Factors Affecting the Job Satisfaction of U.S. Adult Endocrinologists: A Nationwide Survey

ObjectiveDespite the increased demand and worsening burnout among U.S. endocrinologists, there is a paucity of data on job satisfaction and associated factors. This study examines the factors associated with job satisfaction among a nationally representative sample of U.S. endocrinologists.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1700 U.S. adult endocrinologists on the Facebook group “Endocrinologists.” The survey was conducted over 4 weeks using an anonymous online questionnaire. The 45-question survey assessed job and salary satisfaction scores on a 5-point Likert scale along with multiple job-related variables. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify the factors affecting job satisfaction.ResultsOut of 1700, 654 adult endocrinologists (504 women and 139 men) completed the survey. The mean job satisfaction score was 3.72 ± 0.86, with 67.5% having high job satisfaction. Comparatively, 339 (52.1%) had high salary satisfaction. There was a statistically significant relationship between the job and salary satisfaction scores (P < .01). Factors significantly associated with the job satisfaction score (P < .05) included the practice region, gender, number of medical assistants per endocrinologist, self-performance of thyroid ultrasound, and number of patients in the hospital per week. Multivariate analysis showed that full-time employment, along with high salary satisfaction, seeing fewer new patients per day, performing thyroid ultrasounds, and fewer patients in the hospital were associated with the highest job satisfaction.ConclusionThis study found about one-third of endocrinologists to have lower job satisfaction and identified multiple modifiable factors associated with endocrinologists’ job satisfaction. Interventions focused on these potentially modifiable factors may improve job satisfaction among U.S. endocrinologists.     

A comparison of patient satisfaction between treatment with conventional complete dentures and overdentures in the elderly: a literature review

doi:10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2009.00299.x
A comparison of patient satisfaction between treatment with conventional complete dentures and overdentures in the elderly: a literature review Background: It has been stated that mandibular overdentures are more satisfactory than conventional dentures, but problems relating to the use of retrospective ratings, lack of control group and sequential provision of treatment may compromise the findings. Objective: To establish a comparison between treatment with conventional complete dentures and implant‐retained overdentures in elderly patients by conducting a literature review. Materials and methods: A search of English language peer‐review literature was completed using Medline up to 2008 focusing on evidence‐based research. Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) and longitudinal prospective studies were favoured in the review, using a general hierarchical classification. Articles that did not focus exclusively on the comparison of patient satisfaction between complete dentures and overdentures were excluded from further evaluation. The last search was conducted in February 2008. Key terms included quality of life, patient satisfaction, edentulism, complete denture and overdenture. Results: Among the 90 articles found in the initial search, 27 met the inclusion criteria. This included 18 RCTs and eight prospective and one cohort study. Most of the articles stated superiority of the mandibular implant‐retained overdenture therapy over the conventional complete denture regarding patient satisfaction and quality of life. Conclusion: Even with implant treatment presenting higher patient satisfaction and improvement of quality of life, it was not possible to establish a direct comparison between the studies due to differences in adopted methodologies.     

Complete removable prostheses: from expectation to (dis)satisfaction

Objective: The purpose of this survey was to increase our knowledge on the experience and feelings of edentulous people, 6 months after having acquired and worn a pair of complete removable prostheses. Background: The incorporation of conventional, complete removable prostheses may be an appropriate treatment which can result in an improvement in the quality of life of people who have lost their teeth. Methods: The 12 patients of the sample were interviewed individually according to a semi‐structured questionnaire so as to create an atmosphere for open conversation regarding the subject matter. For each participant, photographs, before dental treatment and after the use of the prostheses, were taken. The images of the prostheses were reviewed and impressions were collected. Results: The analysis of participant’s statements allowed one to verify if the complete removable prostheses improved the quality of life; however, difficulties encountered could lead users to abandon their prostheses. Conclusion: Appropriate investment on the part of health professionals, together with the clarification of information and the monitoring of patients, may well minimise these difficulties.     

Validation of the Brazilian versions of two inventories for measuring oral health‐related quality of life of edentulous subjects

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2010.00417.x
Validation of the Brazilian versions of two inventories for measuring oral health‐related quality of life of edentulous subjects Objectives: To analyse the validity of the Brazilian versions of OHIP‐EDENT and GOHAI as assessment tools of edentulous subjects’ OHRQoL. Background: Inventories for measuring oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) are important in clinical studies regarding oral rehabilitation. However, there is a need for comprehensive validation after translation into different cultural settings. Materials and methods: The sample comprised of 100 complete denture wearers (29 men, 71 women, mean age of 65.2 ± 9.9 years). The associations between each OHRQoL inventory and other variables served as measurements of construct validity. Data analysis comprised the Spearman correlation test as well as multiple regression using the OHRQoL inventories as dependent variables and the other scales as determinants. Results: Both OHRQoL inventories showed good correlation with denture satisfaction, whereas lower correlation coefficients were found among the inventories and the HAD subscales. Denture satisfaction alone explained 48% and 39% of the variance found for the OHIP‐EDENT and GOHAI, respectively, as assessed by multiple regression. A smaller effect was found for OHIP‐EDENT. Conclusion: Both OHIP‐EDENT and GOHAI showed good construct validity for measurement of OHRQoL of edentulous subjects.     

The effect of attachment type and implant number on satisfaction and quality of life of mandibular implant-retained overdenture wearers

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00531.x The effect of attachment type and implant number on satisfaction and quality of life of mandibular implant‐retained overdenture wearers Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the quality of life and patient satisfaction outcomes of two attachment systems in mandibular overdentures with different numbers of supporting implants. Materials and methods: Sixty‐two edentulous patients with either splinted or single attachments in mandibular implant overdentures with different numbers of supporting interforaminal implants were investigated for patient satisfaction and quality of life in this retrospective study. Comparisons between groups were perceived by the Mann–Whitney U test. Relations among the parameters were investigated by Spearman’s rho correlation analysis. The results were evaluated statistically at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: No statistically significant association is found between visual analogue scales scores and attachment type as well as implant number (p > 0.05), whereas Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)‐14 total scores for patients with 4‐implant‐supported bars were significantly lower than all the other attachment types (p < 0.05). Additionally, a negative (rate = 32.2%), statistically significant association between period of edentulism and total OHIP‐14 scores was detected (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A mandibular implant‐retained overdenture supported with four implants and bar attachments shows the highest ‘quality of life’ score and patient satisfaction is not influenced by the number of implants or attachment type.     

Oral health related quality of life of edentulous patients after denture relining with a silicone-based soft liner

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00503.x Oral health related quality of life of edentulous patients after denture relining with a silicone‐based soft liner Background: Knowledge of benefits caused by a treatment on quality of life is very relevant. Despite the wide use and acceptance of soft denture liners, it is necessary to evaluate the patient’s response about the use of these materials with regard to improvement in oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL). Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of denture relining in the OHRQoL of edentulous patients. Materials and methods: Thirty‐two complete denture wearers had their lower dentures relined with a silicone‐based material (Mucopren soft, Kettenbach, Germany) according to chairside procedures. OHRQoL was assessed before and after 3 months of relining by means of OHIP‐EDENT, and the median scores were compared by Wilcoxon test (p ≤ 0.05). Results: After 3 months of relining, participants reported significant improvement of their OHRQoL (p ≤ 0.01). Conclusion: Denture relining with a soft liner may have a positive impact on the perceived oral health of edentulous patients.     

Changes in the sleep–wake rhythm,sleep quality,mood, and quality of life of patients receiving treatment for lung cancer: A longitudinal study

Studies on the diurnal sleep–wake rhythm of patients with lung cancer have mostly examined patients cross-sectionally, whereas the effects of lung cancer treatment over time have rarely been considered. Through long-term longitudinal tracking of patients with lung cancer, this study examined changes in their sleep–wake rhythm, sleep quality, anxiety, depressive symptoms, fatigue and quality of life (QoL) at various treatment stages. In addition, factors affecting their QoL were explored. Hierarchical linear modeling was adopted to analyze a convenience sample of 82 patients with lung cancer. The changes in their sleep–wake rhythm, sleep, mood (anxiety, depressive symptoms and fatigue) and QoL were observed at five time points: prior to treatment and at weeks 6, 12, 24 and 48 after the start of the treatment. The effects of sex, age, cancer stage, treatment type, comorbidities and time were controlled to determine the predictors of patients’ QoL. The results showed that patients’ sleep–wake rhythms were poor before treatments. Compared with baseline, the sleep–wake rhythms of the patients significantly improved at week 48, and anxiety significantly improved at weeks 6, 12, 24 and 48. By contrast, their fatigue became exacerbated at weeks 8 and 48. Moreover, QoL improved significantly from week 6 until the end of the treatment period. QoL was negatively affected by poor sleep quality (β = ?0.69, p = 0.00) and depressive symptoms (β = ?2.59, p < 0.001) and positively affected by regular sleep–wake rhythms (β = 0.23, p = 0.001). Therefore, clinical health-care professionals should focus more attention to the fatigue levels of patients with lung cancer before, during and after treatment. Health-care professionals may also need to provide such patients with health education regarding sleep hygiene and with emotional support to assist them in maintaining regular sleep–wake rhythms in order to improve their QoL.     

Pet Ownership and Human–Animal Interaction in an Aging Population: Rewards and Challenges

ABSTRACT

Older adults in most developed countries can now expect to live nearly 80 years without significant disability. To maximize the quality of the years after retirement, societies, governments, and organizations are seeking strategies to help older adults maintain their mental and physical health, and retain their independence. Increasingly, the impact of pet ownership and other forms of human–animal interaction in healthy aging are discussed and investigated. In the Western world, more than 50% of households own one or more pets. The popularity of pets means they are well positioned to provide opportunities for companionship and nurturance. Since social networks tend to decrease as people age, pets may fill some gaps. While it is common to read about the benefits of pets and human–animal interactions, pet ownership in older age is also related to challenges and animal welfare concerns. This paper aims to briefly review the benefits and then explore risks and challenges related to pet ownership in older adulthood. In addition, we present strategies for maintaining beneficial pet ownership and human–animal interaction for older adults.     

老年性白内障患者住院费用及相关因素的现况调查

目的 探讨老年性白内障住院患者住院费用的年龄、性别和不同医院的分布特点,为提供科学收费标准提供参考依据。方法 采用整群抽样的方法对2009年不同医院9 464例老年性白内障患者的住院费用及相关因素进行横断面调查并进行初步分析。结果 将老年白内障患者按<60岁、60~80岁、>80岁分为3组,床位费、西药费、检验费、放射费、特检费、治疗费、手术费和护理费均随年龄增加而增加且存在统计学差异。以上费用,男性患者均高于女性且存在统计学差异。海军医院患者最高（P<0.05）,其他由高至低依次为全军陆军医院、全军空军医院和全军二炮医院患者。结论 卫生决策部门应针对其不同特点制定适宜收费标准,有必要跟进研究不同病种费用区别的制度或管理层面的原因。

     

Investigation of factor affecting health‐related quality of life in head and neck cancer patients

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2012.00662.x Investigation of factor affecting health‐related quality of life in head and neck cancer patients Objectives: Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients have profound illness of physical, social and psychological factors that affects quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors affecting HRQL in patients with intra‐oral prostheses. Background: Some cross‐sectional studies have been performed to investigate HRQL in patients with HNC, but these studies did not report in detail how factors affect the HRQL of maxillectomy and mandibulectomy and/or glossectomy patients. Materials and Methods: The University of Washington Quality of Life version 4 questionnaires (Japanese version) was administered to 50 maxillectomy and 50 mandibulectomy and/or glossectomy patients with intra‐oral prostheses who were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Gathered data were statistically analyzed to investigate how a number of factors, namely, age, sex, pathologic diagnosis, neck dissection, resection size, radiotherapy and dental condition affect HRQL. Results: In the maxillectomy patients, there were no significant differences between malignant and benign tumor in pathological diagnosis or between dentate and edentulous in dental condition. Age, sex, neck dissection and radiotherapy affected HRQL. In the mandibulectomy and/or glossectomy patients, there was no significant difference between dentate and edentulous in dental condition. Age, sex, glossectomy, neck dissection and radiotherapy affected HRQL. Conclusions: The factors affecting HRQL in the maxillectomy patients were different from those in the mandibulectomy and/or glossectomy patients. Though they wore stable prostheses; we were still able to show that resection size, radiotherapy and neck dissection affected HRQL.     

Calidad de vida y satisfacción con el tratamiento de sujetos con diabetes tipo 2: resultados en España del estudio PANORAMA

ObjectivesFew studies are available on quality of life and treatment satisfaction of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Both of them were the primary objectives of the PANORAMA (NCT00916513) study. Metabolic control, treatment patterns, and management by healthcare professionals were also evaluated.Material and methodsThis multicenter, cross-sectional, observational study randomly recruited>40 year-old patients with T2DM from Spanish healthcare centers. HbA1c was measured using the same technique in all patients, who also completed quality of life (EQ-5D and ADDQoL) and treatment satisfaction (DTSQ) questionnaires and the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey (HFS-II).ResultsFifty-four investigators recruited 751 patients, 60.3% of whom had HbA1c levels <7%. Approximately 25% of patients on monotherapy had HbA1c values ≥ 7%, Patients with longer disease duration and more complex treatments, especially with insulin, showed the poorer control. Despite good overall treatment satisfaction (mean 29.3±6.1, 0 to 36-point scale), patients with a poorer metabolic control, previous hypoglycemia episodes, and more complex therapies had a worse QoL and a greater fear of suffering hypoglycemia.ConclusionsDespite advances in metabolic control, there are still areas to improve. Early addition of safe drugs to monotherapy would help achieve control objectives without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia, and delaying the start of insulin therapy. This would also improve QoL and treatment satisfaction.     

肺癌化疗患者癌因性疲乏影响因素及与生存质量、睡眠质量的关系研究

摘要 目的：调查肺癌化疗患者癌因性疲乏情况,并分析癌因性疲乏与生存质量、睡眠质量的关系。方法：选取2017年3月至2019年11月期间我院收治的189例肺癌化疗患者。分别采用Piper疲乏修正量表（RPFS）评分、肺癌治疗功能评价系统（FACT-L）评分和匹兹堡睡眠质量指数（PSQI）评分对患者疲乏程度、生存质量和睡眠质量进行评价。采用Pearson检验分析癌因性疲乏与睡眠质量、生存质量的关系。采用单因素及多因素Logistic回归分析癌因性疲乏的影响因素。结果：共发放问卷189份,回收有效问卷182份,回收率为96.30%。182例肺癌化疗患者中,癌因性疲乏发生率为66.48%（121/182）。将发生癌因性疲乏的患者纳为疲乏组（n=121）,未发生癌因性疲乏的患者纳为无疲乏组（n=61）。疲乏组FACT-L评分低于无疲乏组,PSQI评分高于无疲乏组（P<0.05）。Pearson相关性分析显示：RPFS评分与FACT-L评分呈负相关,而与PSQI评分呈正相关（P＜0.05）。单因素分析显示：无疲乏组与疲乏组组间比较,在文化程度、家庭月收入、血红蛋白、化疗次数、白细胞计数、临床分期、白蛋白方面比较差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示：白细胞计数、家庭月收入、血红蛋白、文化程度、化疗次数、白蛋白、临床分期均为肺癌化疗患者癌因性疲乏的影响因素（P＜0.05）。结论：肺癌化疗患者癌因性疲乏越严重,其睡眠质量和生存质量越差,且癌因性疲乏的产生受多种因素的影响,临床实际中应尽可能针对癌因性疲乏的影响因素对患者进行干预。     

住院病人对医疗机构的评价及影响患者不满意的因素分析

目的 了解住院病人的看法,为提高患者满意度,促进医患和谐提供参考。方法 利用2008年第4次国家卫生服务调查的数据,用描述性方法和Logistic回归,分析住院病人对所住医院的评价以及影响住院病人不满意的因素。结果 一半以上的住院病人比较满意。费用高、设备差、手续繁琐、态度差是最不满意的4个方面。收入、住院时间、自费高低等因素会影响患者满意。 结论 提高住院患者满意度,改善医患关系需要医、患、政府三方共同努力。