Publications by authors named "Samantha E Opitz"

We performed a systematic review of four databases to determine if the evidence supports a short or long duration nap during night shifts to mitigate fatigue, and/or improve health, safety, or performance for emergency services and public safety personnel (PROSPERO CRD42020156780). We focused on experimental research and evaluated the quality of evidence with the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) framework. We used the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool to assess bias and reported findings using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement.

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Background: There is an emerging body of evidence that links exposure to shift work to cardiovascular disease (CVD). The risk of coronary events, such as myocardial infarction, is greater among night shift workers compared to day workers. There is reason to believe that repeated exposure to shift work, especially night shift work, creates alterations in normal circadian patterns of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate variability (HRV) and that these alterations contribute to increased risk of CVD.

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As the population ages, the corresponding rise in people living with life-limiting illnesses will lead to a greater need for clinician experts in palliative medicine. There are not enough physicians available to care for the growing number of patients, however. We believe that nurse practitioners are well positioned to meet this demand.

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