Status and Issues of Occupational Exposure Protection for Nurses Involved in Radiation Therapy - a Nationwide Survey in Japan
Satsuki Shiratori,
Fumiko Oishi,
Yuka Hayama
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 3, June 2023
Pages:
56-63
Received:
7 May 2023
Accepted:
29 May 2023
Published:
9 June 2023
Abstract: Purpose: This study aimed to clarify nurses’ knowledge, awareness, and safe behavioral practices regarding occupational exposure. Methods: A mail-based questionnaire survey was conducted for 2,820 nurses engaged in radiation medicine and working in randomly selected hospitals in Japan. Results: Overall, 1,385 questionnaire responses were obtained (1284 females and 87 males; average clinical experience of 19.12±8.7 years, and 49.1% collection rate), and 1,370 were included in the analyses (98.9% valid response rate). It was found that 40% the content of basic nursing education on radiation treatment, which was “insufficient” in terms of quantity and quality. Occupational exposure protection measures were different depending on the organization size and position, with significantly higher rates of protective equipment use and manual maintenance in organizations with >400 beds and considerably higher rates of use of “partitioning screen,” “neck guard,” and “protective goggles” by nurse administration than by nurses during emergency interventional radiology. Additionally, only 46% of the general wards correctly answered that “a distance of >2 m” was required when using mobile X-ray equipment. These results indicate that nurse administrators and nurses involved in radiation therapy have insufficient professional knowledge and skills and that nurses in general wards lack knowledge about radiation therapy. Therefore, a systematic risk management program is necessary.
Abstract: Purpose: This study aimed to clarify nurses’ knowledge, awareness, and safe behavioral practices regarding occupational exposure. Methods: A mail-based questionnaire survey was conducted for 2,820 nurses engaged in radiation medicine and working in randomly selected hospitals in Japan. Results: Overall, 1,385 questionnaire responses were obtained (...
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Clinical Research Monitor Burnout - Root Causes, Corrective and Preventive Action
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 3, June 2023
Pages:
64-68
Received:
12 February 2023
Accepted:
12 May 2023
Published:
11 July 2023
Abstract: In clinical research settings, both psychological and physical well-being are components of individual health, and they are interdependent. Both elements should be considered while assessing well-being over the long run. Burnout and work-related stress are ongoing issues in industrialized nations. Early diagnosis and treatment of job-related stress symptoms might lessen individual suffering and enhance creativity and productivity at work. Clinical research monitors are responsible for various challenging activities, including recruiting patients, monitoring and evaluating patients, and data collection, among others. Despite initiatives such as role delineation and structural changes to streamline the complexity of this position, many research monitors continue to experience burnout due to the overwhelming and demanding nature of their job. This article aims to evaluate and define the trends of burnout in clinical research, identify personal and professional traits that are linked to burnout, and discuss the root cause, and corrective, and preventive actions of clinical research to monitor burnout. To prevent burnout, strategies such as time management, prioritization, self-care, and supportive work environments need to be implemented. Burnout has a considerable impact on contemporary culture and can affect socioeconomic status and job happiness. Therefore, it is crucial to address burnout in clinical research settings to promote the well-being of research monitors and improve the quality of research outcomes. The primary goals of this article are to assess and define burnout trends in clinical research, as well as to identify the personal traits, professional traits, excessive workload, area of competence, years of experience, and work fulfillment which are associated with burnout. Also provided corrective and preventive measures.
Abstract: In clinical research settings, both psychological and physical well-being are components of individual health, and they are interdependent. Both elements should be considered while assessing well-being over the long run. Burnout and work-related stress are ongoing issues in industrialized nations. Early diagnosis and treatment of job-related stress...
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