1. |
- Arnetz, Bengt B., et al.
(author)
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Examining self-reported and biological stress and near misses among Emergency Medicine residents : a single-centre cross-sectional assessment in the USA
- 2017
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In: BMJ Open. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 2044-6055. ; 7:8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: To examine the relationship between perceived and biological stress and near misses among Emergency Medicine residents.Design: Self-rated stress and stress biomarkers were assessed in residents in Emergency Medicine before and after a day shift. The supervising physicians and residents reported numbers of near misses.Setting: The study took place in the Emergency Department of a large trauma 1 centre, located in Detroit, USA. Participants Residents in Emergency Medicine volunteered to participate. The sample consisted of 32 residents, with complete data on 28 subjects. Residents' supervising physicians assessed the clinical performance of each resident.Primary and secondary outcome measures: Participants' preshift and postshift stress, biological stress (salivary cortisol, plasma interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), residents' and supervisors' reports of near misses, number of critically ill and patients with trauma seen during the shift.Results: Residents' self-reported stress increased from an average preshift level of 2.79 of 10 (SD 1.81) to a postshift level of 5.82 (2.13) (p<0.001). Residents cared for an average of 2.32 (1.52) critically ill patients and 0.68 (1.06) patients with trauma. Residents reported a total of 7 near misses, compared with 11 reported by the supervising physicians. After controlling for baseline work-related exhaustion, residents that cared for more patients with trauma and had higher levels of TNF-a reported a higher frequency of near misses (R-2=0.72; p=0.001). Residents' preshift ratings of how stressful they expected the shift to be were related to the supervising physicians' ratings of residents' near misses during the shift.Conclusion: Residents' own ratings of near misses were associated with residents' TNF-alpha, a biomarker of systemic inflammation and the number of patients with trauma seen during the shift. In contrast, supervisor reports on residents' near misses were related only to the residents' preshift expectations of how stressful the shift would be.
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2. |
- Arnetz, Bengt, 1954-, et al.
(author)
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Neighborhood air pollution and household environmental health as it relates to respiratory health and healthcare utilization among elderly persons with asthma
- 2020
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In: Journal of Asthma. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0277-0903 .- 1532-4303. ; 57:1, s. 28-39
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: The study investigated the associations between fine particulate matter (PM2.5; <2.5 mu m in diameter), indoor environment, pulmonary function, and healthcare utilization in a vulnerable group of elderly persons with asthma. We hypothesized that environmental conditions were associated with adverse pulmonary health outcomes.Methods: The study involved elderly (n = 76; mean age 64.6 years; 48 women) vulnerable persons in Detroit, Michigan, USA, with physician-diagnosed asthma. Exposure variables included measured outdoor PM2.5, self-rated outdoor and household environmental pollutants. Outcome variables were self-rated and measured pulmonary function, and asthma-related healthcare utilization.Results: Mean ambient PM2.5 concentrations during the study was 14.14 +/- (S.D. 6.36) mu g/m(3) during the summer and 14.20 (6.33) during the winter (p = 0.95). In multiple regression analyses, adjusting for age and gender, mean 6-month concentration of PM2.5 was related to shortness of breath (SHOB; standardized beta = 0.26, p = 0.02) and inversely with self-rated respiratory health (SRRH; beta = 0.28, p = 0.02). However, PM2.5 did not predict lung function (FEV1% predicted and FEV1/FVC). However, PM2.5 was related to use of asthma controller drugs (beta = 0.38, p = 0.001). Participants' air pollution ratings predicted total healthcare utilization (beta = 0.33, p = 0.01).Conclusions: In elderly persons with asthma, living near heavy industry and busy highways, objective and perceived environmental pollution relate to participants' respiratory health and healthcare utilization. Importantly, air pollution might increase use of asthma controller drugs containing corticosteroids with implication for elderly persons' risk to develop osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
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3. |
- Elsouhag, D., et al.
(author)
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Factors Associated with Healthcare Utilization Among Arab Immigrants and Iraqi Refugees
- 2015
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In: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1557-1912 .- 1557-1920. ; 17:5, s. 1305-1312
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Arab migrants-both immigrants and refugees-are exposed to pre- and post- migration stressors increasing their risk for health problems. Little is known, however, about rates of, or factors associated with, healthcare utilization among these two groups. A sample of 590 participants were interviewed approximately 1 year post-migration to the United States. Factors associated with healthcare utilization, including active and passive coping strategies, were examined using logistic regressions. Compared to national healthcare utilization data, immigrants had significantly lower, and refugees had significantly higher rates of healthcare utilization. Being a refugee, being married, and having health insurance were significantly associated with medical service utilization. Among refugees, less use of psychological services was associated with the use of medications and having problem-focused (active) strategies for dealing with stress. Healthcare utilization was significantly higher among refugees, who also reported a greater need for services than did immigrants.
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4. |
- Hengstebeck, Elizabeth, et al.
(author)
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Chronic pain disrupts ability to work by interfering with social function : a cross-sectional study
- 2017
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Pain. - : Elsevier. - 1877-8860 .- 1877-8879. ; 17, s. 397-402
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and aims: Some 100 million adults in the United States suffer from chronic pain. While research to date has focused primarily on pain interference with physical and psychological function and its effects on employment, few studies have examined the impact of pain interference on social functioning and its effects on employment. The aims of our study were to (1) evaluate the association between pain interference with ability to work and actual employment status among working age adults with chronic pain; and (2) evaluate pain interference with four types of functioning – cognitive, physical, psychological, and social – as possible mediators of pain interference with the ability to work.Methods: Data were collected via a self-selected sample of individuals visiting the American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) website. The final dataset included 966 respondents. We examined the association between pain interference with the ability to work and employment in a population with chronic pain. We then analyzed pain interference with four types of functioning, physical, psychological, cognitive, and social, for their impact on the ability to work.Results: Pain interference with ability to work was significantly inversely associated with employment status, i.e., the less that pain interfered with one's ability to work, the greater the likelihood of being employed. Moreover, pain interference with ability to work was a stronger predictor of employment status than an individual's rating of their pain intensity. Pain interference with social functioning partially mediated the effects of pain interference with cognitive and physical functioning and fully mediated the effects of pain intensity and pain interference with psychological functioning on pain interference with the ability to work. Results suggest that pain interference with social function may be a significant contributor to pain interference with ability to work in working age adults with chronic pain.Conclusions: In the development of effective solutions to address the economic and societal burden of chronic pain, this paper highlights the role of social function as an important, yet frequently overlooked, contributor to chronic pain's effect on the ability to work. Our findings underscore the importance of an integrated biopsychosocial approach to managing chronic pain, especially when addressing ability to work. From a clinical standpoint, assessing and managing pain intensity is necessary but not sufficient in addressing the far-reaching negative consequences of chronic pain.Implications: The development of interventions that improve social function may improve the ability to work in adults with chronic pain. Likewise, sick leave should be prescribed restrictively in the management of chronic pain since it may further interfere with social functioning.Perspective: This study highlights the importance of the assessment of pain interference with social function as a part of a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach to the evaluation and management of patients with chronic pain. Interventions that improve social function may improve the ability to work in this population. In addition, sick leave should be prescribed restrictively in the management of chronic pain since it by itself interferes with social functioning.
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5. |
- Höglund, Anna T, 1960-, et al.
(author)
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Patient participation during hospitalization for myocardial infarction : perceptions among patients and personnel
- 2010
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. - : Wiley. - 0283-9318 .- 1471-6712. ; 24:3, s. 482-489
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Patient participation in healthcare decision-making and illness management has been associated with high patient satisfaction ratings and improved treatment outcomes in chronic diseases. Less is known about patient participation in acute illness, such as myocardial infarction (MI). Aim: To explore and describe patient and personnel perceptions of patient participation in care processes and decision-making during hospitalization for MI. Method: A descriptive qualitative design was used. Five thematic focus group interviews were carried out (n = 25), two with patients and three with personnel, at three Swedish hospitals in 2005. Two researchers were present during the interviews; one as facilitator and one responsible for documentation. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed through a thematic stepwise method. Results: Five themes emerged from the interviews: the meaning of patient participation, positive outcomes, difficult situations, hindrances and facilitating factors. A shared basic assumption in all groups was that patient participation is valuable and desirable in the patient-doctor/nurse encounter in MI care. However, both staff and patients viewed patient participation primarily as information. Active involvement in medical decision-making was less emphasized. Participation was judged as especially difficult to achieve during the initial, emergency phase of MI, although the informants also stressed the need for information in this phase. Positive outcomes of patient participation mentioned were that the patient may feel more secure if involved and that he/she might be more committed to the recovery process. Hindrances were lack of time, staff and, in patients, medical knowledge. Patient characteristics could also influence the level of participation. Conclusion: If patient participation is to be achieved in all phases of MI care, patients need to be made aware of their right to participate. Health care professionals need to develop appropriate communication skills for each phase of the MI patient's hospitalization.
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6. |
- Ramji, Rathi, et al.
(author)
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Determinants of waterpipe use amongst adolescents in Northern Sweden : a survey of use pattern, risk perception, and environmental factors
- 2015
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In: BMC Research Notes. - : BioMed Central. - 1756-0500. ; 8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Determinants of waterpipe use in adolescents are believed to differ from those for other tobacco products, but there is a lack of studies of possible social, cultural, or psychological aspects of waterpipe use in this population. This study applied a socioecological model to explore waterpipe use, and its relationship to other tobacco use in Swedish adolescents.METHODS: A total of 106 adolescents who attended an urban high-school in northern Sweden responded to an anonymous questionnaire. Prevalence rates for waterpipe use were examined in relation to socio-demographics, peer pressure, sensation seeking behavior, harm perception, environmental factors, and depression.RESULTS: Thirty-three percent reported ever having smoked waterpipe (ever use), with 30 % having done so during the last 30 days (current use). Among waterpipe ever users, 60 % had ever smoked cigarettes in comparison to 32 % of non-waterpipe smokers (95 % confidence interval 1.4-7.9). The odds of having ever smoked waterpipe were three times higher among male high school seniors as well as students with lower grades. Waterpipe ever users had three times higher odds of having higher levels of sensation-seeking (95 % confidence interval 1.2-9.5) and scored high on the depression scales (95 % confidence interval 1.6-6.8) than non-users. The odds of waterpipe ever use were four times higher for those who perceived waterpipe products to have pleasant smell compared to cigarettes (95 % confidence interval 1.7-9.8). Waterpipe ever users were twice as likely to have seen waterpipe use on television compared to non-users (95 % confidence interval 1.1-5.7). The odds of having friends who smoked regularly was eight times higher for waterpipe ever users than non-users (95 % confidence interval 2.1-31.2).CONCLUSION: The current study reports a high use of waterpipe in a select group of students in northern Sweden. The study adds the importance of looking at socioecological determinants of use, including peer pressure and exposure to media marketing, as well as mental health among users.
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7. |
- Ramji, Rathi, et al.
(author)
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Taking a Stand : An Untapped Strategy to Reduce Waterpipe Smoking in Adolescents
- 2019
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In: Substance Use & Misuse. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1082-6084 .- 1532-2491. ; 54:3, s. 514-524
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Waterpipe use amongst adolescents is on the rise globally. Thus, there is a need to understand adolescents 'attitudes towards and perceptions of waterpipe use in order to develop specific interventions against this form of tobacco use. Methods: Focus group interviews were conducted among 37 Swedish adolescents (14 boys and 23 girls) from grades 10 to 12. Waterpipe users and nonusers were interviewed separately, with two groups each for users and nonusers. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and thematically analyzed using content analysis. Results: Six themes emerged including taking a stand, weighing the risks, Lack of knowledge, Social context, Waterpipe new and unknown, and Family influence. Taking a stand was about being able to stand up for one's owns views rather than giving in to peer pressure to smoke waterpipe. Participants feared harming others via secondhand smoke and expressed criticism of the tobacco industry. Participants considered the health consequences and feared addiction. Lack of knowledge concerning health effects of waterpipe smoking due to the unavailability of credible information was also reported. Waterpipe smoking was considered a social event carried out in the company of friends. Perceived as novel and fun, waterpipe was smoked out of curiosity. Parents' and siblings' smoking behaviors influenced adolescent waterpipe use. Conclusion: Adolescents reported lacking information about the possible health effects of waterpipe smoking and that gaining such knowledge would make it easier for them to take a stand and refuse smoking waterpipe. Prevention strategies should focus on providing adolescents with factual information about the dangers of waterpipe use.
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8. |
- Ramji, Rathi, et al.
(author)
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Waterpipe use in adolescents in Northern Sweden : Association with mental well-being and risk and health behaviours
- 2018
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. - : Sage Publications. - 1403-4948 .- 1651-1905. ; 46:8, s. 867-876
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIMS: There is a lack of studies examining the association between waterpipe smoking and mental well-being among adolescents. This study sought to determine whether waterpipe smoking is associated with mental well-being and other risk and health behaviours in adolescents.METHODS: A questionnaire was distributed to 1006 adolescents in grades 9-12 (with a response rate of >95%), containing questions on measures of stress, mental energy and sleep. In addition, the questionnaire assessed risk and health behaviours, including use of a waterpipe, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, snus, alcohol, narcotics, gambling and exercise. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with waterpipe use.RESULTS: Thirty-seven per cent ( n=371) of the participants had used a waterpipe at some point. Waterpipe use was associated with lower mental energy (odds ratio [OR] = 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81-0.99), higher stress (OR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.20) and use of cigarettes (OR = 3.82, 95% CI 2.33-6.03), e-cigarettes (OR = 3.26, 95% CI 2.12-4.99), snus (OR = 2.29, 95% CI 2.12-4.99), alcohol (OR = 1.92, 95% CI 1.07-3.44) and narcotics (OR = 3.64, 95% CI 1.75-7.58). Waterpipe use was not significantly associated with gambling, exercise or sleep quality.CONCLUSIONS: Waterpipe use in adolescents is associated with worse mental well-being, as well as use of other nicotine products, alcohol and narcotics. Prospective studies are needed to delineate causal and temporal relationships further between waterpipe use and mental well-being and its relationship to other risky behaviours in order to design effective prevention programs.
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9. |
- Roskos, Steven E., et al.
(author)
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Complex patients' effect on family physicians : high cognitive load and negative emotional impact
- 2021
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In: Family Practice. - : Oxford University Press. - 0263-2136 .- 1460-2229. ; 38:4, s. 454-459
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Complex patients present an increasing challenge to the health care system and family physicians play an important role in their care. As part of a larger project exploring family physicians' perceptions of complex patients, we sought to understand how complex patients affect family physicians and if these effects might be related to physician burnout.METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study involving interviews with family physicians from various practice settings. We invited the physicians to choose three of their patients between the ages of 18 and 64 whom they considered to have complex medical problems and to have access to their medical records during a telephone interview using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded, professionally transcribed and coded. Using qualitative analytical software, research team members worked together to analyse the interview data and determine emerging themes.RESULTS: Eleven family physicians participated in the interviews and described 29 unique complex patients, including challenges and effects on them personally. Analysis of the available 10 family physicians' interviews revealed two themes related to complexity's impact on physicians: (i) high cognitive load and (ii) negative emotional impact.CONCLUSION: Although preliminary, this study offers a previously unconsidered understanding of drivers of physician burnout, including high cognitive load and negative emotional impact on family physicians created by caring for complex patients. Interventions to improve health care, including addressing physician wellness and burnout, should include the provision of resources to assist them with decreasing cognitive load and negative emotional impact when caring for complex patients.
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