1.Evaluating Interactive Fatigue Management Workshops for Occupational Health Professionals in the United Kingdom.
Sheila ALI ; Trudie CHALDER ; Ira MADAN
Safety and Health at Work 2014;5(4):191-197
BACKGROUND: Disabling fatigue is common in the working age population. It is essential that occupational health (OH) professionals are up-to-date with the management of fatigue in order to reduce the impact of fatigue on workplace productivity. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of one-day workshops on OH professionals' knowledge of fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and their confidence in diagnosing and managing these in a working population. METHODS: Five interactive problem-based workshops were held in the United Kingdom. These workshops were developed and delivered by experts in the field. Questionnaires were self-administered immediately prior to, immediately after, and 4 months following each workshop. Questionnaires included measures of satisfaction, knowledge of fatigue and CFS, and confidence in diagnosing and managing fatigue. Open-ended questions were used to elicit feedback about the workshops. RESULTS: General knowledge of fatigue increased significantly after training (with a 25% increase in the median score). Participants showed significantly higher levels of confidence in diagnosing and managing CFS (with a 62.5% increase in the median score), and high scores were maintained 4 months after the workshops. OH physicians scored higher on knowledge and confidence than nurses. Similarly, thematic analysis revealed that participants had increased knowledge and confidence after attending the workshops. CONCLUSION: Fatigue can lead to severe functional impairment with adverse workplace outcomes. One-day workshops can be effective in training OH professionals in how to diagnose and manage fatigue and CFS. Training may increase general knowledge of fatigue and confidence in fatigue management in an OH setting.
Diagnosis
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Education*
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Efficiency
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Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic
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Fatigue*
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Great Britain*
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Occupational Health*
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Surveys and Questionnaires
2.The Global Landscape of Domestic Violence against Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review
Priya Dharishini KUNASAGRAN ; Khalid MOKTI ; Mohd Yusof IBRAHIM ; Syed Sharizman Syed Abdul RAHIM ; Freddie ROBINSON ; Adora J MUYOU ; Sheila Miriam MUJIN ; Nabihah ALI ; Gary Goh Chun CHAO ; Rudi NASIB ; Abraham Chiu En LOONG ; Nachia Banu Abdul RAHIM ; Mohd Hafizuddin AHMAD ; Prabakaran Solomon DHANARAJ ; Pathman ARUMUGAM ; Jamilah YUSOFF
Korean Journal of Family Medicine 2024;45(1):3-11
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to an alarming increase in domestic violence against women owing to lockdown measures and limited access to support services. This article provides insights into the global prevalence of domestic violence, barriers to seeking help, its impact on women and children, and the best practices implemented worldwide. Domestic violence encompasses various forms of abuse; many young women experience partner violence. Barriers to seeking help include fear, financial constraints, lack of awareness of available services, and distrust among stakeholders. The consequences of domestic violence affect the mental health of both mothers and children. Countries have increased shelter funding and developed innovative protocols to reach survivors and address this issue. However, the healthcare sector’s involvement in addressing domestic violence has been limited. This review advocates collaboration among healthcare institutions and government bodies. Key recommendations include utilizing telehealth services, implementing comprehensive training programs, establishing effective referral systems, enhancing health education, developing a domestic violence registry, improving the responses of law enforcement and justice systems through healthcare integration, promoting data sharing, and conducting further research. Healthcare systems should recognize domestic violence as a public health concern and detect, prevent, and intervene in cases to support survivors.