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Symposiums
S8.1 Promoting Psychological Well-being — 14:30 Convention Hall B
Stress Management at Work
Prevention of Injury at Work: Promoting Staff Health and Psychological Well-being Tuesday, 19 May
Gerberich SG
Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, USA
Introduction
Healthcare is the fastest-growing sector of the U.S. economy, employing over 18 million workers, with women representing
nearly 80% of the workforce; globally, there are an estimated 59 million workers. Healthcare workers face a wide range of
hazards that can result in unintentional and violence-related injuries. Non-fatal unintentional injury in healthcare workers is
among the highest of any industry sector. Violence accounts for over two-thirds of nonfatal occupational violence-related
injuries occurring in all U.S. industries; yet, this burden is underestimated, because only assaults resulting in time away from
work, and not the psychological trauma or less severe physical injuries experienced from workplace violence, are reported.
Assault incidents are also greatly underreported due to fear of retaliation and persistence of the perception that violence is
part of the job. Unintentional as well as violence-related injuries have been associated with reduced productivity, increased
turnover, absenteeism, psychological effects, decreased staff morale, and reduced quality of life. Continuing healthcare
personnel deficits are projected.
Objectives
The purpose of this presentation is to identify the magnitude of work-related injury, both unintentional and intentional, and to
examine opportunities for enhancing staff physical and psychological health.
Methodology
Data from the U.S., including examples from specific studies, and available global data, will be presented to demonstrate the
magnitude of the problem. An approach to facilitate identification of factors associated with adverse injurious outcomes will,
in turn, enable identification of prevention strategies.
Results and Outcomes
The healthcare industry presents unique health and safety challenges for personnel, including exposure to psychological
and physical demands resulting in musculoskeletal injury occurrence of major proportions. More than one-third of U.S.
occupational healthcare-related injuries involve patient interaction, resulting in 9,000 disabling injuries, annually; among
these injuries, overexertion injuries are associated with 55% of those incurred by nursing assistants. For both unintentional
and violence-related injuries, history of prior injury is associated with increased future injury risk; residual and disabling
consequences are reported for at least five years following 23% of events. Increased risks are also identified for shiftwork.
Moreover, consequences of non-physical, compared to physical, violence reported in one study deserve particular attention,
as these appeared more severe than for physical violence. Furthermore, adverse work effects were greater for nonphysical
than physical violence, involving restricted or modified work, quitting, and transferring or obtaining a leave of absence.
Prevention strategies require administrative leadership that ensures respectful and safe work environments incorporating
essential engineering applications, proactive wellness programmes, and relevant comprehensive rehabilitation efforts.
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