An online expert network for high quality information on occupational safety and health: cross-sectional study of user satisfaction and impact

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many people have difficulties finding information on health questions, including occupational safety and health (OSH) issues. One solution to alleviate these difficulties could be to offer questioners free-of-charge, online access to a network of OSH experts who provide tailored, high-quality information. The aim of this study was to assess whether network quality, respectively information quality, as perceived by the questioners, is associated with questioners' overall satisfaction and to explore the impact of the information received on questioners' knowledge, work and work functioning.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We evaluated the experiences of OSH questioners with the online network ArboAntwoord.com over a two-year period. In this network, approximately 80 qualified experts are available to answer OSH questions. By means of a questionnaire, we assessed questioners' overall satisfaction with the network, whether the network was user-friendly, easily accessible and easy to handle and whether the information provided was complete, applicable and received in a timely manner. The impact of the information on questioners' knowledge, work or work functioning was explored with seven questions. In the study period, 460 unique OSH questioners asked 851 OSH questions. In total, 205 of the 460 questioners completed the questionnaire (response rate 45%).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the responders, 71% were satisfied with the ArboAntwoord network. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the applicability of the information had a positive influence on the questioners' overall satisfaction (OR = 16.0, 95% CI: 7.0-36.4). Also, user friendliness of the network (OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.3-8.6) and completeness of the information provided (OR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.3-6.8) were positively related to the questioners' satisfaction. For 74% of the questioners, the information helped to increase their knowledge and understanding. Overall, 25% of the questioners indicated that the received information improved their work, work functioning or health.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A free-of-charge, online expert network in the field of OSH can be a useful strategy to provide OSH questioners with applicable, complete and timely information that may help improve safety and health at work. This study provides more insight in how to satisfy network questioners and about the potential impact of provided information on OSH.</p

Sport and people with disability Aiming at social inclusion

Includes bibliographical referencesAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:7766. 2405(no 77) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Sport and minority ethnic communities Aiming at social inclusion : summary

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:7738. 765(no 58) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Sport and minority ethnic communities Aiming at social inclusion : summary

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:7738. 765(no 57) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Re-introduction of the European beaver to Scotland Results of a public consultation

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:8313.903(121) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Access consultation Analysis of responses

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:8313.903(134) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Qualitative and quantitative effects of reintroduced beavers on stream fish

Reintroduction of beaver (Castor spp) may facilitate rehabilitation of freshwater habitats providing a cost-effective sustainable means of improving ecological conditions. Despite extensive research, debate and consultation, a general consensus on the impact of beaver on fishes has proven elusive because of variability in biological response. This paper provides a systematic review of the impacts of beaver dams on fishes and fish habitat based on a meta-analysis of the literature and expert opinion. Research is regionally biased to North America (88%). The most frequently cited benefits of beaver dams were increased habitat heterogeneity, rearing and overwintering habitat and flow refuge, and invertebrate production. Impeded fish movement because of dams, siltation of spawning habitat and low oxygen levels in ponds were the most often cited negative impacts. Benefits (184) were cited more frequently than costs (119). Impacts were spatially and temporally variable and differed with species. The majority of 49 North American and European experts considered beaver to have an overall positive impact on fish populations, through their influence on abundance and productivity. Perceived negative effects related to the movement of aquatic organisms in tributary streams, including upstream and downstream migrating salmonids, and the availability of suitable spawning habitat