Alai Tan

Dr. Alai Tan


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

10Years (2017-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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20 September 2021 in Nursing Administration Quarterly
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
BMBernadette Mazurek PhD Melnyk
Bernadette Mazurek PhD Melnyk
AHAndreanna Pavan Hsieh
Andreanna Pavan Hsieh
ATAlai Tan
Alai Tan
ATAlice M. Dnp Teall
Alice M. Dnp Teall
DWDan PhD Weberg
Dan PhD Weberg
JHJacqueline Hoying
Jacqueline Hoying
Work cultures supportive of wellness and shorter shift length have been associated with better mental/physical health outcomes in nurses, but how the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted such outcomes is not known. This study's aims were to (1) describe the mental/physical health, well-being, and healthy lifestyle behaviors of nurses during the pandemic; (2) explore the pandemic's impact on their health and healthy lifestyle behaviors; and (3) determine the associations of perceived workplace wellness support and shift length with nurses' health, well-being, and healthy lifestyle behaviors. A cross-sectional descriptive design was used with 264 nurses associated with Trusted Health. Nurses completed a survey containing valid and reliable scales measuring depression, anxiety, burnout and quality of life, perceived wellness culture, and healthy lifestyle behaviors. Results indicated that more than 50% of nurses had worsening mental/physical health relating to the pandemic. Compared with nurses whose workplaces provided little/no wellness support, nurses with workplaces that supported their wellness were 3 to 9 times as likely to have better mental/physical health, no/little stress, no burnout, and high quality of life. Nurses who worked longer shifts had poorer health outcomes. These findings indicate that workplace wellness support and shorter shifts positively impacted nurse mental/physical health and professional quality of life amidst the pandemic.


21 May 2023 in Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
BMBernadette Mazurek PhD Melnyk
Bernadette Mazurek PhD Melnyk
AHAndreanna Pavan Hsieh
Andreanna Pavan Hsieh
ATAlai Tan
Alai Tan
JMJames W. PhD McAuley
James W. PhD McAuley
MMMaritza Mba Matheus
Maritza Mba Matheus
ADAnna Legreid PharmD Dopp
Anna Legreid PharmD Dopp
Objectives: The aims of the study were to describe the well-being and lifestyle behaviors of health-system pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine the relationships among well-being, perceptions of workplace wellness support, and self-reported concern of having made a medication error. Methods: Pharmacist (N = 10,445) were randomly sampled for a health and well-being survey. Multiple logistic regression assessed associations with wellness support and concerns of medication error. Results: The response rate was 6.4% (N = 665). Pharmacists whose workplaces very much supported wellness were 3× more likely to have no depression, anxiety, and stress; 10× more likely to have no burnout; and 15× more likely to have a higher professional quality of life. Those with burnout had double the concern of having made a medication error in the last 3 months. Conclusions: Healthcare leadership must fix system issues that cause burnout and actualize wellness cultures to improve pharmacist well-being.

1 April 2019 in BMC Obesity
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MCMei-Wei Chang
Mei-Wei Chang
ATAlai Tan
Alai Tan
JSJonathan Schaffir
Jonathan Schaffir
DWDuane T. Wegener
Duane T. Wegener
We conducted secondary data analyses to examine the associations between sleep duration, sleep quality, sleep disturbance and ≥ 5% of weight loss in low-income overweight or obese postpartum women enrolled in a community-based lifestyle behavior intervention study aimed at prevention of weight gain. Participants were recruited from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children in Michigan. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess sleep duration, sleep quality, and sleep disturbance. All participants were assessed and weighed at baseline (T1, 569 participants), 4-month (T2, 367 participants), and 7-month from T1 (T3, 332 participants). Descriptive statistics and mixed-effects regression analysis were performed. Participants reported longer sleep duration (p = 0.048), better sleep quality (p = 0.003) and less sleep disturbance (p < 0.001) over time. There were no significant mean body weight changes at T2 and T3. However, a significantly higher proportion of women lost ≥5% of body weight at T3 (23.1%) than T2 (12.5%, p = 0.001). Sleep duration, quality, and disturbance were not significantly associated with ≥5% of weight loss. Improvements in sleep duration, sleep quality and sleep disturbance over time were not associated with ≥5% of weight loss in low-income overweight or obese postpartum women. Clinical Trials NCT01839708 ; retrospectively registered February 28, 2013.


3 July 2023 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MCMei-Wei Chang
Mei-Wei Chang
ATAlai Tan
Alai Tan
DWDuane T. Wegener
Duane T. Wegener
RLRebecca Lee
Rebecca Lee
Background. Episodic future thinking (EFT) has shown efficacy in laboratory settings. We conducted a pilot goal-oriented EFT (GoEFT) intervention in a real-world setting to help low-income overweight or obese mothers lose weight. This paper presents intervention acceptability and efficacy. Methods. The study used a single-group, before–after design. During the 3-week intervention, participants (N = 15) completed weekly web-based lessons and online health coaching sessions to manage stress and emotion, eat healthier, and be more physically active. Participants completed online surveys at baseline and immediately after the intervention. They also completed an interview to evaluate intervention acceptability. We applied paired t-tests to evaluate efficacy and used content analysis to discover interview themes. Results. Participants consistently identified the intervention as acceptable, noting the usefulness of pre-written goals, GoEFT strategies, and goal progress evaluations. The intervention effectively promoted weight loss (d = −0.69), fruit and vegetable intake (d = 0.45–0.49), and emotion control (d = 0.71). It also reduced fat (d = −0.51) and added sugar intake (d = −0.48) and alleviated stress (d = −0.52). Moreover, the intervention increased autonomous motivation (d = 0.75–0.88) and self-efficacy (d = 0.46–0.61). Conclusion. The GoEFT intervention was acceptable to participants, showing strong preliminary efficacy.