• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.314-318
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• 2018

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the health industry are quite common, however, there have only been a few studies regarding physiotherapists, while in Greece, there is an apparent lack of research and data. The aim of this study is to investigate MSDs experienced by physiotherapists in Greece, their causes and specific measures, and good practices followed. Additional emerging risk factors will be examined. Methods: A questionnaire of MSDs followed by individual and workplace characteristics was completed by 252 physiotherapists. It covered the major workplace categories such as public hospitals, private rehabilitation centers, and private practices. Results: Analysis indicated that 89% of the respondents had experienced a work-related MSD; 32.2% of those injuries occurred within the first 5 years of working. The most lumbered physiotherapists were those working as private practitioners and almost half of the injured respondents chose to work while injured. The most common measure taken to tackle work related MSDs was found to be physical therapy sessions. Job satisfaction and psychosocial issues were also identified as side-effects of the economic slowdown. Conclusion: Physiotherapists in Greece were found to suffer from MSDs; workplace musculoskeletal injuries were quite common but under-reported. The body parts most affected were the lower back, the upper back, the shoulders, and the neck. There was a strong correlation between the workplace setting and the number of MSDs. A well-defined occupational safety and health management system and strict administration steering were found to reduce MSDs. The economic slowdown experienced in Greece during the execution of this study placed additional pressure on physiotherapists.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권11호
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• pp.5791-5797
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• 2012

Introduction: Return-to-work (RTW) can be a problematic occupational issue with detrimental impact on the quality of life of previously-employed breast cancer survivors. This study explored barriers and facilitators encountered during the RTW process in the area of cancer survivorship. Materials and Methods: Six focus groups were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide on 40 informants (employed multiethnic survivors). Survivors were stratified into three groups for successfully RTW, and another three groups of survivors who were unable to return to work. Each of the three groups was ethnically homogeneous. Thematic analysis using a constant comparative approach was aided by in vivo software. Results: Participants shared numerous barriers and facilitators which directly or interactively affect RTW. Key barriers were physical-psychological after-effects of treatment, fear of potential environment hazards, high physical job demand, intrusive negative thoughts and overprotective family. Key facilitators were social support, employer support, and regard for financial independence. Across ethnic groups, the main facilitators were financial-independence (for Chinese), and socialisation opportunity (for Malay). A key barrier was after-effects of treatment, expressed across all ethnic groups. Conclusions: Numerous barriers were identified in the non-RTW survivors. Health professionals and especially occupational therapists should be consulted to assist the increasing survivors by providing occupational rehabilitation to enhance RTW amongst employed survivors. Future research to identify prognostic factors can guide clinical efforts to restore cancer survivors to their desired level/type of occupational functioning for productivity and wellbeing.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• 제35권
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• pp.44.1-44.11
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• 2023

Background: A series of breast cancer cases were recently reported in a tertiary university hospital in South Korea. Nurses are generally exposed to risk factors for breast cancer such as night shift work, antineoplastic agents, and job strain. However, the epidemiological evidence of excess incidence among nurses remains lacking. This study aims to investigate the excess incidence of breast cancer among nurses in a tertiary university hospital and provide epidemiological evidence of occupational risk factors. Methods: A retrospective cohort was developed using personnel records of female workers in the nursing department who worked from January 2011 to June 2021 in a tertiary university hospital in South Korea. Sick leave records were used to identify cases of breast cancer. The standardized incidence ratio of breast cancer among nurses was compared to the general population. Results: A total of 5,509 nurses were followed up for 30,404 person-years, and 26 breast cancer cases were identified. This study revealed a significantly increased breast cancer incidence among all included nurses, with a standardized incidence ratio of 1.65 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-2.41), compared to the general population. Workers, who handle antineoplastic agents in their representative department and current and/or former department, had significantly elevated breast cancer standardized incidence ratios of 2.73 (95% CI: 1.008-5.94) and 3.39 (95% CI: 1.46-6.68), respectively. Conclusions: This study provides significant evidence of increased breast cancer risk among nursing staff in a hospital setting, particularly those who handle antineoplastic drugs. Measures that reduce exposure to risk factors should be implemented, especially anticancer drugs, to protect healthcare professionals. Further research at a national level that focuses on healthcare workers is necessary to validate breast cancer incidence and its contributing factors.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.137-143
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• 2018

노인인구 증가에 따라 노인의 독립적인 일상생활을 도와주는 복지용구의 사용이 증가하고 있다. 올바른 복지용구 사용을 위하여 복지용구 전문가의 역할은 매우 중요하다고 볼 수 있으며, 이를 위하여 복지용구 이용자의 요구도를 파악하는 것이 우선시 되어야 한다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 복지용구 전문가의 직무 역량에 대한 복지용구 이용자의 요구도 분석 과정을 통하여 복지용구 전문가에게 우선시되어야 하는 핵심작업에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 복지용구 이용자 84명을 대상으로 직접 대면, 우편을 통하여 설문조사를 실시하였다. 설문지는 복지용구 전문가 직무를 바탕으로 작업 중요도와 교육 필요도를 조사하도록 구성하였다. 연구결과, 복지용구 전문가의 5개의 책무와 12개의 작업에 대한 우선순위와 10개의 핵심작업이 도출되었다. 도출된 핵심작업은 복지용구 이용자들의 요구도가 높은 작업으로써 복지용구 전문가가 직무 수행 시 반드시 포함되어야 할 것이다. 본 연구를 바탕으로 대상자의 요구를 고려한 개별화된 접근을 통해 노인들이 독립성을 확보하고 가정과 지역사회 내에서 삶의 질이 향상되기를 기대한다.

• 대한감각통합치료학회지
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.31-40
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• 2007

Objective: The purpose of this study was to get the cognitive reaction time according to the intensity of auditory stimuli in older people and to differentiate the cognitive reaction time between older people and adults. Method: 49 subjects consisted of 32 older people and 17 adults. Cognitive reaction time was assessed with Simple Auditory Reaction of Foundation I in PSS CogReHab. Analysis of the data was done by using independent t-test. Results: The results were as follows: 1. There was a significant difference of the mean of cognitive reaction time to the intensity of auditory stimuli. 2. There was no significant difference from older people regardless of sexual distinction in mean of cognitive reaction time. However, there was a significant difference of the mean of cognitive reaction time in adults. 3. There was a significant difference between older people who got a job or not in 90 dB of auditory stimuli. 4. The mean of cognitive reaction time to the intensity of auditory stimuli in older people was slower than adults. There was a significant difference of the mean of cognitive reaction time between older people and adults in 70 dB of auditory stimuli. 5. The mean of cognitive reaction time to the intensity of auditory stimuli in older people did not have the significant difference in scholastic ability. Conclusions: The results of the study showed slowing of the cognitive reaction time in auditory stimuli to aging in older people. Therefore, applying silver industry and development of equipment for older people may maintain independent life.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.95-104
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• 2022

Purpose : This study aimed to investigate the effects of health science majors' communication skills on their adjustment to college life. Methods : The subjects were 336 college students majoring in health science at colleges located in Busan. The survey's questionnaire comprised 38 items, including 15 items for communication skills and 19 items for adjustment to college life. Results : In the gender-based comparison of communication skills and adjustment to college life, female students had better communication skills, with overall higher scores than male students for the understanding others and communication. In the age-based comparison of communication skills and adjustment to college life, students aged 21 to 22 showed the best communication skills, while students aged 18 to 20 exhibited the least communication skills. In terms of adjustment to college life, those aged 25 or older scored the highest, and those aged 21 to 22 scored the lowest. In the school-year-based comparison of communication skills and adjustment to college life, third- and first-year students showed the best and least communication skills, respectively. Overall, third- and fourth-year students were more adjusted at adjusting to college life than first- and second-year students. Third-year students also scored the highest in academic adjustment, whereas second-year students scored the lowest. In terms of relationships between the students' communication skills and their adjustment to college life, communication skills were positively correlated with the following subdomains: understanding of others, self-expression, and communication. Communication skills also showed a positive correlation with adjustment to the college environment, including personal-emotional adjustment. Conclusions : The present study found that communication skills did not significantly affect health science majors' adjustment to college life. However, given that communication skills are an essential factor for effective work performance and greater job satisfaction, it is recommended that colleges provide students with relevant education and experiences to help them enhance communication skills while in school.

• 보건의료산업학회지
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.23-35
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• 2014

The aim of this study is to analyze determinant factor on the strike action among hospital laborer in Korea. We collected data for 10days from 12 to 22 July, 2013. This study was surveyed 405 laborer in university hospital was located in the Seoul city and Gyeonggi-do. It was found as follow. There was statistically significant difference in the strike propensity and sub-domain on the job dissatisfaction by sex, age, education, wedding, occupation, position, salary, number of years of employment, position in labor union for strike action(p<0.05). From the multiple regression analysis, it was found that determinant factor on the strike action was occupation, strike propensity(sense of duty, after vote, depend on compensation) which was statistically significant difference(p<0.05). As a result, we suggest that hospital administrator must solve the problem related welfare benefits and personnel system in university hospital for preventing strike.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.469-484
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• 2017

방사선사는 사람의 생명을 대상으로 하므로 전문적인 직무역량(job competency)이 요구된다. 그럼에도 현재 한국에서는 방사선사의 직무역량을 밝히고 있는 연구가 이루어진 바 없다. 이에 한국 방사선사의 핵심 직무역량 지표를 정의하고 역량군별 요인모델을 제시하고자 방사선사 직무역량에 대한 설문을 실시하여 최종 147명의 응답내용을 취합하였다. 응답 내용은 PASW Statistics Version 18.0와 AMOS Version 18.0을 이용하여 탐색적 요인분석과 확인적 요인분석을 실시하였다. 요인분석 결과 전문직업성', '환자관리', '건강 및 안전', '장비의 운영', '절차와 관리'의 5개 핵심 직무역량군과 17개의 하위 역량으로 구성된 모델을 구성하였다. 5개 핵심 직무역량군의 측정 모델 RMSEA 값은 0.1, CFI와 TLI 값이 0.9에 근사하게 나타나 양호한 적합도를 보였으며, 타당도 분석 결과 평균분산추출 값 0.5이상, 개념신뢰도 값 0.7이상으로 각 하위 역량에 포함된 세부 항목 간에 상관관계도 높게 나타났다. 이 연구의 결과는 한국의 의료 환경에서 방사선사에게 요구되는 직무역량을 명확히 제시하여 역량 중심의 인적 자원 양성과 관리에 필요한 구체적인 정보를 제공해 줄 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.91-97
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• 2012

The primary aim of this study was to compare responsiveness of self-report by worker and therapist-scored functional capacity instrument. Self-report and therapist-scored interval-level person measures and item difficulties were compared at admission and discharge. Therapist and worker ratings were collected on 230 clients from 27 rehabilitation sites using the newly developed Occupational Rehabilitation Data Base (ORDB) functional capacity instrument. ORDB comprises several subscales measuring relevant variables of "a return-to-work model" in work-related rehabilitation clinics. The functional capacity scale deals with 10 DOT job factors. The rating scale categories were 1-severely impaired, 2-moderately impaired, 3-mildly impaired, and 4-not impaired. Only data from clients with low back pain (n=98) with complete data (both admission and discharge scores) were used for the present study. Therapists and workers completed the functional capacity instrument at admission and discharge. Rasch analysis [1-parameter item response theory model (IRT)] was applied to calibrate item difficulty and person ability measure of therapist and workers ratings. Effect sizes for therapist and self-report ratings were slightly different, .69 and .30, respectively. Therapist and worker ratings were more consistent at discharge (r=.54) than at admission (r=.32). Workers have a tendency to be more severe in their ratings (show higher item difficulties) than therapists at admission and discharge. Therapists and workers report similar magnitudes of improvement following treatment program. These findings challenge the belief that injured workers may unreliable source for monitoring therapeutic outcomes. Self-report measures have the advantage of conserving therapist time for treatment (versus evaluation). While the therapist and self-report ratings are comparable at discharge, there is less consistency at admission. Comparable therapist-worker ratings may be achieved by controlling for rating severity using IRT methodologies.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.71-80
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• 2016

Background: Functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) are designed to systematically assess the capacity to perform work-related tasks and to determine worker's ability to return to the previous job following work-related injuries. These evaluations may be rated either by clinician or worker. There has been a lack of consensus between the two scoring methods. Objects: This study aimed: 1) to confirm if the data are fit to the Rasch rating scale model and 2) to investigate the item-level concordance rate between the ratings of clinician and injured worker of the FCE. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample (n=124) of a rehabilitation program with the Occupational Rehabilitation Data Base for workers with low back pain. The functional capacity evaluation at admission and discharge was administered to clinicians and workers. The data were analyzed using both classical test theory-based Pearson's r and intra-class coefficient followed by item-level analysis with Rasch rating scale model. Results: All items of the FCE, except sitting items rated by clinician at admission and handling items rated by both clinician and worker throughout admission and discharge, were acceptable fit statistics with minor out of ranges for a misfit criterion. This may indicate that the items of the FCE overall fit to the Rasch rating scale model. Few problematic items responding differently to clinician and worker both at admission and discharge were detected with the differential item functioning analysis despite the excellent concordance rate using the two conventional statistics-sitting and handling items at admission and handling item at discharge. Conclusion: The item-level speculations using Rasch analysis of the FCE demonstrate that the ratings of clinician and self ratings of worker were psychometrically acceptable though there was an apparent discrepancy between the raters both at admission and discharge.