Work outcomes in public safety personnel after potentially traumatic events: A systematic review.

Background: It is well documented that public safety personnel are exposed to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) at elevated frequency and demonstrate higher prevalence of trauma-related symptoms compared to the general population. Lesser studied to date are the organizational consequences of workplace PTE exposure and associated mental health outcomes such as acute/posttraumatic stress disorder (ASD/PTSD), depression, and anxiety.

Methods: The present review synthesizes international literature on work outcomes in public safety personnel (PSP) to explore whether and how PTE and trauma-related symptoms relate to workplace outcomes.

Methodological correlates of variability in the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder in high-risk occupational groups: A systematic review and meta-regression.

Background: Although numerous studies have reported on PTSD prevalence in high-risk occupational samples, previous meta-analytic work has been severely limited by the extreme variability in prevalence outcomes.

Methods: The present systematic review and meta-regression examined methodological sources of variability in PTSD outcomes across the literature on high-risk personnel with a specific focus on measurement tool selection.

Results: The pooled global prevalence of PTSD in high-risk personnel was 12.

PREVALENCE AND PREDICTORS OF POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER, DEPRESSION, AND ANXIETY IN PERSONNEL WORKING IN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT SETTINGS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.

Background: Professionals working in the emergency department (ED) are regularly exposed to traumatic events. Rates of posttraumatic mental health conditions vary widely in the literature and there is no agreement that rates in ED staff are elevated relative to other populations.

Objective: We conducted a systematic review of international literature reporting prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety in ED personnel to determine whether prevalence is elevated compared to the general community, and to evaluate convergent evidence across the literature for predictive factors.

The prevalence of PTSD, major depression and anxiety symptoms among high-risk public transportation workers.

Objective: Public transportation workers are exposed to higher levels of stress related to accidents, injuries, and person-under-train events when compared to other workers. This systematic review integrates the existing literature on mental health among high-risk public transportation workers to estimate the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive and anxiety symptoms following critical incidents while on duty.

Methods: This systematic review is part of a larger systematic review which examines mental health and work outcomes of individuals working in professions at high risk of critical incident exposure, i.

Mental Disorders in Firefighters Following Large-Scale Disaster.

Firefighting service is known to involve high rates of exposure to potentially traumatic situations, and research on mental health in firefighting populations is of critical importance in understanding the impact of occupational exposure. To date, the literature concerning prevalence of trauma-related mental disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has not distinguished between symptomology associated routine duty-related exposure and exposure to large-scale disaster. The present systematic review synthesizes a heterogeneous cross-national literature on large-scale disaster exposure in firefighters and provides support for the hypothesis that the prevalence of PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorders are elevated in firefighters compared with rates observed in the general population.

Systematic review of posttraumatic stress disorder in police officers following routine work-related critical incident exposure.

Background: The prevalence of PTSD in police officers has been the subject of a large and highly variable empirical literature. The present systematic review evaluates the extant literature on PTSD in police officers using an international dataset.

Methods: We employed best-evidence narrative synthesis to evaluate whether PTSD prevalence in police is elevated in comparison to the general population of Canada (8%), which itself has a higher lifetime PTSD prevalence than many other regions and thus serves as a conservative standard of comparison.

Non-modifiable worker and workplace risk factors contributing to workplace absence: A stakeholder-centred synthesis of systematic reviews.

Background: Workplace stakeholders report the identification and translation of relevant high quality research to inform workplace disability policy and practice is a challenge. The present study engaged academic and community stakeholders in conducting a best evidence-synthesis to identify non-modifiable risk and protective worker and workplace factors impacting work-related absence across a variety of health conditions.

Objective: To identify non-modifiable worker and workplace disability risk and protective factors impacting work-related absence across common health conditions.

Isocyanates and human health: multistakeholder information needs and research priorities.

Objectives: To outline the knowledge gaps and research priorities identified by a broad base of stakeholders involved in the planning and participation of an international conference and research agenda workshop on isocyanates and human health held in Potomac, Maryland, in April 2013.

Methods: A multimodal iterative approach was used for data collection including preconference surveys, review of a 2001 consensus conference on isocyanates, oral and poster presentations, focused break-out sessions, panel discussions, and postconference research agenda workshop.

Results: Participants included representatives of consumer and worker health, health professionals, regulatory agencies, academic and industry scientists, labor, and trade associations.

Modifiable worker risk factors contributing to workplace absence: a stakeholder-centred best-evidence synthesis of systematic reviews.

Background: A challenge facing stakeholders is the identification and translation of relevant high quality research to inform policy and practice. This study engaged academic and community stakeholders in conducting a best evidence-synthesis to identify modifiable risk and protective worker factors across health conditions impacting work-related absence.

Objectives: To identify modifiable worker disability risk and protective factors across common health conditions impacting work-related absence.

Modifiable workplace risk factors contributing to workplace absence across health conditions: A stakeholder-centered best-evidence synthesis of systematic reviews.

Background: A challenge facing stakeholders is the identification and translation of relevant high quality research to inform policy and practice. This study engaged academic and community stakeholders in conducting a best evidence-synthesis to enhance knowledge use.

Objectives: To identify modifiable workplace disability risk and protective factors across common health conditions impacting work-related absence.

A brief educational program improves awareness regarding whiplash prevention among a cohort of vehicle fleet managers in British Columbia, Canada.

Objective: Previous research indicates that most vehicle occupants are unaware that a correctly adjusted, well-designed vehicular head restraint provides substantial protection against whiplash injuries. This study examined whether a brief educational intervention could improve awareness regarding whiplash injuries and prevention strategies among a cohort of vehicle fleet managers.

Methods: A brief written survey was administered prior to, and approximately 1 h after a 30-min presentation on whiplash injury and prevention measures, which was delivered at a regional fleet manager meeting held in British Columbia, Canada (n = 27 respondents).

Baseline knowledge on vehicle safety and head restraints among Fleet Managers in British Columbia Canada: a pilot study.

Background: Whiplash is the most common injury type arising from motor vehicle collisions, often leading to long-term suffering and disability. Prevention of such injuries is possible through the use of appropriate, correctly positioned, vehicular head restraints.

Objective: To survey the awareness and knowledge level of vehicle fleet managers in the province of British Columbia, Canada, on the topics of vehicle safety, whiplash injury, and prevention; and to better understand whether these factors influence vehicle purchase/lease decisions.

Treatment of very early rheumatoid arthritis with symptomatic therapy, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, or biologic agents: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Background: Long-term control or remission of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may be possible with very early treatment. However, no optimal first therapeutic strategy has been determined.

Objective: To assess the potential cost-effectiveness of major therapeutic strategies for very early RA.

Strategies for primary and secondary prevention of Lyme disease.

Lyme disease (borreliosis) incidence continues to increase despite a growing knowledge of primary and secondary prevention strategies. Primary prevention aims to reduce the risk of tick exposure and thereby decrease the incidence of new Lyme disease cases. Secondary prevention targets the development of disease or reduces disease severity among people who have been bitten by infected ticks.

Randomized trial of problem-based versus didactic seminars for disseminating evidence-based guidelines on asthma management to primary care physicians.

Introduction: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigated the effectiveness of and satisfaction with small-group problem-based learning (PBL) versus a didactic lecture approach to guideline dissemination in asthma management controlling for confounders common in comparative educational interventions.

Methods: Sites were selected as either lecture or PBL using simple randomization. All participants were exposed to similar educational resources to ensure treatment equivalency.

Commitment to change instrument enhances program planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Introduction: This study investigates the use of a commitment to change (CTC) instrument as an integral approach to continuing medical education (CME) planning, implementation, and evaluation and as a means of facilitating physician behavior change.

Methods: Descriptive statistics and grounded theory methods were employed. Data were collected from 20 consecutive CME programs.

Using nominal group technique to assess chronic pain, patients' perceived challenges and needs in a community health region.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to better understand the experiences of people suffering from chronic pain in order to plan client-centred educational interventions.

Methods: People in the community with chronic pain were invited via newspapers, newsletters and e-mail discussion lists to participate in a needs assessment process and to attend an educational session at a local community college. Using the nominal group technique, which is a qualitative method of data gathering, 53 participants reported their perceived challenges and needs in dealing with chronic pain.