Factors that affect the health status of health care providers-A cross-sectional design.

Abstract

To explore the factors that affect the health status of health care providers. There is a lack of studies that address the stress, resilience, social support and health status of health care providers. Using a cross-sectional study design, 500 participants were recruited from three hospitals which were operated by one entity in southern Taiwan. Data were collected with structured questionnaires. A logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the factors that might affect the health status of health care providers. Among the 500 health care providers, 345 were healthy and 155 were unhealthy. Health status was not significantly correlated with any demographic characteristics, but was significantly correlated with work stress, resilience and social support, with work stress being an important factor influencing the health status of health care providers. Health care providers with health issues had higher work stress, less resilience and less social support than did healthy medical personnel. Moreover, work stress was the main factor affecting the health of health care providers. Hospital administrators should conduct a series of health management programmes to identify high-risk employees who might need assistance. Such programmes promoting healthy workplaces are necessary, as well as studies that examine the effectiveness of such strategies.