The Australian general practitioner (GP) workforce, especially younger generation GPs and female GPs, increasingly prioritises work-life balance (WLB). Good WLB is associated with decreased interest of medical students in general practice as a speciality choice as well as good health and wellbeing, and decisions of GPs to retire early. Therefore, understanding the role played by different factors in achieving WLB is crucial to ensure a sufficient GP workforce necessary to meet the rising demands of health care. There is a dearth of empirical, quantitative, large, population-based studies assessing the level of WLB in the Australian GP population as well as contributing and consequent factors. Our study fills this identified gap in the current literature. This study aimed to investigate the extent, determinants and possible consequences of WLB of Australian GPs. Data for this study come from the baseline cohort of the Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life (MABEL) longitudinal, population-level survey. Questionnaires tailored specifically for GPs and GP registrars were sent to all clinically active GPs registered in the Australian Medical Publishing Co. (AMPCo) database (n=22137), with a choice of completing either a paper or online version. Data were collected between June and December 2008. STATA (10.0) was used for conducting weighted data analyses. Regression methods were applied for assessing the associations between dependent and independent variables. Of the 3906 GPs (17.6%) who responded, 53% reported that the balance between their personal and professional commitments was about right. Generation X GPs and females reported a better WLB than baby boomers and males respectively. However, those reporting good WLB also worked significantly fewer hours than those reporting poor WLB. GPs who reported good opportunities for leisure activities and perceived that they have good health also reported better WLB. Contrastingly, those reporting difficulty in taking time off when wanted, working unpredictable and longer hours reported poor WLB. Importantly, poor WLB was associated with increased intention to reduce total hours worked by GPs. Several factors relating to family and social circumstances were not significantly associated with WLB of GPs in this study. Only half of the GP workforce reported good WLB. Flexibility of work hours, opportunities for leisure activities and good health of GPs have the potential to enhance the WLB and hence promote greater GP participation in the workforce.

Background: Sickle-cell disease is characterized by a modification in the shape of the red blood cell from a smooth shape into a crescent shape. The misshapen cells lack plasticity and can block small blood vessels, impairing blood flow. The purpose of the study was to find out the quality of life of client living with sickle cell disease. Method: A descriptive cross sectional quantitative study design was used. Non probability convenient sampling technique was used for the selection of respondents after conforming hemoglobin electrophoresis report attending out-patient department of Bheri Hospital. Results: A total 143 participants were studied who were at age range of 19 to 40 years with mean age of 30.26±8.42. Almost 81.8% perceived their health was only fair in comparison to past year. In comparison to other people 60.1% participants believe they get sick little easier. The overall quality of life was good in 56% participants. The health related quality of life scores for eight domains are as follows-physical functioning (77.25±18.22), social functioning (58.39±16.77), role limitation due to emotional problem (57.23±33.99), pain (56.43±22.84), role limitation due to physical problem (49.56±29.76), emotional wellbeing (49.59±14.5), Vitality (36.62±16.85) and general health (36.78±19.99). Conclusion: Quality of life of adults with sickle cell disease is better in the domain of physical function in comparison to other domains. The aspect of energy scale indicates poor quality of life. Female and uneducated clients should be focused for improvement in all domains.

Background: Workplace violence against (WPV) health care workers is a common and widespread phenomenon. This problem is already high and still continuously increasing. The objective of the study was to explore the experience of workplace violence among nursing personnel. Methods: A purposive sampling technique was used to select 20 nursing personnel. The qualitative data was generated by using guidelines for (i) Focus group Discussion (FGD), (ii) in- depth interview and (iii) key informant interview.  Three FGD were conducted: two groups of staff nurses and one group of ANM, tape recording as well as field note was maintained. In-depth interviews were conducted with 4 nursing personnel who had experienced of workplace violence (WPV), the facial expressions, gesture, tone of voice and emotion experienced by respondents were observed during data collection. Two key informant interviews were carried out among organizational chiefs (medical superintendent) to verify the findings. Results: All participants had experienced some types of abuse in their lifetime and majority of them had experienced verbal abuse in their workplace, where the perpetrators were team i.e. particularly by doctors. The nature of verbal abuse was insult, threatening and scolding in front of patients and visitors and majority of them reported the common place of violence was maternity ward particularly during night duty. The common cause behind the WPV was due to absence of policy to punish the perpetrators. Among the abused personnel, majority of them reported psychosomatic problems: anorexia, insomnia and depression. The studies revealed that majority of respondents were seeking immediate support from colleagues. In term of preventive measures, majority of respondents reported to give training on self-protection, staffs counseling for abused and developing violence prevention policy in the workplace.  Conclusion: Based on the identified qualitative information, the four themes were developed: low morale, low responsiveness, lack of unity and hazardous work environment which were responsible for increment of WPV. Therefore there identified themes need to be taken in consideration for the violence prevention policy should be developed in the concerned areas to control and prevent the WPV.

Background: Quality of life is an important aspect and high priority of the cancer patient care. The objective of the study was to find out the quality of life of cancer patients attending a Cancer hospital, Lumbini Province, Nepal. Methods: An analytical cross sectional study design based on quantitative approach was used in the study. The study was conducted in Sushil Koirala Prakhar Cancer Hospital, Khajura, Banke which was selected purposively considering only one cancer hospital in province five, Nepal. The entire cancer patients receiving at least one cycle of cancer treatment was included in the study using non probability purposive sampling technique. Semi structured interview based questionnaires was used and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire – C30 (EORTC QLQ- C30) was used for measuring quality of life. The data was collected by the enumerator by face to face interview. The collected data were   analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The patients with carcinoma (ca) lungs were in highest proportion (24.5%) followed by ca breast. The transform mean and SD score of Global Health/QoL was 35.84 (16.87), functional scale 36.35(15.54), symptoms scale 53.02 (14.61).Occupation was found to be associated with quality of life at statistically significant level in (p= .000) function score. Site of cancer was found to be associated with quality of life at statistically significant levels (p=.0.009) in symptom score. The patients with stage I and   II had high global health score and least in stage IV. There was positive correlation of .610** (p=.000) significant at 0.01 level with functional scales and high negative correlation of -.521(p=-.521**) with symptom scales at (p=.000) level of significance. The overall quality of life of cancer patients was poor. The pain management of cancer patients should be taken into consideration.