Essential Workforce Research Articles

Occupational Burnout: Florida Public Health Workforce during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract Objective Florida’s public health workforce faced unprecedented challenges during the compounding COVID-19 pandemic and record-setting hurricane seasons. The objective of this study was to understand burnout within this essential workforce and identify strategies to better support them. Methods A cross-sectional survey addressing burnout, job satisfaction, turnover intention, job demands, job resources, and organizational support in 2021 was completed by 891 Florida Department of Health workers and analyzed by the research team. Results Approximately half of the respondents reported experiencing burnout, which is linked to job dissatisfaction and turnover intention. Strategies to effectively support and retain this essential workforce include improving staffing, salaries, flexibility, trainings, resources, and leadership. Conclusions As infectious disease outbreaks and extreme weather events continue to occur, effectively supporting the public health workforce is critical to protecting and promoting the health and well-being of all Floridians.

Platform Governance with Algorithm-Based Content Moderation: An Empirical Study on Reddit

Pratice- and Policy-oriented Abstract Volunteer (human) moderators have been the essential workforce for content moderation to combat growing inappropriate online content. Because volunteer-based content moderation faces challenges in achieving scalable, desirable, and sustainable moderation, many online platforms have started to adopt algorithm-based content moderation tools (bots). However, it is unclear how volunteer moderators react to the bot adoption in terms of their community-policing and -nurturing efforts. Our research collected public moderation records by bots and volunteer moderators from Reddit. Our analysis suggests that bots can augment volunteer moderators. Augmentation results in volunteers shifting their efforts from simple policing work to a broader set of moderations, including policing over subjective rule violations and satisfying the increased needs for community-nurturing activities following the policing actions. This paper has implications for online platform managers looking to scale online activities and explains how volunteers can achieve more effective and sustainable content moderation with the assistance of bots.

Impact of COVID-19 on home care provision: A qualitative study

Summary The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent public health restrictions caused an unprecedented impact on long-term care services in the United Kingdom (UK). A qualitative study was conducted in the East Midlands, UK, to explore how home care provision was perceived and experienced, by those organizing, commissioning, or providing care, and those receiving care, during the pandemic. Fifteen semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted between September to December 2020 with people who organize, commission, or provide home care ( n = 9), recipients of home care ( n = 3), and their informal carers ( n = 6). Findings Three broad themes were constructed through a thematic analysis: (1) positive about home care; (2) fear of infection; and (3) social isolation. In addition to these overarching themes, specific group themes were identified amongst group one: those organizing, commissioning, or providing care, and group two: those in receipt of the care and informal carers. Those in group one spoke about the pandemic creating stressful working conditions, regardless of whether organizing, commissioning, or providing care. Despite working throughout the pandemic, they felt a forgotten part of the essential workforce, when compared to those employed in the National Health Service and institutional care. Those in group two experienced a loss of control with visits cancelled or frequently occurring outside of scheduled times. Dissatisfaction with the visits was directed at the management level, rather than at the staff visiting the homes. Applications Awareness and understanding of the experiences of home care will provide useful knowledge when commissioning future services.

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare utilization among Home Care Aides in Washington, U.S.

ABSTRACT This study assesses the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare access for Washington State Home Care Aides (HCAs). Analyzing 62 months of medical claims data from over 35,000 HCAs, the research reveals significant healthcare disruptions during the early pandemic, especially in outpatient settings. However, healthcare utilization rebounded swiftly, surpassing pre-COVID levels as new variants emerged. Furthermore, the analysis indicated significant decreases in healthcare utilization for respiratory conditions in later stages of the pandemic, suggesting that the implementation of non-pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical interventions played a crucial role in preventing the transmission of respiratory diseases. Notably, behavioral health-related utilization among HCAs increased significantly throughout most pandemic phases, underscoring the importance of enhancing behavioral health support during public health crises. This research represents the first comprehensive study unveiling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on HCAs’ healthcare access and opening avenues for further research and policy development to support this essential workforce.

How are early-career dementia researchers considered and supported on a national level by dementia plans and organizations? An overview of global policy approaches.

Despite representing an essential workforce, it is unclear how global policy efforts target early-career dementia researchers (ECDRs). Thus, this study aimed to provide an overview of policies through which ECDRs are considered and supported by dementia plans and organizations. G20 member states were evaluated for their national dementia plan alongside policies of leading dementia organizations. Data targeting support for ECDRs were extracted and subject to content analysis using inductive coding. Findings were categorized and narratively synthesized. Only China, Denmark, England, Greece, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Spain, and the United States mentioned ECDRs in their national plan. Additionally, 17 countries formalized ECDR support via dementia organizations. Support efforts included research funding, dissemination and networking, career development, and research advice. Few nations formally recognized ECDRs in dementia plans or through dementia organizations. To facilitate equal prospects for ECDRs, top-down approaches are urged to enhance and align their efforts. Few G20 countries (8/46) had national dementia plans for early-career researchers. Targeted support comes from government and nongovernmental dementia organizations. Support includes funding, training, advice, research dissemination, and networking. Inconsistent definitions and eligibility criteria are barriers to accessing support. Global coordination and top-down policy will aid early-career dementia researchers.

158 Building a National Network for Collaborative Quantitative Staff

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Quantitative Staff are an essential workforce for biomedical research. While faculty can engage with peers locally and through national organizations, similar opportunities are limited for staff and often do not meet their unique needs and interests. Creating a professional community is valuable for supporting and developing this workforce. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We established the Quantitative Scientific Staff National Network (QS2N2) with the mission to provide professional development and networking opportunities, and to serve as an information resource and advocate through the fostering of community among staff quantitative analysts at any career stage. The initial membership outreach was to all Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) programs through members of ACTS BERD Special Interest Group (SIG). We created a Leadership Team and an Advisory Board consisting of staff and faculty biostatisticians with experience working as or managing staff to govern the network. A Core Planning Committee consisting of 15 members guides planning, implementation, and execution of network activities as operationalized through subcommittees. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The network currently has 131 members from over 30 health science institutions. Subcommittees focused on Education and Training, Membership, Communication and Web Development, and Mentoring were created and are developing events, programs and infrastructure to further the network’s mission. Network events such as webinars will be offered quarterly; with our first event planned for Nov 3rd. Expansion and maturation of QS2N2 will be done through regular remote meetings where members can connect with peers at other institutions, engage in career development activities, and attend technical seminars. Additional membership outreach will seek to connect with staff in government and private sectors. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Knowledgeable, highly skilled collaborative analysts (e.g., biostatisticians, data scientists) are an essential workforce in clinical and translational science and health research centers.The QS2N2 will support professional development, engagement and growth of this critical workforce which is necessary to advance quality research.

Changes in harm reduction service providers professional quality of life during dual public health emergencies in Canada

BackgroundHarm reduction (HR) is a critical response to the pronounced toxicity deaths being experienced in Canada. HR providers report many benefits of their jobs, but also encounter chronic stress from structural inequities and exposure to trauma and death. This research study sought to quantify the emotional toll the toxicity emergency placed on HR providers (Cycle One; 2019). Study objectives were later expanded to determine the impact of the ongoing toxicity as well as the pandemic’s impact on well-being (Cycle Two; 2021).MethodsStandardized measures of job satisfaction, burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and vulnerability to grief were used in an online national survey. Open-ended questions addressed resources and supports. HR partners across Canada validated the findings and contributed to alternative interpretations and implications.Results651 respondents in Cycle One and 1,360 in Cycle Two reported moderately high levels of job satisfaction; they reported finding great meaning in their work. Yet, mean levels of burnout and secondary traumatic stress were moderate, with the latter significantly increasing in Cycle Two. Reported vulnerability to grief was moderate but increased significantly during COVID. When available, supports lacked the quality necessary to respond to the complexities of HR workers’ experiences, or an insufficient number of sessions were covered through benefits. Respondents shared that their professional quality of life was affected more by policy failures and gaps in the healthcare system than it was by the demands of their jobs.ConclusionBoth the benefits and the strain of providing harm reduction services cannot be underestimated. For HR providers, these impacts are compounded by the drug toxicity emergency, making the service gaps experienced by them all the more critical to address. Implications highlight the need for integration of HR into the healthcare system, sustainable and reliable funding, sufficient counselling supports, and equitable staffing models. Support for this essential workforce is critical to ensuring the well-being of themselves, the individuals they serve, and the health of the broader healthcare system.

Factors Associated with Israeli Social Workers' Intention to Stay in the Profession.

The phenomenon of social workers leaving the profession occurs frequently, underscoring the importance of understanding factors contributing to the intention to stay (ITS) in the profession. Based on the job demands-resources theory (JD-R), this study examined selected social worker workplace "demands" (i.e., their organizational sector of employment and level of work-family conflict) and "resources" (i.e., levels of meaning, locus of control, and salary satisfaction at work). Online survey data were obtained from 407 Israeli social workers. The findings showed that higher levels of meaning and salary satisfaction at work, greater professional seniority, and lower levels of work-family conflict were associated with greater ITS in the profession. Data were gathered during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling examination of variables contributing to the ITS during times of crisis. These findings confirm that meaning at work is the main factor that motivates social worker ITS in the profession. Salary satisfaction was also found to be an essential factor, highlighting the recent escalation in social worker demands for fair compensation in Israel. Greater work-family balance also contributed to ITS. These findings should be considered by governmental decision makers and welfare service providers wishing to preserve this essential workforce, not just in Israel but also in other countries.

Exploring primary mental healthcare nurses’ perceptions of the post-treatment needs of women admitted for psychiatric treatment

Primary mental healthcare nurses are an essential workforce that provide necessary inpatient psychiatric treatment. Continuity of care has become a significant aspect of the provision of mental health services. However, caring for South African healthcare users comes with challenges, including difficulties accompanying the provision of care for acutely ill patients with complex mental health problems. Therefore, this study explored the perceptions and experiences of primary mental healthcare nurses concerning the continuity of care required in post-inpatient psychiatric treatment for mental health users from low-income communities in the Western Cape. Through undertaking a study using a qualitative exploratory design and purposive sampling technique, and in which nine primary mental healthcare nurses from two psychiatric hospitals in the Western Cape were interviewed, the researchers were able to obtain a deeper understanding of the participants’ experiences. Four themes were identified during the reflexive thematic analysis namely: the roles and responsibilities of primary mental healthcare nurses, the lack of support within the current continuity-of-care system, barriers to continuity of care for women patients, and suggested improvements for quality of mental healthcare. It was evident that both women patients and primary mental healthcare nurses experienced various forms of marginalisation, discrimination, and gendered oppression. This intersectionality accentuates systemic issues within the current public healthcare system and highlights the stigmatisation of mental illness, especially among women. Overall, primary mental healthcare nurses have a plethora of roles and responsibilities within the primary healthcare sector, which hinder their ability to provide mental health services to women patients. Their reports highlight the needs of a specific patient population that first need to translate into changes that will assist in improving their roles as primary mental healthcare nurses. Their shared experiences of a lack of support from South Africa’s healthcare system were the focal points of this study.

ETS Skills Taxonomy

In an era driven by rapid technological advancements human skills are becoming ever more important. As millions of workers reskill and upskill to meet the challenges of the modern workforce, it’s critical they understand what skills are being emphasized by employers and pathways leading to skills acquisition. This paper reviews influential frameworks for essential workforce skills and proposes the ETS Skills Taxonomy 2025. The Taxonomy brings a broad set of cognitive, interpersonal, intrapersonal, digital, and lifelong learning skills with definition and assessment considerations. In particular, it highlights new skills such as sciential skills, remote work, and coachability as a new workforce is being jointly shaped by shifting skills requirements and societal needs that call for inclusion and agility.

Safety and Injury of US-Certified Organic Crop Producers in the Southwest Region

ABSTRACT Objectives Literature on occupational risks among organic farmers is scarce. This study explored safety practices and non-fatal injuries among organic producers, and the role of sociodemographic, work, and farm characteristics on safety and injury. Methods Cross sectional survey of certified organic crop producers in the Southwest (SW) region of the United States (US). The Organic Integrity Database was used for recruitment. Data were collected through an electronic and paper survey. Results Analyses were conducted on 115 cases; response rate was estimated at 25%. A high majority of respondents owned their operation and were younger than 65 years, male, educated beyond high-school, and non-Hispanic whites. Less than half had more than 10 years of experience in organic farming; one-third worked off the farm year-round. Safety practices were very basic despite the widespread use of equipment and machinery, and limited to wearing normal clothing and apparel such hats and glasses. About half of respondents (52.6%) reported non-fatal injuries in the past year; and one-third (32.7%) time lost due to injuries. The overall cumulative incidence rate was estimated at 5.3 injuries per 10 workers within the last year. The injury rate decreased with hours worked. Significant differences were found on gender and education level and safety practices, with female respondents and the more educated being more proactive in practicing safety. Those working less than 40 h/week, in farms smaller than 50 acres, using light machinery or compact utility tractors, and tractors without roll-over protection reported significantly higher injury frequency compared to their counterparts. Conclusion This study contributes unique data on an essential workforce not captured by current occupational injury and illness surveillance systems. It identifies important personal and contextual factors that may contribute to safety and injury in this population. The findings indicate the need to promote safety and prevent injuries that result in work time lost. This study may also inform future occupational safety and health research and practice, including surveillance, injury prevention programs that target certain workers and production practices, and policies that support and protect the organic farmer.

Content analysis of qualitative interviews for user-centered design of a prototype mobile health app for direct support professionals' resilience

BackgroundDirect support professionals support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with essential health and community living needs. Despite an unrelenting workforce shortage crisis, limited evidence-based resources exist for their support. Resilience, or the ability to thrive in the face of challenges, is a target for health care professional wellbeing initiatives. As an “invisible” workforce interspersed throughout various community-based settings, direct support professionals may benefit from resources provided via mobile health apps. ObjectivesTo assess direct support professionals' acceptability of and preferences for the design of a mobile health app prototype to support their resilience, DSP Thrive. MethodThis concept generation and prototype design study employed a two-phase qualitative-descriptive design. Phase 1 assessed direct support professionals' acceptability of and preferences for a mobile health app for direct support professional resilience. Phase 2 elicited feedback on mock-up images of an initial prototype. Data were collected via qualitative interviews (n = 13), and transcripts were analyzed using content analysis. ResultsPhase 1: Direct support professionals identified three primary opportunities for an app to support their resilience: learning via educational resources, practicing resilience strategies, and cultivating a peer support network. Based on these findings, the DSP Thrive app prototype was designed with Learn, Practice, and Connect functions. Phase 2: User feedback on walk-throughs of mock-up images indicated initial acceptability of the prototype design with considerations for further development identified. ConclusionsEngaging direct support professionals in user-centered design of mobile health apps may help to bridge the gap to resilience resources for this essential workforce population.

Health and safety of labor migrants in food industries during Covid-19: Germany, Netherlands and USA

Abstract During the Covid-19 pandemic, migrant workers in the food supply chain (FSC) were deemed an essential workforce. At the same time, they were particularly exposed to risks as shown by Covid-19 outbreaks, for example in meat-processing plants. The pandemic has thus highlighted preexisting inequities related to precarious migrant labor in the FSC. We use the Covid-19 pandemic as a showcase to comparatively examine occupational safety and health (OSH) protection gaps for migrant workers in agriculture and meat-processing in Illinois/USA, the Netherlands, and North-Rhine Westphalia/Germany. We conducted harmonized policy analyses of OSH policies for migrant workers generally, and of pandemic measures specifically. The policy analysis was complemented by expert consultations. The Covid-19 syndemic has prompted OSH measures in horticulture and meat-processing. However, our analysis demonstrates the reliance of FSC industries on various precariously employed worker groups. Intersecting health-, work- and migration-related factors led to poor adaptation of policies for some of these groups, including instances where protective measures excluded them or exacerbated their marginalization. Our analysis shows how influence peddling prevents better protection of workers in some contexts. But it also identifies positive policy changes; for instance the prohibition of subcontracting in meat-processing in Germany. Across different contexts, agriculture remains problematic, with major evidence gaps on migrant workers’ conditions. Comprehensive improvements in the social and health protection of migrant workers in FSC industries will require tackling the structural causes of migrant workers’ exploitability, including low visibility, racial capitalism and cronyism; intersectoral action on OSH; stronger enforcement; and firewalling data exchange between OSH and immigration agencies.

The Mediating Role of Fear of COVID-19 in the Association between COVID-19-Related Work Stressors and Subjective Well-being: Path Analysis by Cross-sectional Evidence in the Child Care Sector across Three Samples.

COVID-19 has changed work conditions and instilled fear. However, research overlooked the contributing factors to fear of COVID-19 and its impact on well-being. We addressed this research gap and focused on the essential workforce of child care. Three samples of early childhood professionals (ECPs) ( NT1 = 423, NT2 = 142, NT3 = 584) were gathered in Germany between June 2020 and May 2021. We tested via path analysis whether (1) fear of COVID-19 relates to well-being, (2) COVID-19-related work stressors relate to fear of COVID-19, and (3) fear of COVID-19 mediates the relationship of work stressors and well-being. Findings of N T1 and N T3 lent support, while results of N T2 differed. This study underlines the importance of adapting the work conditions during pandemics to reduce the fear of infection and thus preserve ECPs' well-being.

“I didn’t know it was going to be like this.”: unprepared for end-of-Life care, the experiences of care aides care in long-term care

BackgroundCare aides provide up to 70–90% of the direct care for residents in long-term care (LTC) and thus hold great potential in improving residents’ quality of life and end-of-life (EoL) care experiences. Although the scope and necessity of the care aide role is predicted to increase in the future, there is a lack of understanding around their perceptions and experiences of delivering EoL care in LTC settings. The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the perspectives, experiences, and working conditions of care aides delivering end-of-life care in LTC in a rural setting, within a high-income country.MethodsData were collected over ten months of fieldwork at one long-term care home in western Canada; semi-structured interviews (70 h) with 31 care aides; and observation (170 h). Data were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis.ResultsTwo themes were identified: (i) the emotional toll that delivering this care takes on the care aids and; (ii) the need for healing and support among this workforce. Findings show that the vast majority of care aides reported feeling unprepared for the delivery of the complex care work required for good EoL care. Findings indicate that there are no adequate resources available for care aides’ to support the mental and emotional aspects of their role in the delivery of EoL care in LTC. Participants shared unique stories of their own self-care traditions to support their grief, processing and emotional healing.ConclusionsTo facilitate the health and well-being of this essential workforce internationally, care aides need to have appropriate training and preparation for the complex care work required for good EoL care. It is essential that mechanisms in LTC become mandatory to support care aides’ mental health and emotional well-being in this role. Implications for practice highlight the need for greater care and attention played on the part of the educational settings during their selection and acceptance process to train care aides to ensure they have previous experience and societal awareness of what care in LTC settings entails, especially regarding EoL experiences.

‘They made bets that I’d die’: Impacts of COVID-19 on Polish essential workers in the UK

ABSTRACT The Covid-19 pandemic exposed the UK’s socio-economic dependence on a chronically insecure migrant essential workforce. While risking their lives to offset the devastating effects of the pandemic, many migrant workers found themselves in precarious professional and personal circumstances (e.g. temporary zero-hours contracts, work exploitation, limited access to health and social services). This article explores the health, social, economic, and cultural impacts of the pandemic on migrant essential workers in the UK. It focuses on one of the largest non-British nationalities, the Polish community, who – while employed across a range of roles and sectors – are overrepresented in lower-paid essential jobs. The article discusses variegated and interconnected impacts of the pandemic on these workers. It illustrates how Covid-19 affects them in very uneven and sometimes contrasting ways depending on their individual positionalities. Methodologically, the article draws upon 1105 responses to an online survey, 40 interviews with Polish essential workers in the UK and 10 expert interviews with key stakeholders providing support to migrant workers in the country. It is based on the first major research project investigating lived experiences of migrant essential workers in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council.

“I Only Tell Them the Good Parts:” How Relational Others Influence Paid Careworkers’ Descriptions of Their Work as Meaningful

The occupational images associated with paid care work for older adults range from a job carried out by earthly angels to a form of stigmatized dirty work: This ambiguity makes maintaining a committed long-term care workforce challenging. Encouraging careworkers to view their work as meaningful has been touted as a potential solution. Moving beyond a purely subjective approach to meaningfulness, we explore how careworkers construe their work as meaningful and how relational others influence careworkers’ ability to speak about meaningfulness. Others’ messages matter, although their importance depends on relational others’ knowledge of care tasks and involvement in the care relationship. By documenting how others’ accounts both enhance and compromise careworkers’ ability to speak about meaningfulness and moments of meaninglessness, our study identifies sources of meaningfulness for careworkers, a socially essential workforce under-examined by meaningful work research, and extends meaningful work research in contexts where relationships are central to occupational identity.

Lived experiences and resilience of hospital pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

BackgroundGlobally, the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the overall healthcare system. Healthcare workers are an essential workforce during a pandemic as they have been involved in treating patients with COVID-19. They have been exposed to detrimental effects such as high infection and death rates, chronic stress, and fear of uncertainty. Their adaptability in providing care and maintaining psychological equilibrium under unprecedented crises like COVID-19 is poorly understood. ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the lived experiences and resilience of hospital pharmacists in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsA qualitative study was conducted among hospital pharmacists in Metro Manila, Philippines. In-depth interviews were conducted virtually using a semi-structured topic guide. Interview transcripts were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. ResultsThe two themes that emerged from the data were challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and the resilience of hospital pharmacists. Under challenges, it was subdivided into workplace and personal challenges. As for resilience, it was composed of positive coping mechanisms and positive outlooks of hospital pharmacists. ConclusionsHospital pharmacists faced many challenges and learned to adapt to the continued impact of the pandemic. Hospitals are encouraged to implement measures to prepare for future public health crises and provide resources for both physical and mental health meant for hospital pharmacists.

Home health nurses for children with invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV): Perspectives on gaps and opportunities for recruitment

BackgroundChildren with medical complexity (CMC) dependent on invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) often require private duty home nursing; however, there are ubiquitous shortages. Home health is an especially vulnerable nursing sector because of less competitive wages and less prominence during nursing education. We sought to understand nurses' perspectives on gaps and opportunities for recruiting home care nurses for children with IMV. MethodsHome health nurses experienced with children with IMV were recruited for semi-structured interviews. The interview guide served as the initial codebook which was iteratively modified as themes emerged. This study presents an analysis of quotes related to field entry and home health experiences. FindingsTwenty interviews were completed with primarily female (95%) participants. The majority worked full-time (60%) and had an average of 11 years of experience. During nursing education, participants described a lack of exposure to private duty home health nursing. Many entered the field serendipitously, because of a passion for care of CMC or to continue care for a hospitalized patient. Challenges to employment included lack of competitive wages and benefits. Nurses remained in the field because of the rewarding work with patients and families, schedule flexibility, slower pace, and one-on-one care. DiscussionHome health nurses for IMV describe lack of employment benefits. However, the opportunity to work longitudinally and individually with patients was rewarding. Application to practiceCreative solutions must be explored to recruit and sustain this essential workforce, including exposure during nursing education, improved training and benefits, and targeted recruiting.

Supporting the helpers: what do peer deliverers of HIV interventions need to sustain their implementation efforts?

Peer-led HIV interventions are an increasingly common and low-cost strategy to address shortages of professionally trained health workers for implementing evidence-based HIV prevention and treatment interventions to populations who experience health disparities. There is a need to understand the experiences and unmet needs of this essential workforce responsible for implementing and delivering HIV interventions to ensure their implementation efforts are sustainable. This commentary provides a brief overview of barriers to peer deliverers' sustained engagement in the HIV workforce and potential implementation strategies to promote the sustainment of peer deliverers' implementation efforts.