Respiratory Symptoms and Respiratory-Related Absence from Work among Health Care Workers in Sweden

Objective. To investigate respiratory symptoms and respiratory-related absence from work among Swedish health care workers (HCWs). Methods. From a postal questionnaire study among a general Swedish working population (n = 12,186), we identified 2156 HCW (555 assistant nurses, 377 nurses, 109 physicians, and 1115 others), including 429 with mainly cleaning tasks (HCW-cleaning). The remaining respondents were classified as non-HCW. Multiple logistic regressions with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to compare respiratory symptoms and respiratory-related absence from work between HCW and non-HCW, adjusting for potential confounders. Results. The prevalence of adult onset asthma was 4.3% in HCW and 3.0% in non-HCW (p = .003). Asthmatic symptoms during the past year were reported mainly by HCW-cleaning, 14.7%, in comparison to 8.3% among non-HCW (p < .0001). HCW had an increased odds ratio (OR) for asthmatic symptoms during the past year (OR 1.3, 95% CI (1.1–1.5)) and more prominent among assistant nurses (OR 1.5, 95% CI (1.1–2.0)) and HCW-cleaning (OR 1.9, 95% CI (1.4–2.5)). Respiratory-related absence from work in the past year was reported by 1.4% of non-HCW, 3.0% of HCW-cleaning, 2.9% of nurses, and 1.6% of assistant nurses. Taking smoking and age into account, there was still significantly increased respiratory-related absence from work in nurses (OR 2.0, 95% CI (1.1–3.8)) and in HCW-cleaning (OR 2.1, 95% CI (1.2–3.7)). Conclusions. HCW in Sweden, especially those with cleaning tasks, reported more respiratory symptoms and respiratory-related absence from work than the general working population. There is a need for longitudinal studies with detailed information on both occupational exposures and socioeconomic factors to explore what influences respiratory-related absence from work among HCW.     

Perceptions of Home Dialysis Training and Experience Among US Nephrology Fellows

1. Download : Download high-res image (397KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Nurse managers don’t get the corner office

Aim To provide an original perspective on the power and status of first-line nurse managers by observing their working environment. Background The role of first-line nurse managers includes clinical, administrative and managerial components, with their responsibilities not always reflected in their level of organizational power. The business literature suggests that an appropriately resourced workspace is not merely functional, it also confers power and status. Method Twenty Australian rural nurse managers’ workspaces were observed, as part of a larger qualitative study that explored their role and organizational power using semi-structured interviews. The observational data consisted of detailed researcher notes that were analysed thematically. Results The nurse managers’ workspaces were suboptimal and did not provide sufficient physical space or resources for the participants’ to manage tasks effectively. These results were considered using Kanter’s theory of organizational power. Implications for nursing management The findings support those reported in the business literature that inadequate physical workspaces are counterproductive in terms of both functionality and organizational power. Suggestions are made regarding the workspace needs of first-line nurse managers, based on a closer alignment between the work environment and their role responsibilities. These findings have implications for decisions regarding organizational support of first-line nurse managers.     

Patients' experiences of receiving chemotherapy in outpatient clinic and/or onboard a unique nurse‐led mobile chemotherapy unit: a qualitative study

There is a drive in the UK to revise chemotherapy provision for people living in rural communities. Using a different model of treatment delivery might impact positively upon the experience of receiving chemotherapy. In 2007 the first nurse‐led mobile chemotherapy unit (MCU) in the UK was launched in the South West of England with the intention of providing treatment closer to home. The aim of the research was to explore experiences of people with cancer who received chemotherapy treatment in outpatient clinic and/or onboard the MCU using an interpretive phenomenological approach. Interviews were conducted with 20 people and data were interpreted using thematic analysis. The cancer and chemotherapy journey was described as being undertaken by the participant and their significant other. Available car parking and travelling impacted upon quality of life, as did the environment and accessibility of nurses to discuss issues with participants. The most important, distinguishing feature between receiving chemotherapy in outpatient clinic and the MCU was the amount of time spent waiting. Having treatment on the MCU was perceived to be less formal and therefore less stressful. Participants reported significant savings in time spent travelling, waiting and having treatment, expenditure on fuel and companion costs.