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Archives of Environmental and Occupational Health 10/2012; 67(4):187-8. · 0.85 Impact Factor
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Archives of Environmental and Occupational Health 10/2012; 67(4):243-8. · 0.85 Impact Factor
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Industrial Health 01/2012; 50(6):463-5. · 0.94 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In contemporary nursing academia, it is unthinkable that topics such as research methods, evidence-based practice, and the translation of research into practice would be omitted from nursing curricula at any level. What is surprising, however, is that despite a broad educational emphasis on "teaching research", the rising importance of bibliometrics appears to have been largely neglected. If nursing scholarship and nursing scholars are to prosper in the highly competitive field of modern health research, a sophisticated understanding of citation-based methods is clearly required. Armed with this knowledge, one can more successfully argue why scarce research funding, that might otherwise be channeled elsewhere, ought to be assigned to nursing researchers. We hereby urge readers to reflect on the extent to which bibliometrics is covered within formal nursing curricula at their college or university. It is no longer a case of if a graduate nurse will need this skill set for their future professional development, but when.
Nursing and Health Sciences 11/2011; 13(4):384-7. · 0.68 Impact Factor
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Archives of Environmental and Occupational Health 10/2011; 66(4):245-8. · 0.85 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to examine the dimensions, reliability, and main loading factors associated with a Japanese safety climate and psychosocial risk factor scale.
The authors used a cross-sectional survey of nurses from a university teaching hospital in Japan during 2008 (N = 996). The survey tools were based on components previously identified in a variety of international studies, including the Hospital Safety Climate Scale (HSCS) originally developed by Gershon et al. in 2000.
Factor analysis of the Japanese HSCS demonstrated key themes in the areas of workplace-related issues, protective devices or mechanisms, and managerial dimensions (Cronbach's α = .887). Factor analysis of the psychosocial scale revealed key themes comprising individually related items and group dynamics (Cronbach's α = .882). Conclusions: This study revealed high internal consistency in the Japanese-language safety climate and psychosocial risk factor scales. The authors also identified various factors and themes consistent with previous international research. IMPLICATIONS for PRACTICE: Transcultural research using standard psychosocial tools can reveal important and reliable findings if carefully translated and adapted for the host environment.
Journal of Transcultural Nursing 07/2011; 22(3):257-64. · 0.93 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the prevalence, distribution and correlates of occupationally-related psychosomatic complaints among a previously understudied workforce. Participants: A selection of 336 public health professionals working in Beijing, China.
A self-reporting questionnaire survey was used (99% response rate).
The incidence of ocular discomfort was relatively high for health professionals aged below 60 years, headache or dizziness was mostly reported by the older age groups, insomnia or sleep disorders were common among those aged 30-39 years, while self-reported depression or emotional instability were concentrated in younger staff. Regression analyses revealed that age, personal life habits, family status, work conditions and occupational environment were related to eye discomfort, headache, dizziness, insomnia, sleep disturbance, depression or emotional instability. Moreover, undertaking a busy work schedule of long duration and work-induced stress were major correlates for illness and other subjective symptoms. On the other hand, having a friendly working atmosphere and a high interest in one's work were negatively correlated with psychosomatic symptoms.
Overall, our study suggests high-intensity work and various other occupational factors may be strongly related to psychosomatic symptoms among health professionals in China.
Work 01/2011; 40(2):239-45. · 0.52 Impact Factor
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Derek R Smith
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ABSTRACT: Although bibliometric analysis affords significant insight into the progression and distribution of information within a particular research field, detailed longitudinal studies of this type are rare within the field of nursing.
This study aimed to investigate, from a bibliometric perspective, the progression and trends of core international nursing journals over the longest possible time period.
A detailed bibliometric analysis was undertaken among 7 core international nursing periodicals using custom historical data sourced from the Thomson Reuters Journal Citation Reports®.
In the 32 years between 1977 and 2008, the number of citations received by these 7 journals increased over 700%. A sustained and statistically significant (p<0.001) 3-fold increase was also observed in the average impact factor score during this period. Statistical analysis revealed that all periodicals experienced significant (p<0.001) improvements in their impact factors over time, with gains ranging from approximately 2- to 78-fold.
Overall, this study provides one of the most comprehensive, longitudinal bibliometric analyses ever conducted in the field of nursing. Impressive and continual impact factor gains suggest that published nursing research is being increasingly seen, heard and cited in the international academic community.
International journal of nursing studies 12/2010; 47(12):1491-9. · 1.91 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This review of the current literature is aimed at examining musculoskeletal disorders in dental hygienists, and investigates the complex nature of this significant occupational health issue. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) have been identified as a significant issue for the profession of dental hygiene. The purpose of this review is to examine and assemble the best evidence on the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, interventions, prevention, impact and consequences of MSD among the dental hygiene profession. The prevalence of MSD is alarming, with up to 96% reporting pain, and a number of occupational risk factors have been identified by the literature. Studies investigating interventions are generally limited in their study design, which is concerning given the huge impact MSD can have on the practising dental hygienist. Overall, it is evident from the literature that MSD is a complex and multifactorial problem. However, a complete understanding of the progression of musculoskeletal disorders is still far from being realised, due to the lack of longitudinal studies and standardised research techniques. Future research should implement triangulation methods in longitudinal studies, a strategy which will go a long way in the understanding of this complex occupational health issue.
International Dental Journal 10/2010; 60(5):343-52. · 0.96 Impact Factor
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Derek R Smith
American journal of infection control 03/2010; 38(2):163-5. · 3.01 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Objectives: This study examined the extent to which musculoskeletal disorders [MSD] affect military populations, as well as intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with MSD and the relative contribution of training, sports, and manual handling. A search of published literature was conducted using PubMed-listed articles published up to February 2006. Findings: Although physical conditioning represents an important facet of military preparedness, up to half of all recruits may suffer an injury during their basic military training. Musculoskeletal disorders are a common occurrence for soldiers and represent an important source of morbidity for the military as a whole. Intrinsic risk factors linked to military training injuries include a diverse range of inherent variables such as the level of prior physical conditioning, psychological make up, age, height, weight, and gender. Extrinsic risk factors for military MSD include training surface, exercise when fatigued, progressive training in place of cyclical training, and the type of footwear usually worn. Other military-specific variables may also include drill methods, the arrangement of platoons, training technique, and the actual training distance. Conclusions: Overall, this review suggests that MSD are a common occurrence for military personnel and represent an important source of morbidity for the military as a whole. In meeting this problem, there is clearly an urgent need to target effective preventive measures, especially those involving military-specific training and sports activities.
01/2010; 15(2):25-32.
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Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease 01/2010; 8(1):56-7. · 1.50 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the interactions between safety climate, psychosocial issues and Needlestick and Sharps Injuries (NSI), a cross-sectional study was undertaken among nurses at a university teaching hospital in Japan (89% response rate). NSI were correlated with various aspects of hospital safety climate including supporting one another at work, the protection of staff against blood-borne diseases being a high management priority, managers doing their part to protect staff from blood-borne disease, having unsafe work practices corrected by supervisors, having the opportunity to use safety equipment to protect against blood-borne disease exposures, having an uncluttered work area, and having minimal conflict within their department. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated the importance of hospital safety climate in Japanese health care practice, particularly its relationship with NSI. Although the provision of safer devices remains critical in preventing injuries, ensuring a positive safety climate will also be essential in meeting these important challenges for nurses' occupational health.
Industrial Health 01/2010; 48(1):85-95. · 0.94 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This article describes a pioneering longitudinal investigation from Australia known as the Hunter Community Study (HCS). The HCS investigates retired and near-retired persons randomly selected in a regional area on the heavily populated east coast. As it collects detailed survey, clinical, and biological measures, the HCS is more comprehensive than most other research of this nature. The HCS also has significant occupational implications at an international level, being one of the first Australian studies to take a full, lifetime occupational history linked to job exposures. Longitudinal cohort studies with exposure assessment, such as the HCS offer epidemiologists around the world a clear opportunity for examining and evaluating the long-term risks of employment across a variety of workplace settings. It is only with detailed datasets that continuing progress can be made in elucidating mechanisms of occupational disease causation in the new millennium.
Industrial Health 01/2010; 48(2):244-8. · 0.94 Impact Factor
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Derek R Smith
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ABSTRACT: This article describes the history and development of contact dermatitis as an academic discipline, from early observations documented in ancient Egypt and Greece, to the current medical specialization we know today. Given its essential role in clinical diagnosis, the history of patch testing is also discussed, including the pioneering work of Städeler, von Hebra, Jadassohn, and others. The historical development of some international societies for contact dermatitis is provided, along with some discussion on bibliometric performance in this field. Overall, it can be seen that from humble beginnings, contact dermatitis is now thriving as a specialized field in clinical dermatology.
Contact Dermatitis 10/2009; 61(4):189-93. · 3.51 Impact Factor
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Derek R Smith
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ABSTRACT: Although citation analysis represents an increasingly common method for examining the performance of scientific journals, few longitudinal studies have been conducted in the specialist fields of dermatology.
The objective of this study was to provide the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis of Contact Dermatitis for the 30-year period between 1977 and 2006.
Detailed historical data were extracted from the Thomson Reuters Journal Citation Reports and systematically analysed. The most highly cited articles published in the journal were also identified and then examined for citation frequency and lag time.
Citation analysis showed that the impact factor of Contact Dermatitis has increased significantly over the past 30 years, experiencing a sixfold improvement between 1977 and 2006.
Bibliometric trends as identified in the current study clearly demonstrate the ongoing rise of Contact Dermatitis, from early beginnings in the mid-1970s, into the leading scientific periodical we know today.
Contact Dermatitis 10/2009; 61(4):194-200. · 3.51 Impact Factor
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Industrial Health 09/2009; 47(4):345-7. · 0.94 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: An increasing body of evidence now suggests that menstrual disorders may influence the development of Low Back Pain (LBP) among women of reproductive age. To investigate this issue in Japan, we conducted a large cross-sectional survey of female nurses from a university teaching hospital during 2008. Nurses reported a wide range of symptoms both prior to and during menstruation, including breast tenderness, stomach pain, light headedness and fatigue. Around three-quarters had experienced at least one episode of LBP in the previous 12-months, with most symptoms lasting one week or less. Increasing body weight was correlated with an increased risk of LBP affecting their daily activities (OR: 12.94, 95%CI: 1.54-116.56). Having three or more children was correlated with a reduced risk of experiencing LBP (OR: 0.13, 95%CI: 0.01-0.97). Nurses who reported breast tenderness prior to menstruation were twice as likely to suffer LBP (OR: 2.09, 95%CI: 1.20-3.73), while those who reported breast tenderness during menstruation were almost twice as likely to suffer LBP that interfered with their daily activities (OR: 1.85, 95%CI: 1.06-3.32). Overall, our study suggests that reproductive symptoms and menstrual disorders may influence the development of LBP among Japanese nurses, although the magnitude of this effect appears to be less than that reported in some previous research.
Industrial Health 08/2009; 47(3):301-12. · 0.94 Impact Factor
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Australian Dental Journal 07/2009; 54(2):186-8. · 1.19 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Although hand dermatitis (HD) represents a frequent occupational issue for many health professionals, little is known about the prevalence and distribution of HD among veterinarians, particularly in Australia.
We utilized a previously validated questionnaire survey to examine a cross-section of veterinarians from Queensland, Australia, to determine the prevalence of HD and its associated factors.
We conducted a questionnaire-based survey of HD, which was mailed to 1094 veterinarians registered with the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Queensland during 2006 (64.0% response rate).
The overall prevalence rate of HD during this study was 15.9%. HD prevalence was significantly higher in those with current allergic disease (P < 0.001), among female veterinarians (P < 0.001), and those reporting latex allergy in the past 12 months (P < 0.001).
Overall, this study suggests that HD may be more prevalent among veterinarians in Queensland than among their counterparts studied elsewhere. Veterinary practices may need to consider making non-latex gloves available or avoiding latex products wherever possible, particularly for their female staff. The importance of HD to the veterinary profession is predicted to increase as females begin to make up a greater proportion of registered veterinarians as result of a demographic shift.
Contact Dermatitis 06/2009; 60(6):336-8. · 3.51 Impact Factor
