Craig Jackson

A systematic literature review of psychological characteristics as determinants of outcome for spinal cord stimulation therapy

&NA; Psychological factors are deemed important when considering patients for suitability for Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS). However, there is to date no consensus on which psychological characteristics or tests to undertake. This review analyses the literature to determine findings concerning the psychological characteristics observed and their impact on SCS efficacy for chronic pain. A search in the databases Cochrane, EBSCOhost (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and PsycARTICLES) and a hand search of reference lists from selected articles were performed, resulting in nine relevant articles. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory was the most commonly used tool for assessing psychological factors. Only one study used a semi‐structured interview instead of questionnaires. Studies lacked long term followup. Depression was identified in six studies as a factor that reduces efficacy, also as a characteristic that can improve after successful SCS by two studies. One study did not include patients with depression, due to previous research indicating depression as a contra‐indication. Hypochondriasis and hysteria had conflicting results for prediction of efficacy. Mania was predicted by only two studies as a positive indicator for success. Further long term studies of psychological factors on outcome from SCS are needed.

Workability and mental wellbeing among therapeutic prison officers

BACKGROUND Previous research has examined how age and health can shape workability (WA). This study seeks to explore how a lack of WA (inability) may affect the health of the employee. AIMS To explore the effects of work inability on mental wellbeing among therapeutic prison officers. METHODS An anonymous cross-sectional study of prison officers conducted in a category B English prison using the Work Ability Index (WAI) and General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ). RESULTS Fifty-seven officers (59%) participated and of those 95% achieved GHQ caseness. Officers with poorer WA reported significantly higher GHQ scores. Work inability for mental demands had significant associations with anxiety (β = -0.58, 95% CI -4.21 to -1.88, particularly sleep loss; Pearsons r = -0.66). CONCLUSIONS Our findings present clear associations between poor WA and its impact upon mental wellbeing. The results of this study may help to focus on areas for intervention such as improving WA and promoting mental wellbeing.

The health and well-being of remote and mobile workers

BACKGROUND Remote and mobile workers (RMWs), people who spend the majority of work time away from a home or office base, are estimated to number 1 million in the UK and Ireland. A number of advantages and challenges have been identified with this way of working but little is known about the impact of this type of work on the health and well-being of RMWs. AIMS To identify any potential health or psychosocial effects associated with remote and mobile working, identify ergonomic factors that impact on this group and ascertain the effect of organizational or management factors that influence this occupational group. METHODS A systematic review methodology was used and a search strategy developed including keywords, which were used to search electronic databases and websites. Data were then extracted from included papers and quality assessed. RESULTS Initial searches identified 280 references but only 11 papers reached the inclusion criteria. Health effects identified included musculoskeletal symptoms associated with higher mileage and more time in a vehicle but a number of vehicle design issues were found to improve symptoms. Psychosocial factors including high demands were also found but better mental health was associated with higher mileage and more time with clients. There was a lack of substantive evidence in relation to managing this group. CONCLUSIONS There is little research currently available on the general health of RMWs and future research should examine this further and focus on general health and access to support services.

A preliminary study and proposed methodology: Utilisation of pervasive computing (NeXus-4) and questionnaires to determine selected physiological and psychological parameters in participants working at a Higher Education Institute in the UK

High levels of stress are widespread throughout academics in institution of further and higher education. 3 out of 20 academics from an institute of Higher Education took part in the study presented. The NeXus-4 physiological monitoring system wirelessly captured various physiological data associated with stress via a portable system that supported input channels for: blood pressure, heart rate, core temperature and peripheral perfusion. 10-min baseline measurements were recorded, followed by 20 minute experimental recordings during the various academic activities. The two psychological questionnaires were issued and completed prior to recording the physiological data. Results of the current study indicated that there was significant increase in heart rate and blood flow during marking and lecturing vs. baseline, and lecturing showed higher values compared to marking. Counter-intuitively, there was a strong and significant positive correlation between job stress and job satisfaction - suggesting pressure and demands are viewed positively in this occupational group.

Zola and the Serial Killer: Robert Black and La Bête Humaine

Abstract: This article presents a critical analysis of Emile Zola’s Le BAate Humaine – a critical analysis which forms the basis of a case study of the real-life, British serial killer Robert Black. The fictional character of Jacques Lantier, a train driver living in France in the late 19 th century, who is plagued by thoughts of committing murder is compared to Black - a former PDS van driver - who has been convicted of murdering four young girls between 1981 and 1986. The article explores Zola’s comments and warnings about the relationship between civilisation and the ever-advancing technology that it creates in order to better the human species or, as is the case of Lantier and Black, for the worse.

Work–Life and Well-Being in U.K. Therapeutic Prison Officers: A Thematic Analysis:

Previous research has clearly demonstrated the positive impact of therapeutic interventions on offenders’ well-being. Much less is known about the impact on prison staff facilitating and delivering such interventions. We employed qualitative methodology to capture a deeper understanding of the work of therapeutic prison officers. Seven prison officers working in a U.K. Category B therapeutic community prison were interviewed about their working lives, including their own participation in therapy. Following a thematic analysis approach, key findings indicated that the physical and cultural work environment was very important to staff; the therapeutic element of their job role, although demanding, was both satisfying and rewarding; and that working in a therapeutic prison environment provided the opportunity for personal as well as professional development. We conclude that further attention should be given to the unique nature of therapeutic prison work and the positive impact it can have on well-being at work.

The usefulness of criminal profiling

In 2010 we published a critical review of a book by the legendary FBI profiler John Douglas, covering his role in the hunt for the ‘Bind, Torture Kill’ (‘BTK’) serial murderer, in Wichita, Kansas, USA (Douglas and Dodd, 2007). Our article was essentially critical of the role of ‘embedded profiling’ where experts, such as Douglas, use emotive aspects of cases to help develop profiles of active offenders, especially in the context of serial murder investigations.

Biopsychosocial Medicine: An Integrated Approach to Understanding Illness. Peter White. Published by Oxford University Press, 2004. ISBN 01985303X. Price: £29.95. 242 pp.

As co-organizer and chair of a 2-day conference by Novartis and One Health in 2002, White edits an account of the proceedings, giving an appreciation of what the biomedical and biopsychosocial (BPS) models have accomplished. This also highlights how much further the latter model needs to go before providing answers to the big questions of occupational and public health. This book will be interesting to those new to the BPS model, with some surprises for those believing they are already familiar with it. The book’s slenderness (242 pages) is misleading, and belies the depth and breadth of the 12 talks given, with edited transcripts of the discussions following each one. The discussions between the participants are as interesting as the talks, and it is enjoyable to witness the proponents of bold theories being tested by their peers. The calibre of the speakers is undoubtedly high, with Drossman, Marmot, Wessely, Steptoe, Waddell and Davey Smith among others doing what they do best— elegantly presenting compelling evidence to support their cases, while causing a little bit of mischief too. This mercurial style is pleasurable—with speakers deliberately changing between praising the BPS model in one scenario, then decrying it in the next. Readers will question their own understanding of the BPS model; such selfreflection from academic texts is rare but delightful when it happens. This is a collection of proposals concerning postmodern theories of ill-health, supported by good evidence, and the reader who wishes to know more about the strengths and weaknesses of the BPS explanation of complex health relationships will find this book truly enjoyable and enlightening. Wessely’s foreword uses the local geography around Denmark Hill, with the Maudsley Hospital and the Institute of Psychiatry situated across the road from King’s College Hospital, as a good metaphor concerning the opposition of the soma from the psyche. He almost completes it without a dig at the Chronic Fatigue fraternity—succumbing in the end: quite cheeky for someone who has his feet on both sides of the street! Physicians with a keenness for epidemiology, sociology or psychology will treasure this collection.

WHO EHC 223: Neurotoxicity Risk Assessment for Human Health: Principles and Approaches

First draft prepared by Dr J. Harry, US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA; Dr B. Kulig, Kulig Consultancy, The Netherlands; Dr M. Lotti, University of Padua, Italy; Dr D. Ray, MRC Toxicology Unit, England; Dr H. Tilson, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA; and Dr G. Winneke, Medical Institute of Environmental Hygiene, Germany