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Exploring the Burden on the Healthcare Service Sector Arising from...
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Exploring the Burden on the Healthcare Service Sector Arising from Occupational Injury and Psychological Distress Caused by Poor Work Environments

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 2875

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Kimberly J. Jinnett

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Health & Aging, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
Interests: occupational injury; psychological distress; occupational health and safety; healthcare management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The healthcare service sector plays a critical role in addressing the physical and mental health needs of individuals impacted by occupational injuries and psychological distress due to adverse work environments. However, the extent and nature of the burden that is placed on healthcare services due to these factors remain underexplored. This call for research papers seeks to acquire contributions that elucidate the challenges faced by healthcare providers and solutions developed in addressing the healthcare needs of individuals affected by occupational injury and psychological distress due to poor work conditions. The healthcare sector offers a unique setting in which workers are both the subjects of a work environment and the providers of healthcare services for injured workers. While this Special Issue includes examples involving the work environment in the health sector, we also seek papers beyond the health sector.

Scope:

We invite researchers from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, including but not limited to public health, occupational health and safety, psychology, sociology, and healthcare management, to submit original research papers that examine various aspects of the burden on the healthcare service sector associated with occupational injury and psychological distress caused by poor work environments. Topics of interest include but are not limited to the following:

  1. Epidemiological studies assessing the prevalence and incidence of occupational injuries and psychological distress among workers in different industries and occupations.
  2. Analysis of healthcare utilization patterns and healthcare costs associated with treating individuals affected by occupational injuries and psychological distress.
  3. Examination of the barriers and challenges faced by healthcare providers in delivering effective care to individuals impacted by poor work conditions.
  4. Evaluation of interventions aimed at reducing the burden on healthcare services by addressing the root causes of occupational injury and psychological distress in the workplace.
  5. Exploration of the role of healthcare policies, regulations, and organizational practices in mitigating the impact of bad work environments on healthcare services.
  6. Investigation of the potential lack of parity in holding the employment sector accountable for healthcare costs associated with psychological distress compared with physical health conditions.
  7. Recommendations on how the healthcare service sector might work more closely with employers and other sectors to improve the structure and process of work in addition to public health and treatment services offered by the health sector.

Prof. Kimberly J. Jinnett
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • occupational injury
  • psychological distress
  • occupational health and safety
  • healthcare management

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 575 KB  
Article
Professional Quality of Life Among Civilian Dentists During Military Conflicts: A Survey Study
by Yaniv Mayer, Maayan Atzmon Shavit, Eran Gabay, Thabet Asbi, Hadar Zigdon Giladi and Leon Bilder
Healthcare 2025, 13(17), 2155; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13172155 - 29 Aug 2025
Abstract
Background: Dental professionals are particularly susceptible to occupational stress and burnout, which are amplified during armed conflicts. Civilian dentists continuing to provide care under wartime conditions face unique psychological challenges. This study aimed to evaluate their psychological wellbeing and professional quality of [...] Read more.
Background: Dental professionals are particularly susceptible to occupational stress and burnout, which are amplified during armed conflicts. Civilian dentists continuing to provide care under wartime conditions face unique psychological challenges. This study aimed to evaluate their psychological wellbeing and professional quality of life during military conflict. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous online questionnaire distributed through the national dental association. The survey included the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL, version 5) to assess compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress; and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) to measure anxiety severity. Additional items captured demographic information, professional experience, pre-conflict workload, current work status, family circumstances, and subjective financial impact. The final sample included 239 civilian dentists. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, chi-square tests for categorical variables, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests for between-group comparisons, and multiple regression to identify predictors of psychological outcomes. Results: High compassion satisfaction was reported by 38.9% of respondents, while 70.3% exhibited average burnout levels; only 0.4% had high burnout. Secondary traumatic stress was low in 85.4% of participants. Minimal anxiety was found in 54% of respondents. Significant correlations were found between professional satisfaction and lower anxiety (p < 0.001), lower burnout (p < 0.001), and higher compassion satisfaction (p < 0.001). Dentists with more years of experience and older age reported lower anxiety and burnout levels. Higher pre-conflict workloads were associated with increased anxiety during the conflict (p < 0.001). Dentists working in Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) reported significantly higher anxiety levels compared to their non-HMO counterparts (p = 0.022), although reported income loss was similar between groups. Conclusions: Civilian dentists demonstrated resilience and overall positive professional functioning during prolonged conflict. However, public sector dentists, especially those in HMOs, showed greater vulnerability to anxiety. These findings underscore the need for systemic strategies to support dental professionals’ mental health during national crises, with emphasis on those in the public health system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Burden on the Healthcare Service Sector Arising from Occupational Injury and Psychological Distress Caused by Poor Work Environments)
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12 pages, 345 KB  
Article
Working Conditions, Musculoskeletal Pain and Wellbeing Among Hospital Surgeons: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Georgia Ntani, Stefania D’Angelo, Robert Slight, Lesley Kay, Michael Whitmore, Dan Wood and Karen Walker-Bone
Healthcare 2025, 13(8), 898; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13080898 - 14 Apr 2025
Viewed by 624
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Patient safety is directly linked with health and wellbeing of healthcare workers. In the UK, COVID-19 severely disrupted healthcare, with surgeons tackling prolonged waiting lists and working longer hours under high stress. This study explored the biomechanical and psychosocial demands on hospital [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Patient safety is directly linked with health and wellbeing of healthcare workers. In the UK, COVID-19 severely disrupted healthcare, with surgeons tackling prolonged waiting lists and working longer hours under high stress. This study explored the biomechanical and psychosocial demands on hospital surgeons, as well as their experience of pain and work-life balance post-pandemic. Methods: A questionnaire was developed combining validated tools assessing physical demands; modified job demand, control, and support; the WHO-5 wellbeing index; work–life balance from the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire; musculoskeletal pain; job satisfaction and retirement intentions. An online survey was developed using the Qualtrics© (Provo, UT, USA) platform and circulated through surgical networks using snowball sampling. Poisson regression modelling with robust confidence intervals was used to explore relationships between work-related factors and musculoskeletal pain, and associations with retirement intentions. Results: In total, 242 replies were received. Surgeons frequently reported strenuous occupational activities and work–life imbalance, and one in six reported job dissatisfaction. Only 17% reported no pain; the one-month prevalence of pain ranged from 46% at the lower back to 12% at the ankle, and pain was frequently disruptive. Better work–life balance had a protective effect for pain (PRR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.85–0.99), while risk of pain increased with increasingly physically demanding activities at work (PRR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01–1.07) in the age- and sex-adjusted models. Job dissatisfaction was associated with intention to retire early (PRR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.02–3.27). Conclusions: This study demonstrated high physical and mental demands among surgeons and poor work–life balance. Physical and emotional links to pain were identified. Fit surgeons ensure safe patient care. Our findings suggest that surgeons were facing health issues and work–life conflict post-pandemic, potentially limiting their job satisfaction and career span. A follow-up study is recommended. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Burden on the Healthcare Service Sector Arising from Occupational Injury and Psychological Distress Caused by Poor Work Environments)
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18 pages, 243 KB  
Article
Examining Burnout Among Intern Physicians During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights and Solutions from Qualitative Research
by Vithawat Surawattanasakul, Wuttipat Kiratipaisarl, Vitchayut Phetsayanavin, Chantarateera Pholvivat, Natcha Auernaruemonsuk, Chanon Lamlert, Warisa Soonthornvinit, Lakkana Hengboriboon and Penprapa Siviroj
Healthcare 2025, 13(3), 335; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13030335 - 6 Feb 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1695
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The extensive exposure of physicians to the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to occupational stress and burnout in their daily lives. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of intern physicians who experienced burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify potential [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The extensive exposure of physicians to the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to occupational stress and burnout in their daily lives. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of intern physicians who experienced burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify potential solutions to enhance clinical practices in future pandemics. Methods: This study employed a qualitative, phenomenological study utilizing in-depth interviews. The participants were 19 first-year intern physicians from public hospitals in Thailand, selected through a purposeful sampling approach who had experienced burnout. Semi-structured interviews were conducted face-to-face and via online platforms. A thematic narrative analysis approach was used. Results: Phenomenological explorations included two parts: the first explored physicians’ workplace conditions while providing patient care, and the second focused on their proposed solutions for policy changes in clinical practices and hospital management. Four main themes in the first part were derived: (1) emotional suffering and burnout; (2) engaging with a high-intensity workplace; (3) hostile work environments; and (4) deterioration of relationships with staff and colleagues. The second part identified three main themes: (1) changes in policy of clinical practices; (2) effective hospital management; and (3) building interpersonal skills. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated challenges faced by intern physicians, such as high-pressure working conditions, deteriorated relationships with colleagues, and ineffective management, all of which contribute to burnout. These challenges require targeted policy changes in clinical practices, effective hospital management, and building interpersonal skills. Recommendations include improved clinical practices, increased academic support, comprehensive orientation programs, effective communication, teamwork assistance, stress management, and transforming organizational culture to value physicians during internships. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Burden on the Healthcare Service Sector Arising from Occupational Injury and Psychological Distress Caused by Poor Work Environments)
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