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Biomedical subjects

M J Colligan

Publications and source records attributed to M J Colligan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Ethical issues in the use of genetic markers in occupational epidemiologic research.

This review was conducted to characterize the nature of contemporary occupational epidemiologic research involving genetic markers, consider how genetic information is unique with regard to its social applications, and examine some of the ethical dilemmas that may arise over the course of studies. We have reviewed the literature and the lessons from our experience in conducting occupational epidemiologic research involving genetic markers. This review describes how occupational epidemiologic studies differ from other epidemiologic studies on issues of participation, confidentiality, and the history of including genetic markers. Of primary concern in occupational studies are genes that have multiple alleles and are sometimes referred to as "metabolic polymorphisms." They generally do not confer risk on their own but rather only in combination with a specific exposure. There is a need for a clear policy and guidelines for the conduct of occupational epidemiologic studies using genetic material. This policy should address all of the steps in study design, implementation, interpretation, and communication of results.

Epidemiologic Studies↗
PubMed1985

Psychology in health risk messages for workers.

The content, style, and mode of company communications directed to workers regarding job hazards and health risks are frequently based only on concerns for technical accuracy and legal liability. These considerations as shaping factors in informational messages do not ensure worker understanding and responsiveness. Moreover, the uncertainty of health threats posed by many workplace chemical and physical agents, and the delayed, insidious disorders they may portend, present formidable obstacles in this regard. This report describes guidelines that attempt to overcome these difficulties, with specific reference to printed forms of informational material. The guidelines are based on concepts from the cognitive and social psychology literature, with additional input from experts in those fields as well as representatives from management and labor who have responsibilities for worker health education in their respective organizations. Selected guidelines are presented and critiques are offered of samples of hazard information materials directed to workers in light of the guidelines' prescriptions. Field trials are planned as a follow-up.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed1984

Lack of stress-health relationships: a base rate problem?

The lack of relationship between psychological or social stressors and various health indices is common. This paper presents stress and health data collected from nurses at 10 different hospitals and from food processors at eight different sites. Correlations computed in samples constructed so that the number of people affected by a particular illness is approximately equal to those not so affected were consistently higher than similar correlations computed for the entire sample of 1,934 respondents. Because correlations are affected by the base rate of the phenomenon one is studying, it is suggested that other indices such as simple percentages in affected and unaffected groups are more appropriate.

Health Status Indicators↗
PubMed1980

Methodological and practical issues related to shiftwork research.

This paper cites inconsistencies in the current literature regarding the health impact of shiftwork and suggests that these disparities may be attributed, in part, to shortcomings in the nature and reporting of cross-sectional field research. Selected methodological (e.g., differential accretion, cross-over) and practical (e.g., definition of independent and dependent variables) problems in the design and communication of shiftwork investigations are discussed and strategies are provided for their solution.

Employment↗
PubMed1979

An investigation of apparent mass psychogenic illness in an electronics plant.

An investigation of a case of apparent mass psychogenic illness was undertaken in a midwestern electronics assembly plant. The plant employed 500 workers, of whom 80% were female. The illness outbreak involved a total of 90 female first shift workers who reported a variety of nonspecific symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and lightheadedness in response to a strange odor in the workplace. Although environmental testing revealed some localized concentrations of a few airbone contaminants, no environmental toxins were discovered that could account for the continuing outbreaks of illness. An ad hoc sample of affected and nonaffected workers was surveyed to assess the influence of psychological, sociological, and work environment factors in the outbreak. Analysis of the data revealed that affected workers reported more physical discomfort (temperature variations, poor lighting) in the workplace as well as psychological job stress (increase in workload, conflicts with supervisors) than did nonaffected workers. Moreover, affected workers scored significantly higher than nonaffected workers on personality tests measuring extraversion and hysteria traits.

Electronics↗
PubMed1978

An investigation of job satisfaction factors in an incident of mass psychogenic illness at the workplace.

An investigation was undertaken of an apparent outbreak of contagious psychogenic illness at an electronics plant in which approximately 50 females reported a variety of subjective nonspecific symptoms. The workers believed that the physical symptomatology was triggered by an unidentified odor in the plant which was not verified by environmental sampling for chemicals or by medical evaluations of affected workers. A random sample of non-affected and affected workers was surveyed by means of psychological health status inventories and epidemiological indices to determine the role that life-history, personality characteristics and job dissatisfaction had on susceptibility to illness. Results indicated that those workers reporting the highest level of perceived stress due to job dissatisfaction, family problems, and personal conflict were most likely to experience somatic symptoms. In the present study sources of dissatisfaction identified as potential precipitating factors of the illness outbreak were: 1) working conditions, 2) supervisory style, and 3) personal lifestyle.

Female↗