to consumer employers, the patients who hire and manage home care workers. Focus groups and interviews were conducted in Oregon with 83 home care workers, 99 Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) employees, and 11 consumer employers. Home care workers reported incidents of workplace physical violence (44%), psychological abuse (65%), sexual harassment (41%), and sexual violence (14%). Further, three themes were identified that may increase the risk of workplace violence: (1) real and perceived barriers to reporting violence; (2) tolerance of violence; and (3) limited training to prevent violence. To ensure worker safety while maintaining quality care, safety policies and training for consumer employers, state DHS employees, and home care workers must be developed.
Diabetes at Work is a qualitative grounded-theory pilot study designed to examine the factors impacting older adults' experience managing diabetes in the workplace and maintaining gainful employment. Six working adults, 55 years and older, with Type 2 diabetes were interviewed from a symbolic interactionist perspective using grounded-theory methodology. Categories that arose from this study included minimalization, fearing the future, and taking up diabetes self-management at work. The results provide insight for occupational health nurses about the issues faced by older workers with chronic disease, a starting point for planning future interventions with this potentially vulnerable population.
During the past decade, interest in the public and environmental health effects of trace levels of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the water supply has evolved. Although most pharmaceuticals are tested for human safety and efficacy prior to marketing and distribution, the potential for adverse effects in nontarget populations exposed to minute environmental medication doses has not been established. Several recent studies have demonstrated adverse effects from longstanding, low-dose exposures in both aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, although human toxicity related to trace levels of pharmaceuticals in the water supply remains unknown. This article provides a brief overview of the routes through which pharmaceuticals are introduced into the environment; a description of the effects of longstanding, low-dose exposures in aquatic and terrestrial animals, including human health effects; an update on the current regulations and solutions regarding pharmaceutical disposal practices; and a discussion of implications for reducing pharmaceuticals in the environment for occupational health nurses and other allied health professionals.
Evidence is increasing that vitamin D insufficiency is widespread in the general population and that vitamin D plays a key role in bone health and the prevention of chronic health conditions. Nutrition education and risk awareness can be effective in reducing musculoskeletal injuries.
Presenteeism is defined as employees being present at work but unable to be fully engaged in the work environment. Although presenteeism is pervasive in the workplace, the effects of the condition on employee health and productivity are less well understood. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the concept of presenteeism, including research and management practices.
Employee health, prevention, and maintenance programs are growing exponentially each year as costs continue to rise across the health care continuum. Employers and payers alike continue to be challenged by chronic health risks, effective prevention strategies, optimal health and wellness strategies, and programs that are effective for America's work force. In light of these challenges, new and exciting health management approaches are evolving. Changes in occupational health nursing practice can ultimately affect the way occupational health nurses plan, structure, and conduct education sessions. New trends, such as health coaching, embrace the incorporation of health research through evidence-based practice and standards of care to provide the science clinicians need to support interventions. Through knowledge of chronic conditions, evidence-based practice, and health coaching, occupational health nurses possess the skills and strategies that form the foundation necessary to affect and safely guide employee self-discovery and self-management and produce optimal health outcomes.
This cross-sectional study explored the work-related and individual factors that contributed to the occurrence of low back pain and affected activities of 36 personal care workers at an old age home in Hong Kong. The study was divided into four parts: (1) a questionnaire documenting workload exposure factors; (2) a musculoskeletal symptoms survey documenting the prevalence of low back pain in this group of workers; (3) a worksite evaluation focusing on personal care workers' work postures and the work environment; and (4) an evaluation of physical fitness and lifting capacities of personal care workers. Univariate followed by multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify the risk factors associated with low back pain that affected work activities. The results revealed that low back pain was associated with the perceived physical demands of cleaning tasks (odds ratio [OR] = 7.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.35-39.35, p < .05), perceived demands of awkward sustained back (OR = 4.46, CI = 0.86-22.97, p = .074) and neck (OR = 0.18, CI = 0.04-0.81, p < .05) postures, and thermal stress at work (OR = 49.80, CI = 0.70-3541.79, p = .072). The results of the current study indicated that the work environment contributed to low back pain at work. Workers perceived that exertion in workplaces has a role in assessing workplace risk. To avoid progression of low back pain in the workplace, work adjustment or modification should be considered when workers report high levels of perceived exertion at work.
Workplace bullying is a serious problem faced by nurses nationally. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of workplace bullying and evaluate the effectiveness of a training program on cognitive rehearsal of responses to common bullying behaviors. This program to increase staff nurses' knowledge of management of workplace bullying consisted of three components: pilot survey testing, a piloted Internet-based survey administered to the medical and surgical nurses, and a 2-hour cognitive rehearsal training program on management of workplace bullying. The results showed that 80% of the nurses surveyed had experienced workplace bullying over the previous year. After the training program, nurses' knowledge of workplace bullying management significantly increased. Additionally, nurses were significantly more likely to report that they had observed bullying and had bullied others. Further, nurses felt more adequately prepared to handle workplace bullying. Results of the research support the provision of a workplace bullying management program for nurses and the need for a specific policy on workplace bullying.
During the past decade, interest in the public and environmental health effects of trace levels of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the water supply has evolved. Although most pharmaceuticals are tested for human safety and efficacy prior to marketing and distribution, the potential for adverse effects in nontarget populations exposed to minute environmental medication doses has not been established. Several recent studies have demonstrated adverse effects from longstanding, low-dose exposures in both aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, although human toxicity related to trace levels of pharmaceuticals in the water supply remains unknown. This article provides a brief overview of the routes through which pharmaceuticals are introduced into the environment; a description of the effects of longstanding, low-dose exposures in aquatic and terrestrial animals, including human health effects; an update on the current regulations and solutions regarding pharmaceutical disposal practices; and a discussion of implications for reducing pharmaceuticals in the environment for occupational health nurses and other allied health professionals.
The occupational health services department for a manufacturing division of a high-technology firm was redesigned from an outsourced model, in which most services were provided by an outside clinic vendor, to an in-house service model, in which services were provided by an on-site nurse practitioner. The redesign and implementation, accomplished by a cross-functional team using Total Quality Management processes, resulted in a comprehensive occupational health services department that realized significant cost reduction, increased compliance with regulatory and company requirements, and improved employee satisfaction. Implications of this project for occupational health nurses are discussed.
Presenteeism is defined as employees being present at work but unable to be fully engaged in the work environment. Although presenteeism is pervasive in the workplace, the effects of the condition on employee health and productivity are less well understood. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the concept of presenteeism, including research and management practices.
Low back pain is common and poses a challenge for clinicians to find effective treatment to prevent it from becoming chronic. Chronic low back pain can have a significant impact on an employee's ability to remain an active and productive member of the work force due to increased absenteeism, duty restrictions, or physical limitations from pain. Low back pain is the most common cause of work-related disability among employees younger than 46 years. Advancing technology and less invasive surgical procedures have not improved outcomes for employees who suffer from low back pain. Most continue to experience some pain and dysfunction after conventional treatments such as injections and surgery. An alternative treatment that could reduce nonspecific chronic low back pain would benefit both employees and employers. Exercising and remaining active are part of most guidelines' routine care recommendations but are not well defined.
This cross-sectional study explored the work-related and individual factors that contributed to the occurrence of low back pain and affected activities of 36 personal care workers at an old age home in Hong Kong. The study was divided into four parts: (1) a questionnaire documenting workload exposure factors; (2) a musculoskeletal symptoms survey documenting the prevalence of low back pain in this group of workers; (3) a worksite evaluation focusing on personal care workers' work postures and the work environment; and (4) an evaluation of physical fitness and lifting capacities of personal care workers. Univariate followed by multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify the risk factors associated with low back pain that affected work activities. The results revealed that low back pain was associated with the perceived physical demands of cleaning tasks (odds ratio [OR] = 7.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.35–39.35, p < .05), perceived demands of awkward sustained back (OR = 4.46, CI = 0.86–22.97, p = .074) and neck (OR = 0.18, CI = 0.04–0.81, p < .05) postures, and thermal stress at work (OR = 49.80, CI = 0.70–3541.79, p = .072). The results of the current study indicated that the work environment contributed to low back pain at work. Workers perceived that exertion in workplaces has a role in assessing workplace risk. To avoid progression of low back pain in the workplace, work adjustment or modification should be considered when workers report high levels of perceived exertion at work.
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2005 and 2008 to evaluate self-reported competency achievement by occupational health nursing program graduates. Twelve competencies were evaluated at three levels: competent, proficient, and expert. In 2005, most graduates believed they were at the proficient level in 10 of the 12 competencies, with three competencies approaching the expert level. In 2008, all graduates rated their competency achievement at the proficient level for all 12 competencies, with nine competencies approaching the expert level. Graduates entering the program with experience had higher competency scores compared to those without experience. Distance education learners had higher competency scores compared to on-campus graduates. From 2005 to 2008, reported competency achievement increased in all areas except research, which was only marginally reduced by a 0.1 score. Based on competency findings, curriculum and course assignments related to leadership role, policy development, professional development, and research were modified.
Problem-based learning, which emphasizes group collaboration to solve real-world case scenarios, is an instructional approach that is well suited to occupational and environmental health nursing education. Learners actively work through case studies rather than passively receive information presented through lectures. Problem-based learning methods promote critical thinking skills and motivate learning, preparing learners for professional practice in complex, ever-changing environments. Despite these advantages, problem-based learning is underutilized in nursing education compared to more traditional lecture methods. This article presents key concepts of problem-based learning, discusses problem-based learning in educating occupational and environmental health nurses, and describes the development of a problem-based learning case aimed at increasing occupational and environmental health nurses' capacity to address pesticide exposure among migrant and seasonal agricultural workers.
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2005 and 2008 to evaluate self-reported competency achievement by occupational health nursing program graduates. Twelve competencies were evaluated at three levels: competent, proficient, and expert. In 2005, most graduates believed they were at the proficient level in 10 of the 12 competencies, with three competencies approaching the expert level. In 2008, all graduates rated their competency achievement at the proficient level for all 12 competencies, with nine competencies approaching the expert level. Graduates entering the program with experience had higher competency scores compared to those without experience. Distance education learners had higher competency scores compared to on-campus graduates. From 2005 to 2008, reported competency achievement increased in all areas except research, which was only marginally reduced by a 0.1 score. Based on competency findings, curriculum and course assignments related to leadership role, policy development, professional development, and research were modified.
The Wyanoke Group is the parent company for Healio, Healio LIVE, Healio Strategic Solutions, SLACK Incorporated, and Vindico Medical Education. The shared mission of our companies is to deliver the highest quality information, education and communications to health care professionals to improve patient health.
