Digital Meditation: An Additional Tool to Target Employees’ Stress

Occupational Stress: A Variable Perception

Work-related stress is a real and growing issue across the globe. Various psychological theories and authors have offered definitions of stress. It has been described as “the non-specific response of the body to any demand placed upon it” (Selye, 1987). More recently, it has also been described as strain, referring to its manifestation in the body (Le Fevre et al, 2003). Other definitions link stress to unpleasant emotions such as tension, frustration, anxiety, anger, and depression.

However, as noted in numerous research articles, stress is not always a negative force. It can sometimes serve as a morale booster. In a competitive work environment, a certain level of pressure or stress can motivate employees to perform better. Within organisational contexts, the concept of stress is often discussed in relation to performance, motivation, and employee wellbeing.

Key Concepts

Stress is commonly understood as the relationship between a given situation and an employees’ reaction to it. It is a typical response that can occur when workloads become excessive, when employees feel that the demands of a situation exceed their capabilities, or when pressures and expectations do not align with their knowledge or experience. Employees may interpret such situations as either a challenge or a threat, which can lead to stress.

One key feature of stress is its subjective nature – the same situation may affect individuals in very different ways. While some may be able to cope effectively, others may struggle or be unable to cope at all.

Long-Term Stressful Situations Have Consequences

Prolonged stress can lead to a range of mental, physical, and behavioural issues. For example, increased consumption of alcohol or tobacco may be linked to stress. Read more here.

Pharmalys Capacity Building Programme in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, September 2024 to February 2025

Since September 2024, Pharmalys have conducted a series of capacity-building training sessions across four clinical research sites in Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Led by Mr. Assane Ndiaye and Mrs. Aissatou Ndour, the programme focused on equipping site staff with essential knowledge in Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Good Documentation Practice (GDP), and Data Integrity. This initiative forms a critical component of the preparatory efforts for the upcoming Phase 2b clinical trials on Lassa fever, funded by CEPI with trial-specific oversight by IAVI.

The training took place at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Kenema Government Hospital, and Owo Federal Hospital. Each Session was conducted in a workshop format, blending in-person and online participation. On average, 70 participants attended each site, including principal investigators, sub-investigators, study coordinators, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory staff, data managers, institutional ethics committee members, and community engagement teams – all of whom play key roles in clinical research implementation.

Enhancing Research Competency Through Interactive Training

The programme was designed to strengthen the ability of site teams to conduct high-quality clinical trials while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and prioritising participant safety and data integrity. Read more here.

Empowering Clinical Research through Capacity Building and Strengthening