Nurcan Coşkun Us

Purpose: This study aims to examine the relationship between organizational trust and employee voice behavior among healthcare workers and to determine the mediating role of organizational identification in this relationship. Design/methodology/approach: Using a quantitative, cross-sectional design, the study was conducted with 291 healthcare employees working in a private hospital in Samsun, Türkiye. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire consisting of the Organizational Trust Scale, Employee Voice Behavior Scale and Organizational Identification Scale, along with a sociodemographic information form. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation analysis and mediation analysis were performed using IBM SPSS 26 and PROCESS Macro. Findings: The findings revealed that organizational trust was positively and significantly associated with employee voice behavior and organizational identification. Moreover, organizational identification was positively associated with employee voice behavior. Mediation analysis indicated that organizational identification partially mediated the relationship between organizational trust and employee voice behavior. These results suggest that higher levels of perceived organizational trust are associated with stronger organizational identification, which, in turn, is associated with a greater willingness to express constructive ideas, concerns and suggestions. Originality/value: This study contributes to the organizational behavior literature by examining organizational identification as a psychological mechanism linking organizational trust to employee voice behavior among healthcare workers. In addition, this study provides a healthcare-specific perspective on how trust and identification may foster employees’ willingness to express ideas, concerns and suggestions for organizational improvement.

Purpose of Review Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline associated with oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, tau neurofibrillary tangles, amyloid-beta plaque deposition, and metabolic dysfunction. Increasing evidence suggests that the gut microbiota plays an important role in AD pathogenesis through the microbiota–gut–brain axis. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of the gut microbiota in AD and healthy aging, with a particular focus on microbiota-targeted preventive and therapeutic strategies and their potential to influence disease progression. Recent Findings Recent studies have demonstrated that alterations in gut microbial composition are closely associated with AD. Patients with AD commonly exhibit a reduced abundance of short-chain fatty acid–producing bacteria and an increased prevalence of lipopolysaccharide-producing taxa, supporting a mechanistic link between microbial dysbiosis, systemic inflammation, and neurodegeneration. Emerging evidence indicates that dietary patterns, prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics, and microbiota-based therapies, including fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), may beneficially modulate gut microbial composition and influence AD-related pathophysiological processes. In addition, lifestyle factors such as sleep quality and physical activity have been increasingly recognized for their interactions with the gut–brain axis and their potential to affect cognitive health. Summary Current evidence highlights the gut microbiota as a promising therapeutic target in AD prevention and management. Microbiota-directed interventions, together with healthy dietary and lifestyle modifications, may help attenuate neuroinflammation, improve metabolic homeostasis, and delay cognitive decline. Furthermore, given the substantial global economic burden of AD, microbiota-focused preventive strategies may contribute not only to improving clinical outcomes but also to reducing long-term healthcare and societal costs. Future longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to establish causal relationships and determine the efficacy of microbiota-based therapies in AD.

Background: Healthcare organizations increasingly operate in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments, requiring leadership approaches that facilitate adaptation and resilience. Although digital leadership has gained growing attention, evidence regarding its association with VUCA-related psychological and cognitive dimensions, such as resistance to change, intolerance of uncertainty, cognitive flexibility, and ambiguity tolerance, remains limited among healthcare professionals. Aim: This study examined the association between digital leadership and perceived VUCA-related psychological and cognitive dimensions among healthcare professionals. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 495 healthcare professionals working in three hospitals in Muğla, Türkiye. Data were collected using validated instruments measuring digital leadership, resistance to change, intolerance of uncertainty, cognitive flexibility, and ambiguity tolerance. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and linear regression analyses were performed. Results: Digital leadership was negatively associated with resistance to change ( r = − 0.550, p < 0.001) and intolerance of uncertainty ( r = − 0.547, p < 0.001). Positive associations were observed between digital leadership and cognitive flexibility ( r = 0.466, p < 0.001) as well as ambiguity tolerance ( r = 0.500, p < 0.001). Regression analyses showed that digital leadership was significantly associated with all examined VUCA-related psychological and cognitive dimensions. Conclusion: Higher perceptions of digital leadership were associated with lower resistance to change and uncertainty intolerance, and with higher cognitive flexibility and ambiguity tolerance among healthcare professionals. These findings suggest that digital leadership may support adaptive responses in healthcare environments characterized by uncertainty and complexity.

Anemia remains a major global health concern with multifactorial causes and consequences across income levels. Evidence linking environmental factors, such as particulate matter (PM_2.5) air pollution, to anemia is limited. This study examined longitudinal associations between PM_2.5 air pollution and anemia prevalence across 185 countries from 1990 to 2021, focusing on sex and income-level differences. Secondary data on PM_2.5 exposure, anemia prevalence, socio-economic indices (SDI, HAQ, SDGs), and health-related factors (iron, vitamin A, calcium, zinc deficiencies, and kidney dysfunction) were analyzed using Joinpoint regression and generalized estimating equations (GEE). Globally, anemia prevalence rose by 8% in males and 9% in females over 32 years, with substantial variation by income group. Upper-middle-income countries achieved the greatest reductions in anemia disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), while low-income countries showed the largest PM_2.5 declines (5%). GEE analysis found significant associations between anemia prevalence and PM_2.5 pollution (β = 2.18, P = 0.002), income level (β = 1.25, P = 0.025), and female sex (β = 1.14, P = 0.033). PM_2.5 exposure rose most steeply in lower-middle-income countries (2008–2012) but declined in high-income countries (2015–2019). Despite declining PM_2.5 exposure, global anemia prevalence has increased. Addressing air pollution alongside other health-related factors is essential, particularly in low-income countries.

Uzun yıllar boyunca insan kaynakları yönetimi en iyi yeteneği bulmak örgüte kazandırmak üzerine inşa edilmişti. Ancak değişen iş gücü dinamikleri, işe alım şartları, çalışma ortam ve koşulları bu yaklaşımın yetersiz kaldığını göstermektedir. Günümüzün başarılı sayılabilecek organizasyonları işe alımdan çok işte tutmayı; görev tanımlarından çok çalışan memnuniyetini ve deneyimini; kontrol yerine çalışan gelişimini ve hayat kalitesini odak noktasına almaktadır. Bu bölümde, insan kaynakları yönetiminde yaşanan paradigma değişimi, çalışan memnuniyeti ve örgütsel bağlılığın artırılması, öğrenme kültürünün örgütsel gelişimdeki rolü ve çalışan yaşam kalitesinin önemi değerlendirilmiştir.

Bu çalışmada sağlık yönetimi öğrencilerinin duygusal zekâ ve politik yeti becerilerinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Tanımlayıcı tipte tasarlanan çalışmanın evrenini Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Sağlık Yönetimi Bölümünde öğrenim gören 383 öğrenci oluşturmaktadır. Çalışma kapsamında örneklem seçimine gidilmeyip evrenin tamamına ulaşılması amaçlanmıştır. Örneklem grubunu, çalışmaya katılmaya gönüllü 257 öğrenci oluşturmuştur. Veri toplama aracı olarak Duygusal Zekâ Ölçeği ile Politik Yeti Envanteri kullanılmıştır. Verilerin analizinde SPSS 23 programı kullanılmıştır. Çalışmanın sonucunda duygusal zekâ ile politik yeti becerileri arasındaki ilişki anlamlı bulunmuştur. Öğrencilerin duygusal zekâsı yükseldikçe politik yeti becerilerinin de artış gösterdiği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Çalışmadan elde edilen bulgular ışığında, öğrencilerde duygusal zekâ ve politik yeti becerilerini artırmaya yönelik eğitim programının uygulanması ve bu programların etkinliğinin değerlendirilmesi önerilmektedir. Bu çalışmanın Sağlık Yönetimi Bölümü öğrencilerinin, duygusal zekâ ve politik yeti becerilerinin geliştirilmesi için farkındalık yaratacağı düşünülmektedir.

Objective: Stigma is a mark that defines some people, devalues, and causes them to be distinguished from others in society. Obesity is among the diseases that might cause discrimination and stigmatization. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between weight stigma, self-esteem, and life satisfaction in people with a bariatric surgery history. Method: This cross-sectional study was evaluated in 250 individuals [147 female (58.8%) and 103 male (41.2%)] with a mean age of 34.35 ± 7.46 years. Descriptive characteristics, the factors leading to bariatric surgery, self-esteem, and life satisfaction scores were collected with a questionnaire. Linear regression models for the life satisfaction scale were analyzed. Statistically, P < 0.05 values were considered significant. Results: The postgraduates had lower life satisfaction than high school and undergraduate students (P=0.001); the non-smokers had higher life satisfaction than smokers or who quit smoking (P=0.036) and also non-alcoholics had higher life satisfaction than the other groups who consume alcohol or quit consuming (P=0.000). The self-esteem of the non-smokers was higher than smokers or who quit smoking (P=0.000). The postoperative body weight loss of the individuals was 93.8 ± 31.3 kg. Accordingly, most of the individuals (98.4%) applied for surgery because of a “fear of health problems”, 98.8% of the individuals were “experiencing exclusion or discrimination at school or work”, 99.2% of the individuals were “feeling insecure about the opinions of others” and “being blamed by people for weight problems”. The self-esteem score of the overweight group was higher than the group with normal BMI values (P=0.012). According to the regression model, weight loss and self-esteem were among the determinants of life satisfaction (P=0.000). Conclusion: The current data suggest that strategies to reduce stigma behavior should be developed in addition to lifestyle interventions, including dietary approaches, in the treatment of obesity. It is necessary to conduct follow-up studies on this subject, which span the time before and after bariatric surgery.

Küresel salgın metaforuyla yayılım ve riskin büyüklüğüne sıklıkla vurgu yapılan obezite, sağlık sektöründe çok çeşitli sebeplerle hizmet almak zorunda olan bir kitlenin hastalığı olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Bu müzmin kitlenin, sağlık hizmeti sunucuları açısından nasıl algılandığı, alacakları hizmetin kalitesi üzerinde önemli bir etkiye sahiptir. Bu çalışmada sağlık sektöründe aktif rol alması beklenen sağlık bilimleri fakültesi öğrencilerinin obez ve obeziteye yönelik bilişsel yapıları kelime ilişkilendirme testi aracılığı ile tespit edilmiştir. Obezitenin sebepleri olarak beslenme özellikleri, yaşam tarzı ve kontrol dışı faktörler şeklinde bir örüntüde tespit edilmiştir. Algıların önemli bir kısmının olumsuz şemalardan oluştuğu görülmüştür. Olumsuz şemalar ağırlıklı olarak kişilik ve fiziksel özelliklere yönelik damgalayıcı ifadelerden oluşmaktadır. Obez bireyler iradesiz ve hareketsiz olarak görülmekte, obez olmaktan kendileri mesul tutulmaktadır. Yanı sıra obez bireyin psiko-sosyal durumu da olumsuz olarak algılanmaktadır. Obez bireyler ağırlıklı olarak mutsuz, izole ve dışlanmış olarak kodlanmıştır. Obeziteden kurtulma stratejilerinde profesyonel destekle ilgili algılar daha baskın durumdadır.

Günümüz dünyasında ve ülkelerin artan rekabet koşullarında turizme yönelik olarak daha fazla pay almak istemeleri turizm ürününün çeşitlendirilmesine yönelik önemli bir strateji haline gelmiştir. Bireyler, zaman kısıtı, maddi gerekçeler, uzman sağlık hizmeti vb. arayışlarla da turizmin ayrı bir branşı olan sağlık turizmi hareketine yönelmektedirler. Bu hususta başta Hindistan, Tayland, Singapur vb. Orta Asya ülkeleri olmak üzere dünyanın birçok bölgesinde ülkeler bu yeni sektörden pay alabilmek amacıyla yarış halindedir. Ülkelerin konforlu, ekonomik ve uzman sağlık hizmeti sunumu sektörde sağlık turistlerince tercih edilebilir olmasını sağlayan önemli kriterlerdendir. Türkiye’de birçok diğer ülke gibi sektörde kendini göstermeye çalışan bir ülkedir. Kaliteli sağlık tesisi altyapısı, uzman sağlık personeli ve ekonomik sağlık hizmeti sunumu bu alanda ülkemizin önemli avantajları olarak görülse de sağlık turizmi yalnızca bu kıstaslardan ibaret değildir. Sağlık turistlerinin bir aracı kuruluş ile ülkeye giriş yaptığı ve hastane dışında da termal tesisler, konaklama tesisleri, rekreasyon alanları gibi birçok alanda hizmet aldığı düşünüldüğünde seyahatin başından sonuna kadar personelden memnun kalma hususu önem arz etmektedir. Sağlık turistinin her alanda profesyonel hizmet alabilmesi için sağlık turizmi bilgisine ve yetkinliğine sahip nitelikli personel yetiştirilmesi oldukça önemlidir. Bu çalışmanın amacı sağlık turizmi sektörüne yönelik insangücü yetiştiren ve ülkemizde 9 üniversitede aktif eğitim veren Sağlık Turizmi İşletmeciliği Ön Lisans Programlarının müfredatlarının incelenerek çağın gereksinimlerine uygun bir eğitim almalarını sağlayacak ortak bir müfredat önerisi vermek ve eğitimde bütünlük hedeflenmiştir. Çalışma verileri nitel araştırma yöntemi ve doküman analizi tekniğiyle analiz edilmiştir. Sağlık turizmi sektörünün hizmet sunumu ihtiyacına yönelik nitelikli insangücünün yetiştirilmesine katkı sağlanmasına yönelik öneriler sunulmuştur.

Aim: This research was carried out to describe the views of the students studying at the Faculty of Health Sciences at a university university located in the Central Black Sea Region of Turkey regarding the distance education process. Method: This descriptive study was conducted at the Faculty of Health Sciences of a university between January 15- February 15, 2021. The study sample consisted of 868 undergraduate students. The data were collected online using a questionnaire prepared by the researchers in line with the literature, which includes evaluating students' sociodemographic characteristics and distance education processes. The data obtained were evaluated by the SPSS 20 package program. Results: The average age of the students was 20.6 ±2.32, participation rate according to the departments: Midwifery 20.4%, Nutrition and Dietetics 18.9%, Nursing 17.2%, Health Management 14.2%, Social Work 12.7%, Speech and Language Therapy 9.0%, Orthotics and Prosthesis 5.0%, Audiology is 2.8%. It was concluded that 57.9% of the students were connected to distance education by mobile phone, 77.2% of them had problems with the distance education process, and 54.4% of them had no issues in the exams held in distance education. It has been observed that 49.9% of the students adapt to the distance education process quickly, and 72.8% of them regularly attend their classes. 67.7% of the students believe distance education is not so effective as effective as formal education, and 59.7% think it reduces teamwork by directing it to individual work. 53% of the students stated that distance education could be an alternative solution to formal education, 20.3% said that the inability to make laboratory and clinical applications in the distance education process negatively affects their skill development. They have professional anxiety in this regard. Students declared the problems experienced in of distance education 59% as technical infrastructure and 23% as inequality of opportunity. Conclusion and Suggestions: It is thought that distance education is not so adequate and effective learning model as formal education, but nowadays it has become indispensability of education and and can be an alternative solution to formal education.