Normative data for the 12-item Buschke memory task in the Quebec-French population aged 50 and over.

OBJECTIVE: The 12-item Buschke memory test is used to assess verbal episodic memory in adults and older adults. However, there is no normative data for this test adjusted to the older Quebec-French population. The aim of the study was to produce normative data for the 12-item Buschke for the Quebec-French population aged 50 and older. METHOD: The normative sample consisted of 172 healthy French-speaking participants aged 50-89 years, from the Province of Quebec (Canada). The influence of age, years of formal education, and sex on five 12-item Buschke scores were analyzed. Based on the distribution of scores, normative data were developed as Z-scores equation, regression equation, and percentiles. RESULTS: Age, years of formal education, and sex were all associated with performance. Equations to calculate Z-scores were provided for the free recall trial 1 and the free recall trials 1-3. Stratified percentiles were provided for the delayed free recall and total recall 1-3. CONCLUSIONS: The normative data for the 12-item Buschke improve the accuracy of clinicians to detect verbal episodic memory impairments in Quebec's aging population.

Workers' perspectives on the effects of telework during the COVID-19 pandemic on their well-being: A qualitative study in Canada.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented health emergency across the world. Public health measures aimed at slowing the spread of the virus impose measures concerning physical distancing that citizens must observe. Thousands of workers quickly found themselves having to telework, with no preparation by their organizations. The literature reports the positive effects of teleworking on certain indicators of well-being, as well as best teleworking practices in a normal context. The urgent and unplanned nature of the switch to teleworking in a crisis may have changed the relationship between teleworking and well-being. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore workers' perspectives on teleworking in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, regarding its effects on their well-being. METHODS: Following a descriptive interpretive research design, we collected qualitative data from 15 teleworkers via focus groups and individual interviews. Two researchers used a thematic analysis strategy to analyze the data. RESULTS: Data analysis led to identifying 16 factors that participants cited as influencing the well-being of teleworkers. These form eight categories: delays related to uncertainty, manager practices, organizational practices, social interactions, job characteristics, teleworking space, personal realities and personal practices. The results show the influence of interactions between work demands, control and social support on the well-being of workers. CONCLUSION: Because of its many advantages, organizations and their workers will increasingly engage in telework. The influences of telework on people's well-being call for implementing concrete "best practices" that are applicable and that consider workers' perspectives.

Telework in a pandemic context: protocol of a participatory study on the effects of teleworking conditions on the well-being and social participation of workers.

INTRODUCTION: Although several authors have been interested in the well-being and social participation of teleworkers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it appears that most of the recommendations issued are based on literature reviews or expert opinions; yet few authors have documented the perspectives of the workers. The aim of this study is to explore workers' perspectives of teleworking in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic regarding the effects on their well-being and social participation. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Using a participatory study protocol involving the collaboration of a community organisation defending workers' rights, the first step will be to conduct focus groups to qualitatively describe workers' perspectives of their teleworking conditions. Then, an online questionnaire will be administered to a large pool or workers to quantitatively explore the influence of individual, organisational and environmental variables on the well-being and social participation of workers. The thematic and statistical analyses of the data collected will indicate successful practices to be adopted by workers and organisations. These successful practices will be validated by workers through a Technique for Research of Information by Animation of a Group of Experts group and will serve as concrete tools to better support workers' participation in teleworking. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The approval of the research ethics board of the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale Nationale has been obtained. Findings will be shared with various stakeholders including workers, employers, insurers and unions. Findings will be disseminated in webinars, peer-reviewed journals and lectures.