- Validation of the Polish version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory
The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) was established to assess the impact of dizziness and balance problems on the quality of life. The aim of the study was to validate the Polish version of DHI for patients with vestibular disorders. The Polish version of DHI demonstrates satisfactory measurement properties and can be used to assess the impact of dizziness on handicap and the quality of life. The functional, emotional, and physical subscales were not confirmed. In particular, the functional subscale revealed no satisfactory internal consistency which provides an indication for further studies.
- Is the holistic physical factor linked to life satisfaction in older age?
The physical factor (health literacy, health status, functional ability to perform daily basic and instrumental activities and risk factors) is linked to life satisfaction in older age. The aim of this study is to establish the correlation between the physical holistic factor and life satisfaction in older age. With this research, the authors have proven that the older persons with high levels of health literacy, a good health status without chronic diseases, who are independent in performing daily basic and instrumental activities, and do not have any risk factors present, are more satisfied with their lives.
- Assessment of the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation in patients with labyrinth dysfunction
Dizziness and imbalance due to labyrinth dysfunction are a common cause of sickness absence with a clear upward trend in recent years. Lack of full spontaneous compensation of damage requires vestibular rehabilitation, the availability of which is limited. Therefore, new, innovative rehabilitation methods are sought that could increase access to this therapy. One of them is Virtual Reality (WR), which is becoming an increasingly popular method of rehabilitation, used e.g. in the treatment of stroke or schizophrenia. The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare 2 rehabilitation techniques in patients with unilateral labyrinth damage.
- Selected personality traits of State Fire Service officers as predictors of flexibility in coping with stress
Flexibility in coping with stress is a new construct in European culture. It allows a better understanding of the coping mechanisms of the individual as a process of continuous search for new, more effective solutions. An entity flexibly coping with stress, which notices the ineffectiveness of its actions, has a broad repertoire of coping strategies, looks for new solutions and shows reflexivity that allows to notice the ineffectiveness of action. The profession of a firefighter is a profession characterized by a high level of stress, and people exercising it should be aware of the remedial actions taken and their actual effectiveness.
- Electromagnetic field in the environment - estimation methods and monitoring
The paper describes the current legal status related to electromagnetic field measurements (PEM) in the context of environmental protection and presents the assumptions and examples of results from the national PEM monitoring system, which in the authors' opinion could be made more reliable and better adapted to the current situation in the radiocommunication industry.
- Prestige of selected medical professions in the opinion of the representatives of these professions
The purpose of the article is to present the opinions of people practicing medical professions about the prestige of these professions. The medical profession occupied the main position in the hierarchy of self-assessment of the prestige of the studied medical professions. Doctors noticed the general tendency to assess the prestige of their profession in a broader context - the position of the profession is weakening in favor of other professions of general interest, despite the fact that doctors still occupy an important place in the rankings of prestige. In terms of self-assessment of the prestige of the profession over a 10-year perspective, negative assessments prevailed only among doctors and nurses. Other professions were positive.
- Fatigue among working and non-working students: sociological analysis of environmental factors determining its level
Students often combine education with paid work. Additional duties may affect their functioning and health. The aim of the study was to define the average level of fatigue among working and non-working students, as well as to identify environmental factors that may affect its value. Although fatigue is usually considered as a manifestation of a more complex problem, in this study the very phenomenon of fatigue is assumed as the subject of research, without deciding whether it occurs in the course of burnout, chronic fatigue syndrome or another disease entity.
- Insomnia in shift workers of a zinc smelter
The aim of the study was to assess, using the Athens Insomnia Scale (ASB), the incidence of insomnia among employees of the zinc smelter in Miasteczko Śląskie. In the employees of the zinc smelter, the incidence of insomnia assessed using ASB is significantly higher than in the control group. Based on ASB, the largest percentage of people with insomnia occurred in the shift subgroup of employees of the study group.
- Health promotion in the workplace as a tool to limit the effects of the aging of the working population
The intensification of the aging process of Polish society forecast for the coming years will cause serious economic and social consequences. On a macro scale, lower revenues to the state budget (due to the reduction of the workforce) and higher public expenditure (on pensions, medical care, and long-term care) will be observed. The consequences on the meso scale, i.e. regarding workplaces, consist in shrinking and aging of labor resources, which will cause serious difficulties in recruitment. A decrease in the productivity of the aging crew is also likely to be associated with sickness absence and presentism. The state can meet these challenges by supporting the longest maintained, at a high level, social and professional activity of the society. The tool of such a policy was made, among others health promotion in the workplace (PZwMP). Literature - though many items show the various benefits of this promotion - is lacking in a comprehensive study that summarizes its achievements in the context of an aging population. Therefore, the purpose of the article is to present scientific evidence for the effectiveness of health promotion in the workplace in counteracting or mitigating the effects of this demographic process (shrinking labor resources and a decrease in the productivity of aging staff associated with absenteeism). A narrative review of the literature was carried out (Polish and English-language, identified in the EBSCO and PubMed databases, using Google search engine and the "snowball" method). PZwMP's potential in the discussed area lies in its effectiveness in strengthening health and counteracting health problems of staff. Good health condition, by strengthening work capacity and maintaining professional activity, limits shrinking of labor resources. Reduces the scale of absenteeism and presentism. On the other hand, broadly understood health problems have the opposite effect. Although analyzes of the effectiveness of PZwMP in strengthening work capacity, extending professional activity, reducing absenteeism, presentism or the productivity losses caused by them are poorly developed research areas, the accumulated systematic reviews of literature indicate its potential in this regard.
- Legal protection of employee health in the work environment with nanoparticles. Comments on the legitimacy of introducing European legal regulations
The aim of the publication is to analyze legal regulations related to occupational health and safety in the context of technology development in the field of nanomaterials. The author reflects on the possibility of introducing legal structures at the European Union level enabling the protection of employee health in the work environment related to nanoparticles. Within the scope of his duties, the employer should take the necessary measures to ensure the safety and health of employees, including the prevention of risks related to the performance of official duties, information and training, as well as to provide the necessary organizational framework and measures. Various organizations and research institutes are involved in setting numerical limits for occupational exposure to nanoparticles, but the right direction to protect workers' health against exposure is not yet in the early stages of recognition. It seems important to examine to what extent current risk assessment methods and tools are valid and in which areas they should be adapted to the characteristic features of nanoparticles. The article attempts to answer the question whether the current legal protection of an employee in the context of the risks and threats posed by nanotechnology is sufficient.
Medycyna Pracy (Occupational Medicine) - full list