What is considered important for life balance? Similarities and differences among some working adults

Abstract

Life balance seems subjective, health related, and multidimensional. However, the concept is complex. Exploring what people themselves consider more or less important for their life balance and whether this differs between people would develop new knowledge. Q methodology was chosen for the present study, in which 32 working men and women without recent long-term sick leave participated. They sorted 42 statements regarding life balance according to their importance for each participant's life balance. The analysis resulted in four different viewpoints concerning life balance. All four viewpoints considered good relationships with those closest to them, as well as knowing that these people were doing well, as important. Each viewpoint also showed a unique orientation towards what was considered important for life balance: occupational balance (viewpoint 1), self-actualization (viewpoint 2), self-awareness (viewpoint 3), and reciprocal relationships (viewpoint 4). The results. showed support for life balance as being a subjective, multidimensional, and health-related phenomenon. The results demonstrated the importance of relationships for life balance and heterogeneity in what people considered important for their own life balance.     

Socio-economic risk factors for injuries in Swedish children and adolescents: A national study over 15 years

Abstract

Few studies have assessed if Sweden's injury prevention work has been equally effective for children of different socio-economic backgrounds. The goal of this paper is to review the country's injury rates for children over time, stratified by socio-economic status (SES), to see if the effects are similar across SES levels. This study employs a retrospective case-control study design, using data from the hospitalisation records of 51,225 children, which were linked to family socio-economic data. Children and adolescents in families receiving social welfare benefits, and those living with single parents and mothers with less education had higher risks of injuries leading to hospitalisation. The population-based safety work over the past decades seems to have had only minor effects on reducing the impact of socio-economic based difference in injury risks to younger Swedes.     

Changes in attitudes towards mental disorders and psychiatric treatment 1976–2014 in a Swedish population

Background: Mental illness has always been subject to stigma and discrimination. There are a number of studies on public attitudes towards people with mental illness. Long-term studies, however, examining changes over time are scarce. Aims: The aim of this study was to examine potential changes concerning attitudes between 1976 and 2014 in Vilhelmina, a community in northern Sweden. Methods: A postal questionnaire was sent out to a random sample of 500 adults aged 18–70 years. The same questionnaire has previously been used in 1976 and 2003. Results: The attitudes towards people with mental illness have not generally become more positive over the years. In 2014 almost a quarter of the population still think that “people with mental illness commit violentX acts more than others”. Even more people in 2014 than in 1976 agree to the statement that “mental illness harms the reputation more than a physical disease” (77.2% versus 52.8%). People with low educational level have more negative views than people with higher education. Younger respondents, < 20 years, had a more positive view than the older age groups. Almost 70% of the respondents would advise someone with psychological problems to seek a psychiatrist but only 23% of the respondents would follow their own advice. Psychotherapy has been and is still highly appreciated. As regards medication the perception is more critical, but there has been a significant change, however, to a more positive attitude towards medication since 1976. Conclusion: Attitudes towards mental illness and mentally ill people have not changed substantially over time.     

Addressing the ongoing friction between anecdotal and evidence-based teachings in osteopathic education in Europe

Despite a growing interest in research and the implementation of standards for osteopathic education and practice in Europe, the inter-professional dialogue remains insubstantial. This article calls attention to the continuous challenges of reconciling anecdotal and evidence-based perspectives and offers suggestions on how to address these areas further.     

Short-term effects of a pay-for-performance programme for diabetes in a primary care setting: an observational study

Objective A pay-for-performance (P4P) programme for primary care was introduced in 2011 by a Swedish county (with 1.6 million inhabitants). Effects on register entry practice and comparability of data for patients with diabetes mellitus were assessed.Design and setting Observational study analysing short-term outcomes before and after introduction of a P4P programme in the study county as compared with a reference county.Subjects A total of 84 053 patients reported to the National Diabetes Register by 349 primary care units.Main outcome measures Completeness of data, level and target achievement of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure (BP), and LDL cholesterol (LDL).Results In the study county, newly recruited patients who were entered during the incentive programme were less well controlled than existing patients in the register – they had higher HbA1c (54.9 [54.5–55.4] vs. 53.7 [53.6–53.9] mmol/mol), BP, and LDL. The percentage of patients with entry of BP, HbA1c, LDL, albuminuria, and smoking increased in the study county but not in the reference county (+26.3% vs –1.5%). In the study county, with an incentive for BP < 130/80 mmHg, BP data entry behaviour was altered with an increased preference for sub-target BP values and a decline in zero end-digit readings (38.3% vs. 33.7%, p < 0.001).Conclusion P4P led to increased register entry, increased completeness of data, and altered BP entry behaviour. Analysis of newly added patients and data shows that missing patients and data can cause performance to be overestimated. Potential effects on reporting quality should be considered when designing payment programmes.

Key points

• A pay-for-performance programme, with a focus on data entry, was introduced in a primary care region in Sweden.
• Register data entry in the National Diabetes Register increased and registration behaviour was altered, especially for blood pressure.
• Newly entered patients and data during the incentive programme were less well controlled.
• Missing data in a quality register can cause performance to be overestimated.