International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes in every aspect of our lives. Because o... more The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes in every aspect of our lives. Because of the measures imposed, people were only allowed to leave their homes for certain purposes, and all types of cultural and sports events were canceled. Climbers were greatly affected by these limited options for regular physical activity outside of the home environment. Little is known about the crisis’ effects on the climbing community in German-speaking regions. Thus, we surveyed 1028 German-speaking climbers (mean age 34.6 years, SD 10.4; 50.4% females) from December 2020 to February 2021. A cross-sectional online survey collected data on climbing frequency and preferences as well as levels of life satisfaction, using the standardized Short Life Satisfaction Questionnaire for Lockdowns (SLSQL) before and during the crisis. Results showed that due to the pandemic, study subjects climbed less frequently, preferred outdoor locations to climb, and showed decreased life satisfaction scores ...
Golf is an outdoor sport played worldwide, and golfers of all ages benefit from regular exercise ... more Golf is an outdoor sport played worldwide, and golfers of all ages benefit from regular exercise and social contact. The COVID-19 crisis has led to lockdowns, curfews, and closures of golf courses and other indoor and outdoor sports facilities. This study aimed to retrospectively assess how golfers perceived the impact of the crisis on physical activity and life satisfaction. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among 1,115 golfers (61% men, mean age 55.0 years) in German-speaking countries, mainly Austria and Germany, from March to June 2021. When comparing ratings before and during the COVID-19 period, participants reported exercising more indoors at home independently or with online instructions. Likewise, the popularity of exercising outdoors in publicly accessible open spaces increased overall, especially in rural areas by about 10%. Life satisfaction decreased significantly by 24.2% (p < 0.001) during the pandemic. From a public health perspective, access to outdoor...
Abstract: Natural environments offer a high potential for human well-being, restoration and stres... more Abstract: Natural environments offer a high potential for human well-being, restoration and stress recovery in terms of allostatic load. A growing body of literature is investigating psychological and physiological health benefits of contact with Nature. So far, a synthesis of physiological health outcomes of direct outdoor nature experiences and its potential for improving Public Health is missing. We were interested in summarizing the outcomes of studies that investigated physiological outcomes of experiencing Nature measuring at least one physiological parameter during the last two decades. Studies on effects of indoor or simulated Nature exposure via videos or photos, animal contact, and wood as building material were excluded from further analysis. As an online literature research delivered heterogeneous data inappropriate for quantitative synthesis approaches, we descriptively summarized and narratively synthesized studies. The procedure started with 1,187 titles. Research art...
Nikolaus Wick,* Daniela Haluza,* Elisabeth Gurnhofer,* Ingrid Raab,* Marie-Theres Kasimir, Michae... more Nikolaus Wick,* Daniela Haluza,* Elisabeth Gurnhofer,* Ingrid Raab,* Marie-Theres Kasimir, Michael Prinz, Carl-Walter Steiner, Christina Reinisch, Anny Howorka,* Pietro Giovanoli, ** Sabine Buchsbaum, Sigurd Krieger,* Erwin Tschachler, Peter Petzelbauer, and Dontscho Kerjaschki* From the Department of Pathology;* the Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiac-Thoracic Surgery; the Core Unit for Medical Statistics and Informatics; the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology; the Department of Dermatology, Research Unit of Biology and Pathobiology of Human Skin; the Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; and the Department of Dermatology, Division of General Dermatology, Vienna Medical University, Vienna, Austria; and the Department of Reconstructive Surgery,** University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Studies in health technology and informatics, 2018
BACKGROUND Medical device regulations which aim to ensure safety standards do not only apply to h... more BACKGROUND Medical device regulations which aim to ensure safety standards do not only apply to hardware devices but also to standalone medical software, e.g. mobile apps. OBJECTIVES To explore the effects of these regulations on the development and distribution of medical standalone software. METHODS We invited a convenience sample of 130 domain experts to participate in an online survey about the impact of current regulations on the development and distribution of medical standalone software. RESULTS 21 respondents completed the questionnaire. Participants reported slight positive effects on usability, reliability, and data security of their products, whereas the ability to modify already deployed software and customization by end users were negatively impacted. The additional time and costs needed to go through the regulatory process were perceived as the greatest obstacles in developing and distributing medical software. CONCLUSION Further research is needed to compare positive ...
Digitalized healthcare services offer remote and cost-effective treatment of diabetes patients. T... more Digitalized healthcare services offer remote and cost-effective treatment of diabetes patients. Thus, the present online study analyzed the readiness to use telemonitoring among Austrian diabetes patients. We developed and validated a German version of the patient telehealth readiness assessment tool and performed quantitative context analysis of free-text comments on perceived barriers and benefits of telemonitoring. Participants (n = 41, 42.6% females) achieved a medium average readiness level for telemonitoring. The three top benefits were intensified care, shorter travel and waiting times, and better therapy adjustment. The top three barriers were data privacy issues, loss of personal communication and focus on blood sugar, and teledoctor competence. Diabetes patients represent a suitable target group for remote treatment opportunities. However, a shift from traditional face-to-face medical care to exclusive telemonitoring treatment from diagnosis to consultation and treatment r...
International Journal of Medical Informatics, 2019
With the emergence of an always-on culture and the private smartphones always within reach, profe... more With the emergence of an always-on culture and the private smartphones always within reach, professional and recreational contexts overlap. Little empirical knowledge is available on prevailing online habits among healthcare personnel and whether gender matters in this context. To investigate health technology-related preferences, we conducted an online survey among a purposive sample of employees and students at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria. In total, 905 participants (59.0%, 540/905, females) provided self-reported information on use of online services and mobile health applications (apps) as well as respective gender-specific internal and external apperceptions. Mann-Whitney U tests and binary regression analysis assessed respective gender differences. The structured German questionnaire was validated by principal component analysis. The study found a moderate familiarity with health technologies. As for gender differences, prevailing health app use was high among both male and female participants (39, 141/365, and 42%, 229/540, respectively), with apps for tracking activity and nutrition habits most commonly used. Approval for monitoring health and lifestyle parameters, eHealth and telemedicine knowledge levels, and online health information retrieval predicted health app use, whereas gender did not. Socio-demographic attributes including gender influence not only private online habits of users, but might also affect acceptance of health technologies and their professional use in a clinical setting. Thus, addressing the gender dimension already in concept stages of digital devices and services for healthcare and lifestyle could speed up private and public adoption of health technologies.
Aim: To explore how nurses recover from night shift work during periods off duty. Background: Giv... more Aim: To explore how nurses recover from night shift work during periods off duty. Background: Given the large number of affected individuals globally, detrimental health outcomes of night shift work are an important public health issue. Sufficient recovery opportunities are essential to prevent prolonged fatigue associated with demanding tasks and high workload as experienced in nurses working long shifts during the night. Method: Nurses (n = 53, 96% females) who worked in two public nursing homes in Austria completed a 5-day diary to collect data on well-being conceptualized by fatigue, distress and vigour. Results: Nurses experienced worse well-being post night shift days than during rest days. Well-being improved from post night shift day 2 to the following rest day 1 and continued improvement from rest day 1 to rest day 2. Conclusions: Nurses who work at nights are at risk for experiencing prolonged fatigue. Our results suggest that after two consecutive 12-hr night shifts full recovery needs at least three days off work. Implications for nursing management: Strategies for maintaining nurses' good health and caring attitudes as well as vigilance for patient safety should include fatigue management plans and optimised schedules for night shift work.
ABSTRACT New technological developments affect almost every sector of our daily lives including t... more ABSTRACT New technological developments affect almost every sector of our daily lives including the healthcare sector. Successful adoption and sustainable integration of eHealth and telemedicine in Public Health strategies (also known as Public eHealth) depend on knowledge and constant evaluation of consumers’ needs, proficiencies, and preferences. We therefore assessed how the general Austrian population perceived innovative Public eHealth solutions. The online survey on 562 Austrian adults (58.9% females) collected self-reported data on current and expected use of smartphone-based health applications (apps) of digital natives (35 years and younger) and digital immigrants (aged 35+). In total, 26.7% (95% CI 23.0–30.4) of participants already used health apps, especially lifestyle-associated apps for monitoring exercise habits and nutritional habits. We found substantial digital age group differences; compared to digital immigrants digital natives were more likely to use mobile devices and health apps. Health apps have the potential to improve community health and prevent lifestyle diseases cost-effectively and efficiently, and thus build an important pillar of Public eHealth. With regard to aging societies, healthcare providers could take advantage of consumer-oriented health apps by assessing individual needs of specific target groups such as elderly people.
Ubiquitous Internet access currently revolutionizes the way people acquire information by creatin... more Ubiquitous Internet access currently revolutionizes the way people acquire information by creating a complex, worldwide information network. The impact of Internet use on the doctor-patient relationship is a moving target that varies across sociodemographic strata and nations. To increase scientific knowledge on the patient-Web-physician triangle in Austria, this study reports findings regarding prevailing online health information-seeking behavior and the respective impact on doctor-patient interactions among a nonprobability convenience sample of Internet users. To investigate digital age group-specific influences, we analyzed whether digital natives and digital immigrants differed in their perspectives. The questionnaire-based online survey collected sociodemographic data and online health information-seeking behavior from a sample of 562 respondents (59% females, mean age 37 ± 15 years, 54% digital natives). Most respondents (79%) referred to the Internet to seek health information, making it the most commonly used source for health information, even more prevalent then the doctor. We found similar predictors for using the Internet as a source for health-related information across digital age groups. Thus, the overall generational gap seems to be small among regular Internet users in Austria. However, study participants expressed a rather skeptical attitude toward electronic exchange of health data between health care professionals and patients, as well as toward reliability of online health information. To improve adoption of electronic doctor-patient communication and patient empowerment, public education and awareness programs are required to promote consumer-centered health care provision and patient empowerment.
Along with the digital revolution, information and communication technology applications are curr... more Along with the digital revolution, information and communication technology applications are currently transforming the delivery of health and social care services. This paper investigates prevailing opinions toward future technology-based healthcare solutions among Austrian healthcare professionals. During a biphasic online Delphi survey, panelists rated expected outcomes of two future scenarios describing pervasive health monitoring applications. Experts perceived that the scenarios were highly innovative, but only moderately desirable, and that their implementation could especially improve patients' knowledge, quality of healthcare, and living standard. Contrarily, monetary aspects, technical prerequisites, and data security were identified as key obstacles. We further compared the impact of professional affiliation. Clearly, opinions toward pervasive healthcare differed between the interest groups, medical professionals, patient advocates, and administrative personnel. These data suggest closer collaborations between stakeholder groups to harmonize differences in expectations regarding pervasive health monitoring.
The present paper presents findings from two studies addressing the effects of the employee's... more The present paper presents findings from two studies addressing the effects of the employee's intention to have rest breaks on rest-break frequency and the change of well-being during a workday. Rest breaks are effective in avoiding an accumulation of fatigue during work. However, little is known about individual differences in rest-break behavior. In Study 1, the association between rest-break intention and the daily number of rest breaks recorded over 4 consecutive workdays was determined by generalized linear model in a sample of employees ( n = 111, 59% females). In Study 2, professional geriatric nurses ( n = 95 females) who worked over two consecutive 12-hour day shifts recorded well-being (fatigue, distress, effort motivation) at the beginning and the end of their shifts. The effect of rest-break intention on the change of well-being was determined by multilevel modeling. Rest-break intention was positively associated with the frequency of rest breaks (Study 1) and reduce...
International archives of occupational and environmental health, 2017
Adequate recovery opportunities are crucial for preventing long-term health effects of acute load... more Adequate recovery opportunities are crucial for preventing long-term health effects of acute load reactions in response to stressful work. However, little is known about the time course of recovery from work during non-working days. Thus, the present study assessed recovery from two consecutive 12-hours day shifts during a period of three rest days among nurses. In total, 48 nurses (89.6% females) working in three public Austrian nursing homes completed 5-day self-reporting diaries prior to a work phase consisting of two consecutive 12-hours day shifts followed by three consecutive rest days. Therefore, morning and evening fatigue, distress, vigor and sleep were self-assessed by standardized questionnaires. We analyzed the data using multivariate analysis of variance for repeated measures. Study participants experienced worse well-being and a greater decline in well-being on working days compared to rest days. Well-being increased from rest day 1 to rest day 2 in fatigue, vigor and ...
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2016
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of age on fatigue prevalence and the potentia... more The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of age on fatigue prevalence and the potential recovery effect of leisure opportunities. The study was based on the Austrian Health Interview Survey 2006/2007. We investigated data of a subsample of working adults, which consisted of 5018 subjects (51.8% males) aged 35 to 59 years. A logistic regression analysis stratified by gender explored whether age and leisure opportunities predicted prolonged fatigue. Age was not associated with fatigue in females, but older male employees (55 to 59 years) were at a greater risk for fatigue than the reference group (35 to 39 years). Insufficient leisure opportunities increased the odds for fatigue in both genders and all age groups. However, this effect was especially pronounced in male employees aged 55 to 59 years. These results suggest that older male employees may be in need of more leisure opportunities to recover from work.
GRUNDLAGEN: Der Anstieg der Überlebenswahrscheinlichkeit nach ausgedehnten Verbrennungen führte z... more GRUNDLAGEN: Der Anstieg der Überlebenswahrscheinlichkeit nach ausgedehnten Verbrennungen führte zu einem erhöhten Anspruch an das funktionelle und ästhetische Ergebnis. Nicht nur Patienten mit tiefen Verbrennungen, sondern auch Patienten mit kongenitalen Fehlbildungen bzw. Hautweichteildefekten nach Trauma oder Tumorresektion könnten von einem optimierten Verfahren zum Haut- und Gewebeersatz profitieren. Hierbei wäre die Rekonstruktion von Epidermis, Dermis und subkutanem Fettgewebe erstrebenswert. Im Rahmen der dargestellten Studie wurde untersucht, in wie weit sich Keratinozyten und Präadipozyten zur späteren Transplantation auf der Kollagen-Elastin-Matrix Matriderm® anzüchten lassen. METHODIK: Hierzu wurden einerseits Keratinozyten aus humaner Spalthaut gewonnen und auf die Kollagen-Elastin Matrix (Matriderm®) aufgebracht, andererseits wurden Präadipozyten auf der Matrix angezüchtet. Die Präadipozyten wurden aus humanem subkutanem Fettgewebe isoliert und direkt auf die Matrix appliziert. Nach 21 Tagen wurden die Präparate zur histologischen Aufarbeitung fixiert und anschließend mittels Standard-HE-Färbung, Immunfluoreszenz-Färbungen (anti-Pref-1-Antikörper) und immunhistochemischen Färbungen (Kollagen IV) analysiert. ERGEBNISSE: Es zeigte sich eine gute Adhärenz der Keratinozyten auf der Matrix mit einer epithelartigen Schichtung der Zellen auf der Matrixoberfläche. Die Präadipozyten zeigten neben einer guten Adhärenz außerdem eine Penetration in die Tiefe der Matrix. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNGEN: Die untersuchte Kollagen-Elastin-Matrix (Matriderm®) eignet sich als Grundgerüst zur Anzüchtung von Keratinozyten und Präadipozyten. Die Matrix könnte somit nicht nur als Dermisersatz fungieren, sondern auch eine kombinierte Rekonstruktion eines dreischichtigen Gewebeersatzes ermöglichen (Epidermis, Dermis, Subcutis). BACKGROUND: Survival of severely burned patients has significantly improved during the last decades and the focus has shifted to a better functional and aesthetic outcome. Not only patients after deep excision of burn eschar down to muscle fascia but also patients with congenital deformities or trauma can benefit from the development of sufficient epidermal, dermal and subcutaneous replacements. Aim of the present study was to determine if a bovine-derived collagen matrix with an elastin component (Matriderm®) could serve as a carrier for keratinocytes and preadipocytes. METHODS: Human keratinocytes from split thickness skin grafts as well as human preadipocytes were seeded onto a collagen-elastin-matrix (Matriderm®). Human preadipocytes were isolated from human subcutaneous adipose tissue and seeded onto the scaffold directly after isolation. Twenty-one days after seeding all scaffolds were histologically evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin as well as immunofluorescence labeling (pref-1 antibody) and immunohistochemical staining (collagen IV). RESULTS: Keratinocytes were primarily observed to adhere to the surface area of the scaffold in epithelial-like layers. Preadipocytes adhered well and penetrated into the deeper layers of the matrix. CONCLUSIONS: The collagen-elastin matrix serves as a useful scaffold for keratinocytes as well as preadipocytes. Matriderm® could not only be used as a dermal substitute but could also serve as a scaffold for reconstructing a three-layered substitute (epidermis, dermis, and subcutis).
Occupational exposure to quartz not only leads to silicosis but also to chronic bronchitis and ob... more Occupational exposure to quartz not only leads to silicosis but also to chronic bronchitis and obstructive lung disease. In Austria more stringent occupational limit values for dusts have been introduced in 2007. We assumed that (a) workers exposed to mineral dusts (quartz) have a poorer lung function (LF) than other workers that undergo repeated LF testing because of other occupational exposures (dusts and fumes), (b) LF decline is fastest in the quartz-group, and (c) the decline slowed down after the introduction of stricter limit values. We examined repeated LF data (FVC, FEV1, MEF50) from the routine examination (usually every two years) performed by one occupational health centre from the years 2002 through 2010. Three main linear regression models were analysed on each LF parameter. (a) The effect of quartz exposure on the raw parameter after controlling for age, height, weight (quadratic term), gender, and smoking. (b) The effect of quartz exposure on the difference between actual value and the age-sex-height-dependent Austrian norm value. This approach allowed us to additionally control for the impact of duration of exposure. (c) The impact of quartz exposure on the intra-individual decline in LF parameters per year. In this analysis we could also check for differences in the slope before and after the introduction of new limit values. We analysed 7315 data-sets (on average 5 per person, mostly males). Nearly 40% of these were from workers exposed to quartz dusts. The remaining workers were welders or were exposed aluminium or other dusts. Both smoking and quartz exposure lead to lower LF values. Duration of quartz exposure also was a significant predictor of LF decline. The decline slowed after the introduction of stricter limit values.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes in every aspect of our lives. Because o... more The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes in every aspect of our lives. Because of the measures imposed, people were only allowed to leave their homes for certain purposes, and all types of cultural and sports events were canceled. Climbers were greatly affected by these limited options for regular physical activity outside of the home environment. Little is known about the crisis’ effects on the climbing community in German-speaking regions. Thus, we surveyed 1028 German-speaking climbers (mean age 34.6 years, SD 10.4; 50.4% females) from December 2020 to February 2021. A cross-sectional online survey collected data on climbing frequency and preferences as well as levels of life satisfaction, using the standardized Short Life Satisfaction Questionnaire for Lockdowns (SLSQL) before and during the crisis. Results showed that due to the pandemic, study subjects climbed less frequently, preferred outdoor locations to climb, and showed decreased life satisfaction scores ...
Golf is an outdoor sport played worldwide, and golfers of all ages benefit from regular exercise ... more Golf is an outdoor sport played worldwide, and golfers of all ages benefit from regular exercise and social contact. The COVID-19 crisis has led to lockdowns, curfews, and closures of golf courses and other indoor and outdoor sports facilities. This study aimed to retrospectively assess how golfers perceived the impact of the crisis on physical activity and life satisfaction. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among 1,115 golfers (61% men, mean age 55.0 years) in German-speaking countries, mainly Austria and Germany, from March to June 2021. When comparing ratings before and during the COVID-19 period, participants reported exercising more indoors at home independently or with online instructions. Likewise, the popularity of exercising outdoors in publicly accessible open spaces increased overall, especially in rural areas by about 10%. Life satisfaction decreased significantly by 24.2% (p < 0.001) during the pandemic. From a public health perspective, access to outdoor...
Abstract: Natural environments offer a high potential for human well-being, restoration and stres... more Abstract: Natural environments offer a high potential for human well-being, restoration and stress recovery in terms of allostatic load. A growing body of literature is investigating psychological and physiological health benefits of contact with Nature. So far, a synthesis of physiological health outcomes of direct outdoor nature experiences and its potential for improving Public Health is missing. We were interested in summarizing the outcomes of studies that investigated physiological outcomes of experiencing Nature measuring at least one physiological parameter during the last two decades. Studies on effects of indoor or simulated Nature exposure via videos or photos, animal contact, and wood as building material were excluded from further analysis. As an online literature research delivered heterogeneous data inappropriate for quantitative synthesis approaches, we descriptively summarized and narratively synthesized studies. The procedure started with 1,187 titles. Research art...
Nikolaus Wick,* Daniela Haluza,* Elisabeth Gurnhofer,* Ingrid Raab,* Marie-Theres Kasimir, Michae... more Nikolaus Wick,* Daniela Haluza,* Elisabeth Gurnhofer,* Ingrid Raab,* Marie-Theres Kasimir, Michael Prinz, Carl-Walter Steiner, Christina Reinisch, Anny Howorka,* Pietro Giovanoli, ** Sabine Buchsbaum, Sigurd Krieger,* Erwin Tschachler, Peter Petzelbauer, and Dontscho Kerjaschki* From the Department of Pathology;* the Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiac-Thoracic Surgery; the Core Unit for Medical Statistics and Informatics; the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology; the Department of Dermatology, Research Unit of Biology and Pathobiology of Human Skin; the Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; and the Department of Dermatology, Division of General Dermatology, Vienna Medical University, Vienna, Austria; and the Department of Reconstructive Surgery,** University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Studies in health technology and informatics, 2018
BACKGROUND Medical device regulations which aim to ensure safety standards do not only apply to h... more BACKGROUND Medical device regulations which aim to ensure safety standards do not only apply to hardware devices but also to standalone medical software, e.g. mobile apps. OBJECTIVES To explore the effects of these regulations on the development and distribution of medical standalone software. METHODS We invited a convenience sample of 130 domain experts to participate in an online survey about the impact of current regulations on the development and distribution of medical standalone software. RESULTS 21 respondents completed the questionnaire. Participants reported slight positive effects on usability, reliability, and data security of their products, whereas the ability to modify already deployed software and customization by end users were negatively impacted. The additional time and costs needed to go through the regulatory process were perceived as the greatest obstacles in developing and distributing medical software. CONCLUSION Further research is needed to compare positive ...
Digitalized healthcare services offer remote and cost-effective treatment of diabetes patients. T... more Digitalized healthcare services offer remote and cost-effective treatment of diabetes patients. Thus, the present online study analyzed the readiness to use telemonitoring among Austrian diabetes patients. We developed and validated a German version of the patient telehealth readiness assessment tool and performed quantitative context analysis of free-text comments on perceived barriers and benefits of telemonitoring. Participants (n = 41, 42.6% females) achieved a medium average readiness level for telemonitoring. The three top benefits were intensified care, shorter travel and waiting times, and better therapy adjustment. The top three barriers were data privacy issues, loss of personal communication and focus on blood sugar, and teledoctor competence. Diabetes patients represent a suitable target group for remote treatment opportunities. However, a shift from traditional face-to-face medical care to exclusive telemonitoring treatment from diagnosis to consultation and treatment r...
International Journal of Medical Informatics, 2019
With the emergence of an always-on culture and the private smartphones always within reach, profe... more With the emergence of an always-on culture and the private smartphones always within reach, professional and recreational contexts overlap. Little empirical knowledge is available on prevailing online habits among healthcare personnel and whether gender matters in this context. To investigate health technology-related preferences, we conducted an online survey among a purposive sample of employees and students at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria. In total, 905 participants (59.0%, 540/905, females) provided self-reported information on use of online services and mobile health applications (apps) as well as respective gender-specific internal and external apperceptions. Mann-Whitney U tests and binary regression analysis assessed respective gender differences. The structured German questionnaire was validated by principal component analysis. The study found a moderate familiarity with health technologies. As for gender differences, prevailing health app use was high among both male and female participants (39, 141/365, and 42%, 229/540, respectively), with apps for tracking activity and nutrition habits most commonly used. Approval for monitoring health and lifestyle parameters, eHealth and telemedicine knowledge levels, and online health information retrieval predicted health app use, whereas gender did not. Socio-demographic attributes including gender influence not only private online habits of users, but might also affect acceptance of health technologies and their professional use in a clinical setting. Thus, addressing the gender dimension already in concept stages of digital devices and services for healthcare and lifestyle could speed up private and public adoption of health technologies.
Aim: To explore how nurses recover from night shift work during periods off duty. Background: Giv... more Aim: To explore how nurses recover from night shift work during periods off duty. Background: Given the large number of affected individuals globally, detrimental health outcomes of night shift work are an important public health issue. Sufficient recovery opportunities are essential to prevent prolonged fatigue associated with demanding tasks and high workload as experienced in nurses working long shifts during the night. Method: Nurses (n = 53, 96% females) who worked in two public nursing homes in Austria completed a 5-day diary to collect data on well-being conceptualized by fatigue, distress and vigour. Results: Nurses experienced worse well-being post night shift days than during rest days. Well-being improved from post night shift day 2 to the following rest day 1 and continued improvement from rest day 1 to rest day 2. Conclusions: Nurses who work at nights are at risk for experiencing prolonged fatigue. Our results suggest that after two consecutive 12-hr night shifts full recovery needs at least three days off work. Implications for nursing management: Strategies for maintaining nurses' good health and caring attitudes as well as vigilance for patient safety should include fatigue management plans and optimised schedules for night shift work.
ABSTRACT New technological developments affect almost every sector of our daily lives including t... more ABSTRACT New technological developments affect almost every sector of our daily lives including the healthcare sector. Successful adoption and sustainable integration of eHealth and telemedicine in Public Health strategies (also known as Public eHealth) depend on knowledge and constant evaluation of consumers’ needs, proficiencies, and preferences. We therefore assessed how the general Austrian population perceived innovative Public eHealth solutions. The online survey on 562 Austrian adults (58.9% females) collected self-reported data on current and expected use of smartphone-based health applications (apps) of digital natives (35 years and younger) and digital immigrants (aged 35+). In total, 26.7% (95% CI 23.0–30.4) of participants already used health apps, especially lifestyle-associated apps for monitoring exercise habits and nutritional habits. We found substantial digital age group differences; compared to digital immigrants digital natives were more likely to use mobile devices and health apps. Health apps have the potential to improve community health and prevent lifestyle diseases cost-effectively and efficiently, and thus build an important pillar of Public eHealth. With regard to aging societies, healthcare providers could take advantage of consumer-oriented health apps by assessing individual needs of specific target groups such as elderly people.
Ubiquitous Internet access currently revolutionizes the way people acquire information by creatin... more Ubiquitous Internet access currently revolutionizes the way people acquire information by creating a complex, worldwide information network. The impact of Internet use on the doctor-patient relationship is a moving target that varies across sociodemographic strata and nations. To increase scientific knowledge on the patient-Web-physician triangle in Austria, this study reports findings regarding prevailing online health information-seeking behavior and the respective impact on doctor-patient interactions among a nonprobability convenience sample of Internet users. To investigate digital age group-specific influences, we analyzed whether digital natives and digital immigrants differed in their perspectives. The questionnaire-based online survey collected sociodemographic data and online health information-seeking behavior from a sample of 562 respondents (59% females, mean age 37 ± 15 years, 54% digital natives). Most respondents (79%) referred to the Internet to seek health information, making it the most commonly used source for health information, even more prevalent then the doctor. We found similar predictors for using the Internet as a source for health-related information across digital age groups. Thus, the overall generational gap seems to be small among regular Internet users in Austria. However, study participants expressed a rather skeptical attitude toward electronic exchange of health data between health care professionals and patients, as well as toward reliability of online health information. To improve adoption of electronic doctor-patient communication and patient empowerment, public education and awareness programs are required to promote consumer-centered health care provision and patient empowerment.
Along with the digital revolution, information and communication technology applications are curr... more Along with the digital revolution, information and communication technology applications are currently transforming the delivery of health and social care services. This paper investigates prevailing opinions toward future technology-based healthcare solutions among Austrian healthcare professionals. During a biphasic online Delphi survey, panelists rated expected outcomes of two future scenarios describing pervasive health monitoring applications. Experts perceived that the scenarios were highly innovative, but only moderately desirable, and that their implementation could especially improve patients' knowledge, quality of healthcare, and living standard. Contrarily, monetary aspects, technical prerequisites, and data security were identified as key obstacles. We further compared the impact of professional affiliation. Clearly, opinions toward pervasive healthcare differed between the interest groups, medical professionals, patient advocates, and administrative personnel. These data suggest closer collaborations between stakeholder groups to harmonize differences in expectations regarding pervasive health monitoring.
The present paper presents findings from two studies addressing the effects of the employee's... more The present paper presents findings from two studies addressing the effects of the employee's intention to have rest breaks on rest-break frequency and the change of well-being during a workday. Rest breaks are effective in avoiding an accumulation of fatigue during work. However, little is known about individual differences in rest-break behavior. In Study 1, the association between rest-break intention and the daily number of rest breaks recorded over 4 consecutive workdays was determined by generalized linear model in a sample of employees ( n = 111, 59% females). In Study 2, professional geriatric nurses ( n = 95 females) who worked over two consecutive 12-hour day shifts recorded well-being (fatigue, distress, effort motivation) at the beginning and the end of their shifts. The effect of rest-break intention on the change of well-being was determined by multilevel modeling. Rest-break intention was positively associated with the frequency of rest breaks (Study 1) and reduce...
International archives of occupational and environmental health, 2017
Adequate recovery opportunities are crucial for preventing long-term health effects of acute load... more Adequate recovery opportunities are crucial for preventing long-term health effects of acute load reactions in response to stressful work. However, little is known about the time course of recovery from work during non-working days. Thus, the present study assessed recovery from two consecutive 12-hours day shifts during a period of three rest days among nurses. In total, 48 nurses (89.6% females) working in three public Austrian nursing homes completed 5-day self-reporting diaries prior to a work phase consisting of two consecutive 12-hours day shifts followed by three consecutive rest days. Therefore, morning and evening fatigue, distress, vigor and sleep were self-assessed by standardized questionnaires. We analyzed the data using multivariate analysis of variance for repeated measures. Study participants experienced worse well-being and a greater decline in well-being on working days compared to rest days. Well-being increased from rest day 1 to rest day 2 in fatigue, vigor and ...
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2016
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of age on fatigue prevalence and the potentia... more The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of age on fatigue prevalence and the potential recovery effect of leisure opportunities. The study was based on the Austrian Health Interview Survey 2006/2007. We investigated data of a subsample of working adults, which consisted of 5018 subjects (51.8% males) aged 35 to 59 years. A logistic regression analysis stratified by gender explored whether age and leisure opportunities predicted prolonged fatigue. Age was not associated with fatigue in females, but older male employees (55 to 59 years) were at a greater risk for fatigue than the reference group (35 to 39 years). Insufficient leisure opportunities increased the odds for fatigue in both genders and all age groups. However, this effect was especially pronounced in male employees aged 55 to 59 years. These results suggest that older male employees may be in need of more leisure opportunities to recover from work.
GRUNDLAGEN: Der Anstieg der Überlebenswahrscheinlichkeit nach ausgedehnten Verbrennungen führte z... more GRUNDLAGEN: Der Anstieg der Überlebenswahrscheinlichkeit nach ausgedehnten Verbrennungen führte zu einem erhöhten Anspruch an das funktionelle und ästhetische Ergebnis. Nicht nur Patienten mit tiefen Verbrennungen, sondern auch Patienten mit kongenitalen Fehlbildungen bzw. Hautweichteildefekten nach Trauma oder Tumorresektion könnten von einem optimierten Verfahren zum Haut- und Gewebeersatz profitieren. Hierbei wäre die Rekonstruktion von Epidermis, Dermis und subkutanem Fettgewebe erstrebenswert. Im Rahmen der dargestellten Studie wurde untersucht, in wie weit sich Keratinozyten und Präadipozyten zur späteren Transplantation auf der Kollagen-Elastin-Matrix Matriderm® anzüchten lassen. METHODIK: Hierzu wurden einerseits Keratinozyten aus humaner Spalthaut gewonnen und auf die Kollagen-Elastin Matrix (Matriderm®) aufgebracht, andererseits wurden Präadipozyten auf der Matrix angezüchtet. Die Präadipozyten wurden aus humanem subkutanem Fettgewebe isoliert und direkt auf die Matrix appliziert. Nach 21 Tagen wurden die Präparate zur histologischen Aufarbeitung fixiert und anschließend mittels Standard-HE-Färbung, Immunfluoreszenz-Färbungen (anti-Pref-1-Antikörper) und immunhistochemischen Färbungen (Kollagen IV) analysiert. ERGEBNISSE: Es zeigte sich eine gute Adhärenz der Keratinozyten auf der Matrix mit einer epithelartigen Schichtung der Zellen auf der Matrixoberfläche. Die Präadipozyten zeigten neben einer guten Adhärenz außerdem eine Penetration in die Tiefe der Matrix. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNGEN: Die untersuchte Kollagen-Elastin-Matrix (Matriderm®) eignet sich als Grundgerüst zur Anzüchtung von Keratinozyten und Präadipozyten. Die Matrix könnte somit nicht nur als Dermisersatz fungieren, sondern auch eine kombinierte Rekonstruktion eines dreischichtigen Gewebeersatzes ermöglichen (Epidermis, Dermis, Subcutis). BACKGROUND: Survival of severely burned patients has significantly improved during the last decades and the focus has shifted to a better functional and aesthetic outcome. Not only patients after deep excision of burn eschar down to muscle fascia but also patients with congenital deformities or trauma can benefit from the development of sufficient epidermal, dermal and subcutaneous replacements. Aim of the present study was to determine if a bovine-derived collagen matrix with an elastin component (Matriderm®) could serve as a carrier for keratinocytes and preadipocytes. METHODS: Human keratinocytes from split thickness skin grafts as well as human preadipocytes were seeded onto a collagen-elastin-matrix (Matriderm®). Human preadipocytes were isolated from human subcutaneous adipose tissue and seeded onto the scaffold directly after isolation. Twenty-one days after seeding all scaffolds were histologically evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin as well as immunofluorescence labeling (pref-1 antibody) and immunohistochemical staining (collagen IV). RESULTS: Keratinocytes were primarily observed to adhere to the surface area of the scaffold in epithelial-like layers. Preadipocytes adhered well and penetrated into the deeper layers of the matrix. CONCLUSIONS: The collagen-elastin matrix serves as a useful scaffold for keratinocytes as well as preadipocytes. Matriderm® could not only be used as a dermal substitute but could also serve as a scaffold for reconstructing a three-layered substitute (epidermis, dermis, and subcutis).
Occupational exposure to quartz not only leads to silicosis but also to chronic bronchitis and ob... more Occupational exposure to quartz not only leads to silicosis but also to chronic bronchitis and obstructive lung disease. In Austria more stringent occupational limit values for dusts have been introduced in 2007. We assumed that (a) workers exposed to mineral dusts (quartz) have a poorer lung function (LF) than other workers that undergo repeated LF testing because of other occupational exposures (dusts and fumes), (b) LF decline is fastest in the quartz-group, and (c) the decline slowed down after the introduction of stricter limit values. We examined repeated LF data (FVC, FEV1, MEF50) from the routine examination (usually every two years) performed by one occupational health centre from the years 2002 through 2010. Three main linear regression models were analysed on each LF parameter. (a) The effect of quartz exposure on the raw parameter after controlling for age, height, weight (quadratic term), gender, and smoking. (b) The effect of quartz exposure on the difference between actual value and the age-sex-height-dependent Austrian norm value. This approach allowed us to additionally control for the impact of duration of exposure. (c) The impact of quartz exposure on the intra-individual decline in LF parameters per year. In this analysis we could also check for differences in the slope before and after the introduction of new limit values. We analysed 7315 data-sets (on average 5 per person, mostly males). Nearly 40% of these were from workers exposed to quartz dusts. The remaining workers were welders or were exposed aluminium or other dusts. Both smoking and quartz exposure lead to lower LF values. Duration of quartz exposure also was a significant predictor of LF decline. The decline slowed after the introduction of stricter limit values.
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Papers by Daniela Haluza