Born in War: Canada's Postwar Engineers and Toronto's Ajax Division

With the start of the Second World War, the University of Toronto's Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering embarked on an unprecedented expansion that would eventually lead it to a wartime boomtown forty kilometers to the east of its downtown campus. For three and a half years after the war, returned men and women studied engineering in the converted barracks and buildings of the Ajax shell-filling plant. The stage for the postwar engineering boom, common to many Canadian universities, and especially Toronto's, was set during this time, and some of engineering's more enduring traditions at the University of Toronto may have been reinforced by the forced seclusion of the Ajax engineers as well as by the special treatment accorded to the overwhelmingly male veterans by the faculty and staff. In many ways, the story of Ajax Division is pivotal to understanding the training of engineers at the University of Toronto since the Second World War.Au cours de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, la Faculté des sciences appliquées et de génie de l’Université de Toronto a connu un essor sans précédent qui a fini par la mener jusqu’à une ville nouvelle à quarante kilomètres du campus Saint-George au centre-ville. Pendant trois années et demie après la fin de la guerre, des vétérans en grand nombre ont étudié le génie dans les baraques et bâtisses reconverties de l’usine de munitions d’Ajax. L’amorce du boom d’après-guerre en génie, qui a profité à plusieurs universités canadiennes et surtout celle de Toronto, remonte à cette époque et certaines des traditions les mieux enracinées de la Faculté de génie à l’Université de Toronto ont pu être renforcées par l’isolement des ingénieurs d’Ajax ainsi que par le traitement de faveur accordé aux vétérans — pratiquement tous des hommes — par la faculté et le personnel enseignant. À bien des égards, l’histoire du campus d’Ajax jette une lueur cruciale sur la formation des ingénieurs à l’Université de Toronto depuis la Seconde Guerre mondiale

Démarche, cheminement et stratégies : une approche en trois phases pour favoriser la compréhension des concepts scientifiques

Même si les difficultés des élèves en sciences sont diversifiées, la plupart semblent associées à des carences dans leur compréhension des concepts de base. Depuis une vingtaine d’années, différentes recherches ont tenté d’apporter des solutions à ce problème, favorisant la multiplication des directives à appliquer à l’enseignement des sciences. Pour intégrer leurs résultats, nous proposons, à la suite d’une recension des écrits de recherche, un schéma de la démarche de compréhension qui permet, non seulement de décrire l’ensemble des cheminements de l’apprenant, mais aussi de choisir les stratégies d’enseignement appropriées à favoriser cette dernière.Despite the fact that students’ difficulties in science vary, most of them seem related to misunderstandings of basic science concepts. Over the last twenty years, various investigations have attempted to find solutions to this problem, resulting in the multiplication of advice for science teaching. In order to integrate various research results and following a review of the literature, we propose a schema of the understanding process of scientific concepts. With the help of this schema, one may be able to, not only describe the many paths learners can take in their attempt to get a better understanding of science, but also choose teaching strategies that help them to do so.Si bien las dificultades de los alumnos en ciencias son diversas, la mayoría de ellas parecen estar asociadas con carencias en la comprensión que tienen los alumnos de los conceptos básicos. Desde hace 20 anos, varias investigaciones han intentado solucionar este problema, favoreciendo la multiplicación de directivas a aplicar a la enseñanza de las ciencias. Para integrar los resultados, proponemos, a raíz de una reseña de la literatura, un esquema del proceso de comprensión que permita, no solo describir la variedad de caminos que el alumno puede seguir, sino también seleccionar las estrategias de enseñanza que más fomentan la comprensión

Action syndicale, démocratie et santé mentale au travail

La problématique de la santé mentale au travail est très présente dans les milieux syndicaux, replaçant au coeur de l’action syndicale l’importance de la qualité de vie au travail. Plusieurs recherches participatives, inspirées de la psychodynamique de travail et des récits de pratiques ont permis d’explorer le vécu et la réflexion de militants syndicaux sur la santé mentale au travail, tant dans leur travail à l’intérieur des structures syndicales que dans leurs interventions dans divers milieux de travail. Les nouvelles formes d’organisation du travail, marquées par l’idéologie néoproductiviste portent atteinte à la santé mentale de nombre de travailleurs et travailleuses, y compris chez les représentants et militants syndicaux. La difficile démocratisation au travail constitue un risque important pour la santé mentale au travail, un signe peut‑être de la toujours présente aliénation au travail.The mental health issue in the workplace is quite present in unions, putting at the core of action the centrality of working quality of life. Many participative researches, based on psychodynamic of work and practitioners’ narratives gave access to the reflective experience of unions workers about mental health at work, in their own union working context and through their interventions in external workplaces situations. New forms of working organisations, influenced by the “neoproductivist” ideology, have negative effect on mental health of numerous workers. The difficult access to democracy in the workplace is one important risk for mental health and the sign of a still prevalent condition of work alienation

Bibliothèque publique, un lieu de travail (La)

Les troubles musculo-squelettiques sont fréquents chez les personnels de bibliothèques, en raison des postures statiques prolongées, des mouvements répétés, de l\u27utilisation d\u27outils informatiques ou de tâches de manutention. Ce rapport fait état de travaux qui ont mené à l\u27élaboration d\u27un modèle d\u27intervention ergonomique pour contribuer aux projets d\u27aménagement et concevoir des situations de travail qui ne soient pas source d\u27atteintes à la santé pour le personnel. Ces travaux leur ont permis d\u27établir un lien entre les activités du travail en bibliothèque et de nombreux facteurs de risques de troubles musculo-squelettiques. Les auteurs ont documenté l\u27influence de différents choix faits pendant deux projets d\u27aménagement en bibliothèque sur l\u27apparition de telles lésions. Les résultats de leur étude ont servi de base à la rédaction de publications pratiques qui permettent aux gestionnaires et au personnel des bibliothèques, aux ergonomes et aux spécialistes municipaux en santé et en sécurité du travail d\u27effectuer des choix d\u27équipements et d\u27aménagement qui tiennent compte de la prévention des troubles musculo-squelettiques

Advancing laboratory medicine in hospitals through health information exchange : a survey of specialist physicians in Canada

Background: Laboratory testing occupies a prominent place in health care. Information technology systems havethe potential to empower laboratory experts and to enhance the interpretation of test results in order to bettersupport physicians in their quest for better and safer patient care. This study sought to develop a better understanding ofwhich laboratory information exchange (LIE) systems and features specialist physicians are using in hospital settings toconsult their patients’laboratory test results, and what benefit they derive from such use. Methods: As part of a broader research program on the use of health information exchange systems for laboratorymedicine in Quebec, Canada, this study was designed as on online survey. Our sample is composed of 566 specialist physicians working in hospital settings, out of the 1512 physicians who responded to the survey (response rate of 17%).Respondents are representative of the targeted population of specialist physicians in terms of gender, age and hospital location.Results: We first observed that 80% of the surveyed physicians used the province-wide interoperable electronic health records (iEHR) system and 93% used a laboratory results viewer (LRV) to consult laboratory test results and most (72%) useboth systems to retrieve lab results. Next, our findings reveal important differences in the capabilities available in eachtype of system and in the use of these capabilities. Third, there are differences in the nature of the perceived benefits obtained from the use of each of these two systems. Last, the extent of use of an LRV is strongly influenced by the ITartefact itself (i.e., the hospital’s LRV available capabilities) while the use of the provincial iEHR system is influenced by its organizational context (i.e. the hospital’s size and location). Conclusions: The main contribution of this study lies in its insights into the role played by context in shaping physicians’ choices about which laboratory information exchange systems to adopt and which features to use, and the different perceptions they have about benefits arising from such use.One related implication for practice is that success of LIE initiatives should not be solely assessed with basic usage statistics

Intégration de la prévention des TMS dès la conception d\u27un aménagement : le cas des bibliothèques publiques

Les troubles musculo-squelettiques sont fréquents chez les personnels de bibliothèques, en raison des postures statiques prolongées, des mouvements répétés, de l\u27utilisation d\u27outils informatiques ou de tâches de manutention. Ce rapport fait état de travaux qui ont mené à l\u27élaboration d\u27un modèle d\u27intervention ergonomique pour contribuer aux projets d\u27aménagement et concevoir des situations de travail qui ne soient pas source d\u27atteintes à la santé pour le personnel. Ces travaux leur ont permis d\u27établir un lien entre les activités du travail en bibliothèque et de nombreux facteurs de risques de troubles musculo-squelettiques. Les auteurs ont documenté l\u27influence de différents choix faits pendant deux projets d\u27aménagement en bibliothèque sur l\u27apparition de telles lésions. Les résultats de leur étude ont servi de base à la rédaction de publications pratiques qui permettent aux gestionnaires et au personnel des bibliothèques, aux ergonomes et aux spécialistes municipaux en santé et en sécurité du travail d\u27effectuer des choix d\u27équipements et d\u27aménagement qui tiennent compte de la prévention des troubles musculo-squelettiques

Relationship-Based Care and Behaviours of Residents in Long-Term Care Facilities

Introduction. In long-term care (LTC), person-centred approaches are encouraged. One such approach, relationship-based care (RBC), aims among other things to reduce residents’ agitated behaviours. RBC has been used in numerous Quebec LTC facilities over the past decade but it has never been studied. Objective. Explore correlations between use of RBC by trained caregivers and the frequency of agitated and positive behaviours of residents with cognitive impairments. Methods. Two independent raters observed fourteen caregiver/resident dyads in two LTC facilities during assistance with hygiene and dressing. Checklists were used to quantify caregivers’ RBC use and residents’ agitated and positive behaviours. Results. Scores for RBC use were high, suggesting good application of the approach by caregivers. Correlation analyses showed that offering residents realistic choices and talking to them during care were associated with both positive and agitated behaviours (P from 0.03 to 0.003). However, many other components of RBC were not associated with residents’ behaviours during care. Conclusions. There were only a few quantitative links between the RBC checklist items and the frequency of agitated or positive behaviours. Other studies with a more rigorous research design are needed to better understand the impact of relationship-based care on residents’ behaviours

The work of traffic agents in São Paulo: an ergonomics analysis

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the various aspects of the traffic agents' job, collaborate in identify the generating hazards and risk factors of disorder, absenteeism and early retirement and propose alternatives to the execution of this job; contribute to the comprehension of the "damage X ageing" relation at work and rising in rank to the practice of occupational therapy in the studies of work situations. METHODOLOGY: Ergonomics Analysis of Work composed by the following steps: analysis and reformulation of the demand; survey and analysis of health and human resources data; choose and emphasize studies of a job situation, activity analysis, formulation and validation of hypothesis, diagnostic and recommendation. RESULTS:there is a great variability of tasks accomplished within the same area and among different regions, many no prescribed tasks are accomplished, some are operational strategies to relieve the violence the traffic agents are exposed to, such as: physical and verbal aggression, conflicts with the users; the communication with the clients exceeds orientations; there is physical hazard by standing, walking and discomforting postures; the acquired experience is important for reaching the demanding productivity . DISCUSSION: the daily and lonely exposure to several hazards and risk factors such as violence situations, high demanded levels of productivity, lack of training and recycling are some of the risk factors that may be causing physical and mental disorders. CONCLUSION: the occupational therapists in partnership with multidisciplinary staffs making use of Ergonomics Analysis of Work can be aware of various job aspects and suggest prevention solutions and improve field of occupational health and work.OBJETIVO: Analisar diferentes aspectos do trabalho dos agentes de trânsito, colaborando na identificação de fatores geradores de adoecimento, absenteísmo, e aposentadorias precoces e propor alternativas à execução desse trabalho; contribuir na compreensão da relação desgaste e envelhecimento precoce no trabalho e fazer avançar a prática da terapia ocupacional no estudo de situações de trabalho. METODOLOGIA: Análise ergonômica do trabalho (AET) composta das seguintes etapas: análise da demanda e sua reformulação; levantamento e análise de dados de saúde e recursos humanos; escolha e estudo aprofundado de uma situação de trabalho, análise da atividade; formulação e validação de hipóteses; diagnóstico e recomendações. RESULTADOS: Há grande variabilidade das tarefas realizadas numa mesma área e entre regiões; são realizadas muitas tarefas não prescritas, algumas são estratégias operatórias para atenuar a violência a que os agentes estão expostos, como: agressões físicas, verbais e conflitos com os usuários; as comunicações realizadas com a clientela extrapolam a orientação; há desgaste físico pelas tarefas serem realizadas em pé, em deambulação e com adoção de posturas desconfortáveis; a experiência adquirida é fundamental para cumprir a produtividade exigida. DISCUSSÃO: A exposição diária e solitária a diversos fatores de desgaste como situações de violência; exigência de alto índice de produtividade, falta de treinamento e reciclagem são alguns fatores que podem estar causando adoecimentos físico e mental. CONCLUSÃO: os terapeutas ocupacionais em parceria com equipes multiprofissionais ao fazerem uso da AET podem conhecer melhor aspectos do trabalho, propor soluções de caráter preventivo e fazer avançar o campo da saúde e trabalho