RESUMO
The activities of health care workers and early childhood educators have received increased attention both in lay public discourse and in scientific discourse. These professional groups play a significant role in shaping the health behaviours of those they interact with; thus, understanding the patterns they convey is of paramount importance. The aim of our study is a comparative analysis of health conditions and health behaviours of professionals working in Hungarian early childhood education and nurses working in the healthcare system (n = 1591). We carried out our quantitative, cross-sectional research using convenience sampling among healthcare professionals working in nursing job positions (n = 581) and as early childhood educators (n = 1010), in south-west Hungary. Diagnosed chronic illnesses affect early childhood educators at a significantly higher rate (p < 0.05): the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is particularly high among them, as a result of which they reported a significant degree of physical limitation in relation to work. In the context of mental health, comparing the professional groups, nurses' indicators were significantly (p < 0.001) more unfavourable in all examined dimensions. Moreover, the comparison in terms of educational attainment directed attention to the worse indicators of non-graduates. In this context, early childhood educators are less affected by all three dimensions of burnout (p < 0.001). As for health behaviour, the smoking habits of nurses are more unfavourable (p < 0.05). Regarding screening tests, participation in cytological testing was significantly higher among nurses, whereas early childhood educators showed increased participation in mammography (p < 0.001). Our findings draw attention to the fact that early childhood educators are primarily affected by chronic musculoskeletal disorders, while healthcare workers are more affected by problems related to mental health. Mental well-being can be further endangered by the fact that both professional groups perceive low social appreciation for the work they carry out.
RESUMO
Introduction: The living and working conditions of healthcare professionals are crucial to the quality and efficiency of patient care, therefore examining this issue is of highlighted importance. Objective: To explore the well-being of employees directly involved in the public health care system, through the characteristics of mental health and the workplace climate. Method: The cross-sectional, quantitative research was performed by using convenience sampling (n = 1048) between December 2019 and March 2020 in two hospitals in Zala county, Hungary. In addition to questions on sociodemographic and job characteristics, the measure tool included validated questionnaires developed to measure mental health as well as questions on workplace climate. Results: On the Diener Life Satisfaction Scale, a significant number of respondents (77.4%) indicated a scale value expressing satisfaction that was significantly higher among physicians (chi(2) = 28.36; df= 10; p = 0.01). Contrary to this, 61.5% of the sample show mild, 24.8% moderate, and 5.7% severe depressive symptoms according to the Beck Depression Scale. The appearance of depression mostly threatens professionals without a degree (chi(2) = 17.01; df= 6; p<0.01). Regarding burnout, the respondents were most affected by emotional exhaustion: 46.2% have moderate burnout and 16.4% have severe burnout, which is higher among male workers (t = 2.01, p = 0.04) and physicians (F = 4.14, p = 0.01). In terms of the institutional climate, respondents perceive partnerships in their work as unequal. In addition, health workers feel the social esteem of their work unfavorable, which fundamentally determines their professional identity and well-being. Conclusion: The results point out that promoting well-being at work is particularly important in jobs where burnout and depression are increased risks for workers exposed to mental strain.
Assuntos
Esgotamento Profissional , Médicos , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Pessoal de Saúde , Humanos , Hungria , Masculino , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
Introduction: Burnout can have a wide negative impact on the quality and the effectiveness of the health care system. The aim of our research was to assess the burnout level of the radiology department workers in Hungary. Method: Our quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive data collection lasted from June to September 2018 using an online questionnaire. Simple, non-random sampling was carried out among radiology department workers in Hungary. In addition to our self-made questionnaire which included socio-demographic and work-related questions, an internationally validated Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaire was sent out. Results: After data cleaning, a total number of 404 (n = 404) respondents were included in the statistical analysis. The majority of the respondents works in county hospital, the average year spent in the healthcare system was 18.3 (SD 13,7). The sample's values at the depersonalization and emotional exhaustion dimension were slightly elevated in contrast to the average values. Educational level, age and years spent in the healthcare system had a significant influence on all the three dimensions of burnout (p≤0.05). The group of workers being 31-35 years old and the group of those who spent 16-20 years in the healthcare system are considered to be the most compromised groups in all the three dimensions of burnout. Respondents with master degree had significantly lower emotional exhaustion values than their colleagues. Conclusion: The increased value of the depersonalization and the emotional exhaustion can be an indicator for employers. Our results are similar like described in the international literature. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(27): 1070-1077.
