Sick studyFair and just treatment at work cuts the number of sick days taken, according to new research. The study is part of ongoing research looking at the relationship between work and health among Finnish health staff.
The results show men who considered levels of "procedural justice" to be low were 41 per cent more likely - and women 14 per cent more likely - to take sick leave than their colleagues who perceived the opposite. The authors conclude that low levels of workplace justice compromises the health of employees and poorly treated employees are likely to take more days off sick.
Writing on the wall
Illegible handwriting in medical notes puts patients' lives at risk, and it makes research and audit very difficult. According to a Spanish study, 15 per cent of all medical notes examined were so poorly written they were impossible to interpret. The authors comment that it is probably time to say goodbye to hand-written medical notes.
Cancer risks
Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in most developed countries. The lifetime risk of developing the disease among women in Western Europe and North America is about 10 per cent and therefore it is important to identify effective prevention strategies. A review of literature on breast cancer concludes that post-menopausal obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are key risk factors for breast cancer.
Acupuncture trial
A trial that looked at acupuncture as a way of improving motor recovery (power of muscles) after stroke found acupuncture offers no additional benefit, but has a small positive effect on disability. The placebo effect has been offered as one reason for this.
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