1,720,966 research outputs found
Work stress and metabolic syndrome in radiologists. First evidence.
No full textBackground. Il fatto che lo stress da lavoro aumenti il rischio cardiovascolare è un dato suffragato da sufficiente evidenza scientifica. L’associazione dello stress con la sindrome metabolica ha fino ad oggi ricevuto minore attenzione. In questo studio ci siamo proposti di indagare l’associazione tra stress da lavoro e sindrome metabolica in una popolazione di radiologi.
Metodo. I radiologi e radioterapisti partecipanti ad alcuni congressi scientifici sono stati invitati a compilare un questionario per la valutazione dello stress da lavoro e dei principali parametri che consentono la diagnosi di sindrome metabolica (obesità, ipertensione, ipercolesterolemia, ipertrigliceridemia, iperglicemia).
Risultati. La maggior parte dei medici che hanno partecipato all’indagine (383, 58,6%) presenta almeno una componente patologica. Quarantasei soggetti (7,1%) presentano una sindrome metabolica. Tutte le variabili indicative di stress da lavoro, sia quelle derivanti dal modello demand/control di Karasek che quelle appartenenti al modello effort/reward di Siegrist, risultano significative predittrici delle componenti di sindrome metabolica. I radiologi con alto stress da lavoro hanno un rischio di soffrire di sindrome metabolica significativamente più elevato di quello dei loro colleghi meno stressati, sia quando lo stress è definito come “job strain”, cioè elevato carico di lavoro e ridotta discrezionalità (OR 4,89 IC95% 2,51-9,55), sia quando questo è definito come “effort reward imbalance”, discrepanza tra lo sforzo lavorativo e le ricompense ricevute per il lavoro svolto (OR 4,66 IC95% 2,17-10,02).
Conclusioni. I risultati di questa prima indagine trasversale, ove siano confermati da un successivo studio longitudinale, indicherebbero la necessità di intervenire con tempestive misure organizzative per ridurre lo stress professionale dei medici radiologi.Background. Scientific data have amply demonstrated that work stress increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, less attention has been given to the association between stress and metabolic syndrome. In this study, our aim was to investigate the relationship between work stress and metabolic syndrome in a population of radiologists.
Method. Radiologists and radiotherapists taking part in scientific congress meetings were invited to compile a questionnaire to evaluate work stress and the main parameters for diagnosing metabolic syndrome (obesity, hypertension, elevated cholesterol level, elevated triglycerides, hyperglycemia).
Results. Most of the doctors taking part in the survey (383, 58.6%) were found to have at least one pathological component. Forty-seven subjects (7.1%) manifested metabolic syndrome. All the variables indicating work stress, whether derived from Karasek’s demand/control model or from the effort/reward model devised by Siegrist, were significant predictors of metabolic syndrome components. Radiologists with elevated levels of stress had a significantly higher risk of being affected by metabolic syndrome than colleagues with lower stress levels, whether stress was defined as “job strain”, i.e. elevated work load and reduced discretionary power (OR 4.89 IC95% 2.51-9.55), or as “effort reward imbalance”, i.e. mismatch between effort and reward for the work performed (OR 4.66 IC95% 2.17-10.02).
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Conclusions. Should the results of this cross-sectional study be confirmed by a subsequent longitudinal survey, they would indicate the need for prompt organizational intervention to reduce occupational stress in radiologists
Occupational risk among magnetic resonance workers. Analysis of the literature [Il rischio professionale negli addetti alla Risonanza Magnetica. Analisi della letteratura.]
No full textIt was observed that "medical diagnosis utilizing Magnetic Resonance (MR) scanners may be one of the first modalities in which there is more risk for the operator of the equipment than for the patient" (Young, 1984). Despite this statement, only a few studies have been devoted to the assessment of occupational hazard in MR imaging personnel. The principal features associated with MR systems are: static magnetic fields, time-varying magnetic fields, and radiofrequency irradiation. Potential medical effects related to these hazards are reviewed. Static magnetic fields are known to induce in vitro changes in enzyme kinetics, orientation changes of macromolecules and subcellular components, distortion of ion currents and magnetohydrodynamic effects. Possible mechanisms for static magnetic field bioeffects include the exertion of magnetic forces, the induction of voltages, and other mechanisms (proton tunneling, ion cyclotron resonance) that are yet scarcely known. Human epidemiological studies on static magnetic fields are mainly based on subjective observations, and lack adequate control for confounding factors. Time-varying magnetic fields in the extremely-low frequency range have been associated with both occupational and non-occupational adverse health effects. Exposure to electromagnetic fields in office workers has been related to an increased rate of abortion; the vast majority of studies in this field, however, did not reach any significant result. Many literature reports support the evidence of an elevation of cancer risk in subjects exposed to residential and occupational ELF fields. Although such observations are not yet proved, the alleged occupational risk in magnetic fields exposure should induce to optimize exposure in MR imaging workers
Association of work-related stress with depression and anxiety in radiologists
No full textBackground: L’attività professionale del radiologo o del radioterapista può esporre a rilevanti fattori di rischio psicosociale, così che taluni lavoratori possono trovarsi in condizioni di distress. Scopo di questo lavoro è studiare la relazione tra lo stress lavorativo e la presenza di sintomi di ansia, depressione e malessere psicologico e valutare quale sia il rischio di disturbi psichici nei radiologi che si trovano in condizioni di distress lavorativo.
Metodo: 654 radiologi hanno risposto all’invito di compilare un questionario per la valutazione dello stress da lavoro e delle patologie correlate: il General Health Questionnaire e le scale di Ansia e Depressione di Goldberg.
Risultati: I punteggi delle scale di ansia, depressione e malessere psicologico nei radiologi aumentano al crescere dello sforzo lavorativo estrinseco (effort) e di quello intrinseco (overcommitment), mentre il controllo sul lavoro (control) ed il sostegno sociale (support) hanno un effetto protettivo. I radiologi che avvertono una discrepanza tra lo sforzo lavorativo e le ricompense ricevute hanno un marcato aumento del rischio di ansia (OR 14,14 IC95% 9,15-21,86), di depressione (OR 7,00 IC95% 4,76-10,30) e di disturbi psichici (OR 3,95 IC95% 2,62-9,57). Anche i radiologi che avvertono richieste eccessive in rapporto alla loro capacità di controllo hanno un aumentato rischio di essere ansiosi (OR 2,98, IC95% 2,05-4,31), depressi (OR 1,73; IC95% 1,21-2,48) e di soffrire di disturbi psichici (OR 2,26 IC95% 1,48-3,45) rispetto ai radiologi che non si trovano in condizione di “distress”.
Conclusioni: La radiologia ha compiuto progressi tecnici eccezionali ed ha un ruolo insostituibile nella sanità pubblica; deve ora realizzare un sostanziale miglioramento delle condizioni di benessere mentale dei medici radiologi, nell’interesse non solo dei lavoratori, ma anche dei pazienti e della qualità delle cure cui questi hanno diritto.Purpose Since radiologists and radiotherapists can be
occupationally exposed to significant psychosocial risk
factors, some may find themselves in a state of distress.
The aim of this study was to investigate the association of
work-related stress with the presence of symptoms of
anxiety, depression and psychological malaise and to
evaluate the risk of psychic disorder in radiologists suffering
from work-related stress.
Methods A total of 654 radiologists responded to our
invitation to complete a questionnaire designed to evaluate
work-related stress and associated medical conditions: the
General Health Questionnaire and Goldberg’s Anxiety and
Depression scales.
Results Scores on the anxiety, depression and psychological
malaise scales rise with an increase in effort and
over-commitment, while control and support exert a protective
effect. In radiologists who are aware of an effort/
reward imbalance, there is a marked increase in the risk of
anxiety [odds ratio (OR) 14.14, 95 % CI 9.15–21.86],
depression (OR 7.00, 95 % CI 4.76–10.30) and psychic
disorders (OR 3.95, 95 % CI 2.62–9.57). Radiologists who
perceive demand as excessive in relation to their power of
control also have an increased risk of being anxious (OR
2.98, 95 % CI 2.05–4.31), depressed (OR 1.73, 95 % CI
1.21–2.48) and affected by psychic disorders (OR 2.26,
95 % CI 1.48–3.45) compared to fellow workers who are
not in a state of distress.
Conclusions Outstanding technical progress has been
made in the field of radiology which today plays an
invaluable role in public health. Now a major effort must
also be made to improve the mental wellbeing of radiologists,
both in the interests of the workers themselves, and
also in those of their patients and the quality of the treatment
they have the right to receive
Malpractice claims in radiology: First analysis of Italian data [Analisi delle denunce assicurative di responsabilità civile nella radiologia. Primi dati Italiani]
No full textThe purpose of this study is to provide information to Italian radiologists regarding claims and patient injuries in medical malpractice claims. The assurance claims of Italian radiologists over a two-year period (1994-95) were anonymously analyzed, based on pertinent data provided by the Insurance Company of the Italian Society of Medical Radiology. The incidence risk-rate of claims was 9.1 per thousand person/year. Alleged malpractice accounted for more than 85% of the claims. In nearly one-half of the cases (44.4%), the plaintiff's argument was based on a «failure to diagnose». The most common misdiagnosis was failure to diagnose fracture or dislocation. The second most common claim category (40.7%) were complications, most commonly occurring during interventional radiology and contrast media injection. The third claim category (14.8%) was patient's accidents occurring during the diagnostic procedure. The most frequent types of injuries experienced by patients were death (6 cases), loss of chance for survival and permanent disability. Claims were more frequent in public health services, and mostly related to emergency examinations and interventional procedures. Misdiagnoses almost exclusively involved public health radiologists. Private health care, on the other hand, had a higher rate of fatal injuries, mostly related to technical complications
Satisfaction at work among radiologists
No full textThis study sought to evaluate professional satisfaction among Italian radiologists and identify what personal characteristics of radiologists and features of their work and work setting affect job satisfaction
Violence against radiologists. II: psychosocial factors
No full textPURPOSE: Violence against radiologists is a growing problem. This study evaluated the psychosocial factors associated with this phenomenon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to 992 Italian radiologists. RESULTS: Physical violence experienced in the previous 12-month period was associated with the radiologist's poor mental health [odds ratio (OR) 1.11] and overcommitment to work (OR 1.06), whereas radiologists in good physical health (OR 0.64), with job satisfaction (OR 0.96) and with overall happiness (OR 0.67) were less exposed. Nonphysical abuse was equally associated with the radiologist's poor mental health (OR 1.10) and overcommitment (OR 1.14) and negatively associated with physical health (OR 0.54), job satisfaction (OR 0.96), happiness (OR 0.81), organisational justice (OR 0.94) and social support (OR 0.80). CONCLUSIONS: Preventive intervention against violence in the workplace should improve workplace organisation and relationships between workers
Violence against radiologists. I: prevalence and preventive measures
No full textPURPOSE: Violence in the workplace is a specific risk for healthcare workers. Radiologists, especially when involved in emergency services, share that risk. Very few studies in the literature have researched this topic. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of violent behaviour in a large sample of Italian radiologists and analyse the phenomenon and its consequences with a view to proposing preventive measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 992 radiologists (61.5% men) taking part in a national radiology congress agreed to respond to a questionnaire on violence that contained the Violent Incident Form by Arnetz for the description of violent incidents in healthcare practice. RESULTS: Some 6.8% of radiologists in public hospitals experienced physical abuse in the previous 12 months, for the most part from patients or their companions. The prevalence of physical abuse is greatest among younger healthcare individuals with less clinical experience, with no differences between sexes. Among younger radiologists, one in five suffered at least one act of physical abuse in a working year. Nonphysical violence is more widespread and throughout radiologists' working lives affects 65.2% of them. In this case, almost half of the violent incidents originate from colleagues. A total of 5.5% of respondents stated that they were victims of abuse at the time of the survey. In most cases, the violent incidents remain unreported. The immediate consequences of violence in the workplace are emotions such as anger, disappointment, humiliation, anxiety, fear, distress, a feeling of helplessness and isolation, occasionally a feeling of guilt or of having done wrong and a desire to take revenge, change behaviour or change workplace. CONCLUSIONS: The extent of the problem calls for the adoption of a series of measures aimed at eliminating the causes of the various forms of workplace violence
Ethical problems in radiology: medical error and disclosure
No full textIn radiological practice, as in any medical activity, errors are inevitable despite being foreseeable and preventable. The approach to managing medical error and relations with patients prompt the need for resolving the ethical dilemma arising from conflicting legitimate interests. The solution to this dilemma is particularly complex in an environment in which the tendency to sue physicians for civil liability or incriminate them for criminal liability appears to be particularly high. The disclosure of error is undeniably useful in raising patient awareness, reducing their suffering, improving the quality of care and limiting the consequences of the damage. There does not appear to be any evidence to suggest disclosure modifies the probability of litigation against the physician
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