Derek R. Smith

A systematic review of musculoskeletal disorders among dental professionals

Musculoskeletal problems have become a significant issue for the profession of dentistry and dental hygiene. This review provides a detailed examination and discussion regarding the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in dental personnel and possible causative factors. All research studies or literature reviews, which have reported on the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and/or potential risk factors for this problem in dentists, dental hygienists and dental students, were selected for inclusion. Our literature suggests that the prevalence of general musculoskeletal pain ranges between 64% and 93%. The most prevalent regions for pain in dentists have been shown to be the back (36.3-60.1%) and neck (19.8-85%), while the hand and wrist regions were the most prevalent regions for dental hygienists (60-69.5%). Interestingly, we found that studies on MSDs among dental and dental hygiene students are quite limited. Many risk factors have been identified, including static and awkward posture and work practices. Overall, the review suggests that musculoskeletal problems represent a significant burden for the dental profession. More research in the form of larger studies is urgently required, to help more clearly elucidate the development of this important issue for dental hygienists and dental hygiene students.

A systematic review of musculoskeletal disorders among school teachers

BackgroundMusculoskeletal disorders (MSD) represent one of the most common and most expensive occupational health problems in both developed and developing countries. School teachers represent an occupational group among which there appears to be a high prevalence of MSD. Given that causes of MSD have been described as multi-factorial and prevalence rates vary between body sites and location of study, the objective of this systematic review was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for MSD among teaching staff.MethodsThe study involved an extensive search of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases in 2011. All studies which reported on the prevalence and/or risk factors for MSD in the teaching profession were initially selected for inclusion. Reference lists of articles identified in the original search were then examined for additional publications. Of the 80 articles initially located, a final group of 33 met the inclusion criteria and were examined in detail.ResultsThis review suggests that the prevalence of self-reported MSD among school teachers ranges between 39% and 95%. The most prevalent body sites appear to be the back, neck and upper limbs. Nursery school teachers appear to be more likely to report suffering from low back pain. Factors such as gender, age, length of employment and awkward posture have been associated with higher MSD prevalence rates.ConclusionOverall, this study suggests that school teachers are at a high risk of MSD. Further research, preferably longitudinal, is required to more thoroughly investigate the issue of MSD among teachers, with a greater emphasis on the possible wider use of ergonomic principles. This would represent a major step forward in the prevention of MSD among teachers, especially if easy to implement control measures could be recommended.

Prevalence and correlates of musculoskeletal disorders among Australian dental hygiene students

INTRODUCTIONnAlthough musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) have been identified as a significant occupational health issue for dental hygienists, few studies have explored this problem among the dental hygiene student population.nnnAIMnThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and correlates of MSD among a selection of undergraduate dental hygiene students in Australia.nnnMETHODOLOGYnA self-reporting questionnaire was distributed to dental hygiene students at an Australian university during 2008, from which a response rate of approximately 72% was achieved.nnnRESULTSnMusculoskeletal disorders were most commonly reported by students at the neck (64.29%), lower back (57.94%) and shoulder (48.41%) regions. Logistic regression indicated various correlations with MSD. Students who did not undertake regular exercise every week experienced an increased risk of lower back pain [Odds Ratio (OR): 4.88, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.75-14.9]. Students undertaking 16-20 h of desk-based study per week were much more likely to report neck pain (OR: 19.7, 95% CI: 1.34-378.94). Working 6-10 h on a computer each week was a risk factor for shoulder (OR: 7.03, 95% CI: 1.42-39.49) and upper back pain (OR: 5.29, 95% CI: 1.21-25.56).nnnCONCLUSIONSnOverall, this study suggests that MSD are a reasonably common problem for dental hygiene students in Australia. As such, further studies are required to establish epidemiological patterns of MSD, and our profession will need to carefully consider preventive strategies to help minimize the impact of this important occupational health issue on the next generation of dental hygienists.

Impact factors, scientometrics and the history of citation-based research

Few contemporary inventions have influenced academic publishing as much as journal impact factors. On the other hand, debates and discussion on the potential limitations of, and appropriate uses for, journal performance indicators are almost as long as the history of the measures themselves. Given that scientometrics is often undertaken using bibliometric techniques, the history of the former is inextricably linked to the latter. As with any controversy it is difficult to separate an invention from its history, and for these reasons, the current article provides an overview of some key historical events of relevance to the impact factor. When he first proposed the concept over half a century ago, Garfield did not realise that impact factors would onexa0day become the subject of such widespread controversy. As the current Special Issue of Scientometrics suggests, this debate continues today.

Bibliometrics, citation indexing, and the journals of nursing.

Bibliometric research has risen in popularity during recent years and an increasing number of investigations now have examined the nursing literature. Our article provides a comprehensive overview of citation-based research in the nursing profession, as well as a discussion of bibliometrics, journal impact factors, and international publishing trends. The debate on evidence-based practice and its potential influence and relevance for nursing scholars is also covered. Although journal performance indicators are, no doubt, important for the contemporary nursing academic, it is the core research skills and attributes that nursing scholars, academics, and educators will need to consider more carefully in future if the next generation of professional nurse researchers is to truly flourish.

Highly Cited Articles in Environmental and Occupational Health, 1919–1960

ABSTRACT Although numerous lists of “citation classics” have been compiled across a variety of scientific fields, few have included articles from environmental and occupational health (EOH). This investigation sought to identify and analyze the most highly cited articles ever published in the Journal of Industrial Hygiene (1919–1935), the Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology (1936–1949), the Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Medicine (1950), the American Medical Association (A.M.A.) Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Medicine (1950–1954), and the A.M.A. Archives of Industrial Health (1955–1960). Regularly cited topics included metal fume fever and various studies of beryllium, whereas the most highly cited article of all was a 1957 paper describing the control of heat casualties at military training centers. Interestingly, the most highly cited articles were not the oldest, and nor were they written as literature reviews. Overall, this study suggests that although some citation patterns in EOH reflect those of other disciplines, the trend is not uniform and EOH itself appears to have some distinctive bibliometric characteristics.

A longitudinal analysis of bibliometric and impact factor trends among the core international journals of nursing, 1977–2008

BACKGROUNDnAlthough bibliometric analysis affords significant insight into the progression and distribution of information within a particular research field, detailed longitudinal studies of this type are rare within the field of nursing.nnnOBJECTIVESnThis study aimed to investigate, from a bibliometric perspective, the progression and trends of core international nursing journals over the longest possible time period.nnnMETHODSnA detailed bibliometric analysis was undertaken among 7 core international nursing periodicals using custom historical data sourced from the Thomson Reuters Journal Citation Reports®.nnnRESULTSnIn the 32 years between 1977 and 2008, the number of citations received by these 7 journals increased over 700%. A sustained and statistically significant (p<0.001) 3-fold increase was also observed in the average impact factor score during this period. Statistical analysis revealed that all periodicals experienced significant (p<0.001) improvements in their impact factors over time, with gains ranging from approximately 2- to 78-fold.nnnCONCLUSIONSnOverall, this study provides one of the most comprehensive, longitudinal bibliometric analyses ever conducted in the field of nursing. Impressive and continual impact factor gains suggest that published nursing research is being increasingly seen, heard and cited in the international academic community.

The Historical Development of Academic Journals in Occupational Medicine, 1901–2009

ABSTRACT Academic journals in a specialist field provide an interesting historical record of its development and progression over time. This article describes the evolution of some major international journals of occupational medicine, including some historical background on their editorial board. As North America, the United Kingdom, and Northern Europe are known to have the highest contribution to scientific production, it was considered appropriate to investigate the main occupational medicine periodicals in these regions. Given the remarkable improvements in Japanese occupational health following the Second World War, it was also considered worthwhile to investigate the two English-language journals of occupational medicine from this country.

A 30-Year Citation Analysis of Bibliometric Trends at the Archives of Environmental Health, 1975–2004

ABSTRACT This article describes a 30-year citation analysis of the Archives of Environmental Health (AEH), from the earliest available data in 1975, to 2004, when it became the Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health (AEOH). Longitudinal trends were examined regarding the number of items published, the number of citations received, the immediacy index, and the journals impact factor. A list of the 5 most highly cited articles was also established, including citation frequency and citation lag times. Overall, this study demonstrates that citation analysis can provide an interesting look at the development of a journal over time. The examination of what articles, themes, and topics were being published, cited, or ignored also offers a unique insight into the direction of not only a particular journal, but also the discipline within which it exists.

Historical development of the Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health and its predecessor journals, 1919-2009.

ABSTRACT The Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health (AEOH) has a long and distinguished history that has so far involved a total of 7 journal titles since 1919. This article provides a detailed historical review of the AEOH, from its seminal precursors of the early 20th century, into the distinguished periodical of today. As editorial leadership is known to influence journal quality, considerable discussion focuses on the careers and professional achievements of the Editors-in-Chief, as well as key members of the editorial board who served the AEOH and its predecessor journals over the past 90 years.