11. |
- Gustafsson Sendén, Marie, et al.
(author)
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Gender differences in Reasons for Sickness Presenteeism - a study among GPs in a Swedish health care organization
- 2016
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In: Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - : Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - 2052-4374. ; 28
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: It is common that physicians go to work while sick and therefore it is important to understand the reasons behind. Previous research has shown that women and men differ in health and health related behavior. In this study, we examine gender differences among general practitioners who work while sick.Methods: General practitioners (GP’s) working in outpatient care in a Swedish city participated in the study (n = 283; women = 63 %; response rate = 41 %). Data were obtained from a large web-based questionnaire about health and organization within primary care. Two questions about sickness presenteeism (going to work while sick) were included; life-long and during the past 12 months, and five questions about reasons. We controlled for general health, work-family conflict and demographic variables.Results: Female physicians reported sickness presenteeism more often than male physicians. Work-family conflict mediated the association between gender and sickness presenteeism.Women reported reasons related with “concern for others” and “workload” more strongly than men. Men reported reasons related with “capacity” and “money” more strongly than women. These differences are likely effects of gender stereotyping and different family-responsibilities.Conclusions: Gender socialization and gender stereotypes may influence work and health-related behavior. Because sickness presenteeism is related with negative effects both on individuals and at organizational levels, it is important that managers of health organizations understand the reasons for this, and how gender roles may influence the prevalence of sickness presenteeism and the reasons that female and male GPs give for their behavior.
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12. |
- Gustafsson Sendén, Marie, et al.
(author)
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Gender influence on sickness presence in outpatient care
- 2014
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In: International Conference on Physician Health: Milestones and transitions - Maintaining the balance. ; , s. 64-65
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: In the health care sector sickness presence is common, and especially among physicians. Sickness presence is less studied than sickness absence but might have adverse effects for individual physicians, and for health care of patients (Wallace, et al, 2009). Previous research has shown that female physicians more often go to work while sick (Gustafsson et al., 2013). In this study, it is examined whether men and women also show different reasons for going to work while ill. Method and participants: The study was conducted within outpatient care in a large Swedish city (N = 283, women 64 %). The question studied were sickness presence in a long term perspective, during the last 12 months and reasons for going to work while sick (concern for colleagues; patients; workload; economy; and perceptions of own capability). Results: In a long-term perspective, women indicated that they went to work while sick more often than men, F (1,282) = 6.06, p = .014. Among the women, 37 % indicated that they often or very often go to work while ill. For men, this figure was 23.4 %. For the last 12 month, 50% of the women and 40% of the men had gone to work while sick more than two times (mean difference = ns.). Although men and women indicated similar reasons for going to work while sick, there were also interesting differences. Women indicated higher concerns for patients, and the workload as reasons for going to work while sick. On the other hand, men indicated economic concerns to a higher degree than women and that they were capable of going to work while sick. There were no gender differences in concerns for colleagues. Conclusions: Sickness presence might have severe consequences, both for physicians themselves and for patients and medical care. Knowing the reasons for why physicians go to work is important in order to counter these behaviors. It is also important to notice that sex roles are of relevance in this type of behavior. HR departments and managers within medical care need to address these questions thoroughly and to implement strategies to decrease sickness presence among physicians.
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13. |
- Loikas, Desirée, et al.
(author)
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Does patient's sex influence treatment in primary care? Experiences and expressed knowledge among physicians : a qualitative study
- 2015
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In: BMC Family Practice. - London, UK : BioMed Central. - 1471-2296. ; 16
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Biological and sociocultural differences between men and women may play an important role in medical treatment. Little is known about the awareness of these differences among general practitioners (GPs) and if they consider such differences in their medical practice. The aim of this study was to explore GPs' perception of sex and gender aspects in medical treatment.METHODS: We conducted five focus group discussions (FGDs) with 29 physicians (mainly GPs) in Sweden. A discussion guide with semi-structured questions was used. All FGDs were audio-recorded and transcribed word-by-word. Data were analysed through inductive thematic analysis with no predetermined categories.RESULTS: Three main categories emerged from the data. The first category emphasised GPs' experiences of sex and gender differences in diagnosing and assessment of clinical findings. Medical treatment in men and women was central in the second category. The third category emphasised GPs' knowledge of sex differences in drug therapy.CONCLUSIONS: The GPs stated they had little knowledge of sex and gender differences in drug treatment, but gave multiple examples of how the patient's sex affects the choice of treatment. Sex and gender aspects were considered in diagnosing and in the treatment decision. However, once the decision to treat was made the choice of drug followed recommendations by local Drug and Therapeutics Committee, which were perceived to be evidence-based. In the analysis we found a gap between perceived and expressed knowledge of sex and gender differences in drug treatment indicating a need of education about this to be included in the curriculum in medical school and in basic and specialist training for physicians. Education could also be a tool to avoid stereotypical thinking about male and female patients.
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14. |
- Nero, Daniella, et al.
(author)
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Personality Traits in Patients with Myocardial Infarction with Nonobstructive Coronary Arteries.
- 2019
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In: The American journal of medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1555-7162 .- 0002-9343. ; 132:3, s. 374-381
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The purpose of this study was to describe type A behavior pattern and trait anger in patients with myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) and compare them with patients with coronary heart disease and healthy controls. Type A behavior pattern and anger have been linked to coronary heart disease in previous studies. This is the first study to assess type A behavior pattern and trait anger in MINOCA patients.One hundred MINOCA patients, consecutively recruited during 2007-2011 at 5 coronary care units in Stockholm, were matched for sex and age to 100 coronary heart disease patients and 100 healthy controls. All participants completed the Bortner Rating Scale to quantify type A behavior pattern and the Spielberger Trait Anger Scale to quantify anger 3 months after the acute event.MINOCA patients' Bortner Rating Scale score was 70.9 ± 10.8 (mean ± SD) and Spielberger Trait Anger Scale score was 14 (12-17) (median; interquartile range). Coronary heart disease patients' Bortner Rating Scale score was 70.5 ± 10.2 and Spielberger Trait Anger Scale score was 14 (12-17). Healthy controls' Bortner Rating Scale score was 71.9 ± 9.1 and Spielberger Trait Anger Scale score was 13 (11-16).We found no significant differences in Bortner Rating Scale score and Spielberger Trait Anger Scale score among MINOCA, coronary heart disease patients, and healthy controls, regardless of whether total scores, subscales, or cutoffs were used to classify type A behavior pattern and trait anger. However, we cannot exclude the existence of an occasional episode of anger or mental stress in relation to the coronary event. This is the first study to assess type A behavior pattern and trait anger in patients with MINOCA, and future studies need to confirm the current findings before any firm conclusions can be made.
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15. |
- Wall, Maja, et al.
(author)
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Suicidal ideation among surgeons in Italy and Sweden : a cross-sectional study
- 2014
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In: BMC Psychology. - : Springer Science+Business Media B.V.. - 2050-7283. ; 2, s. 53-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Suicidal ideation is more prevalent among physicians, compared to the population in general, but little is known about the factors behind surgeons’ suicidal ideation. A surgeon’s work environment can be competitive and characterised by degrading experiences, which could contribute to burnout, depression and even thoughts of suicide. Being a surgeon has been reported to be predictor for not seeking help when psychological distressed. The aim of the present study was to investigate to what extent surgeons in Italy and Sweden are affected by suicidal ideation, and how suicidal ideation can be associated with psychosocial work conditions. Methods: A cross-sectional study of surgeons was performed in Italy (N=149) and Sweden (N=272), where having suicidal ideation was the outcome variable. Work-related factors, such as harassment, depression and social support, were also measured. Results: Suicidal ideation within the previous twelve months was affirmatively reported by 18% of the Italian surgeons, and by 12% of the Swedish surgeons in the present study. The strongest association with having recent suicidal ideation for both countries was being subjected to degrading experiences/harassment at work by a senior physician. Sickness presenteeism, exhaustion and disengagement were related to recent suicidal ideation among Italian surgeons, while role conflicts and sickness presenteeism were associated with recent suicidal ideation in the Swedish group. For both countries, regular meetings to discuss situations at work were found to be protective. Conclusions: A high percentage of surgeons at two university hospitals in Italy and Sweden reported suicidal ideation during the year before the investigation. This reflects a tough workload, including sickness presenteeism, harassment at work, exhaustion/disengagement and role conflicts. Regular meetings to discuss work situations might be protective.
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16. |
- Berglund, Annika, et al.
(author)
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Factors facilitating or hampering nurses identification of stroke in emergency calls
- 2015
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In: Journal of Advanced Nursing. - : Wiley. - 0309-2402 .- 1365-2648. ; 71:11, s. 2609-2621
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims. To explore the factors that facilitate or hamper identification of stroke in emergency calls concerning patients with stroke who have fallen or been in a lying position.Background. Early identification of stroke in emergency calls is vital but can be complicated as the patients may be unable to express themselves and the callers generally are bystanders. In a previous study, we found presentation of fall or the patient being in a lying position to be the major problem in 66% of emergency calls concerning, but not dispatched as acute stroke.Design. A qualitative study using interpretive phenomenology.Methods. Analysis of transcribed emergency calls concerning 29 patients with stroke diagnoses at hospital discharge, in 2011 and presented with fall/lying position.Findings. Patients' ability to express themselves, callers' knowledge of the patient and of stroke, first call-takers' and nurses' authority, nurses' coaching and nurses' expertise skills facilitated or hindered the identification of stroke. Certain aspects are adjustable, but some are determined by the situation or on callers' and patients' abilities and thus difficult to change. Nurses' expertise skills were the only theme found to have a decisive effect of the identification of stroke on its own.Conclusion. To increase identification of stroke in emergency calls concerning stroke, the first call-takers' and nurses' action, competence and awareness of obstacles are crucial and if strengthened would likely increase the identification of stroke in emergency calls. In complicated cases, nurses' expertise skills seem essential for identification of stroke.
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17. |
- Berglund, Annika, et al.
(author)
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Identification of stroke during the emergency call : a descriptive study of callers' presentation of stroke
- 2015
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In: BMJ Open. - London, UK : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 2044-6055. ; 5:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To evaluate symptoms presented by the caller during emergency calls regarding stroke, and to assess if symptoms in the Face-Arm-Speech-Time Test (FAST) are related to identification of stroke.SETTING: Emergency calls to the Emergency Medical Communication Center (EMCC) concerning patients discharged with stroke diagnosis in a large teaching hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, in January-June 2011.PARTICIPANTS: The emergency calls of 179 patients who arrived at hospital by ambulance, and who were discharged with a stroke diagnosis and consented to participate were included in the study.OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequencies of stroke symptoms presented and a comparison of symptoms presented in calls with dispatch code stroke or other dispatch code.RESULTS: Of the 179 emergency calls analysed, 64% were dispatched as 'Stroke'. FAST symptoms, that is, facial or arm weakness or speech disturbances, were presented in 64% of the calls and were spontaneously revealed in 90%. Speech disturbance was the most common problem (54%) in all calls, followed by fall/lying position (38%) and altered mental status (27%). For patients with dispatch codes other than stroke, the dominating problem presented was a fall or being in a lying position (66%), followed by speech disturbance (31%) and altered mental status (25%). Stroke-specific symptoms were more common in patients dispatched as stroke. FAST symptoms were reported in 80% of patients dispatched as stroke compared with 35% in those dispatched as something else.CONCLUSIONS: This study implicates that fall/lying position and altered mental status could be considered as possible symptoms of stroke during an emergency call. Checking for FAST symptoms in these patients might uncover stroke symptoms. Future studies are needed to evaluate if actively asking for FAST symptoms in emergency calls presenting falls or a lying position can improve the identification of stroke.TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Stroke2010/703-31/2.
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18. |
- Dahlgren, Cecilia, et al.
(author)
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Recording a diagnosis of stroke, transient ischaemic attack or myocardial infarction in primary healthcare and the association with dispensation of secondary preventive medication : a registry-based prospective cohort study
- 2017
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In: BMJ Open. - London, UK : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 2044-6055. ; 7:9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore whether recording in primary care of a previously recorded hospital diagnosis was associated with increased patient utilisation of recommended medications.DESIGN: Registry-based prospective cohort study.SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 19 072 patients with a hospital discharge diagnosis of transient ischaemic attack (TIA), stroke or acute coronary syndrome from hospitals in Stockholm County 2010-2013 were included in the study.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The outcome of the study was medication dispensation as a marker of adherence to recommended medications. Adherence was defined as having had at least two filled prescriptions in the third year following hospital discharge.RESULTS: Recording a diagnosis was associated with higher utilisation of all recommended medications with the exception of antihypertensives in patients with TIA. The differences between the groups with and without a recorded diagnosis remained after adjusting for age, sex, index year and visits to private practitioners. Dispensation of antithrombotics was high overall, 80%-90% in patients without a recorded diagnosis and 90%-94% for those with a diagnosis. Women with recorded ischaemic stroke/TIA/acute coronary syndrome were dispensed more statins (56%-71%) than those with no recorded diagnosis (46%-59%). Similarly, 68%-83% of men with a recorded diagnosis were dispensed statins (57%-77% in men with no recorded diagnosis). The rate of diagnosis recording spanned from 15% to 47% and was especially low in TIA (men 15%, women 16%).CONCLUSION: Recording a diagnosis of TIA/stroke or acute coronary syndrome in primary care was found to be associated with higher dispensation of recommended secondary preventive medications. Further study is necessary in order to determine the mechanisms underlying our results and to establish the utility of our findings.
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19. |
- Fridner, Ann, et al.
(author)
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Survey on recent suicidal ideation among female university hospital physicians in Sweden and Italy (the HOUPE study) : Cross-sectional associations with work stressors
- 2009
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In: Gender Medicine. - : Elsevier USA. - 1550-8579. ; 6:1, s. 314-328
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Suicide rates among physicians are higher than in the general population, and rates among female physicians are particularly high. More female than male physicians report suicidal thoughts, with suicidal ideation being a well-recognized precursor of suicide. The urgent need to find the reasons for suicide risk in female physicians is underscored by society's increasing dependence on this group of health care providers. Objective: The aim of this paper was to identify potential risk and protective factors associated with recent suicidal ideation in female physicians. Methods: A cross-sectional survey analysis of work-related health, organizational culture, career paths, and working conditions was performed among permanently employed female physicians from the HOUPE (Health and Organisation among University Physicians in four European countries) study: 385 in Sweden and 126 in Italy. The main outcome measure was recent (within the prior 12 months) suicidal thoughts. Results: Overall, 13.7% and 14.3% of the participants from Sweden and Italy, respectively, reported suicidal thoughts within the prior 12 months. Among the physicians from Sweden, the most powerful mul-tivariate model for such thoughts included 2 independent variables related to work: degrading experiences/harassment at work (odds ratio [OR], 3.03; 95% CI, 1.48–6.23), and work meetings to discuss stressful situations (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.19–0.69). The model included self-diagnosis and self-treatment as a significant factor. Work meetings to discuss stressful situations were also in the multivariate model for the Italian physicians (OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.05–0.86), together with being given work assignments without adequate resources (OR, 5.0; 95% CI, 1.32–18.8). Significant non-work-related factors in the Italian model were younger age and seeking professional help for depression or burnout. Conclusions: In both Sweden and Italy, work stressors have been identified that may increase the risk for suicide for female physicians. A potential protective factor was meetings to discuss stressful work experiences. These findings suggest that such meetings should be more broadly implemented.
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20. |
- Fridner, Ann, et al.
(author)
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Work Environment and Recent Suicidal Thoughts Among Male University Hospital Physicians in Sweden and Italy : The Health and Organization Among University Hospital Physicians in Europe (HOUPE) Study
- 2011
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In: Gender Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1550-8579 .- 1878-7398. ; 8:4, s. 269-279
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Male and female physicians are at elevated suicide risk. The work environment has become a focus of attention as a possible contributor to this risk. The potential association between work environment and suicidal thoughts has been examined among female physicians in several countries, and significant findings have been reported. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the role of the work environment in relation to suicidal thoughts among male university hospital physicians in 2 European countries. Methods: Cross-sectional multivariate analysis was performed to identify significant associations between work-related factors and suicide risk among male physicians from the Health and Organization among University Hospital Physicians in Europe (HOUPE) study. The dependent variable was termed recent suicidal thoughts, which includes having thought about suicide and/or having thought about specific ways to commit suicide within the previous year. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and CIs are reported. Results: Of the 456 Swedish (56%) and 241 Italian (39%) male physicians who participated, 12% of the physicians from each country reported affirmatively regarding recent suicidal thoughts. Degrading work experiences were associated with recent suicidal thoughts for the Swedish and Italian physicians (OR = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.01–4.5; OR = 3.3; 95% CI, 1.3–8.0, respectively). Role conflict was associated with recent suicidal thoughts among the Swedish physicians (OR = 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1–2.2). Support at work when difficulties arose appeared to be protective for the Swedish physicians (OR = 0.7; 95% CI, 0.5–0.96). Italian physicians with little control over working conditions had an increased risk of recent suicidal thoughts, whereas confidential discussions about work experiences appeared to be protective (OR = 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4–0.9). Conclusion: Attention should be paid to the work environment as it relates to suicide risk among male university hospital physicians, particularly to bolstering social support and preventing harassment.
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