Evaluation of an emergency treatment training program for occupational health nurses.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the appropriateness and usefulness of the first aid training program developed for occupational health nurses (OHNs) to improve their basic skills of first aid treatment. METHODS: This was a case-control study. The subjects were 69 nurses who were stationed in workplaces in Japan (intervention group: n=35; waiting-list control group: n=34). The training program was developed using the method of instructional design (ID) and composed of basic life support (BLS) training, basic first aid training, and simulation training. This study was conducted from April to August 2012. The training was evaluated using the Kirkpatrick model of training evaluation: level 1 (reaction), level 2 (learning), level 3 (behavior), and level 4 (results; this level was omitted). For level 1, the training contents were evaluated on a visual analog scale (VAS) of 0 to 10 points on the basis of whether the programs' contents were interesting, understandable, and applicable in the workplace. For level 2, a knowledge test (15 true/false questions) was used. For level 3, the practical application of activities relating to the emergency system was evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the attributes and characteristics of the subjects of the workplaces between the intervention and the waiting-list control groups. The score for reaction (level 1) were 8.5-9.7 points. In the knowledge test (level 2), there was no significant difference in the score before training between the intervention (11.0 points) and the waiting-list control groups (11.1 points). However, the score three months later showed a significant difference between the intervention (12.5 points) and the waiting-list control groups (11.0 points). The score after training was significantly higher than the score before the training that the intervention group received. For evaluation of behavior (level 3) three months later, the ratios of implementation of management and review of necessary items, review of task, and discussion with OHNs on emergency systems were significantly high in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of the first aid training programs for OHNs in this study showed high satisfaction of the participants and indicated improved knowledge and contributions to the waiting-list control group. We consider the contents of the program as appropriate.

The economic impact of loss of performance due to absenteeism and presenteeism caused by depressive symptoms and comorbid health conditions among Japanese workers.

We aimed to determine the economic impact of absenteeism and presenteeism from five conditions potentially comorbid with depressive symptoms-back or neck disorders, depression, anxiety, or emotional disorders, chronic headaches, stomach or bowel disorders, and insomnia-among Japanese workers aged 18-59 yr. Participants from 19 workplaces anonymously completed Stanford Presenteeism Scale questionnaires. Participants identified one primary health condition and determined the resultant performance loss (0-100%) over the previous 4-wk period. We estimated the wage loss by gender, using 10-yr age bands. A total of 6,777 participants undertook the study. Of these, we extracted the data for those in the 18-59 yr age band who chose targeted primary health conditions (males, 2,535; females 2,465). The primary health condition identified was back or neck disorders. We found that wage loss due to presenteeism and absenteeism per 100 workers across all 10-yr age bands was high for back or neck disorders. Wage loss per person was relatively high among those identifying depression, anxiety, or emotional disorders. These findings offer insight into developing strategies for workplace interventions on increasing work performance.