Persistent post-covid symptoms in healthcare workers
ConclusionsOur data suggest that about a third of HCW who responded to the survey were still struggling to cope with the symptoms of what is now known aslong covid several months after the acute COVID-19 infections. The overwhelming majority of this group seem to be reluctant to neither seek medical advice nor take sick leave. (Source: Occupational Medicine)
Source: Occupational Medicine - April 8, 2021 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
Long Covid Implications for the workplace
The prolonged illness experienced by many patients following acute SARS-CoV2 infection has been termed ‘Long Covid’ (LC) by the self-organized patient groups formed on platforms like Facebook. Some of these patients have now been symptomatic for over a year. LC impacts on ability to work, which has implications for employers, occupational health (OH) services and the wider economy. (Source: Occupational Medicine)
Source: Occupational Medicine - April 3, 2021 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
Covid-19 and Leadership in Occupational Medicine for Trainees
The current pandemic has illustrated the value of occupational health and of the advice given by occupational health professionals including from trainees in occupational medicine. This has been achieved by the visibility of leaders in the specialty, leaders whose numbers need to expand and whose succession needs to be planned if continuing levels of influence are to be maintained. (Source: Occupational Medicine)
Source: Occupational Medicine - March 30, 2021 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
COVID-19 deaths among nurses: a cross-sectional study
ConclusionsThe predominance of deceased mental health nurses among nursing departments can be examined in future studies. Supportive health policies can be developed to increase the motivation of nurses. (Source: Occupational Medicine)
Source: Occupational Medicine - March 24, 2021 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
Healthcare workers and protection against inhalable SARS-CoV-2 aerosols
By February 2021 expert groups in several countries had lobbied governments for proper recognition of the risk of aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and specific strategies to reduce this, including upgrades of respiratory protection (RPE) for healthcare workers (HCWs). This becomes particularly relevant with the emergence of more transmissible strains of SARS-CoV-2 and another wave of disease. Despite overwhelming evidence supporting aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 [1 –3], this has not translated into appropriate, consistent policies on RPE for HCWs. Partly, this is attributable to nations and organizations not stock...
Source: Occupational Medicine - March 18, 2021 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
The vaccination clinic 2021
At the time of writing (November 2020), we appear to be near to the global discovery, manufacture and, ultimately, mass deployment of a successful vaccine for SARS-CoV-2. (Source: Occupational Medicine)
Source: Occupational Medicine - March 18, 2021 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
An evaluation of REACTMH mental health training for healthcare supervisors
ConclusionsA brief active listening skills training package was associated with significant improvements healthcare manager ’s confidence in recognizing, speaking with and supporting HCWs with suspected mental health conditions. Further research is needed to investigate the longer term effectiveness and acceptability of REACTMH training. (Source: Occupational Medicine)
Source: Occupational Medicine - March 16, 2021 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
An evaluation of influenza vaccine uptake in UK medical students
ConclusionsThe results of this service evaluation provide significant predictors of vaccination status for medical students and potential occupational health interventions to improve vaccine uptake in this group. (Source: Occupational Medicine)
Source: Occupational Medicine - February 18, 2021 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
Psychological distress and line-of-duty head injuries in firefighters
ConclusionsWe found that firefighters who reported at least one line-of-duty head injury had significantly higher levels of PTSD and depression symptoms than firefighters who reported no head injuries. Our findings also suggest head injuries sustained outside of fire service could have less of an impact on the firefighter ’s PTSD symptom severity than head injuries that occur as a direct result of their job. (Source: Occupational Medicine)
Source: Occupational Medicine - February 18, 2021 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
Covid-19 shelter-at-home and work, lifestyle and well-being in desk workers
ConclusionsEmployers should consider supporting healthy lifestyle and well-being among desk workers during pandemic-related social restrictions, regardless of remote working status. (Source: Occupational Medicine)
Source: Occupational Medicine - February 18, 2021 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
Self-reported pain or injury from equipment used on military deployment
ConclusionsKnowledge of the nature of pain or injury related to equipment used on deployment may help inform improved designs and practices to reduce or prevent avoidable harm to serving personnel. (Source: Occupational Medicine)
Source: Occupational Medicine - February 18, 2021 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
COVID-19 and vulnerable workers
Dear Sir, (Source: Occupational Medicine)
Source: Occupational Medicine - February 15, 2021 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
Covid-19 presentation among symptomatic healthcare workers in Ireland
ConclusionsFever, fatigue, myalgia, loss of taste/smell and headache were associated with increased odds of a Covid-19 diagnosis among symptomatic self-referred HCWs compared with those had negative swab results. Testing criteria for HCWs should reflect the broad range of possible symptoms of Covid-19. (Source: Occupational Medicine)
Source: Occupational Medicine - February 15, 2021 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
Differentiating HAVS and CTS
Differentiation of hand –arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) may be difficult. However, there are a number of symptoms and clinical findings that may indicate that one or the other is more likely. It is possible that a number of cases previously diagnosed as sensorineural HAVS did in fact have CTS; that could explain the perception of similarity of symptoms. A low threshold of suspicion of CTS is recommended in all cases of paraesthesiae in the hands or digits—reflecting Phalen’s approach to CTS being that ‘a patient with any numbness or tingling in the fingers or with any weakness or atr...
Source: Occupational Medicine - February 6, 2021 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
Autism Equality in the Workplace. Removing Barriers and Challenging Discrimination
BoothJanine. Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London, 2016. ISBN: 978-1-84905-678-6. Price: £12.99. 128 pp (paperback). (Source: Occupational Medicine)
Source: Occupational Medicine - February 6, 2021 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
