Working in IT projects ��� Options and Limits of Work Design

Flexible forms of work like project work are gaining importance in industry and services. Looking at the research on project work, the vast majority of present literature is on project management, but increasingly, problems concerning the quality of work and the efficiency of project teams become visible. The question now is how project work can be structured in order to simultaneously provide efficient and flexible work and healthy working conditions ensuring the development of human resources for a long time. Selected results of publicly funded research into project work will be presented based on case studies in 7 software development /IT consulting project teams (N=34). A set of different methods was applied: interviews with management/project managers, group interviews on work constraints, a monthly diary about well-being and critical incidences in the course of the project, and a final evaluation questionnaire on project outcomes focusing on economic and health aspects. Findings reveal that different types of projects exist with varying degree of team members��� autonomy and influence on work structuring. An effect of self-regulation on mental strain could not be found. The results emphasize, that contradicting requirements and insufficient organizational resources with respect to the work requirements lead to an increased work intensity or work obstruction. These contradicting requirements are identified as main drivers for generating stress. Finally, employees with high values on stress for more than 2 months have significantly higher exhaustion rates than those with only one month peaks. Structuring project work and taking into account the dynamics of project work, there is a need for an active role of the project team in contract negotiation or the detailed definition of work ��� this is not only a question of individual autonomy but of negotiation the range of option for work structuring. Therefore, along with the sequential definition of the (software) product, the working conditions need to be re-defined.

Designing market-based instruments for biodiversity conservation: learning with the Australian experience and evaluating Portugal's potential

Disserta����o apresentada na Faculdade de Ci��ncias e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa para a obten����o do grau de Mestre em Engenharia do Ambiente, perfil Gest��o de Sistemas Ambientais

Fisioterapia : influ��ncia na qualidade de vida da mulher com cancro da mama : contributo para a qualidade do servi��o em oncologia

RESUMO - O cancro da mama �� uma preocupa����o da sa��de p��blica a n��vel mundial, pela sua incid��ncia, mortalidade e custos econ��micos associados. As terapias utilizadas no seu tratamento, embora eficazes, conduzem a altera����es de todas as dimens��es da Qualidade de Vida (QdV) da mulher com cancro da mama. A garantia de uma qualidade de servi��o prestado deve ser uma prioridade das organiza����es de sa��de, sendo a QdV uma medida de resultado. Partindo do pressuposto que em Portugal existe uma diferen��a potencial na forma como as mulheres com cancro da mama recebem o apoio por parte da fisioterapia, importa saber se a fisioterapia tem ou n��o influ��ncia na QdV da mulher com cancro da mama, o que, no caso de ser afirmativo, poder�� constituir uma mais-valia para a qualidade do servi��o prestado em oncologia. O Objectivo deste trabalho �� construir um modelo de an��lise no sentido de responder �� quest��o inicial de investiga����o: ���Ser�� que a fisioterapia contribui para a melhoria da Qualidade de Vida das mulheres com cancro da mama submetidas a cirurgia e outras terapias oncol��gicas?���. Neste sentido o trabalho de projecto dividiu-se por etapas. Inicialmente foi realizado um enquadramento te��rico, atrav��s de uma revis��o de literatura e da realiza����o de entrevistas explorat��rias, permitindo desta forma ter um conhecimento actual das tem��ticas que definem as vari��veis e o objecto de estudo. Na etapa seguinte, foi feita uma an��lise cr��tica sobre o conhecimento actual do tema em estudo, que permitiu definir as vari��veis a estudar, escolher o instrumento de medida a utilizar, ter conhecimento dos procedimentos a seguir. Ap��s a defini����o do objectivo geral (avaliar se a fisioterapia tem influ��ncia na QdV das mulheres submetidas a cirurgia e outras terapias oncol��gicas) e dos objectivos espec��ficos, iniciou-se o delineamento da metodologia tida como adequada para responder ��s quest��es de investiga����o levantadas (tipo de estudo, as vari��veis, a unidade de an��lise, os m��todos e t��cnicas de recolha de dados, os procedimentos e a metodologia de tratamento de dados). No ��mbito do trabalho de projecto est�� definida a coloca����o em campo de um caso de estudo efectivo que permita dar um contributo real no delineamento da metodologia. Neste trabalho optou-se pela realiza����o de um estudo piloto, que se enquadra nos procedimentos da metodologia e que teve por objectivo retirar algumas conclus��es sobre: a aplicabilidade do instrumento de medida; os tempos definidos para a recolha de dados; as caracter��sticas sociodemogr��ficas e cl��nicas da amostra; as quest��es de investiga����o levantadas. O estudo piloto consistiu num estudo pr��-experimental, com uma amostra de 35 indiv��duos, submetidos a cirurgia a cancro da mama e a outras terapias oncol��gicas. Foram avaliadas as dimens��es do bem-estar f��sico e actividades quotidianas, bem-estar psicol��gico, rela����es sociais, sintomas e caracter��sticas sociodemogr��ficas/cl��nicas, no in��cio do tratamento individual de fisioterapia e no momento de alta. Utilizou-se como instrumento de medida o question��rio EORTC QLQ���30 e o seu question��rio complementar EORTC QLQ���23. Tendo sido constru��da uma ficha para recolha de dados sociodemogr��ficos e cl��nicos. A signific��ncia estat��stica foi aceite para valores de p<0,05. Para compara����o entre grupos e evolu����o dentro de cada grupo aplicou-se o teste t-student e o teste de Mann-Whitney. A an��lise dos resultados do estudo piloto permitiu verificar que: - O instrumento de medida proposto (question��rio EORTC QLQ30 e BR23) mostrou ser de f��cil aplica����o, n��o tendo existido dificuldade por parte das doentes no seu preenchimento. N��o houve problemas no c��lculo dos scores e na sua interpreta����o; - Parte consider��vel das mulheres com cancro da mama ser�� submetida a protocolos que se poder��o prolongar por v��rios meses ap��s a cirurgia (ex: QT+RT+HT). Esta realidade leva-nos a propor que sejam realizados v��rios momentos de avalia����o, para que possam ser avaliadas as dimens��es da QdV ao longo dos diferentes protocolos de tratamentos. Pensamos que o ideal seria a realiza����o de 4 momentos de avalia����o (3 a 4 semanas ap��s a cirurgia, 3 meses, 6 meses e 9 meses ap��s cirurgia). Sugerimos tamb��m que o estudo proposto seja realizado com uma amostra de maior dimens��o; - O estudo piloto como recorreu a uma metodologia pr��-experimental (aus��ncia de grupo de controlo e apenas dois momentos de avalia����o), n��o permite a consist��ncia dos resultados; no entanto os resultados obtidos podem constituir um indicador de que a fisioterapia tem influ��ncia nas diferentes dimens��es da QdV da mulher com cancro da mama submetida a cirurgia e a outras terapias oncol��gicas, podendo constituir uma mais-valia para a qualidade do servi��o prestado em oncologia. Os resultados do estudo piloto permitiram redefinir a metodologia tida como adequada para responder �� quest��o de investiga����o inicial. Apresentamos de seguida a mesma: Estudo quase-experimental, sendo a amostra constitu��da por dois grupos de 60 mulheres cada, submetidas a cirurgia a cancro da mama e a outras terapias oncol��gicas. O grupo experimental ser�� submetido a tratamentos individuais de fisioterapia. Ser��o avaliadas as dimens��es do bem-estar f��sico e actividades quotidianas, bem-estar psicol��gico, rela����es sociais e sintomas. A recolha de dados ser�� realizada 3 semanas, 3 meses, 6 meses e 9 meses ap��s a cirurgia. Como instrumento de medida ser�� utilizado o question��rio EORTC QLQ���30 e o seu question��rio complementar EORTC QLQ���23, ser��o tamb��m recolhidos dados sociodemogr��ficos e cl��nicos. A signific��ncia estat��stica ser�� aceite para valores de p<0,05. Para compara����o entre grupos e evolu����o dentro de cada grupo ser��o utilizados testes param��tricos e n��o param��tricos. A realiza����o de um estudo que seguisse a metodologia acima referida permitiria uma maior consist��ncia dos resultados, podendo eventualmente existir a confirma����o de que a fisioterapia pode ter influ��ncia na QdV da mulher submetida a cirurgia a cancro da mama e a outras terapias oncol��gicas. A evid��ncia de que a fisioterapia tem influ��ncia na QdV da mulher com cancro da mama, e o facto de a QdV ser um indicador da qualidade do servi��o prestado em oncologia, poder��o constituir um agente facilitador para a mudan��a na gest��o de recursos humanos em organiza����es de sa��de com a val��ncia de oncologia, levando a uma altera����o dos padr��es de pr��tica na ��rea da fisioterapia em oncologia em Portugal, que poder�� conduzir a uma melhor qualidade de servi��o prestado ao doente oncol��gico. ----- ABSTRACT - Breast Cancer is a worldwide public health concern due to the incidence, mortality and economic costs associated. Although effective, therapies used in its treatment lead to changes in all Quality of Life (QoL) dimensions of a woman suffering from Breast Cancer. QoL is an outcome measure, and the insurance of quality of care provided should be a priority to health organizations. Taking into consideration that in Portugal there is a potential difference in the way women with Breast Cancer are provided with physical therapy, it is important to know whether physical therapy does or does not influence the QoL of women with breast cancer. If it does, it will lead to a health care quality improvement to cancer patients. The goal of the following study is to build an analysis model in order to answer the initial investigation question: ���Does Physical Therapy contribute to enhance the Quality of Life of women with breast cancer who underwent surgery and other oncology treatments?��� The project was divided in different stages. Initially, a literature revision was elaborated and exploratory interviews were held, which allowed an actual knowledge of the themes that define the variables and the object of study. The next stage included a critical analysis of the theme, which allowed the definition of variables of study, the choice of instrument of measure and the acquisition of some knowledge on how to proceed. After the definition of the general goal (to evaluate the influence of physical therapy on the QoL of women with breast cancer who underwent surgery and other oncology treatments) and specific goals, the choice of a right methodology took place, in order to answer the investigation questions (type of study, variables, unit analysis, methods and techniques on data collection, procedures and data treatment). In the scope of the project, it is decided to put out on the field an effective case-study which assures a real contribution on the choice of te methodology. In this particular work, there was a pilot study, included in the methodology procedures, with the goal of obtaining conclusions on the applicability of the instrument of measure; the length of time to collect data, the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the sample; the investigation questions. The pilot study consisted on a one group pretest-postest design, with a sample of 35 individuals who underwent surgery and other oncology treatments. Dimensions such as physical well-being and everyday life activities, psychological well-being, social relationships, symptoms and socio-demographical/clinical characteristics were assessed at the beginning of physical therapy individual treatment and at the moment of release. The instrument of measure used was the EORTC QLQ���30 questionnaire and its complementary questionnaire EORTC QLQ���23. A chart was made in order to collect socio-demographic and clinical data. Statistic significance was accepted for values of p<0,05. To compare between groups and to detect the evolution within each group, the t-student test and the Mann-Whitney test were applied. The outcome analysis of the pilot study allowed to verify that: - The instrument of measure proposed (EORTC QLQ30 and BR23) was easy to apply, and the subjects did not show any difficulty in filling it up. There was also no problem on calculating the scores or interpreting them; - A considerable part of the women with breast cancer will be submitted to protocols that may occur throughout several months after surgery (e.g., QT+RT+HT). This reality leads us to suggest several moments of assessment of the QoL dimensions in various moments of the different protocol treatments. We consider that the ideal number of evaluations would be 4 (3/4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 9 months after surgery). We also suggest the use of a larger sample; - Since the pilot study resorted to a one group pretest-postest design (there is an absence of control group and only two moments of assessment), there is no consistency of outcome. However, the results obtained indicate that physical therapy influences the dimensions of QoL on women with breast cancer who underwent surgery and other oncology treatments, which may be an asset to the quality of care provided to cancer patients. The outcome of the pilot study allowed to redefine the methodology given as adequate to answer the initial investigation question. Our suggestion is as follows: quasi-experimental design, with a sample of 120 subjects (2 groups of 60 women) with breast cancer who underwent surgery and other oncology treatments. The experimental group will be submitted to individual treatments of physical therapy. Dimensions such as physical well-being and everyday life activities, psychological well-being, social relationships and symptoms will be assessed. The collection of data will occur at 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 9 months after surgery. The instrument of measure is the EORTC QLQ���30 questionnaire and its complementary questionnaire EORTC QLQ���23, and social-demographic and clinical information will also be collected. The statistic significance will be accepted for values of p<0,05. Parametric and non-parametric tests will be used to compare between groups and to detect the evolution within each group. Carrying out a study that followed the methodology discussed above would allow a better consistency of results, possibly enabling the confirmation that physical therapy influences the QoL of women with breast cancer who underwent surgery and other oncology treatments. The evidence that physical therapy influences the QoL of women with breast cancer, and the fact that QoL is an indicator of quality of care provided to cancer patients, may work as a facilitating agent in the change of human resources management in health organizations associated to oncology, which will lead to a change in oncology physical therapy practice patterns in Portugal, guiding to a health care quality improvement to cancer patients.

What kind of employees become awarded as employees of the year in Finland?

Enterprise and Work Innovation Studies,6,IET, pp.53-73

Perceptions of organizational virtuousness and happiness and predictors of organizational citizenship behaviors

Journal of Business Ethics, Vol. 93 Issue 2, p214-235

A happiness index of human development

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Economics from the NOVA ��� School of Business and Economics

Safe reuse of treated urban wastewater in Praia, Cape Verde: a case study

Disserta����o para a obten����o do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia e Gest��o da ��gua

Envelhecimento ativo, capacidade funcional e atividade f��sica: an��lise de fatores que contextualizam o processo de envelhecimento e sua percep����o por parte de pessoas idosas

RESUMO: O envelhecimento populacional saud��vel ocupa parte da agenda do processo do envelhecimento humano, retratando uma preocupa����o social com repercuss��es nas economias societ��rias. O processo de envelhecimento, quando abordado fora do paradigma do envelhecimento saud��vel, desconsidera socialmente o potencial humano das pessoas idosas, promovendo a segrega����o e motivando atitudes de preconceito e discrimina����o, al��m de desperdi��ar a experi��ncia, o saber, a cultura e a capacidade de participa����o da pessoa idosa como contributo para a sociedade a que ela est�� inserida. O foco central da Pol��tica Nacional de Sa��de do Idoso brasileira se inscreve na promo����o de um envelhecimento saud��vel, nomeadamente por meio da manuten����o da capacidade funcional ao valorizar a autonomia, a independ��ncia f��sica e a integridade mental da pessoa idosa. O desafio para a viabiliza����o do processo de envelhecimento ativo e bem-sucedido consiste na maximiza����o das capacidades, potencialidades e recursos pessoais, comunit��rios e pol��ticos. Pressup��e, tamb��m, uma concep����o ampliada de viver, contextualizada no cont��nuo da vida, capaz de externar a preocupa����o com a sa��de e o bem-estar, integrando as pessoas em fase de envelhecimento no contexto do ciclo de vida. Diante do exposto, a presente investiga����o objetivou conhecer os determinantes de envelhecimento ativo e bem-sucedido, numa popula����o em processo de envelhecimento e relacion��-los com as ���pr��ticas/conte��dos��� e representa����es / significados��� sobre o envelhecimento, as atividades f��sicas e a capacidade funcional. A investiga����o foi estruturada em tr��s estudos: no primeiro foi criado e testado o instrumento ���Envelhecimento ativo, capacidade funcional e atividade f��sica���, na cidade de Lisboa, Portugal, e posteriormente realizada sua adapta����o cultural e lingu��stica do portugu��s de Portugal para o do Brasil. No segundo foi feita uma pesquisa observacional do tipo survey, descritiva e explorat��ria com o objetivo de conhecer as rela����es esteabelecidas entre o envelhecimento bem-sucedido, ativo, a atividade f��sica e a capacidade funcional de uma popula����o em processo de envelhecimento; e no terceiro momento foi realizado um estudo de cariz qualitativo com o objetivo de captar as percep����es e comportamentos dos entrevistados diante do fato de se sentirem ou n��o pessoas idosas ou envelhecidas. Foram adotados os seguintes referenciais te��ricos: envelhecimento ativo, envelhecimento bem sucedido, concep����o muldidimensional do processual do envelhecimento (determinantes pessoais, familiares, sociais, psicocomunicacionais, econ��micos e de sa��de), atividade f��sica e capacidade funcional e abordados �� luz do perfil demogr��fico e da experi��ncia das realidades europ��ias, americana e brasileira. Foram triagulados m��todos e t��cnicas (entrevista individual gravada, mensura����es e question��rio). Participaram pessoas com 60 anos de idade ou mais vinculadas que frequentam dois programas p��blicos destinados ��s pessoas idosas na cidade de Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brasil e foram excluidas as participa����es de pessoas com depend��ncia para atividades da vida di��ria, para as atividades instrumentais da vida di��ria e com altera����o do n��vel de consci��ncia. Amostra aleat��ria estratificada composta por 326 participantes na qual foram realizadas mensura����es e amostra por tipicidade constru��da a partir da base amostral composta de 87 participantes na qual foi realizada entrevista individual gravada. Atendidos todos os requisitos ��ticos e legais de pesquisa envolvendo seres humanos, segundo legisla����o brasileira. Aplicada An��lise Fatorial e selecionados 11 fatores com 31 vari��veis que contemplaram os determinantes do processo de envelhecimento ativo. Realizado reajustamento da an��lise fatorial,por quest��o de coer��ncia conceptual, sendo selecionado oito fatores nomeados de acordo com o referencial te��rico adotado que resultou em 25 vari��veis que abordaram a participa����o em atividades e acesso aos servi��os de sa��de; �� atividade f��sica; �� conviv��ncia, intera����o e avalia����o do contato social; �� escolaridade e renda; �� sa��de percebida e ao voluntariado. Utilizado como marcador para a atividade aer��bia o perfil da sobrecarga da atividade f��sica semanal em conson��ncia com diretrizes e recomenda����es de atividades aer��bias de intensidade moderada para as pessoas idosas. Identificado que 60,7% dos entrevistados realizam atividade f��sica insuficiente. Os indicadores antropom��tricos utilizados evidenciaram ��ndices de sobrepeso e de obesidade tanto entre os homens quanto entre as mulheres. Houve correla����o do ��ndice de massa corporal (IMC) com as medidas efetuadas segundo as faixas et��rias. A an��lise inferencial possibilitou relacionar os determinantes do envelhecimento ativo, as medidas antropom��tricas e as vari��veis sociodemogr��ficas (escolaridade e idade), sendo obtidos os seguintes destaques: 1) �� medida em que a idade aumenta, diminuem os n��veis de pr��tica da atividade f��sica, dos contatos com as pessoas para conversar (das rela����es de conviv��ncia), dos trabalhos de voluntariado e das rela����es familiares e intergeracionais; 2) foi identificado um alinhamento conceptual dos diferentes determinantes concorrentes para um envelhecimento ativo �� luz da pr��tica da atividade f��sica com a conviv��ncia e intera����o com os familiares e com auto-avalia����o positiva da sa��de percebida e atividade f��sica; 3) quanto maior a idade menor os anos de escolaridade; 4) a diminui����o da ��rea transversa do bra��o e do IMC �� medida que a idade aumenta, retratou diminui����o da adiposidade corporal que est�� associada �� perda da massa magra. A categoriza����o do discurso dos 87 entrevistados permitiu captar a percep����o do processo de envelhecimento por dois crit��rios antag��nicos: preserva����o da autonomia e presen��a da deteriora����o. Foi caracterizado o sistema de cren��as dos participantes com 1090 emiss��es de cren��as. Houve tend��ncia do sistema de cren��as �� centralidade com 638 (58,6%) cren��as retratando concep����es e situa����es dif��ceis de serem modificadas por processos educacionais. Os resultados obtidos diagnosticaram e reiteraram a tend��ncia de incremento num��rico de pessoas com 60 anos de idade ou mais na cidade brasileira de Juiz de Fora. Embora o estatuto do idoso esteja alicer��ado em princ��pios do envelhecimento saud��vel e ativo ficou evidenciado a necessidade de estrat��gias para implement��-la com vistas a impactos sociais, econ��micas e de sa��de na perspectiva da pr��tica de atividade f��sica e da preserva����o da capacidade funcional. Constituem contribui����o da presente investiga����o: 1) fundamentos te��ricos e informa����o sobre juiz-foranos com 60 anos de idade ou mais segundo dimens��es social, econ��mica, cultural e espiritual numa concep����o ampliada de sa��de; 2) abordagem do envelhecimento de forma processual e integrada, multidimensional e articulada com o ciclo da vida; 3) diagn��stico do grau de autonomia dos participantes permitindo subsidiar decis��es para melhorar a capacidade funcional dos mesmos; 4) processo investigativo utilizando modelos te��ricos que permitiram estabelecer um diagn��stico local e contextualizar o processo de envelhecimento para os participantes e 5) sobrecarga semanal de atividade f��sica e os indicadores antropom��tricos dos participantes a ponto de subsidiar par��metros de indica����o terap��utica para manuten����o da capacidade funcional.-------- ABSTRACT: The populational healthy aging holds part of the process of the human aging agenda, portraying a social concern with the repercussion in societary economies. The aging process when addressed out of the healthy aging paradigm socially disregard the human potential of the elderly, promoting segregation and motivating acts of prejudice and discrimination, in addition to the waste of experience, knowledge, culture and the participatory capacity of an older person in contributting to the society they are a part of. The Brazilian National Health Policy for the Elderly has its main focus in promoting the healthy aging, namely through the maintenance of the functional capacity by valuing the autonomy, physical independence and the mental integrity of the elderly person. The challenge of enabling the process of a successful and active aging lays in maximazing the capabilities, potencialities and personal, communitary and political resources. It infers additionaly a broad view of living, contextualized in the continuum of life, able to express concern with health and well-being, integrating the people in aging phase to the context of the life cycle. Hence, this research aimed to learn the determinants of active and successful aging in a population in aging process and relate them with the "practices/contents" and "representations/meanings" about aging, the physical activities and functional capacity. The investigation was structured in three studies: in the first it was developed and tested the instrument "Active Aging, Functional Capacity and Physical Activity" in the city of Lisboa, Portugal, and afterwards it was culturally and linguistically adapted from Portugal Portuguese to Brazilian Portuguese. The second study was an observational research with survey, descriptive and exploratory methods which aimed to learn the relations established between the successful aging, active aging, the physical activity and the functional capacity of a population in aging process; and the third comprised a qualitative study with the objective to collect the understanding and behavior of the interviewees based on the fact of either they saw themselves as elder or aged person or not. As theoretical framework were explored: active aging, successful aging, multidimensional concept of aging process (personal, familial, social, psycho-communicational, economic determinants), physical activity and functional capacity and explored based in demographic profile and in the European, American a Brazilian realities. Performed triangulation of methods and tecniques (recorded individual interviews, measurements and questionnaires). Participants were aged 60 or older included in two public services for the elderly population in the city of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil and were excluded persons with dependency in both daily activities and instrumental daily activities and the persons with altered level of conciousness. Stratified ramdon sample of 326 participants in which were performed the measurements and typicality sample constructed from the sample basis of 87 participants whereupon the recorded individual interview was performed. Conforming to all the ethical and legal requirements of research with human beings according to the Brazilian legislation. Applied Factor Analysis and selected 11 factors and 31 variables that convey the determinants of the active aging process. Executed reajustment of factor analysis, for conceptual coherence, being selected eight factors named accordingly to the theoretical framework that resulted in 25 variables which approached the participation in activities and access to health care services; to physical activity; to coexistence, interaction and evaluation of social contact; to scholarity and income; to perceived health and volunteering. Used as marker to aerobic activity the profile of weekly physical activity overload in accordance with guidelines and reccomendations for moderate-intensity aerobic activities for older people. Identified that 60,7% of interviewees practice enough physical activity. Anthropometric markers evidence overweight and obesity levels both within men and women. There was correlation between body mass index (BMI) and measures carried out according to age ranges. The inferential analysis allowed relating the active aging determinants, the anthropometric measurements and sociodemographic variables (scholarity and age), obtaining the following highlights: 1) to the extent that age increases, lowers the levels of physical activity practice, of contact with people to talk to (social relationships), of volunteering work and familial and intergenerational relationships; 2) it was identified a conceptual alignment of diferent determinants concurrent to an active aging in light of the physical activity practice with the relationship and interaction of family and with positive self-assessment of perceived health and physical activity; 3) the older the person, lower are scholarity levels; 4) the decrease of the cross-sectional area of the arm and BMI as the age increases portrayed decreased adiposity of the body that is associated with loss of lean body mass. The categorization of the speech of 87 interviewees allowed to collect the understanding of the aging process by two opposite criteria: preservation of autonomy and existance of decline. It marked the belief system of participants with 1090 beliefs expressed. With tendency of the belief system to centrality with 638(58,6%) beliefs showing concepts and dificult situations to be changed through educational processes. The results diagnosed and reiterated the tendency of increase in the number of people aged 60 or older in the Brazilian city of Juiz de Fora. Although the elderly statute is built upon principles of healthy and active aging it was evident the need of strategies to implement it aiming at social, economic and health impacts in the perspective of physical education and preservation of the functional capacity. Constitute contributions of this study: 1) theoretical fundaments and data about Juiz de Fora citizens aged 60 or more according to social, economic, cultural and spiritual dimensions in a broad concept of health; 2) approach of aging in a procedural and integrative, multidimensional manner, articulated with the life cycle; 3) diagnosis of degree of autonomy of participants enabling decisions on how to improve their functional capacities; 4) investigative process using theoretical models which permit to stablish a local diagnosis and contextualize the aging process of participants and 5) weekly overload of physical activity and anthropometric indexes of participants as to subsidize parameters to therapeutic indication to the maintainence of functional capacity.

Social entrepreneurship as a solution provider for ageing societies in Europe

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA ��� School of Business and Economics

Perspectives and approaches for the internet of things

Disserta����o para obten����o do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Electrot��cnica e de Computadores

Needs assessment of people with severe mental illnesses and their families in Azerbaijan��

RESUMO: Os indiv��duos com doen��a mental grave, assim como os seus familiares, podem ser caracterizados como uma popula����o em que ocorre uma combina����o complexa de necessidades m��dicas e psicossociais, nomeadamente a n��vel do diagn��stico e do acesso aos servi��os de sa��de mental. A avalia����o de necessidades pode fornecer informa����es importantes para o desenvolvimento de interven����es eficazes, tanto a n��vel da popula����o como a n��vel individual. Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar as diferentes necessidades reportadas pelos pacientes com doen��a mental grave e seus familiares , assim como investigar as poss��veis rela����es entre o estado de necessidades e as vari��veis s��cio-demogr��ficas e cl��nicas. Simultaneamente, o estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a sobrecarga familiar e a satisfa����o dos utentes com os servi��os de sa��de mental. Foi elaborado um estudo transversal, realizado numa amostra de conveni��ncia de cinquenta d��ades de paciente/membro da fam��lia, seguidos em regime de ambulat��rio no Centro Nacional de Sa��de Mental. Foram utilizados como instrumentos de avalia����o um question��rio sociodemogr��fico, a Escala Breve de Avalia����o Psiqui��trica (BPRS), o question��rio de Avalia����o de Necessidades de Camberwell (CAN), o Question��rio de Avalia����o do Envolvimento (IEQ) e a Escala de Verona de Satisfa����o com os Servi��os (VSSS). As mais frequentes necessidades n��o-satisfeitas foram o ���sofrimento psicol��gico���, as ���atividades sociais��� e os ���benef��cios sociais���. O estudo mostrou uma sobrecarga significativa nas fam��lias que cuidam de pessoas com doen��a mental grave, que se correlacionou com as suas opini��es sobre as necessidades dos pacientes e teve um impacto negativo sobre o bem-estar psicol��gico. Os tr��s mais importantes predictores de sofrimento ps��quico em familiares foram o sexo, a situa����o laboral e a rela����o com o paciente. A avalia����o da satisfa����o com os servi��os revelou a exist��ncia de um hiato significativo entre os servi��os prestados e os servi��os desejados, reportados pelos pacientes e seus familiares. A maioria dos participantes do estudo desejavam ter um trabalho protegido, ou receber ajuda para encontrar emprego. Os resultados deste estudo poder��o ser usados para fins de planeamento desenvolvimento e avalia����o de servi��os de sa��de mental no Azerbeij��o. Algumas recomenda����es sobre a melhoria dos servi��os de sa��de mental para pacientes com doen��a mental grave e suas fam��lias s��o feitas na sec����o final do trabalho.----------ABSTRACT: Patients suffering from severe mental illness, in addition to their family members, may be characterized as a population with a complex combination of medical and psychosocial needs, which are under-recognized and under-addressed by mental health services. At the same time, needs assessment provides important information necessary for developing effective interventions at both population and individual level. The study was aimed to determine various needs perceived by patients with SMI and their family members, as well as to find out possible relations between the needs and socio-demographic and clinical variables. Similarly the study was intended to evaluate family burden and users��� satisfaction with services. This was a cross-sectional study conducted on a convenience sample. Fifty dyads of a patient and family member applying for out-patient services to the National Mental Health Centre participated in the study. Sociodemographic questionnaire, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Camberwell Assessment of Need, Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire, and Verona Service Satisfaction Scale were used as assessment tools. The most prominent unmet needs reported by people with SMI and their relatives were psychological distress, social activities and welfare benefits. The study showed significant burden in families caring for people with SMI, which correlated with their views about patients��� needs and had a negative impact on the psychological well-being. The three most important predictors of psychological distress in family members were gender, employment status and relationship to patient. Evaluation of satisfaction with services pointed out the gap between provided and desired services reported by patients and their relatives. Most of study participants wished to have sheltered work, or receive help in finding employment. The results of this study may be used for the purposes of mental health service planning, development and evaluation in our country. Some recommendations on improvement of mental health services for patients with SMI and their families have been made in the conclusion.

The burden of chronic low back pain in the adult Portuguese population : an epidemiological population-based study under the scope of Epireumapt

RESUMO: Nos pa��ses desenvolvidos a lombalgia �� a condi����o m��sculo-�����esquel��tica mais prevalente. Quando evolui para um quadro cr��nico �� respons��vel por um encargo econ��mico bastante consider��vel, n��o s�� em rela����o aos indiv��duos, mas tamb��m para a sociedade. A lombalgia cr��nica �� por isso uma das principais causas de perda de produtividade e de perda de independ��ncia econ��mica, nomeadamente atrav��s do absente��smo (aus��ncia do trabalho), do presente��smo (perda de produtividade no trabalho, devido �� capacidade diminu��da provocada pela lombalgia) e da incapacidade para trabalhar (invalidez permanente, total ou parcial). At�� �� data, em Portugal, a preval��ncia e carga social da lombalgia cr��nica eram desconhecidas. At�� agora n��o existiam estudos populacionais de grande dimens��o sobre este tema. O objetivo principal desta tese foi determinar a preval��ncia de lombalgia cr��nica, e tamb��m avaliar a carga social que esta tem na popula����o adulta Portuguesa. O trabalho de investiga����o foi desenvolvido no ��mbito do Estudo Epidemiol��gico de Doen��as Reum��ticas em Portugal (EpiReumaPt). Este foi o primeiro estudo de larga escala e de base populacional, que determinou a preval��ncia de doen��as reum��ticas e m��sculo-����� esquel��ticas na popula����o adulta portuguesa. Foi realizado numa amostra aleat��ria e representativa, de 10.661 indiv��duos do Continente, da Regi��o Aut��noma dos A��ores e da Regi��o Aut��noma da Madeira, entre Setembro de 2011 e Dezembro de 2013. Esta tese foi dividida em duas sec����es. A primeira sec����o incluiu o detalhe das quest��es relativas ao desenvolvimento e gest��o do EpiReumaPt, constituindo-�����se como um guia pr��tico sobre como realizar um estudo de base populacional de larga escala, em Portugal. A metodologia detalhada do EpiReumaPt foi tamb��m descrita nesta sec����o e incluiu os objectivos, o desenho do estudo, as caracter��sticas de recrutamento e a prepara����o de dados para an��lise. Nesta sec����o foram ainda descritos os principais resultados do EpiReumaPt. Estes evidenciaram que a lombalgia foi a condi����o m��sculo-�����esquel��tica com maior preval��ncia na popula����o adulta portuguesa.A segunda sec����o desta tese estimou a preval��ncia da lombalgia cr��nica ativa na popula����o adulta Portuguesa, e avaliou a carga social esta condi����o. A lombalgia ativa foi definida com base na dor auto-�����relatada no dia da entrevista e que persistia h�� pelo menos 90 dias (independentemente da causa). A lombalgia foi definida como dor na ��rea definida entre a margem inferior das d��cimas segundas costelas at�� ��s pregas gl��teas inferiores, com ou sem dor nos membros inferiores. A carga social foi medida tendo em conta os seguintes par��metros: qualidade de vida, fun����o, consumo de recursos de sa��de, consumo de analg��sicos e outros f��rmacos usados no al��vio da dor, sintomas de ansiedade e sintomas de depress��o. Os resultados mostraram que o consumo de recursos em sa��de e a carga social da lombalgia cr��nica na popula����o adulta Portugu��s �� significativa. Tamb��m a incapacidade causada pela lombalgia cr��nica,nos indiv��duos com idade ativa, �� respons��vel por elevadas taxas de absente��smo e m�� qualidade de vida, aos quais acresce o consequente ��nus socioecon��mico. Esta tese tamb��m concluiu que o consumo de analg��sicos e outros medicamentos para al��vio da dor, na popula����o adulta portuguesa com lombalgia cr��nica ativa, �� relativamente baixa. A maioria destes indiv��duos n��o tomava nenhum medicamento analg��sico, independentemente da intensidade da dor. Mesmo os indiv��duos que reportaram dor intensa, apenas 4.0% estavam no primeiro degrau da escada analg��sica da Organiza����o Mundial de Sa��de; 2.3% usavam opi��ides fracos e 0.03% usavam opi��ides fortes para controlar a dor (segundo e terceiro degrau da escada analg��sica da Organiza����o Mundial da Sa��de). O trabalho de investiga����o tamb��m confirmou que a preval��ncia de sintomas de ansiedade e depress��o entre os indiv��duos adultos portugueses com lombalgia cr��nica ativa �� elevada. Nestes indiv��duos, registou-�����se um consumo mais elevado de analg��sicos e outros medicamentos para al��vio da dor, quando comparados com os indiv��duos com lombalgia cr��nica activa sem esses sintomas psicol��gicos. Os grupos terap��uticos mais utilizados foram os ansiol��ticos, sedativos e hipn��ticos, os antidepressivos e os anti-�����inflamat��rios n��o ester��ides. A intensidade m��dia da dor reportada foi tamb��m maior entre os indiv��duos com lombalgia ativa e sintomas de ansiedade e/ou depress��o. Tamb��m nestes, foi reportada pior fun����o e pior estado de sa��de. Em rela����o ao consumo de recursos de sa��de foram encontradas diferen��as significativas entre as duas popula����es: os indiv��duos com lombalgia ativa e sintomas psicol��gicos concomitantes registaram maior n��mero de consultas de psiquiatria de outras especialidades m��dicas, assim como precisaram de mais apoio domicili��rio nos 12 meses pr��vios �� entrevista do EpiReumaPt. Foram tamb��m identificados os fatores associados a sintomas isolados de ansiedade, a sintomas isolados de depress��o e a sintomas de ansiedade e depress��o. Resumindo,esta tese permitiu concluir que a lombalgia cr��nica �� um problema de sa��de comum na popula����o adulta portuguesa, contribuindo para um elevado grau de incapacidade e que consequentemente afeta o desempenho laboral e o bem-�����estar dos indiv��duos. A lombalgia cr��nica �� tamb��m respons��vel por um consumo consider��vel de recursos de sa��de. Acresce ainda que os sintomas de ansiedade e depress��o s��o comuns, entre os indiv��duos com lombalgia cr��nica, contribuindo com uma carga social adicional.---------------------------------- ABSTRACT:Low Back Pain(LBP) is the most prevalent of musculoskeletal condition in developed countries.When it becomes chronic, LBP causesan enormous economic burden on individuals and society -����� it is one of the leading causes of loss of productivity and economic independence through absenteeism (time off work), presenteeism (lost productivity because of diminished capacity while at work) and work disability (permanent, partial or complete disablement for work purposes). In Portugal the prevalence and burden of LBP and chronic LBP (CLBP) were poorly defined. Until now no large population-�����based studies have focused on this. The main aim of this thesis was to determine the prevalence of LBP and CLBP, and also to assess the burden of CLBP in the adult rtuguese population. The research work was developed under the scope of EpiReumaPt (the Portuguese Epidemiologic Study of Rheumatic Diseases). EpiReumaPt was the first national large population-�����based and prevalence study of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD). It was performed among a randomized and representative sample of 10,661 adult Portuguese subjects recruited in Mainland, Azores and Madeira Islands, from September 2011 to December 2013. The first section of this thesis included detailed issues regarding the development and management of EpiReumaPt, and provided a practical guide on how to set-�����up a large population-�����based study in Portugal. The detailed methodology of EpiReumaPt, including its objectives,study design,recruitment features,and data preparation for analyses were also described. The main results from EpiReumaPt study were provided in this section and showed that LBP was the musculoskeletal condition with highest prevalence among Portuguese population. The second section of this thesis estimated the prevalence of active CLBP among adult Portuguese population, and assessed the social burden of this condition. Active CLBP was defined based on self-�����reported pain on the day of the interview, and for most of the time for at least 90 days (independently from cause). LBP was defined as pain in the back area from the lower margin of the twelfth ribs to he lower gluteal folds, with or without pain referred to the lower limbs. Social burden was measured taking into account the following outcomes: quality of life, function, healthcare resources consumption, analgesic and other pain relief drugs intake, anxiety and depression symptoms. Results showed that the healthcare consumption and social burden of CLBP among adult Portuguese population were enormous, and the disability caused by CLBP among subjects in a working age provides high rates of absenteeism (work loss) and poor quality of life, with a consequent socioeconomic burden. This thesis also concluded that analgesic and other pain relief drugs untake among adult Portuguese population with active CLBP was very low. Most of the subjects with active CLBP did not take any analgesic drug regardless pain severity. Even when subjects self-�����reported severe pain, only 24.0% were in the 1st step of the analgesic ladder,2.3% used weak analgesic opioids and 0.03% used strong opioids (2nd and 3rd step of WHO analgesic ladder, respectively) to control pain . The research work also confirmed that the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms among adult Portuguese subjects with active CLBP was high. Regarding pharmacological therapy, the intake of analgesic and other pain relief drugs was higher among subjects with anxiety and/or depression symptoms, when compared with subjects without these psychological symptoms. Anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antidepressants and NSAIDs intake had higher usage rates among these subjects. The pain severity mean was also higher among this subjects and function and health status was worse. Regarding healthcare resources consumption,significant differences between the two populations were found. Subjects with ctive CLBP and concomitant psychological symptoms had a higher number of psychiatrist and other physician visits. They also needed more home care in the previous 12 months. Factors associated with isolated symptoms of anxiety, depression,and concomitant anxiety and depression symptoms were also identified. Summarizing, we concluded that CLBP is a common health problem among adult Portuguese population contributing to disability and affecting labor performance, and the well being of subjects. it is also responsible for considerable healthcare resource consumption. Anxiety and depression symptoms are common among subjects with CLBP and provided an additional burden among them.

Good vibrations

The work reported in this thesis addresses the research question of when and how positive psychological states impact positive behavior and positive organizational development. We present two theoretical essays and three empirical studies to find possible answers to this question and we use a multitude of methodologies with different epistemological assumptions, including quantitative correlation analysis, social network analysis and qualitative grounded theory analysis. In the whole, our work shows that positive psychological states are fundamental to promote individual and organizational higher-levels of performance and well-being. It also points that the capability to induce positive psychological states in others (an ���alter-positive��� approach) is a powerful way to develop outstanding individuals and organizations. In a broader sense, it stresses the need to promote good vibrations as a fundamental route to create a better world.