Stefanie Mache

Managing work-family conflict in the medical profession: working conditions and individual resources as related factors.

Objectives This study developed and tested a research model that examined the effects of working conditions and individual resources on work–family conflict (WFC) using data collected from physicians working at German clinics. Material and methods This is a cross-sectional study of 727 physicians working in German hospitals. The work environment, WFC and individual resources were measured by the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, the WFC Scale, the Brief Resilient Coping Scale and the Questionnaire for Self-efficacy, Optimism and Pessimism. Descriptive, correlation and linear regression analyses were applied. Results Clinical doctors working in German hospitals perceived high levels of WFC (mean=76). Sociodemographic differences were found for age, marital status and presence of children with regard to WFC. No significant gender differences were found. WFCs were positively related to high workloads and quantitative job demands. Job resources (eg, influence at work, social support) and personal resources (eg, resilient coping behaviour and self-efficacy) were negatively associated with physicians’ WFCs. Interaction terms suggest that job and personal resources buffer the effects of job demands on WFC. Conclusions In this study, WFC was prevalent among German clinicians. Factors of work organisation as well as factors of interpersonal relations at work were identified as significant predictors for WFC. Our results give a strong indication that both individual and organisational factors are related to WFC. Results may play an important role in optimising clinical care. Practical implications for physicians’ career planning and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Do overweight workers profit by workplace health promotion, more than their normal-weight peers? Evaluation of a worksite intervention

BackgroundWorksite health promotion programs have been identified as strongly effective in decreasing body weight and increasing awareness and change in health behavior. Aim of this study is to determine the effects of a multi-component intervention in workplace health promotion.MethodsIn a controlled study trail, 1,573 workers of a logistics company had the chance to participate in a one year worksite health promotion program. Main elements of the multi-component intervention were physical activity training in combination with nutrition counseling. Employees completed a questionnaire at baseline and then again after twelve month. Main outcome variables were changes in body weight and health behaviors. Secondary outcomes were subjective health indicators.ResultsOur results showed preliminary improvements in physical activity and eating behavior among normal weight and overweight/obesity weight groups. No significant weight reduction could be found, only a minimal reduction of BMI. The reduction was larger in the overweight group. Workers considered overweight or obese showed significantly greater body weight loss and changes in eating behavior than workers with a normal weight status. Workers with obesity/overweight scored their general health status significantly lower than their colleagues with normal weight status. No significant improvements were found for overall perception of health status between baseline and follow-up in the BMI-groups.ConclusionThis 12-month intervention-control study suggests that a well-implemented multi-component workplace health promotion program may support substantial change in health behavior (e.g. nutrition and physical activity). It is indicated that overweight employees may especially profit from such worksite health promotion. An investigation of long-term effects of this multi-component intervention is strongly recommended.

Work family conflict in its relations to perceived working situation and work engagement

BACKGROUNDnThese days physicians work is characterized by an increase in economic demands, pressure and challenges in establishing a balance between work and family life. The current study investigates the relationship between physicians job demands and resources, perceived job stress, work-family conflict, work engagement and job satisfaction.nnnMETHODSn564 clinicians specialising in different medical fields participated in the cross-sectional study. Self-administered questionnaires, including the COPSOQ and the UWES- Scale were administered.nnnRESULTSnOur results illustrated significant relationships between physicians work engagement and their job satisfaction as well as between job stress and work family conflict. Moreover, perceived job stress moderated the effect of high job demands on work family conflict. In addition, significant gender differences have been found in perceived stress levels, work family conflict and work engagement.nnnCONCLUSIONnThis study proves and verified associations between work engagement, work-family conflict, job demands and resources that may influence employees satisfaction. Implications for both working physicians and hospital management are given.

Physicians' occupational stress, depressive symptoms and work ability in relation to their working environment : a cross-sectional study of differences among medical residents with various specialties working in German hospitals

Objectives This study aimed to analyse and compare differences in occupational stress, depressive symptoms, work ability and working environment among residents working in various medical specialties. Methods 435 German hospital residents in medical training working in 6 different medical specialties participated in a cross-sectional survey study. Physicians were asked about their working conditions and aspects of mental health and work ability. The Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, the Work Ability Index, the ICD-10 Symptom Rating and the Perceived Stress Questionnaire were used to measure working conditions, mental health and work ability. Results Results show that up to 17% of the physicians reported high levels of occupational distress and 9% reported high levels of depressive symptoms. 11% of the hospital physicians scored low in work ability. Significant differences between medical specialties were demonstrated for occupational distress, depressive symptoms, work ability, job demands and job resources. Surgeons showed consistently the highest levels of perceived distress but also the highest levels of work ability and lowest scores for depression. Depressive symptoms were rated with the highest levels by anaesthesiologists. Significant associations between physicians’ working conditions, occupational distress and mental health-related aspects are illustrated. Conclusions Study results demonstrated significant differences in specific job stressors, demands and resources. Relevant relations between work factors and physicians health and work ability are discussed. These findings should be reinvestigated in further studies, especially with a longitudinal study design. This work suggests that to ensure physicians health, hospital management should plan and implement suitable mental health promotion strategies. In addition, operational efficiency through resource planning optimisation and work process improvements should be focused by hospital management.

Psychische Belastung von Beschäftigten in der deutschen Offshore-Windindustrie

ZusammenfassungDer Artikel gibt eine Übersicht über den aktuellen Forschungsstand zur psychischen Belastung von Beschäftigten in der deutschen Offshore-Windindustrie. Trotz der besonderen Herausforderungen, die die Arbeit im Offshore-Bereich mit sich bringt, existieren zum gegenwärtigen Zeitpunkt kaum Erkenntnisse und keinerlei empirische Befunde zur psychischen Belastung von Beschäftigten in der deutschen Offshore-Windindustrie. Die bis dato verfügbare Literatur deutet jedoch darauf hin, dass Offshore-Beschäftigte bei ihrer Arbeit zahlreichen psychischen Belastungsfaktoren ausgesetzt sind. Forschungstätigkeiten zur Analyse der psychischen Belastung von Beschäftigten in der deutschen Offshore-Windindustrie sowie zur Entwicklung bedarfsgerechter Maßnahmen der Gesundheitsförderung sind demnach dringend erforderlich.AbstractThe article gives an overview of the current state of research regarding mental stress among employees working in the German offshore wind industry. Despite the particular demands inherent to the offshore work environment, very little is known about the mental stress among offshore workers in the German offshore wind industry. To date, no research studies concerning this topic have been reported; however, the available literature suggests that offshore workers are confronted with numerous psychological risk factors at work. Thus, further research is needed in order to investigate the mental stress among employees working in the German offshore wind industry and to develop applicable health promotion interventions.

Evaluation of self-care skills training and solution-focused counselling for health professionals in psychiatric medicine: a pilot study

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to implement and to evaluate a self-care skills training with solution-focused counselling to support psychiatrists in handling their daily work challenges. Methods: A total of 72 psychiatrists working in a psychiatric clinic were randomised in a single-blind trial to either an intervention group or a control group. Outcomes were measured at baseline and at the end of the training (follow-up 1: after 3 months; follow-up 2: after 6 months). A validated questionnaire including the Perceived Stress Questionnaire, the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, Brief Resilient Coping Scale, Self-Efficacy Scale and the Quality of Relationship Inventory was used. Results: Psychiatrists in the intervention group reached a significant reduction in perceived job stress (pu2009=u20090.01, du2009=u20090.05), improvements in job satisfaction (pu2009=u20090.02, du2009=u20090.04), resilience (pu2009=u20090.02, du2009=u20090.04) and self-efficacy (pu2009=u20090.04, du2009=u20090.02) from baseline to all follow-ups with no comparable results seen in the control group. Psychiatrists stated an improved quality of physician–patient relationship (e.g. support, conflict management; pu2009<u20090.05). Conclusions: A self-care skills training, including solution-focused counselling, for psychiatrists was associated with significant improvements in perceived stress, job satisfaction, individual protective skills and quality of relationship to patients. This training is suitable to implement as a group training program for psychiatrists.

Worksite Health Program Promoting Changes in Eating Behavior and Health Attitudes

Background. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a worksite multicomponent health promotion intervention on eating behavior and attitudes, changes in body weight, and readiness to make eating behavior changes among workers over a 12-month intervention period. Method. A total of 3,095 workers of a logistic company participated in a quasi-experimental comparison group study design. The intervention group received a multicomponent health training. Two of the main elements of the multicomponent intervention were physical exercise training and nutrition counseling/training. During the pilot year, participants completed a survey at baseline and again after 12 months to assess physical activity–, health-, and diet-related factors. Results. Results showed that participants’ body weight did not significantly decrease in the intervention group. Mean weight loss in the intervention groups was 0.5 kg (body mass index = 0.1 kg/m2). Eating behaviors in the intervention group improved more than in the comparison group. Some positive intervention effects were observed for the cognitive factors (e.g., changes in eating attitudes). Baseline readiness to change eating behavior was significantly improved over time. Conclusions. We demonstrated initial results of a long-term multicomponent worksite health promotion program with regard to changes in body weight, eating behavior, and attitudes. This evaluation of a 12-month pilot study suggests that a worksite health promotion program may lead to improvements in nutritional health behaviors for a number of workers. An investigation of long-term effects of this multicomponent intervention is strongly recommended.

Healthy offshore workforce? A qualitative study on offshore wind employees’ occupational strain, health, and coping

BackgroundOffshore work has been described as demanding and stressful. Despite this, evidence regarding the occupational strain, health, and coping behaviors of workers in the growing offshore wind industry in Germany is still limited. The purpose of our study was to explore offshore wind employees’ perceptions of occupational strain and health, and to investigate their strategies for dealing with the demands of offshore work.MethodsWe conducted 21 semi-structured telephone interviews with employees in the German offshore wind industry. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed in a deductive-inductive approach following Mayring’s qualitative content analysis.ResultsWorkers generally reported good mental and physical health. However, they also stated perceptions of stress at work, fatigue, difficulties detaching from work, and sleeping problems, all to varying extents. In addition, physical health impairment in relation to offshore work, e.g. musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal complaints, was documented. Employees described different strategies for coping with their job demands. The strategies comprised of both problem and emotion-focused approaches, and were classified as either work-related, health-related, or related to seeking social support.ConclusionsOur study is the first to investigate the occupational strain, health, and coping of workers in the expanding German offshore wind industry. The results offer new insights that can be utilized for future research in this field. In terms of practical implications, the findings suggest that measures should be carried out aimed at reducing occupational strain and health impairment among offshore wind workers. In addition, interventions should be initiated that foster offshore wind workers’ health and empower them to further expand on effective coping strategies at their workplace.

A cross-sectional survey of physical strains among offshore wind farm workers in the German exclusive economic zone

Objectives To assess the physical strains of employees in the German offshore wind industry, according to job type and phase of the wind farm (under construction or operation). Design Web-based cross-sectional survey. Setting Offshore wind farm companies operating within the German exclusive economic zone. Participants Male workers with regular offshore commitments and at least 28 days spent offshore in the past year (n=268). Outcome measures Physical strains (eg, climbing, noise, working overhead, with twisted upper body or in confined spaces, vibration, heavy lifting, humidity, odours). Results The most frequently mentioned physical strain was ’climbing’ with 63.8% of the respondents reporting to be always or frequently confronted with climbing and ascending stairs during offshore work. Work as a technician was associated with a greater exposition to noise, vibrations, humidity, cold, heat, chemical substances, lifting/carrying heavy loads, transport of equipment, working in non-ergonomic positions and in cramped spaces, as well as climbing. Indeed, statistical analyses showed that, after adjusting for phase of the wind farm, age, nationality, offshore experience, work schedule and type of shift, compared with non-technicians, working as a technician was associated with more frequently lifting/carrying of heavy loads (OR 2.58, 95%u2009CI 1.58 to 4.23), transport of equipment (OR 2.06 95%u2009CI 1.27 to 3.33), working with a twisted upper body (OR 2.85 95%u2009CI 1.74 to 4.69), working overhead (OR 2.77 95%u2009CI 1.67 to 4.58) and climbing (OR 2.30 95%u2009CI 1.40 to 3.77). Working in wind farms under construction was strongly associated with increased and decreased exposure to humidity (OR 2.32 95%u2009CI 1.38 to 3.92) and poor air quality (OR 0.58 95%u2009CI 0.35 to 0.95), respectively. Conclusions Workers on offshore wind farms constitute a heterogeneous group, including a wide variety of occupations. The degree of exposure to detrimental physical strains varies depending on the type of job. Technicians are more exposed to ergonomic challenges than other offshore workers.

Communication in The Clinical Routine of Neonatologists

INTRODUCTIONnCommunication is essential to clinical routine, especially in NICUs with their vulnerable patients and the special team caring for them. Communication breakdowns and resulting treatment errors are described in the literature. The aim of this study is to provide an initial quantitative assessment of medical communication in a NICU.nnnMETHODSnFor task analysis, 15 Level III-NICU physicians were accompanied for 60 days in early and late shifts; each physician completed the COPSOQ questionnaire. Recorded tasks were assigned to main task categories and subcategories.nnnRESULTSnA total of 550u2009h of main and 100u2009h of secondary tasks were recorded, on average 9u2009h daily. The most time-consuming main activity was Communication (3u2009h), followed by Indirect care/Administration (2u2009h) and Direct patient care (1.5u2009h). Communication mainly consisted of discussions with colleagues and during early shifts. At 2u2009min, communication with nursing personnel during rounds was especially low. Communication showed a negative correlation to physician job satisfaction.nnnDISCUSSIONnThis work shows the suspected high proportion of communication in a NICU, especially among physicians themselves. The effectiveness of this communication is not assessable. However, a low proportion of communication with nursing staff is noticeable and reflects the variabiliy in team communication. Improvement of communication is necessary through training on and the application of existing techniques for handoffs and rounds.