Relationships between dimensions of fatigue and psychological distress among public hospital nurses

Background: Fatigue and psychological distress are fairly common among nursing personnel,but their relationship is not clearly understood.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the relationships between dimensions of fatigue and psychological distress among 699 public hospital nurses in Iran. The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI–20) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ–12)were used for evaluation of fatigue and psychological distress, respectively.Results: The total fatigue score of the MFI–20 was 52.5 (SD = 11.8). The general fatigue (mean± SD = 13.2±3.1) and reduced motivation (mean ± SD = 9.2±2.7) were the fatigue dimensions with the highest and lowest mean scores, respectively. The percentage of psychological distress(e.g., those nurses scored above the cut-off point [GHQ–12 ≥ 4]) was 29.1%. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis indicated that general (P<0.001), physical (P<0.001) and mental(P<0.001) aspects of fatigue were significantly related to the psychological distress, so that the scores of these fatigue dimensions were significantly higher for those nurses with a higher level of psychological distress (above the cut-off point) than those with a lower level of psychological distress (below the cut-off point).Conclusion: The results emphasize the need for multi-component interventions aimed at decreasing both mental and physical fatigue, and consequently reducing the psychological distress among this group of healthcare professionals

Demographic Factors and their Relation to Fatigue and Mental Disorders in 12-Hour Petrochemical Shift Workers

Background: Shift workers may be exposed to fatigue and mental disorders due to various work-related risk factors. This study evaluated the impact of demographic characteristics on fatigue and mental disorders among 12-hour shift workers in petrochemical industries. Methods: This study was conducted among 290 shift workers of Pardis Petrochemical Company in Iran. Data were collected using a general questionnaire for the demographic characteristic as well as multidimensional fatigue inventory (MFI-20) and general health questionnaire (GHQ-28). Results: Married workers were less likely to suffer from reduced activity levels (P< 0.027), depression (P< 0.032) and mental disorders (P< 0.040). Social dysfunction score (P< 0.029) and mental disorders (P< 0.048) decreased with shift work experience. Shift workers with non-academic education less likely to suffer from reduced activity levels (P< 0.000) and mental fatigue (P< 0.028). Conclusion: Despite the significant difference between the variables, this study showed a weak effect of individual and occupational demographic characteristics on fatigue and mental disorders

Physical and psychological job demands and fatigue experience among offshore workers

Offshore operations are generally challenging and hazardous, and the workers are exposed to conditions that may lead to fatigue. A cross-sectional study evaluated physical and psychological job demands and their associations with fatigue among offshore workers. The offshore workers (n = 251) completed a questionnaire including demographic/job details, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI‒20), and Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). Data were analysed using linear regression modelling. Results indicated that the physical (particularly performing repetitive motions and applying pressure with hands and wrists) and psychological (e.g., intense task concentration and fast working) job demands were relatively high. The total mean (SD) fatigue score (MFI‒20) was 56.3 (13.9). Individual factors (Body Mass Index ‒ BMI), physical job demands (awkward working postures, frequent moving/lifting heavy objects and doing lots of physical efforts) and psychological job demands (task interruptions by other people and doing an excessive amount of work) were the main variables associated with different dimensions of fatigue in the multivariate models. While physical fatigue was only associated with the physical job demands, both physical and psychological job demands were significantly associated with mental fatigue in the multivariate context. The findings have possible implications for job design and implementation of intervention programmes to promote health and performance of the employees

Job Burnout and its Association WithWork Schedules and Job Satisfaction Among Iranian Nurses in a Public Hospital: A Questionnaire Survey

Background: Job burnout, defined as a syndrome derived from prolonged exposure to stressors at work, is often observed in health care workers. Shift work and job satisfaction are considered two of the occupational risks for burnout in nurses. Nurses have stress and health complaints. In addition, nurses are likely to job burnout. Objectives: The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of job burnout and its association with work schedules and job satisfaction among Iranian nurses in a public hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in one of the largest Iranian public hospitals among 362 nurses (response rate: 80.44%) in Tehran, Iran. The Maslach burnout inventory (MBI-22) and demographic factors questionnaire were used in the present study. The relationship between job burnout with work schedules and job satisfaction was investigated with multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The mean age and work experience of the participants were 36.14 ± 8.59 and 15.23 ± 9.30 years, respectively. The result indicated a relatively high prevalence of burnout (particularly, personal accomplishment) among the study population. In general, 64.4% of participants reported low personal accomplishment level. The nurses engaged in shift work reported higher levels of emotional exhaustion (odds ratio (OR) = 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.006 - 1.041, P-value = 0.008); there was no relationship between workschedules with depersonalization and personal accomplishment. The result showed significant relationship between job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion (OR = 0.945, 95% CI = 0.928 - 0.963, P-value < 0.001) and personal accomplishment (OR = 1.003, 95% CI = 1.014 - 1.058, P-value = 0.001). Conclusions: The current study revealed that the Iranian nurses are exposed to a considerable risk of personal accomplishment. Also, job burnout is in association with shift working and low job satisfaction level. In this regard, working pressure, type of job and income may affect job burnout. Ergonomic interventional programs are recommended to improve the working conditions. Keywords: Circadian Rhythm, Burnout, Occupational Health, Job Satisfactio

Ergonomics in surgical environments

The majority of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) in surgery are mostly related to sustained position and awkward postures, forcing non-natural gestures in surgeon ́s body.This arti- cle points to describe the different ailments studied during surgical tasks over the years: causes which increase the discomfort and fatigue, and effects related with them, in order highlight the cur- rent working conditions and how might be improved. To do that, a research is done to understand the main issues related on full body ailments and how is have been evaluated in different types of surgery, for which, the lead postural analysis technologies are presented, understanding Rapid Upper Limb Assessment system (RULA) the most suitable method to stablish priorities for preven- tive/corrective actions.Knowing the ailment ́s causes it have been necessary to define the critical points related with the causes, as instrumentation design, regulations in operating tables and chairs, pedal drives, and other surgical elements that require a ergonomic improvements, so that, the main design guidelines have been col- lected in this document and have been compared with a sample of current products available in the market, with the purpose of knowing the degree of implication between the requirements re- quested by the surgical teams and the companies dedicated to their design