Xuguang Grant Tao, Paul Kauffman, Nimisha Kalia, Nina Leung, Nicholas F Tsourmas, Larry Yuspeh, Edward J Bernacki
{"title":"Does Medical Directions Make any Differences in Workers' Compensation System? Analysis of Employee and Employer Directed Medical Care in Relation to Prolonged Physical Therapy and Attorney Involvement among Rotator Cuff Tear Claims.","authors":"Xuguang Grant Tao, Paul Kauffman, Nimisha Kalia, Nina Leung, Nicholas F Tsourmas, Larry Yuspeh, Edward J Bernacki","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003480","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003480","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>to explore differences in employee or employer directed medical care for workplace injuries, related to the prolonged physical therapy (PT) and attorney involvement in the workers' compensation claim process.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>8,814 rotator cuff tear claims filed to a nationwide insurance carrier from 2007 to 2022 were analyzed for difference in prolonged PT (≥360 days) and attorney involvement by medical direction groups.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>Employee directed and shared employee and employer directed medical care had odds ratios of 1.41 and 1.58 for prolonged PT compared to employer direction, respectively. Employer directed and shared employee and employer medical direction had odds ratios of 2.33 and 1.62 for attorney involvement compared to employee direction, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Employee directed medical care is associated with more physical therapy and employer involved direction is associated with more attorney involvement.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144499969","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The risk of burnout among French mayors: a descriptive study.","authors":"Olivier Torres, Mathieu Le Moal, F X Lesage","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003476","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003476","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study assessed the risk of burnout among French mayors and analyzed the specific features of burnout in this population.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A national cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 2024 in collaboration with the Association of Rural Mayors of France. An online questionnaire, including the Burnout Measure Short Version, was sent to 11,905 AMRF members.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After exclusion, 900 responses were analyzed. The results revealed that 31.4% of French mayors experienced burnout in their elected functions, with 3.48% experiencing severe burnout. The characteristics of burnout among mayors revealed a mix of frenetic and impediment syndromes, with feelings of disappointment, fatigue, powerlessness, and frustration being prominent, along with the experience of poor sleep.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The implications for preventing burnout among mayors are significant, and interventions must target both work overload and frustration.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144499974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maryline Krummenacher, Mika Tarvainen, Estelle Montet, Michelle C Turner, Irina Guseva Canu
{"title":"WHICH DEVICE IS MOST SUITABLE FOR MEASURING HEART RATE VARIABILITY IN THE FIELD? A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF TWO LEADING OPTIONS.","authors":"Maryline Krummenacher, Mika Tarvainen, Estelle Montet, Michelle C Turner, Irina Guseva Canu","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003479","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003479","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare the Polar H10 and Bittium Faros™ HRV monitors for use in occupational and environmental health research, considering data collection, storage, transfer, resource needs, and limitations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A literature review, device testing, and expert interviews were conducted to assess device performance and usability.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Polar H10 is affordable, records RR intervals for up to 20 hours offline, and requires a smartwatch and app for extended storage. Bittium Faros™ is a certified ECG monitor that records full waveforms, supports long measurements, and enables automatic data transfer. Both devices can be worn with a chest strap, but placement issues may affect data quality. Patch electrodes improve stability but may cause skin irritation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This assessment highlights key device differences to guide HRV monitor selection for occupational and environmental epidemiological studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144499977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maria Francesca Rossi, Flavia Beccia, Francesco Iantorno, Giuseppe Melcore, Maria Rosaria Gualano, Umberto Moscato
{"title":"Italian Technostress Creators Scale: validation of an assessment tool.","authors":"Maria Francesca Rossi, Flavia Beccia, Francesco Iantorno, Giuseppe Melcore, Maria Rosaria Gualano, Umberto Moscato","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003478","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003478","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this study was to develop and validate a tool to assess technostress in Italian workers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A questionnaire was developed by back-translating the Technostress Creators Scale, adding sociodemographic questions, investigating work characteristics, frequency of technology use, etc. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) examined the underlying factor structure. Model fit was evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The sample consisted of 90 participants, 53.3% female, mean age 37.4 (SD ± 10.9). EFA revealed a six-factor structure explaining 58% of the variance, with factor loadings >0.40. CFE showed good fit indices (χ2 /df = 4.02, CFI = 0.926, TLI = 0.915, RMSEA = 0.057, SRMR = 0.079).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The Italian version of the Technostress Creators Scale showed good reliability. This validation is a starting point to develop new strategies to assess, evaluate and prevent technostress in the workplace.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144499971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bonnie E Gould Rothberg, Alberto J Caban-Martinez, Dana Boyd Barr, Mark A Jara, Valentina Rodriguez, Paola Louzado Feliciano, Katerina M Santiago, Cynthia Campos Beaver, Erin N Kobetz-Kerman, Natasha Schaefer Solle
{"title":"Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), Occupational Exposures and Thyroid Function among U.S. and Canadian Firefighters: A Cross-sectional Study.","authors":"Bonnie E Gould Rothberg, Alberto J Caban-Martinez, Dana Boyd Barr, Mark A Jara, Valentina Rodriguez, Paola Louzado Feliciano, Katerina M Santiago, Cynthia Campos Beaver, Erin N Kobetz-Kerman, Natasha Schaefer Solle","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003477","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003477","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Evaluate the association between serum polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) levels and thyroid anatomy and function in firefighters.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>259 firefighters provided a blood sample and underwent thyroid ultrasound. Blood serum levels were tested for thyroid function tests and PBDEs -47, -85, -99, -100, -153, and -154 (ng/g lipid weight). Ultrasonography documented structural characteristics. Bivariate associations between PBDE concentrations and demographic/occupational characteristics, thyroid function, and thyroid anatomic measures were determined using multivariable linear regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A positive relationship between PBDE-47 and triiodothyronine (p = 0.02) while an inverse relationship with free thyroxine (p = 0.03) was observed. PBDE-47 was inversely associated with thyroid nodule size (p = 0.03) and nodule aggressiveness (p = 0.02). PBDE-47 was highest in western United States firefighters and lowest among sampled Canadians (p = 0.01).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>PBDE-47 may contribute to thyroid dysregulation in firefighters. PBDE-47 levels differ across North America.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144499972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Remembering history, now more than ever.","authors":"Paul D Blanc","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003475","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003475","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144499973","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michele W Marenus, Mary Marzec, Amy Kilbourne, Natalie Colabianchi, Weiyun Chen
{"title":"Workplace Culture of Health, Remote Work, and Employee Wellbeing: A Mixed Methods Study.","authors":"Michele W Marenus, Mary Marzec, Amy Kilbourne, Natalie Colabianchi, Weiyun Chen","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003473","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003473","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study explored the differences in perceptions of workplace culture of health, physical activity (PA), psychological wellbeing, and work productivity among three workforce settings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A mixed methods study design was utilized, including data from a questionnaire (n = 520) and from interviews (n = 20). Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and multivariate analysis of variance, while qualitative data was analyzed using thematic content analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Onsite employees had higher levels of total PA than both hybrid and remote employees (p < 0.05). Additionally, hybrid employees reported higher levels of self-acceptance than both onsite and remote employees (p < 0.05). Qualitative findings highlighted remote work's autonomy and flexibility, leadership's role, and work-from-home challenges.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Remote and hybrid work is associated with both positive and negative wellbeing outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144499978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michelle Pacheco, Kathleen Fitzsimmons, Carolyn Reeb-Whitaker, Kenneth Rosenman, Jennifer Flattery, Justine Lew Weinberg, Mary Jo Reilly, Sarah Yiu, Coralynn Sack, Danièle Todorov, Robert Harrison, Katelynn E Dodd, Emily Sparer-Fine
{"title":"Work-related asthma in the cannabis industry: Findings from California, Massachusetts, Michigan and Washington.","authors":"Michelle Pacheco, Kathleen Fitzsimmons, Carolyn Reeb-Whitaker, Kenneth Rosenman, Jennifer Flattery, Justine Lew Weinberg, Mary Jo Reilly, Sarah Yiu, Coralynn Sack, Danièle Todorov, Robert Harrison, Katelynn E Dodd, Emily Sparer-Fine","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003461","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003461","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Describe work-related asthma (WRA) cases and associated exposures in the legalized cannabis industry.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using data from four state-based surveillance systems (California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Washington), WRA cases within the cannabis industry were identified and classified as new-onset asthma (NOA) or work-aggravated asthma (WAA).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From legalization dates (1996 in California, 2012 in Massachusetts, 2008 in Michigan, 1998 in Washington) through 2023, 30 WRA cases were identified. A majority were aged 18-34 (66.7%) and were male (60.0%). Thirteen (52.0%) cases were NOA and 12 (48.0%) were WAA, with two fatalities. The most frequently reported exposure was plant materials (40.4%), of which 94.7% were cannabis dust and/or marijuana plant. Most cases (69.0%) worked in indoor cultivation/processing.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Cannabis industry workers are at risk for WRA, emphasizing the need for interventions to address workplace respiratory hazards.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144499979","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ander Espin, Jon Irazusta, Miriam Urquiza, Aida Ruiz-Fernández, Unai Latorre Erezuma, Laura Collado Torres, Lars Louis Andersen, Ana Rodriguez-Larrad
{"title":"Videoconference-Supervised Exercise for Low Back Pain in Eldercare Workers: One-Year Follow-up of the ReViEEW Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Ander Espin, Jon Irazusta, Miriam Urquiza, Aida Ruiz-Fernández, Unai Latorre Erezuma, Laura Collado Torres, Lars Louis Andersen, Ana Rodriguez-Larrad","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003474","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003474","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To examine the one-year impact of a 12-week videoconference-supervised exercise program followed by exercise advice on low back pain (LBP) among eldercare workers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>130 participants were randomized to control or intervention arms. Both received standard workplace prevention. The intervention group also completed the 12-week program and was encouraged to continue exercising until one-year follow-up.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eleven participants dropped out. Intention-to-treat analysis showed no significant group-by-time effect on average LBP intensity (p = 0.140). However, significant effects favored the intervention group in work interference from LBP and neck pain, and reduced use of hypnotic/anxiolytic medications, while a negative effect appeared in work-related personal accomplishment (p < 0.05). Per-protocol analysis showed gains in trunk muscle endurance and depressive symptoms (p < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The intervention did not lower average LBP intensity but positively influenced several secondary outcomes, including work interference from pain and medication use.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144499976","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Leonidas G Ioannou, Lydia Tsoutsoubi, Konstantinos Mantzios, Georgios Gkikas, Gerasimos Agaliotis, Yiannis Koutedakis, David García-León, George Havenith, Jack Liang, Costas Arkolakis, Jason Glaser, Glen P Kenny, Igor B Mekjavic, Lars Nybo, Andreas D Flouris
{"title":"The Impact of Workplace Heat and Cold on Work Time Loss.","authors":"Leonidas G Ioannou, Lydia Tsoutsoubi, Konstantinos Mantzios, Georgios Gkikas, Gerasimos Agaliotis, Yiannis Koutedakis, David García-León, George Havenith, Jack Liang, Costas Arkolakis, Jason Glaser, Glen P Kenny, Igor B Mekjavic, Lars Nybo, Andreas D Flouris","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003332","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003332","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>We investigated the impact of workplace heat and cold on work time loss.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Field experiments in different industrial sectors were conducted in multiple countries across all seasons between 2016 and 2024. Hundreds of workers were video recorded, and their full shifts (n = 603) were analyzed on a second-by-second basis (n = 16,065,501 seconds). Environmental data were recorded using portable weather stations. The Workplace Environmental Labor Loss (WELL) functions were developed to describe work time loss due to workplace temperature.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The WELL functions revealed a U-shaped relationship whereby the least work time loss is observed at 18°C (64°F) and increases for every degree above or below this optimal temperature.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The WELL functions quantify the impact of workplace temperature on work time loss, extending to temperatures previously believed to be unaffected.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":"393-399"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12105968/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143451236","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}