Document gZG1vOx14RZ81g8Zj3NQpjrG

'Industrial Hygiene Digest February, 19S6 297 A "Hunts Relations" Approach to Sickness Absenteeism and Other Employee Problems. L. Wade. Arch. Xsd. Health 12. 592-608 (Dec. 1955). ! The author first makes the point that adoption o( a medical program often Increases the absentee rate rather than lowers is, because sickness absenteeism is more adequately re ported than before, and because a backlog of previously unrecognized medical problems is un covered. However, by recognition and treatment of such cases, long-term absences in later life are avoided mad the net result ta a reduction of absenteeism. Three varied casee are preseated which show that many cases are "abnormal" and should be considered Individually. Oats collected over a two-year period for a group of 28, COO employoeo are reviewed, analysed, and tabulated. One point demonstrated Is that fewer absences occur among older workers bat their duration is longer. Regarding the effect of weather, the only correlation ia between tempera, tore and absenteeism. The higher the average temperature, the lower Is the frequency. Fig ures from one refinery do not support the rvntentloa that shift work is the cause of increased absenteeism. The point made at the beginning regarding medical services and absenteeism Is. again discussed. The frequent statements that the available medical services reduces abssnteeism are not corroborated. On the other hand, the fewer vtaits to the medical dtptroeat the higher is (he cost of sickness absenteeism. Absenteeism rates frequently vary among de partments, and there Is evidence thas the personality of the supervisor is an important factor. Inirinjic and extrinsic factors influencing sickness absenteeism are classified. The factors of a constructive program are outlined. A company physician and an employer relations rep resentative should meat at regular Intervals with each department head or Us deputy to con sider the program and especially the problem employees. Factual Information should be available on: (l) attendance records; (2) objective evaluation of the employee's job performance at regular intervals; and (3) definition of the difficulties presented often not given in the medical records. A number of questions that fWM be answered by the physician (without violating the confidential nature of the doctorpatient relationship) and by the supervisor are auggestad. In this approach to the correction of abuses of the sickness absenteeism privilege lie the seeds of a "human relations" program which can also deal with muy other employee programs. Firm but frieodly sod Intelligent action can lead only to improved relations. 298 What Is Aging? A. X. Tab sing. Bull. N. Y. Acad. Med. 32, 5-13 (Jan. 1956). Satisfactory definitions for moat diseases can be given, but not for the aging process. Tha problems of ths aged are distinct from the problems of agtag, that Is, of Us nature, cause, "< the changes that occur. Tha problems of the aged are of great concern and have received much attention, but little work bus been done on the problems of aging. Among the causes far the paucity of baste scientists on research os aging are lack of`funds and lack of clues that might direct research Into specific avenues. Several theories have been advanced, but no reliable evidence has been produced to substantiate them. The author points to several bio logical researches that may sarve as starting points for tutora experimentation. He presents a dafinltioa of aging that summarizes ths present stste of knowledge: aging is a process of unfavorable progressive change, usually correlated with the pasaage of Urns, becoming appar ent after maturity, and tarmiaaclag invariably la ths death of the individual. Quotations from a monograph by Raymond Pearl, entitled "The Biology of Death" published In 1922, show that his concepts of aging are substantially the same as those held at present, end that the study of the mechanism of aging Is legging seriously. Yet, in the long run, much that can be done la at leaat the clinical cart of tha elderly wifi depend npoa developments st the biological level. The biological reaearch on aging of today la the geriatrics of tomorrow. 299 The Psychological Aspects of Aging. R. A. McFarland. Bull. X. Y. Acad. Med. i2, 14-32 (Jan. 1956). The process of aging follows no clearly defined coarse of events by which it Is possible to determine accurately the "age" of any individual. In appraising the capabilities of older people, the important variable fo consider Is not chronological, but rather functional age, or the ability to perform required duties efficiently and safely. Eventually a battery of teats may be developed in which visual accommodation, auditory acuity, light sensitivity, sod other measures will be used to estimate functional ago. The natural process of aging Is of more significance lot some occupational groups than others by virtue of the demands made upon individual abilities. Very few stadias have been made in which the psychology of aging has boon followed over a period of years. 11 206 1394 35.