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The evidence overwhelming suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic, its associated public health measures, and the consequences of these measures negatively affected the mental health and well-being of postsecondary students; however, few studies have examined which subsects of this population were most adversely affected on a global scale. This study sought to identify which subsets of post-secondary student populations were most impacted by COVID-19-related public health measures. Data from a large global survey were used to identify levels of stress and quality of life. These data were assessed against demographic variables to identify correlational relationships and odds-ratios. Results highlighted that student who identified as being from a low-income family, having special needs or living with non-COVID health issues, and/or self-reported as female or other gender, reported higher increases in stress and greater decreases in quality of life. The implications of these findings suggest that post-secondary institutions can proactively identify at-risk students and support them through these challenges. Such practices may reduce the negative impacts that adversities have on stress levels and quality of life of these populations, and mitigate the negative consequences associated with decreased mental health and well-being.

Background Health issues caused and/or exacerbated by work are common in patients seeking primary health care. Yet, primary care providers generally receive little or no training in the assessment and management of occupational injuries and illnesses. Aims To conduct a pilot project to develop, implement and evaluate a programme to teach occupational and environmental medicine to primary healthcare providers. Methods We followed the Extensions for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) model to connect primary healthcare providers with experts in Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM). We employed an observational pre–post study design to assess changes in self-efficacy, knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards OEM. Results From September 2021 to June 2022, we offered two cycles of 12 sessions each. Participants came from medicine, nursing, psychology, occupational and physical therapy, chiropractic, kinesiology, social work, and pharmacy. Sixty-seven participants completed both pre- and post-ECHO questionnaires. Self-efficacy and knowledge ratings significantly increased after attendance at ECHO compared to the pre-ECHO responses. Attitudes and beliefs were unchanged in most of the items assessed. Participants rated their satisfaction with ECHO between 59% and 97%. Conclusions Our pilot study demonstrated the challenges in implementing the first ECHO OEM in Canada. Findings show acceptability and satisfaction, improved self-efficacy, and small increases in knowledge, but not overall attitudes and beliefs. There is a need to understand barriers to participation and to target participants with less knowledge and experience in occupational and environmental medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The construction industry is a diverse sector with exposure to multiple psychosocial and environmental workplace hazards that increase the risk of injury. This scoping review aims to consolidate the existing literature on the physical and psychosocial determinants influencing the risk of occupational physical injuries among construction workers globally. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using the PRISMA extension checklist guided. Literature searches were performed between June and October 2023 in electronic academic databases. Results: A total of 77 studies were identified, encompassing various geographical regions, including North America (n = 29), Africa (n = 18), Europe (n = 12), Asia (n = 9), the Middle East (n = 5), and Oceania (n = 4). The review identified physical and psychosocial factors in 3 domains influencing occupational physical injuries: workplace physical environment (eg, exposure to physical hazards, availability and utilization of personal protective equipment, company size, and job type), workplace culture (eg, psychosocial stressors, gender-related barriers, migrant and ethnic disparities, educational background), and physical wellbeing, health and aging (eg, age, obesity, sleep quality, marital stats, and physical health status). Notably, workers from social minority groups (eg, women, ethnic and migrant workers) of young (<25 years old) or older ages (45-55 years old) employed in smaller construction companies are vulnerable to increased injury risk and exposure to physical and psychosocial hazards in the workplace. Conclusion: The review emphasizes a global paucity of research examining the implications of physical and psychosocial factors on injury risk within the construction industry. Future research should prioritize investigating the impact of psychosocial hazards on younger and older workers to detect age-related differences in injury rate, treatment access, and work-related health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Home care rehabilitation professionals (hcRPs) provide health services for clients with a broad range of medical conditions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, home care rehabilitation professionals experienced exacerbations of pre-existing work-related stressors, increased risk of transmission of the COVID-19 virus, reduced resource availability, greater workloads, and staffing shortages. The primary aim of this study was to examine the experience and impact of occupational and mental stress on hcRPs working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 hcRPs working in Ontario, Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inductive thematic analysis was used to interpret and organize the data into conceptualized themes. Interview data was organized into three themes: (a) unique challenges of a home care rehabilitation professional, (b) COVID-19 exacerbations of home care occupational and mental stress, and (c) personal and workplace coping strategies. Many participants reported reducing their hours or taking on adjunctive roles in different clinical settings outside of home care due to work-related stress exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. With a focus on the effects of COVID-19 on the practice of home care, this study provides a unique perspective on the challenges experienced by hcRPs during an emergent and evolving global public health concern. The exploratory nature of this research works towards providing a framework of factors to be addressed when creating sustainable healthcare interventions, as well as recommendations to support hcRPs to benefit both the community and health-care providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rehabilitation therapists (RTs) have developed substantial mental health problems since the pandemic. Our study aimed to understand the experience of COVID-19 on occupational therapists and physiotherapists practicing in Canada, how the pandemic may have affected care delivery, and to identify new learnings articulated by RTs. A qualitative descriptive study design guided data collection through one-on-one interviews, dyadic interviews, and focus groups. We recruited active RTs across Canada, advertising on professional practice networks and social media platforms and using snowball sampling. Forty-nine RTs representing seven Canadian provinces participated. The four overarching themes developed using thematic analysis were (1) navigating uncertainty along with ever-changing practices, policies, and attitudes, (2) morphing roles within a constrained system, (3) witnessing patients suffering and experiencing moral distress, and (4) recognizing the personal toll of the pandemic on self and others, as well as lessons learned. Our study demonstrated that many RTs suffered moral distress, poor mental health, and some from challenging financial situations, especially those in the private sector. They also expressed a resilient attitude in response to these stressors. Implications in the future include identifying promising communication strategies that could act as protective factors, addressing workforce constraints and diminishing resources through innovative models of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The annual cost of mental illnesses in Canada is estimated to be $50 billion. Research from other countries have suggested that employment status is associated with mental and physical health. Within the Canadian context, there is a dearth of research on the relationship between employment and mental health. Objective: To explore the relationships between age, gender, income, and employment status on mental and physical health. Methods: The 2021 Canadian Digital Health Survey dataset was used for this study. Data records, which included responses for the questions on age, gender, income, employment status, mental, and physical health, were used in the analysis. Ordinal logistics regression was applied to investigate the associations that may exist between mental and physical health with the various sociodemographic factors. Descriptive statistics were also provided for the data. Results: The total sample size included in the analysis was 10,630. When compared to respondents who had full-time employment, those who were unemployed were more likely to have lower self-perceived mental health (OR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.55-2.34). Retired respondents were less likely to have worse mental health than respondents who were employed full-time (OR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.68-0.90). Self-perceived physical health was more likely to be lower for those who were unemployed (OR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.41-2.14) or retired (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.12-1.48) when compared to respondents employed full-time. The likelihood of worsening mental and physical health was also found to be associated with age, gender, and income. Conclusion: Our findings support the evidence that different factors contribute to worsening mental and physical health. Full-time employment may confer some protective effects or attributes leading to an increased likelihood of having improved mental health compared to those who are unemployed. Understanding the complex relationships on how various factors impact mental health will help better inform policymakers, clinicians, and other stakeholders on how to allocate its limited resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Cognitive impairment (CI) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) negatively impacts health‐related quality of life leading to activity limitations. This qualitative study aimed to (1) explore the effect of SLE‐related CI on activities of daily living and life role participation and (2) describe factors influencing activity restriction and life role participation. Methods: Semistructured, in‐depth interviews of lived experience of CI in SLE were conducted with 24 participants with SLE. Sociodemographic and clinical data, and objective and subjective cognitive function, were collected to characterize participants. A qualitative thematic content analysis was undertaken guided by a framework analytical approach. Results: Participants reported problems in multiple cognitive domains, with multiple perceived causes. CI was felt to impact work, social, domestic, and family life, health, and independence. Five overarching themes were represented in the data: (1) characterization of SLE‐reported CI, (2) perceived cause of CI, (3) perceived impact of CI on activities of daily living and life role participation, (4) adaptations for managing CI, and (5) influence of CI adaptations on activities of daily living and life role participation. Conclusion: This study provides a better understanding of the patient experience of CI in SLE, how it impacts their lives, and what coping strategies they employ. It highlights the long‐term challenges those with CI in SLE undergo and provides evidence for the urgent need to implement multidisciplinary treatment options. When managing CI, it may be beneficial to evaluate and understand available psychosocial support resources to help identify and reinforce relevant adaptations to improve health‐related quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Workers in the trades sectors often experience mental health issues and decreased work ability due to occupational stress, workplace hazards and living in danger or constant fear of injury. Understanding the impacts of psychosocial risk factors on construction workers’ mental health can aid in decreasing workplace injuries, lessening disabilities and increasing worker productivity. In this study, we focus on understanding and assessing the mental health and wellness of individuals in the electrical sector that are members of the Employer Engagement Project (EEP) from the Ontario Electrical League (OEL). The subset of potential participants included electricians and plumbers in Ontario working for small to medium sized employers (SME). The recruitment took place in 2022, with a total of 82 participants who completed a survey collecting demographic information, assessing the importance and availability/satisfaction of workplace factors and stress-and burnout-related questions. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 29.0. Two-sample Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to test for associations between the availability of work-related factors and burnout scores among the participants. Burnout scores were determined using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. Our findings demonstrate that dissatisfaction of the following factors: Workload allocation, internal staff development opportunity and stable staffing/minimal turnover, were associated with high burnout levels. The findings indicate there may be a relationship between certain work-related factors and burnout levels experienced. There is a need for improvement of workload allocation in SMEs to help enhance the mental health and well-being of employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]