Mirjana Arandjelovic

Relationship between burnout, quality of life, and work ability index--directions in prevention.

The aim of our study was (1) to test the possibilities of standardized questionnaires for burnout, quality of life, and work ability in Serbia by investigating interactions of these phenomena in food manufacturing workers in Serbia; and (2) to determine possible preventive measures. The study enrolled 489 food manufacturing workers in the region of Niš (Serbia) during the period from January 2008 to February 2009. We included three standardized questionnaires: for burnout (CBI), quality of life (ComQoL-A5), and the work ability index (WAI) in the Serbian language. The results of our study indicate high scores in personal (60.0) and work burnout (67.9), lower scores for objective (66.2%SM) and subjective quality of life in enrolled subjects (69.2%SM), and an excellent work ability index in most workers (65.8%). The questionnaires tested are reliable instruments in the Serbian region. Burnout, quality of life, and work ability are significantly interrelated categories in food manufacturing workers. There is a high degree of work burnout that has not yet been accompanied with significant impairment of quality of living and work ability in exposed workers. That is why a salutogenic approach in the prevention of this phenomenon, by health-promotion programs in the workplace, would be the method of choice for burnout improvement.

[Burnout and the quality of life of workers in food industry--a pilot study in Serbia].

BACKGROUND/AIM Burnout syndrome as a consequence of a long stress at workplace can seriously disturb health and quality of life in exposed workers. It is necessary to have adequate burnout prevention and its detection. Worldwide much attention is paid to protect burnout and methods for its determination constantly improve. In Serbia there has not been a study of that kind yet. The aim of the study was to investigate burnout syndrome impact on the quality of life of workers in food industry in Nis, and to call attention of researchers in Serbia on this phenomenon, as well as to test probability of applying the original, standardized questionnaires (CBI, ComQolA5) to working population in Serbia. METHODS This study was performed in Nis within a period from 2008 to 2009 in the Institute for Workers Health Protection. A total of 489 workers were included in this study by the use of the standard questionnaire for burnout (CBI) and quality of life (ComQoL-A5). Scale confidence for measuring burnout and quality of life was determined by Cronbach alpha coefficient. ANOVA analysis was used for rating influence of burnout on the quality of life. RESULTS The values of Cronbach alpha coefficient showed a high confidence of the scale for measurement personal burnout (0.87), work-related burnout (0.86) and subjective quality of life (0.83). We detected increased scores as a result of personal burnout (60.0), as well as of work-related burnout (67.9). The workers suggested relationship with the family and friends as a very important part for their quality of life (10.8), health (9.8) and safety (8.0). Productivity (6.8), emotional well-being (6.6) and material property (4.5) had smaller influence on their quality of life. An increase in score of work-related burnout by 1 was statistically significantly related to decreasing inter scores for subjective quality of life in health (B = -0.097), relationship with family and friends (B = -0.048), safety (B = -0.061) and place in community (B = -0.105). A statistically significant relation between work-related burnout and subjective quality of life in productivity, material and emotional well-being was not determined. CONCLUSION There is a high score of both personal and work related burnout among manufacturing workers in food industry. A negative correlation between burnout and subjective quality of life was also proved impacting health and well-being of workers, but also their productivity. The questionnaires we used (CBI, ComQolA5) could be considered as reliable and valid instruments for testing burnout and quality of life in Serbia.

A need for holistic approach to the occupational health developing (in Serbia)

Countries in transition, such as Serbia, have been going through obligatory system reforms, including the reform of the healthcare system. As a rule, occupational health becomes marginalized by the authorities who decide on medical care. In spite of the fact that this branch of medicine cares for working population that mostly carries the burden of transition, when material situation equals the existential minimum, its potentials are not recognized. On the other hand, the World Health Organization makes a remark that such population’s health is undermined now more than ever, and adopts a binding global plan for member countries and their experts in occupational health to take urgent measures for overall working people’s health according to their needs. It seems that former work method of biomedicine specialists could not realize such ambition. This paper discusses the possibilities of occupational health future orientation toward holistic medicine, for the sake of workers’ well-being and better quality of their lives, then creation of more humane society and vocational affirmation. Health promotion at workplace and salutogenic concept may have crucial roles. This concept is a huge challenge for academic public and vocational practitioners in poor countries in transition that are already burdened with the current economic and financial crisis. Each in their own way, helped by self-education and education, without big material investments, together they may take their countries to the road of health, the road still rarely taken, yet more secure.

Relationships of work-related psychosocial risks,stress, individual factors and burnout – Questionnaire survey among emergency physicians and nurses

BACKGROUND Psychosocial risks represent a great challenge for safety and health protection at work in Europe. The purpose of this study has been to determine the relationships of psychosocial risks arising from work, stress, personal characteristics and burnout among physicians and nurses in the Emergency Medical Service (EMS). MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study based on a questionnaire survey which contained the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) and Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). RESULTS A total of 88 physicians and 80 nurses completed the survey. Physicians demonstrated higher emotional (mean (M) ± standard deviation (SD) = 74.57±16.85) and cognitive (M±SD = 75.95±13.74) demands as compared to nurses. Both groups had high sensory demands and responsibilities at work, in spite of the low degree of their autonomy. The meaning of work, commitment to the workplace, and insecurity at work were high for both groups. Among all participants, stressful behavior and reactions were within the limits of low values (< 40) and coping strategies showed high values (> 60). Personal and patient-related burnout was high for both groups, where physicians were significantly affected by work-related burnout. The influence at work, degree of freedom at work, social support, sense of coherence, mental health, and problem-focused coping are negatively related to work-related burnout. CONCLUSIONS Based on personal factors and coping styles, emergency physicians and nurses are representing a self-selective professional group that meets high work demands, great responsibility, strong commitment and insecurity at work. Burnout of physicians and nurses in the EMS tends to be ignored, although it has severe consequences on their mental and general health. Med Pr 2017;68(2):178-178.

Correlation between risk factors, functional recovery, and the health-related quality of life of stroke survivors

Introduction/objective: It has been estimated that 50% of strokes are preventable through the control of modifiable risk factors. The objective of the paper was to determine the correlation between the risk factors, functional status, and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of stroke survivors. Method: The prospective cohort study was used. The study included 136 patients 30–79 years old. Functional recovery was assessed using the Barthel index (BI) and the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS). The HRQOL was evaluated by the generic Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. BI and mRS were determined at admission at the rehabilitation, one, three and six months after the stroke. The SF-36 was filled out at the same time. The analysis of the repeated measure variance (Repeated Measures ANOVA) was applied, as well as the correlation analysis and Spearman’s coefficient of rank correlation. Results: A total number of 136 patients [66 (48.5%) male and 70 (51.5%) female] completed the questionnaire. The average age of stroke survivors was 63.72 ± 8.73. At admission, mRS was 4.75 ± 0.55, and six months after the stroke onset it decreased to 2.60 ± 1.08. The average value of BI at admission was 25 ± 24.66, and within six months it increased to 83.75 ± 18.59 (p = 0.001). The ANOVA showed that the values of mRS significantly decreased (p < 0.001) and the values of BI significantly increased (ANOVA: p < 0.001). All domains of the SF-36 questionnaire, except for the pain domain, significantly increased (p < 0.001). The physical function (r = 0.238; p < 0. 01), physical role (r = 0.199; p < 0.05), and emotional role (r = 0.237; p < 0.01) were significantly lower among alcohol addicts (r = 0.199; p < 0.05). Mental health (r = 0.244; p < 0.01) and social relationships domains were significantly lower among smokers (r = 0.272; p < 0.01). The general health (r = -0.290; p < 001) and health condition change domains were significantly lower among smokers (r = 0.225; p < 0.01). Conclusion: The most important risk factor which was negatively correlated with the HRQOL was smoking. The patients who were smokers and alcohol addicts had a significantly smaller increase of the HRQOL domains compared to other patent groups. Six months after the stroke, all domains of the HRQOL significantly increased. The significant improvement of patients’ functional status was positively correlated to the increase of their HRQOL.