The paper discusses how theories from the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and the information system development fields can be combined in order to achieve more actable, and thus more usable, information systems. More specifically, one aim of this research is to create a reconciliation of the HCI perspectives of usability with the language action perspective into what we call actuability. The paper discusses advantages and limitations found in both the language action perspective and in prevalent HCI theories.

Arbetsledningens karaktär har förändrats varaktigt under det senare decenniet som följd av nya produktionsfilosofier. Med införandet av team- och processorienterade arbetsorganisationsformer har speciellt karaktären av arbetsledande befattningar närmast produktionsprocessen påverkats. Avhandlingen tar sin utgångspunkt i frågan hur arbetsledarna respektive första linjens chefer upplever sitt arbete i en sådan förändrad, industriell verksamhet. Syftet var att åstadkomma en bättre förståelse för hur dessa chefer upplever, handskas med och gestaltar sin förändrade befattning. Resultaten bygger på datamaterial från halvstandardiserade intervjuer med första linjens chefer tillhörande produktionsdelen av ett svenskt verkstadsindustriföretag. Första linjens chefers redogörelse av sin upplevelse kring chefsarbete återges i sammanfattad form i första resultatdelen. En vidaregående analys med ett rollteoretiskt perspektiv beskriver ett antal förekommande chefsdilemman. Dilemman visar sig ha sin grund i huvudsakligen två konflikter: intra-sändarekonflikter och person-rollkonflikter. De förstnämnda domineras av dubbla budskap som företaget ger upphov till. De senare handlar om chefernas och medarbetarnas motstridiga förväntningar på hur chefsrollen ska utövas.

Aims: The objective of this pilot study was to explore whether organisational change and work-related stress, as measured by the Job Content Questionnaire, were associated with first-ever stroke among working people aged 30–65.

Methods: In a case-control study a total of 65 consecutive cases, aged 30–65 years of age, with first-ever stroke were recruited from four hospitals in Sweden during 2000–2002. During the same period, 103 random population controls in the same age interval were recruited. Data on job-related stress and traditional medical risk factors were collected by a questionnaire.

Results: In the multivariate analyses, organisational change (OR 3.38) increased the likelihood of stroke, while experiencing an active job (OR 0.37) decreased the likelihood of stroke. Regarding risk factors outside work, age (OR 1.11), low physical activity (OR 5.21), low education (OR 2.48) and family history of stroke (OR 2.59) were associated with increased likelihood of stroke.

Conclusion: This study suggests an association between organisational change, work-related stress and stroke. The likelihood of stroke was lower for people in active job situations.

In order to provide baseline data on pain and health-related quality of life, to explore factors predicting pain and reduced quality of life, and to find potentially undertreated cases in men with prostate cancer, we undertook a population-based questionnaire study. The questionnaire, which included the EuroQo1 instrument, the Brief Pain Inventory form and 8 specially designed questions, was sent to all men with prostate cancer in the county of ╓sterg÷tland, Sweden. Of the 1442 men included in the study, 1243 responded to the questionnaire. Altogether 42% had perceived pain during the previous week and 26% stated their quality of life to be 50% or lower on a visual analogue scale. A high rating of health care availability and short time since diagnosis were found to significantly predict lower ratings of pain (P < 0.05). Pain was found to be a significant predictive factor for decreased quality of life together with high age, low rating of health care availability and palliative treatment (P < 0.05). In conclusion, assessment and treatment of pain is essential for a good quality of life in men with prostate cancer. The monitoring of prostate cancer patients should be individualized to fit the demands of the groups with the greatest need for support.