The Annals of occupational hygiene
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Burnout among occupational health physicians in France was measured in a nationwide cross-sectional survey. The relationships between each dimension of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and feelings of low personal accomplishment) and stress level, identity threat, and job characteristics were analysed. ⋯ The health status of occupational physicians is important for both the individual physicians and for the occupational health system. Occupational physicians are unwell, and we probably need to change the way we currently cope with burnout. This is not only a stress-induced syndrome, resulting from high workloads, but a low self-esteem-induced syndrome, too.
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This study examined the extent to which a range of personal, professional, and work factors are associated with workplace aggression experienced by medical practitioners in Australian clinical practice settings. ⋯ A broader implementation of strategies to prevent and minimize the likelihood and consequences of workplace aggression is required and needs to take account of both the individual and sub-group profiles of medical practitioners. Strategies need to mitigate the more challenging aspects of medical work, including excessive work hours, inadequate access to professional support networks, and larger caseloads of patients with complex conditions.
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Flow and containment characteristics of a sash-less, variable-height inclined air-curtain fume hood.
To increase containment efficiency and reduce energy consumption, a sash-less, variable-height inclined air-curtain fume hood (sIAC hood) was developed and tested by a laser-assisted flow visualization technique and tracer-gas detection method. This novel design requires neither sash nor baffle. The sIAC hood employed the inclined push-pull air-curtain technique and two deflection plates installed on the side walls of the hood to induce a tetra-vortex flow structure. ⋯ The results of a static test showed that small face velocities of 0.25 and 0.16 m s(-1) were enough to obtain nearly null leakage levels for low and tall pollutant sources. The results of a traversing plate test showed that the face velocity, 0.32 m s(-1), would cause negligibly small leakage levels. The sIAC hood could obtain significantly higher containment efficiency than a conventional hood by operating at a face velocity significantly lower than that of conventional hoods.