Psychometric properties of the Bergen Work Addiction Scale in a Greek sample of health professionals.

BACKGROUND: Work addiction it is an emerging topic in organizational research because it has a great impact on human resources, especially in the health sector, and has led to the development of a number of valid assessment tools. Among work addiction scales, the Bergen Work Addiction Scale (BWAS) has good psychometric properties and a small number of items, and comes with a recommended cut-off for categorization of work addiction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the BWAS in a Greek sample of health professionals (HPs) and to measure their work addiction. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE: A cross sectional study using an online questionnaire related to work addiction was completed by 542 HPs through the official websites of 8 secondary hospitals in Greece. RESULTS: The level of HPs' work addiction was moderate. The internal structure of the scale was satisfactory (α = .78). All seven items of the BWAS were significant and had standardized values above 0.48. Work addiction was significantly associated with older age and the profession of physician. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings of the present study, the Greek BWAS has good psychometric properties, such as good reliability, internal consistency and construct validity and is recommended as a suitable tool to assess work addiction in clinical settings and future research.

Intention, Motivation, and Empowerment: Factors Associated with Seasonal Influenza Vaccination among Healthcare Workers (HCWs).

BACKGROUND: Vaccination against seasonal influenza has proven effective in preventing nosocomial influenza outbreaks among hospital patients and healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aims to explore the intention, motivation, and empowerment toward vaccination and vaccination advocacy as contributing factors for seasonal influenza vaccination in HCWs. METHODS: A cross-sectional study in eight secondary hospitals in Greece was conducted from March to May 2022. An anonymous questionnaire was enclosed in an envelope and distributed to all participants, including questions on vaccine behavior and the MoVac-flu and MoVad scales. RESULTS: A total of 296 participants completed the questionnaire. In multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders, increased age, intention score, MoVac-flu scale score, and the presence of chronic diseases were significant predictors of influenza vaccination this year, while increased age, intention score, and presence of chronic diseases were predictors of vaccination every year. CONCLUSION: Vaccination uptake is simultaneously affected by logical cognitive processes (intention), together with factors related to motivation and empowerment in distinct self-regulatory domains such as value, impact, knowledge, and autonomy. Interventions focused on these identified predictors may be used as a guide to increase HCWs' vaccination rates.

Psychometric Properties of the Greek Version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) in a Sample of Nurses.

Resilience has been defined as one's ability to maintain a mental health state and overall well-being when undergoing grave stress or facing significant adversity. Numerous resilience-investigating research tools have been developed over the years, with the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), a self-rated tool presenting valuable psychometric properties, remaining one of the most prominent. We aimed to translate and validate the brief CD-RISC-10 in a convenience sample of 584 nurses in Greece's secondary and tertiary health care system. We conducted a confirmatory factor analysis and known-groups validity test and estimated the reliability of the CD-RISC-10. Our confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the scale had a unifactorial structure since all the model fit indices were very good. Moreover, the reliability of the CD-RISC-10 was very good since the acquired Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega were 0.924 and 0.925, respectively. Therefore, the Greek version of the CD-RISC-10 confirmed the factor structure of the original scale and had very good validity and reliability.

Comparative cross-sectional study of knowledge, attitudes and perceptions among mental health and ward nursing staff towards smoking.

AIM: The aim of the study was twofold: to estimate smoking prevalence among nurses and to compare their knowledge, perceptions and attitudes towards smoking. BACKGROUND: Given the critical role nurses have in the process of patients' smoking cessation both as counsellors and behavioural models, data are needed on their smoking rates and behaviour. DESIGN: A cross sectional, comparative study was conducted. METHODS: A convenience sample of 847 nurses working in various psychiatric and public hospitals in Northern Greece participated in the study. Data were collected between April and June 2020 using a battery of questionnaires. RESULTS: Mental health nurses were less likely to consider quitting smoking within the next 6 months (P < 0.001), despite the fact that they reported higher levels of the importance of stop smoking compared to ward nurses (P < 0.05). However, ward nurses were more likely to quit smoking because of the cost of cigarettes (P = 0.024) and for personal reasons (P = 0.040). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of smoking in nurses is high. Training and educational programmes are needed to develop the appropriate culture of health promotion among nurses, thus provide a more active support to patients who smoke.

Translation and Validation of the Influenza Vaccination Acceptance (MoVac-Flu) and Vaccination Advocacy (MoV-ad) Short Scales, in a Greek Sample of Health Professionals.

Background and Purpose: To translate and validate the influenza vaccination acceptance (MoVac-flu) and vaccination advocacy (MoV-ad) scales, in a sample of Greek health professionals (HPs). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in eight representative secondary hospitals in Greece. A total of 296 HPs were administered the scales. Results: The internal consistency of the Gr-MoVac-flu and the Gr-MoV-ad scale was high, and Cronbach's alpha was .92 for each scale. The Gr-MoVac-flu and the Gr-MoV-ad scales are not unidimensional and demonstrated two-factor structures respectively. Conclusions: The MoVac-flu and the MoV-ad scale are highly convergent validity tools that could provide rich understanding of HPs' decision to uptake and to advocate for vaccination.

Factors Associated With Emergency Department Health Professionals' Attitudes Toward Family Presence During Adult Resuscitation in 9 Greek Hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Different cultural context results in variability in health professionals' attitude toward family presence in the emergency department (ED) during resuscitation. Knowledge about emergency department health professionals' (EDHPs') attitude toward family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) in Greece can contribute to the understanding of cultural and value-related obstacles and opportunities to implement this practice. It would be useful for Greek health professionals when they have to care for citizens from other countries in which guidelines for FPDR exist to understand their difference in behavior and reaction and be more tolerant. OBJECTIVES: To explore Greek EDHPs' experiences, concerns, and benefits regarding FPDR and determine the contributing factors that are associated with their positive or negative attitude about the process. METHODS: A convenience sample of 305 health professionals working in the ED of 9 general hospitals of the National Healthcare System in northern Greece participated in a cross-sectional study (response rate, 87.6%). RESULTS: Positive experience of FPDR was encountered in 65.9% of EDHPs. Only 2.3% reported that they work in EDs where FPDR is allowed. Hospital regional location, previous positive experience of FPDR, and competency in supporting family members during FPDR were independently associated with a positive attitude toward FPDR. CONCLUSIONS: Greek EDHPs are not ready to accept FPDR practice. The establishment of formal policy similarly to resuscitation guidelines and family-centered training courses are needed to mitigate negative beliefs. Attempts to enhance positive attitude should include educational interventions providing knowledge on the benefits of FPDR.

Health-related quality of life of prisoners with diabetes mellitus.

The study explored health related quality of life of prisoners with diabetes mellitus (DM).48 male inmates incarcerated in a Greek prison, completed a demographic and clinical traits questionnaire. Prisoners with DM and those with additional health problems had worse physical, mental health and psychological well-being outcomes (p = 0.002, p < 0.001 and p = 0.014 respectively). People with DM in correctional facilities should receive specialized primary health care services either health services within the correctional institution or community liaison. The implementation of services targeting DM should be evaluated with the target of improving offenders' physical and mental health.

Predictors of influenza vaccination among elderly: a cross-sectional survey in Greece.

BACKGROUND: Senior individuals are particularly vulnerable to influenza. Research suggests that protection against the virus and its transmission in this high-risk group of the population can be achieved by active immunization against the pathogen. AIMS: To explore and analyze the attitudes, knowledge and behavior of people over the age of 60 on influenza vaccination. POPULATION AND METHODS: This cross-sectional survey included people over the age of 60 who were eligible candidates for the influenza vaccine from 3 regions from Northern and 1 region from Southern Greece. A self-completed questionnaire based upon the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the Motivation for Vaccination (MoVac-flu) and the Vaccination Advocacy Scale (MovAd) was administered to the participants. Demographic characteristics and information about health status were also obtained. RESULTS: The final sample included 318 participants with mean age of 70.7 years. More than half of the participants (56.6%) had received a flu vaccine in 2018 while 50.8% received it annually in previous years. Behavioral (p < 0.001), normative (p < 0.001), and control beliefs (p < 0.001), promoted the uptake of the vaccine and the increased intention score (p < 0.001) was associated with increased probability of vaccination. Greater age (p = 0.001) and frequent visits to the doctors (p = 0.003) had a positive influence upon the uptake of the vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Only a small proportion of those over the age of 60 had received the influenza vaccine. This finding is worrying, as it indicates the impact that a future outbreak of seasonal influenza could exert upon vulnerable groups. There is an urgent need for further, better and more evidence-based information from healthcare professionals to achieve greater vaccination coverage in the community.

The impact of anxiety and depression in the quality of life and psychological well-being of Greek hematological cancer patients on chemotherapy.

Recent evidence shows that psychological distress, including anxiety and depression, has an impact on the well-being and quality of life of cancer patients. A total of 76 haematological cancer patients (HCPs) were recruited from two major cancer treatment hospitals in Greece one in the capital and the other in the province and completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS), the Psychological Well-Being scale (PWB), the European Organization for Research and Treatment Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 (EORTC QLQ-C36) and demographic and clinical characteristics. Clinically significant anxiety (HADS- a > 11) and depression (HADS-d > 11) was observed in 69.7% and 53.9% of the patients, respectively. Higher anxiety, fatigue, and financial difficulties scores were significantly related to lower PWB score. Multivariate analyses revealed that increased depression was associated with decreased quality of life score (p < .001), lower cognitive functioning (p = .003) and increased fatigue (0.002) while increased anxiety was associated with decreased social and emotional functioning (p < .001), decreased well-being (p < .001) and increased financial difficulties (p < .05). Early detection of anxiety and depression signs through routine screening in HCPs may provide information about the subgroups of patients that are more vulnerable. Findings emphasize the need for appropriate interventions to address psychological distress.

Job Burnout Reduces Hand Hygiene Compliance Among Nursing Staff.

OBJECTIVES: Health professional burnout has been associated with suboptimal care and reduced patient safety. However, the extent to which burnout influences hand hygiene compliance among health professionals has yet to be explored. The aim of the study was to examine whether job burnout reduces hand washing compliance among nursing staff. METHODS: A diary study was conducted. Forty registered nurses working in a general city hospital in Thessaloniki, Greece, completed a questionnaire, while they were monitored for hand hygiene compliance following the World Health Organization protocol for hand hygiene assessment. Burnout was measured using validated items from the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Data were collected from September to October 2015. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis showed that controlling for years in practice, burnout was negatively associated with hand hygiene compliance (R = 0.322, F(3,36) = 5.704, P < 0.01). Nurses reporting higher levels of burnout were less likely to comply with hand hygiene opportunities (b = - 3.72, 95% confidence interval = -5.94 to -1.51). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that burnout contributes to suboptimal care by reducing compliance to hand hygiene among nurses. Given the crucial role of hand hygiene compliance for the prevention of in-hospital infections, this study highlights the need for interventions targeting the prevention of burnout among nursing staff.

Resilience in nursing: The role of internal and external factors.

Recent evidence shows that resilience can buffer the negative impact of workplace stressors on nurses and is linked to favourable patient outcomes. However, the comparative effectiveness of different contributing factors to nurses' resilience has not yet been examined. Our objective was to examine and compare the impact of individual characteristics, external factors and coping strategies on nurses' resilience. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Data were collected from 1,012 Greek nurses working in eight hospitals in northern Greece. Resilience, anxiety and depression, were measured using existing validated self- report instruments. In terms of coping strategies, this study used the "Mental Preparation Strategies Scale" to assess the mental preparation strategies employed by nurses before the beginning of their shift. Educational level, anxiety and the overall use of mental preparation strategies were the main predictors of nurse's resilience ([F = 52.781, p = 0.000, R2  = 0.139, Adjusted R2  = 0.137]). Resilient nurses were better educated {(b = 0.094. 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.038, 0.162)}, had lower anxiety ([b = -0.449, 95% CI -0.526, -0.372]) and used more often mental preparation strategies before the beginning of their shift ([b = 0.101, 95% CI 0.016, 0.061]). Findings provide information about which subgroups of nurses are more vulnerable in terms of resilience, i.e. less educated nurses, or nurses working in internal medicine wards.

The 'switch on-switch off model': Strategies used by nurses to mentally prepare and disengage from work.

There is considerable research on the experience of nurses during both their work and non-work time. However, we know relatively little about the strategies nurses use immediately before and immediately after their shift. This crossover period, from one shift to another, has critical impact for patient outcomes. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore strategies nurses employ to mentally prepare for their shift (switch on), and mentally disengage after the end of it (switch off). Eleven Greek hospital nurses were recruited for the study. Interviews were audio-taped and analysed using a content analysis approach. Five themes were identified as strategies nurses use to mentally prepare and disengage from their shift: (i) personal care/grooming; (ii) religious rituals; (iii) nicotine/caffeine; (iv) social interaction; and (v) listening to music. Nurses reported using the same strategies before and after their shift, but for different purposes. The authors propose a 'switch on-switch off' model to describe the process of mental preparation and mental disengagement from work. The switch-on/off approach represents an opportunity to increase nurses' resilience and identify individual and organizational factors that contribute to patient outcomes.