Ab. No. 174 Physiotherapists-Led Workplace Health Promotion Program: A Cross-Sectional Need Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Workplace health promotion programs are an effective strategy for improving health status of large number of participants. They have several advantages and recently, INDIA-WORKS Trial demonstrated that standardized programs can be scaled to different worksites. Many chronic-health conditions benefit from physiotherapy interventions but physiotherapists roles in workplace health programs have not been established. Developing physiotherapists-led workplace programs have the potential to scale-up access to physiotherapy interventions. The aim is to determine the burden of chronic-health conditions and need for physiotherapy interventions among selected health professionals in a workplace setting. Methods: 39 nurses (Age: 48±4 years; 90% women) with leadership roles (Assistant Nursing Superintendents-3, Floor Supervisors–4, Patient Care Coordinators-5 & Ward In-charges–27) participated in the study. In the previous year, physiotherapy screening was included as part of annual health check-up of employees in tertiary-care teaching hospital wherein 1135 employees were screened using standardized proforma. This identified several opportunities for developing workplace health promotion programs. The current study represents phase 1 of program development, wherein nurses in leadership roles were shortlisted for determining the burden of chronic health conditions amenable to physiotherapy interventions and their willingness to participate in workplace health promotion program using a standardized questionnaire. Result: Among the participants, 18(46%) had diabetes or hypertension or both, 19(49%) were stratified as low-moderated risk using STarT Back Screening Tool (NPRS=5.2±1.4) and 14(36%) had mild disability due to back pain. Musculoskeletal pain at other sites were also common. All participants expressed willingness to participate in workplace health promotion program. Conclusion: There is significant burden of chronic health conditions in select group of healthcare professionals and all identified problems are amenable to workplace health promotion programs. Implications: There is significant potential for developing physiotherapists-led workplace health promotion program.