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- Boonstra, M. D., et al.
(författare)
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Social Insurance Literacy of Dutch Workers Receiving Disability Benefits and its Associations with Socio-Economic Characteristics
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of occupational rehabilitation. - : Springer / Plenum. - 1053-0487 .- 1573-3688. ; 32, s. 494-504
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose This study explores the concept social insurance literacy (SIL) and corresponding questionnaire (SILQ) among workers receiving disability benefits and the comprehensibility of the social security institute (SSI), and examines associations with socio-economic characteristics. Methods 1753 panel members of the Dutch SSI were approached to complete the SILQ-NL37. This measure was based on the original SILQ. The SILQ-NL37 contains domains for obtaining, understanding and acting upon information for both individual SIL and system comprehensibility. A higher score means better SIL or comprehensibility. Data on age, gender, education, living situation, Dutch skills and time receiving disability benefits were also collected. With k-means clustering, groups with adequate and limited SIL were created. Associations with socio-economic characteristics were examined with independent t-tests and linear regression analyses for both the total scores and within domain scores. Cronbach alpha and Spearman rhos indicated measurement properties were good to acceptable for the SILQ-NL37. Results Thirty-five percent of the 567 participants were in the group with limited SIL. Higher individual SILQ-NL37 scores were associated with having a partner (p = 0.018) and northeastern living region (p = 0.031). Higher scores for obtaining (p = 0.041) and understanding (p = 0.049) information were associated with female sex, and for acting on information with younger age (p = 0.020). People with limited Dutch skills (p = 0.063) and a partner (p = 0.085) rated system comprehensibility higher. Conclusions According to the SILQ-NL37 scores, about 35% of the panel members have limited ability to obtain, understand and act upon social insurance systems information. Limited SIL is associated with several socio-economic factors. Future researches should study the concept in a more representative sample, and in different countries and social insurance contexts.
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| 4. |
- Garcia-Prats, Anthony J., et al.
(författare)
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Pharmacokinetics and safety of high-dose rifampicin in children with TB : the Opti-Rif trial
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. - : Oxford University Press. - 0305-7453 .- 1460-2091. ; 76:12, s. 3237-3246
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Rifampicin doses of 40 mg/kg in adults are safe and well tolerated, may shorten anti-TB treatment and improve outcomes, but have not been evaluated in children. Objectives: To characterize the pharmacokinetics and safety of high rifampicin doses in children with drug-susceptible TB. Patients and methods: The Opti-Rif trial enrolled dosing cohorts of 20 children aged 0-12 years, with incremental dose escalation with each subsequent cohort, until achievement of target exposures or safety concerns. Cohort 1 opened with a rifampicin dose of 15 mg/kg for 14 days, with a single higher dose (35 mg/kg) on day 15. Pharmacokinetic data from days 14 and 15 were analysed using population modelling and safety data reviewed. Incrementally increased rifampicin doses for the next cohort (days 1-14 and day 15) were simulated from the updated model, up to the dose expected to achieve the target exposure [235 mg/L.h, the geometric mean area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24h (AUC(0-24)) among adults receiving a 35mg/kg dose]. Results: Sixty-two children were enrolled in three cohorts. The median age overall was 2.1 years (range=0.4-11.7). Evaluated doses were similar to 35 mg/kg (days 1-14) and similar to 50 mg/kg (day 15) for cohort 2 and similar to 60 mg/kg (days 1-14) and similar to 75mg/kg (day 15) for cohort 3. Approximately half of participants had an adverse event related to study rifampicin; none was grade 3 or higher. A 65-70 mg/kg rifampicin dose was needed in children to reach the target exposure. Conclusions: High rifampicin doses in children achieved target exposures and the doses evaluated were safe over 2 weeks.
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- Kallemose, Thomas, et al.
(författare)
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Political trust in the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey in Denmark and Sweden
- 2023
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Ingår i: BMC Global and Public Health. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 2731-913X. ; 1:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundThe initial responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark and Sweden differed markedly. Balancing disparate concerns was crucial to generate trust in the COVID-19 restrictions. The aim was to investigate the extent to which there was trust in the handling of the pandemic by the Danish and Swedish governments and public health authorities in each country. A further aim was also to investigate the characteristics of those in Denmark and Sweden who expressed the lowest degree of trust.MethodsCross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2021, using web panels that are nationally representative of the socio-demographic characteristics. The population consisted of 2619 individuals from Denmark and 2633 from Sweden, representative of the age, sex and region of residence of the populations aged ≥ 18 years. Trust in government and health authorities was captured in two separate trust questions on a 5-point Likert scale and dichotomized into low trusters and non-low trusters for analysis.ResultsApproximately, 61% of the Danish respondents expressed moderately large or very large trust in the government’s handling of the pandemic. The corresponding proportion for Sweden was 42%. The proportion of low trusters was 11% in Denmark and 34% in Sweden (p < 0.001). Moderately large or very large trust in the public health authority’s handling was expressed by 83% of the Danish respondents and 74% of the Swedish respondents. The proportion of low trusters was 5% in Denmark and 17% in Sweden (p < 0.001). In both countries, trust was lower among men than among women. Age and education were associated with trust but differed between countries (p < = 0.011).ConclusionsIn this study, differences in trust between Denmark and Sweden and both overall and within socio-demographic factors were observed. However, given the limitations and bias in the study, it is difficult to determine the cause and true size of these differences. With that in mind, we still believe specific populations and subgroups within those populations have the potential to affect trust in handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that these should be kept in mind when developing and communicating responses to pandemics.
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- Karlsson, Elin, 1985-, et al.
(författare)
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Communication characteristics between clients and stakeholders within the Swedish sickness insurance system : a document analysis of granted and withdrawn sickness benefit claims
- 2020
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Ingår i: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0963-8288 .- 1464-5165. ; 42:23, s. 3316-3326
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate how communication within the Swedish sickness insurance system differs between cases of sick leave and how this may affect clients’ cases.Materials and methods: This was a document study using 30 client files from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (SIA). The clients included had been on a work ability evaluation during their sick leave spell and were aged 32–64 years. The material was analyzed using qualitative document analysis.Results: The results show different approaches to communication, characterized by emotional argumentation, matter-of-fact driven argumentation and information exchange, which have diverse success in affecting official decisions. Arguments characterized by emotions such as frustration or desperation are to a larger extent neglected by the authorities compared to those characterized by a matter-of-fact driven approach and referring to regulations and medical certificates.Conclusion: There are differences regarding how clients and stakeholders communicate the clients’ needs and pre-requisites, and how this affects official decisions. Further research must be carried out in order to establish social insurance literacy, initially for individuals on sick leave within the sickness insurance system, and whether there are differences between diverse groups that could lead to injustices.Implications for rehabilitationWithin a social insurance context, professionals need to provide clients with adequate and individually adapted information in order for procedures to be perceived as comprehensible and manageable by the clients.The support from stakeholders such as the treating physician and/or employer can affect clients’ sick-leave process.Clients’ treating medical professionals can contribute to ensuring that clients rights are met by communicating the clients’ needs to other stakeholders in a formal way.
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- Karlsson, Elin, 1985-, et al.
(författare)
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Communication Characteristics Between Clients And Stakeholders Within The Swedish Sickness Insurance System – A Document Analysis Of Granted And Withdrawn Sickness Benefit Claims
- 2019
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Previous studies show differences regarding which clients receive sickness benefits as well as which clients are questioned or not within the sickness insurance system. There are indications that the characteristics of communication can have an impact on the sick leave process, which motivates this study with the following purpose.PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate how communication within the Swedish sickness insurance system differs between cases of sick leave and how this may affect the clients’ case.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a document study using thirty client files including the correspondence between clients, their case-manager at the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (SIA) as well as other stakeholders. The clients included had been on a work capacity evaluation during their sick leave spell and were aged 32-64 years. There were twenty women and ten men in this study, with a variety of the degree of sickness absence, disability pension and part time work. The material was analyzed using qualitative document analysis.RESULTS: The results show different approaches in communication, characterized by emotional communication, matter-of-fact driven communication and information exchange, which have diverse success in affecting authority decisions. Arguments characterized by emotions such as frustration or desperation are to a larger extent neglected compared to those characterized by a matter-of-fact driven approach and referring to regulations and medical certificates. There are also differences in how information about the client is interpreted by different professionals.CONCLUSION: There are differences regarding how clients and stakeholders communicate the clients’ needs and prerequisites, and how this affect the SIA. Further research must be carried out in order to establish social insurance literacy, initially for individuals on sick leave within the sickness insurance, and whether there are differences between diverse groups that could lead to injustice in the system.
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- Karlsson, Elin, 1985-, et al.
(författare)
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Initial evaluation of psychometric properties of a structured work task application for the Assessment of Work Performance in a constructed environment
- 2018
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Ingår i: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0963-8288 .- 1464-5165. ; 40:21, s. 2585-2591
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The Swedish Social Insurance Administration has developed a new assessment tool for sickness insurance. This study is a part of the initial evaluation of the application, called the Assessment of Work Performance, Structured Activities, and focuses on evaluation of the psychometric properties of social validity, content validity, and utility.Materials and methods: This was a qualitative study using semi-structured telephone interviews with occupational therapists. A convenience sample was used and participants who fulfilled inclusion criteria (n = 15) were interviewed. Data were analyzed using content analysis with a directed approach.Results: The results indicate that the application provides valuable information and that it is socially valid. Assessors found work tasks suitable for a diverse group of clients and reported that clients accepted the assessments. Improvements were suggested, for example, expanding the application with more work tasks.Conclusion: The instrument has benefits; however, further development is desired. The use of a constructed environment in assessments may be a necessary option to supplement a real environment. But depending on organizational factors such as time and other resources, the participants had different opportunities to do so. Further evaluations regarding ecological validity are essential to ensure that assessments are fair and realistic when using constructed environments.Implications for rehabilitationThis study indicates that assessment in a constructed environment can provide a secure and protected context for clients being assessed.Psychometric evaluations are a never-ending process and this assessment instrument needs further development. However, this initial evaluation provides guidance in development of the instrument but also what studies to give priority to.It is important to evaluate social validity in order to ensure that clients and assessors perceive assessment methods fair and meaningful. In this study, participants found the work tasks appropriate and usable when assessing their clients but client’s perspective must also be included in following studies.This assessment instrument is the only activity-based assessment instrument within the Swedish Social Security Insurance. Psychometric evaluations are important since it affects so many individuals in Sweden.
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