Well-being Of Health Professionals Research Articles

Natural Language Processing for Work-Related Stress Detection Among Health Professionals: Protocol for a Scoping Review.

There is an urgent need worldwide for qualified health professionals. High attrition rates among health professionals, combined with a predicted rise in life expectancy, further emphasize the need for additional health professionals. Work-related stress is a major concern among health professionals, affecting both the well-being of health professionals and the quality of patient care. This scoping review aims to identify processes and methods for the automatic detection of work-related stress among health professionals using natural language processing (NLP) and text mining techniques. This review follows Joanna Briggs Institute Methodology and PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. The inclusion criteria for this scoping review encompass studies involving health professionals using NLP for work-related stress detection while excluding studies involving other professions or children. The review focuses on various aspects, including NLP applications for stress detection, criteria for stress identification, technical aspects of NLP, and implications of stress detection through NLP. Studies within health care settings using diverse NLP techniques are considered, including experimental and observational designs, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of NLP's role in detecting stress among health professionals. Studies published in English, German, or French from 2013 to present will be considered. The databases to be searched include MEDLINE (via PubMed), CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane, ACM Digital Library, and IEEE Xplore. Sources of unpublished studies and gray literature to be searched will include ProQuest Dissertations & Theses and OpenGrey. Two reviewers will independently retrieve full-text studies and extract data. The collected data will be organized in tables, graphs, and a qualitative narrative summary. This review will use tables and graphs to present data on studies' distribution by year, country, activity field, and research methods. Results synthesis involves identifying, grouping, and categorizing. The final scoping review will include a narrative written report detailing the search and study selection process, a visual representation using a PRISMA-ScR flow diagram, and a discussion of implications for practice and research. We anticipate the outcomes will be presented in a systematic scoping review by June 2024. This review fills a literature gap by identifying automated work-related stress detection among health professionals using NLP and text mining, providing insights on an innovative approach, and identifying research needs for further systematic reviews. Despite promising outcomes, acknowledging limitations in the reviewed studies, including methodological constraints, sample biases, and potential oversight, is crucial to refining methodologies and advancing automatic stress detection among health professionals. PRR1-10.2196/56267.

'Physical well-being is our top priority': Healthcare professionals'challenges in supporting psychosocial well-being in stroke services.

Following stroke, a sense of well-being is critical for quality of life. However, people living with stroke, and health professionals, suggest that well-being is not sufficiently addressed within stroke services, contributing to persistent unmet needs. Knowing that systems and structures shape clinical practice, this study sought to understand how health professionals address well-being, and to examine how the practice context influences care practice. Underpinned by Interpretive Description methodology, we interviewed 28 health professionals across multiple disciplines working in stroke services (acute and rehabilitation) throughout New Zealand. Data were analysed using applied tensionanalysis. Health professionals are managing multiple lines of work in stroke care: biomedical work of investigation, intervention and prevention; clinical work of assessment, monitoring and treatment; and moving people through service. While participants reported working to support well-being, this could be deprioritised amidst the time-oriented pressures of the other lines of work that were privileged within services, rendering it unsupported and invisible. Stroke care is shaped by biomedical and organisational imperatives that privilege physical recovery and patient throughput. Health professionals are not provided with the knowledge, skills, time or culture of care that enable them to privilege well-being within their work. This has implications for the well-being of people with stroke, and the well-being of health professionals. In making these discourses and culture visible, and tracing how these impact on clinical practice, we hope to provide insight into why well-being work remains other to the 'core' work of stroke, and what needs to be considered if stroke services are to better support people's well-being. People with stroke, family members and people who provide support to people with stroke, and health professionals set priorities for this research. They advised on study conduct and have provided feedback on wider findings from the research.

Health professionals’ quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic in the community: Impact on physical, mental, and social well-being

Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV 2) that caused the pandemic since March 2020, has affected among others, health professionals who work in coronavirus (COVID-19) units by facing social discrimination. The aim of this study was to record the experiences of health professionals working in the first line of treatment of the pandemic, to analyse the effects of the pandemic on the interpersonal relationships of health professionals, and to ask about the stigma they faced during their work with people with COVID-19. Methods This is a qualitative study with an ethnographic approach based on 160 semi- structured interviews with health professionals living and working in the Epirus Region, Greece. For data collection we used semi-structured interviews, discussions and participatory observation. Specifically, the interviews were conducted on health professionals and more specifically doctors, nurses, rescuers, physiotherapists and administrative staff, working in COVID-19 units at the University General Hospital of Ioannina (Reference hospital for Ioannina, in Epirus), which assists in the treatment of patients with COVID-19, and in the branch of the rescue department of Ioannina. Results The data were analysed in four thematic units based on their common characteristics: a) emotions and experiences of health professionals, b) interpersonal relations of health professionals, c) social exclusion and discrimination, and d) health professionals as patients. The results showed that the main emotions that health professionals experienced when they were moved to COVID-19 clinics were fear, anxiety, distress, anger and insecurity. Conclusions To conclude, health professionals faced discriminating behaviours and stigma both from their families and social environment, and from other health professionals. The government struggled to handle the situation in keeping a balance between both the security and well-being of health professionals as it was not prepared for a pandemic like this.

The relationship between personality traits and burnout in medical staff in public vs private institutions

This research explores the relationship between personality traits and burnout among medical staff in public and private institutions. The study uses a complex methodology, including hypothesis testing, participant selection, and various research instruments, to examine correlations between specific personality traits and levels of burnout. Data analysis reveals significant links, highlighting the influence of the work environment on burnout. The results provide essential insightsinto the complexity of burnout, its impact on the effectiveness and well-being of health professionals.

Being a 'good' doctor: Understanding and managing professional boundaries is challenging and can lead to stress and burnout.

The aim is to increase the understanding of non-sexual boundary challenges and potential personal and professional impacts on doctors and medical students. We examined peer-reviewed and grey literature and published commentary and cases from Australian health practitioner boards and medico-legal insurance companies. Key ideas relating to the objective of our study were subsequently framed into a narrative. Compared to 'sexual' boundary crossings, the literature examining 'non-sexual' boundaries is scanty, fragmented, and difficult to find. There are gaps in knowledge around the prevalence and consequences of non-sexual boundary challenges and crossings, although the safety and wellbeing of health professionals and patients are of concern. Non-sexual boundary crossings may represent a 'slippery slope' to boundary violations. Opportunities for doctors and medical students to access relevant training appear limited. We identified several categories of boundary challenges based on context, the nature of the existing relationship, and the type of behaviour. Non-sexual boundary challenges may be related to stress, burnout, and risk for future boundary violations. Future research to investigate the impacts on doctors and medical students in maintaining professional boundaries in their relationships with patients and colleagues, their specific training needs, and the effectiveness of training in reducing work-related stress and burnout is needed.

Sabbaticals in US Medical Schools

BackgroundSabbaticals are an important feature of academia for faculty and their institutions. Whereas sabbaticals are common in institutions of higher learning, little is known about their role and utilization in US medical schools. This perspective piece examining sabbaticals in medical school faculty was undertaken at a time that well-being of health professionals was increasingly being recognized as a workforce health priority. MethodsWe surveyed associate deans at US medical schools in 2021 about faculty who had taken sabbaticals within the past 3 years, the parameters of the sabbaticals, and institutional policies and respondents' predictions of future sabbatical use. ResultsA total of 53% of respondents reported any faculty had taken sabbaticals in the past 3 years (M = 6.27; Median = 3; range = 1-60). Institutions rated enhancing research as the most important objective, while recognizing other benefits. Sabbaticals were more commonly taken by male, white, senior faculty PhDs. Details about sabbaticals, including eligibility, expectations, length, financial support, and benefits were reviewed. Most (54.8%) respondents expected no change in the number of faculty seeking sabbaticals. Nearly all anticipated the COVID-19 pandemic would not affect sabbatical policies. ConclusionIn contrast to other institutions of higher learning, sabbatical-taking by medical school faculty is rare. We explore factors that may contribute to this phenomenon (eg, the tripartite mission, faculty clinical responsibilities, culture of medicine, and student debt). Despite financial and other barriers, a closer look at the benefits of sabbaticals is warranted as a mechanism that may support faculty well-being, retention, and mental health.

Oral Health Knowledge, Attitude, Behavior, and Self-efficacy Among Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Poor oral health is recognized as a silent epidemic. Numerous individual and structural barriers are related to oral health status. Oral health promotion is essential for the general health and well-being of health professionals. Objectives: This study aimed to assess oral health-related knowledge, attitude, behavior, and self-efficacy among healthcare professionals. Methods: The present descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 404 participants from all health personnel (female = 234, male = 170) in Khuzestan, Iran, in 2021. The sample was obtained using the simple random sampling method. Data collection tools included a valid and reliable questionnaire, including items on demographics, knowledge, self-efficacy, attitude, and behavior regarding oral health. The questionnaire link was sent to employees via WhatsApp messenger. Data were analyzed using the t-test, ANOVA, and SPSS version 24. Results: The mean age of the participants was 37.38 ± 6.75. About 91% of the respondents had bachelor’s degree, and 91% were office employees. The mean score of knowledge (P < 0.001), attitude (P = 0.004), behavior (P = 0.023), and self-efficacy (P < 0.001) of women was more than men. Regular dental visits were more observed in single employees compared to married (2.38 times) and employees with diploma qualifications compared to bachelor (10 times) and PhD degrees (10 times). Conclusions: Demographic characteristics, oral health knowledge, attitude, and behavior of employees are intercorrelated with the frequency of dental clinic visits. Oral health promotion programs should be more focused on the improvement of oral health behaviors and practices, especially among males. Moreover, oral health programs should shift from focus on employees’ education to oral health practices and actions.

Stress in Nurses During the COVID 19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is the largest global health crisis in over a century. Research provides evidence that corona virus has a significant impact on the well-being of health professionals. Nurses face additional sources of increased stress when dealing with the new coronavirus. The psychological health of nurses during a COVID-19 pandemic is of great importance as it may affect their performance and reduce the quality of care provided. The overall prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance among nurses during the pandemic outbreak indicates that at least one third of nurses experienced stress, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance. In carrying out their duties to stop the spread of virus, healthcare workers put their lives at risk due to the increased risk of exposure to the virus, the demanding nature of their workload, and irregular or long working hours.
 The aim of the study was to analyse the scientific literature on stress experienced by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 Methods – the systematic literature review of Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar databases for articles on nurses' stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed that nurses experience higher levels of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to normal working conditions and that stress has a negative impact on nurses' professional and personal performance.

Self-compassion Education for Health Professionals (Nurses and Midwives): Protocol for a Sequential Explanatory Mixed Methods Study.

BackgroundA few recent studies have reported that having the ability to provide self-compassion can reduce health professionals’ levels of anxiety and stress, the risk of compassion fatigue, and burnout, and it can generally improve their well-being. Therefore, there is evidence to support further research into the investigation and exploration of self-compassion education and training for health professionals.ObjectiveThis study aims to increase the knowledge and understanding of self-compassion and how this may enhance the health and well-being of health professionals.MethodsThe proposed research study will adopt a sequential explanatory mixed methods design. This study will be conducted in 3 phases. Phase 1 will use a pre-educational self-compassion questionnaire (web-based survey) to collect data from participants at 3 time points (before, immediately after, and after follow-up at 6-8 weeks) after they have attended a self-compassion education and training program. Phase 2 will use an interview schedule to explore the participants’ views and experiences through a follow-up focus group or individual interview. Finally, phase 3 will include data integration and dissemination of key findings and recommendations.ResultsThis study was approved by the Women’s and Children’s Health Network Human Research Ethics Committee and the Human Research Ethics Committee at the University of South Australia on June 26, 2021 (ID: 204,074). A scoping review was conducted to inform this research study (focusing on nurses and midwives). The preparatory phase was completed in April 2021. Phase 1 is expected to be completed by June 2022 and phase 2 will commence in July 2022.ConclusionsThe key findings from the data integration for this research project will provide in-depth details and insights to broaden the discussion about self-compassion and its influence on health professionals’ health and well-being. Health professionals (nurses and midwives) may benefit from self-compassion education and training programs to improve their health and well-being.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/34372

Distinct correlates of empathy and compassion with burnout and affective symptoms in health professionals and students.

Objective:The causes of high rates of psychological distress among health professionals and students are largely unknown. Health professionals respond to those who are in distress with empathy (feeling what others feel) or compassion (caring about what others feel). This study aims to investigate whether empathy and compassion are distinct traits and how both traits are associated with negative affect (burnout, depression, anxiety and anger symptoms) in undergraduate students and professionals in medicine, psychology and nursing.Methods:A sample of 464 students and professionals filled out an online protocol with a sociodemographic data questionnaire and self-report questionnaires covering the variables of interest.Results:The findings indicate that empathy is associated with higher negative affect, while compassion is associate with lower negative affect, which suggests that they are different traits.Conclusion:Our findings provide new evidence that the well-being of health professionals might be affected differently depending on socioemotional traits relevant to emotional connection.

Envisaging the rights and responsibilities of healthcare professionals in the containment of the coronavirus disease-2019 outbreak

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has taken the world by storm and has made each and every government to introspect about their preparedness and the response action plan. Amidst all the unknown epidemiological attributes of the novel virus, the health care professionals have been at the forefront dealing with infectious cases to save their lives by compromising their own safety. In order to ensure that health professionals actively participate in the process of health care, it is their right to have access to all standard preventive & protective measures. To conclude, in the ongoing outbreak of Coronavirus disease, the efforts of the health care professionals will be the real factor in improving the survival chances of thousands of the affected patients. However, considering the fact that they are working in high-risk settings, it is the responsibility of the health administrators to safeguard the health and wellbeing of health professionals.

Com a palavra os profissionais de saúde na linha de frente do combate à COVID-19

Relatar a experiência do Projeto Vida em Quarentena, tendo como ênfase o material produzido pelos profissionais da saúde que estão na linha de frente do enfrentamento ao Coronavírus (COVID-19). Relato de experiência do Projeto Vida em Quarentena: saúde mental em foco, que tem como objetivo o desenvolvimento de ações nas redes sociais nos meses de abril a maio de 2020, por discentes e docentes de duas universidades públicas, tendo como destaque no artigo os relatos de 14 profissionais da saúde que estão na linha de frente no combate do COVID-19, tendo, as narrativas dos profissionais, foco na expressão de sentimentos e comportamentos. Os profissionais estão vivenciando de forma potencializada os desafios já conhecidos da profissão, os quais mostraram alguns sentimentos referentes a essa situação, como: instabilidade emocional; altruísmo; apelo à população; crença na ciência; fé e esperança e medo da contaminação. A pandemia suscita a necessidade de um melhor gerenciamento da saúde mental com fatores que potencializem o bem-estar mental dos profissionais de saúde, e aponta a necessidade de medidas de segurança sustentadas pela ciência, para que operem na direção de diminuir impactos negativos, nos aspectos físicos e mentais desse público.

Improving general health and reducing burnout of nurses in Namibia

Orientation: Nurses make up 80% of Namibia’s healthcare workforce, and they are considered as the backbone of the industry. Because of the lack of other healthcare providers nurses are exposed to high levels of job stress. Research purpose: This study investigated how job demands-resources and psychological capital impact general health and burnout of nurses in Oshikoto, Kavango East, Oshana, Omaheke and Khomas regions. Motivation for the study: Improving the work environment by balancing the relationship between job demands and job resources will result in lower levels of burnout, improved healthcare services, improved employee performance and patient satisfaction. Research design/approach and method: Using questionnaires, this study investigated the perceptions of nurses within selected regions of Namibia to understand the relationship amongst these variables. The results were analysed using the SPSS (version 24), Pearson’s product–moment correlation and multiple regression analyses. Main findings: Emotional exhaustion was found to have a positive relationship with general health and workload. Social dysfunction and anxiety and insomnia were found to be significant predictors of cynicism. Anxiety and insomnia, workload and social dysfunction were found to be significant predictors of emotional exhaustion. Practical/managerial implications: Healthcare sector needs to invest in health education and stress management programmes for nurses on how to take care of their own health and emotional well-being. Providing training and development opportunities and coping strategies increases nurses’ psychological capital, general health, skills and abilities. Contribution/value-add: This ground breaking study in Namibia will pave the way for future research regarding the health and well-being of health professionals, add to the already existing knowledge within industrial and organisational psychology and guide interventions to improve the health and well-being.

Institutional Barriers to Healthy Workplace Environments: From the Voices of Social Workers Experiencing Compassion Fatigue

Abstract The good health and well-being of health care professionals is increasingly an important issue and one that is under threat due to dominant neo-liberal economic factors. These factors influence health care service delivery which in turn focuses less on employee workplace satisfaction and more on profit-making corporate business models. More work with less pay/benefits, less time to work with clients and the focus on outcomes has created workplaces in which employees are experiencing negative organisational cultures that, in turn, affects their health and well-being. One negative effect is compassion fatigue (CF). In Canada, a national inter-disciplinary research project was conducted for health professionals (n = 52) who self-identified as experiencing CF. From this research, an analysis of a sub-sample of the data of fourteen social workers was conducted identifying specific institutional factors that participants described as creating conditions for their CF. These factors are presented including: (i) cost-effective services within time constraints and political climates; (ii) erosion of relationship building; (iii) lack of communication between managers and front line workers; (iv) cutbacks in services; (v) climate of fear; and (vi) outcome measurement requirements. These concerns related to workplace environments and the health and well-being of health professionals are discussed.

Improving general health and reducing burnout of nurses in Namibia

Orientation: Nurses make up 80% of Namibia’s healthcare workforce, and they are considered as the backbone of the industry. Because of the lack of other healthcare providers nurses are exposed to high levels of job stress. Research purpose: This study investigated how job demands-resources and psychological capital impact general health and burnout of nurses in Oshikoto, Kavango East, Oshana, Omaheke and Khomas regions. Motivation for the study: Improving the work environment by balancing the relationship between job demands and job resources will result in lower levels of burnout, improved healthcare services, improved employee performance and patient satisfaction. Research design/approach and method: Using questionnaires, this study investigated the perceptions of nurses within selected regions of Namibia to understand the relationship amongst these variables. The results were analysed using the SPSS (version 24), Pearson’s product–moment correlation and multiple regression analyses. Main findings: Emotional exhaustion was found to have a positive relationship with general health and workload. Social dysfunction and anxiety and insomnia were found to be significant predictors of cynicism. Anxiety and insomnia, workload and social dysfunction were found to be significant predictors of emotional exhaustion. Practical/managerial implications: Healthcare sector needs to invest in health education and stress management programmes for nurses on how to take care of their own health and emotional well-being. Providing training and development opportunities and coping strategies increases nurses’ psychological capital, general health, skills and abilities. Contribution/value-add: This ground breaking study in Namibia will pave the way for future research regarding the health and well-being of health professionals, add to the already existing knowledge within industrial and organisational psychology and guide interventions to improve the health and well-being.

Associations between the Application of Signature Character Strengths, Health and Well-being of Health Professionals.

Previous research has shown a positive relation between character strengths, well-being and health. The aim of this analysis was to identify relations between the application of signature character strengths (ASCS) at work, and well-being and health, among medical students (Study 1) and resident physicians (Study 2). We expected positive direct links between the constructs and indirect effects through emotional exhaustion. To test these hypotheses, 387 medical students in their first year and 136 resident physicians completed five scales measuring well-being, mental/physical health, character strengths, the application of their five individual signature strengths, and emotional exhaustion as an indicator of burnout. Partial correlations were examined, and mediation analyses performed. ASCS at work was positively linked with well-being and mental health but not with physical health. All links were mediated by emotional exhaustion in Study 1 and (except for mental health) also in Study 2. Future studies would therefore do well to investigate the promotion of ASCS at work of people operating in medical education and its potential in fostering well-being and preventing burnout from the outset.

Stress, self-esteem and well-being among female health professionals: A randomized clinical trial on the impact of a self-care intervention mediated by the senses.

BackgroundStress levels are evident among health professionals. However, there are few studies on sensory-based self-care aimed at stress management, self-esteem and subjective well-being in this group of professionals.ObjectiveTo assess the impact of a self-care intervention mediated by the senses on the stress levels, self-esteem and well-being of health professionals in a hospital environment.MethodsA total of 93 health professionals participated in an unblinded clinical trial, randomized into four groups: 1) control (no intervention); 2) Monosensory—daily body moisturizing (DBM) with odorless cream; 3) Bisensory—DBM with scented cream; 4) Multisensory—DBM with scented cream associated with audiovisual material. Participants answered specific questionnaires to assess stress, self-esteem and well-being and cortisol samples were collected at baseline, 15 and 30 days following intervention, and at the 30-day follow-up.ResultsSelf-care was characterized as neglected, with most participants reporting inadequate hours of sleep (74%), irregular physical activity (68%), and inadequate nutrition (45%). Compared to the other groups, the Bisensory group had lower stress on all three assessments (p = 0.017; 0.012; 0.036), a life satisfaction 8% higher at follow-up than at baseline (95% CI: 2% to 15%, p = 0.016), a 10% increase in positive affect (95% CI: 2% to 19%, p = 0.011) and a 12% reduction in negative affect (95% CI: 3% to 21% less, p = 0.014) after 30 days. The Multisensory group showed improvement in self-esteem (p = 0.012) and reduced cortisol (p = 0.036) after 30 days of intervention. The control group showed no changes in the variables studied, except for cortisol: an increase at the 15-day evaluation (denoting higher risk for stress, p = 0.009) and a reduction at follow-up (p = 0.028), which was nevertheless within normal levels.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT02406755

Measuring the well-being of health care professionals in the Punjab: a psychometric evaluation of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale in a Pakistani population.

Background. There is growing awareness of the public health importance of mental well-being both in the general population and in specific groups. The well-being of health professionals is likely to influence the quality of the care they deliver. This study was carried out to examine the well-being of Pakistani healthcare professionals, and to evaluate the psychometric performance of the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) in this population.Methods. A cross-sectional survey was carried out from June, 2013 to December, 2014 among 1,271 Pakistani health care providers (HCPs) working in seven different cities in Punjab province, Pakistan, to examine the acceptability, internal consistency, test-retest reliability and content and construct validity of the English version of the WEMWBS in a Pakistani population sample. All data were analyzed in SPSS v. 21.Results. Our analysis demonstrated unidimensional construct validity, high internal consistency (0.89) and test-retest reliability, good validity and easy readability of WEMWBS in our sample of Pakistani HCPs. The mean WEMWBS score was 48.1 (SD 9.4), which is lower than in the general population in other countries. Male HCPs scored significantly higher on the WEMWBS than their female counterparts (P < 0.05), and older respondents had higher scores.Conclusion. The WEMWBS appears acceptable for use in Pakistani HCPs, and findings from this study verify its validity and internal consistency for this population sample. Our respondents had lower well-being scores than those reported in general population surveys in the UK.

What Are the Predictors of Self-Assessed Health in Lithuanian Health Professionals?

Scientific evidence indicates that patient safety and access to health care is linked to the well-being of health professionals. The self-assessed health status has been widely used as a health measure in different surveys. The aim of this study was to examine and determine the factors related to the self-assessed health status of health professionals. The cross-sectional questionnaire surveys of nurses and physicians were carried out in randomly selected hospitals. A total of 1025 health professionals (739 nurses and 286 physicians) from 3 hospitals of different size located in 1 geographical region of Lithuania participated in the survey. The response rate among the nurses and the physicians was 89.2% and 52.5%, respectively. The overall response rate was 74.7%. The data on self-assessed health, demographic factors, anthropometric data, blood pressure, cholesterol level in blood, personal history of diseases, smoking, and alcohol consumption were gathered with the help of the questionnaire. About two-thirds (64.1%) of the health professionals reported good or quite good health, and only 1.5% of the respondents reported quite poor or poor health. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the SAH status of health professionals was dependent on age (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.05 [Model 1]; OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.06 [Model 2]), diseases (OR, 7.32; 95%, 5.18-10.35), heart diseases (OR, 12.09; 95% CI, 2.9-50.35), hypertension (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.55-4.14), cancer (OR, 6.19; 95% CI, 1.27-30.13), gastrointestinal (OR, 3.54; 95% CI, 1.59-7.86) and musculoskeletal diseases (OR, 3.21; 95% CI, 1.71-6.02), smoking (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.28-3.45 [Model 1]; OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.26-3.16 [Model 2]), and occupation (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.04-2.07 [ Model 1]; OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.11-2.16 [Model 2]). Diseases are the main predictors of self-assessed health in health professionals. Advancing age and smoking also contribute to poorer self-assessed health.