Occupational Health and Workers’ Well-Being: From Research to Practice

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Factors and Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 2788

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Institute of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
Interests: mental health; physical health; subjective and objective stress analysis; occupational medicine; prevention
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Occupational health and workers’ well-being is of paramount importance in today’s rapidly changing work environment. The Special Issue entitled “Occupational Health and Workers’ Well-Being: From Research to Practice” aims to explore and address the most pressing issues in ensuring safe and healthy workplaces. This issue brings together leading experts in the examination of contemporary challenges such as technological advancements, changing work patterns, and emerging health risks, including those related to mental health and ergonomic factors.

From the impact of artificial intelligence and automation on workers to the complexities of remote, hybrid, and physical work, this Special Issue provides a comprehensive overview of the occupational health landscape. By highlighting innovative research and practical solutions, we aim to bridge the gap between science and practice.

Our aim is to inspire policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to work together for safer and healthier workplaces worldwide. The articles provide actionable insights and strategies for the management of risks, the promotion of well-being, and adaption to the evolving nature of work.

Join us as we redefine occupational health in the 21st century by exploring the challenges and discovering cutting-edge strategies to promote well-being, health, and productivity in the workplace.

Dr. Beatrice Thielmann
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • occupational health
  • worker safety
  • workplace well-being
  • physical labor
  • technological advancements
  • ergonomics
  • mental health
  • emerging health risks
  • hybrid work patterns, automation and artificial intelligence

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 416 KiB  
Article
The Correlation Between Effort–Reward Imbalance at Work and the Risk of Burnout Among Nursing Staff Working in an Emergency Department—A Pilot Study
by Justus Wolfgang Braun, Sabine Darius and Irina Böckelmann
Healthcare 2024, 12(22), 2249; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12222249 - 11 Nov 2024
Viewed by 519
Abstract
Background: Nurses in emergency rooms face high levels of psychological stress during their work, which is why they have an increased risk of burnout. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the extent to which effort–reward imbalance (ERI) at work [...] Read more.
Background: Nurses in emergency rooms face high levels of psychological stress during their work, which is why they have an increased risk of burnout. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the extent to which effort–reward imbalance (ERI) at work is connected to the risk of burnout among emergency nurses. Methodology: Thirty-five nurses from the central emergency department of a maximum care provider, aged 35.1 ± 0.6 years, voluntarily participated in this pilot study. ERI was recorded using the Effort–Reward Imbalance questionnaire. The nurses were then divided into two groups: the nonrisk group (ERI ratio < 1, n = 19) and the risk group (ERI ratio ≥ 1, n = 16). The burnout dimensions were determined via the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the burnout risk was then determined. Results: Nurses in the nonrisk group were significantly less emotionally exhausted (1.6 ± 1.1 points) and had a lower overall risk of burnout (MBI total score 1.2 ± 0.67 points) than the nurses of the risk group. (3.3 ± 1.5 and 2.2 ± 1.2 points, respectively). Eighteen nurses from the total sample had a medium or high risk of burnout. There is a correlation between the risk of burnout and the ERI ratio (r = 0.392, p < 0.05) and the ERI scale “job promotion” (r = −0.462, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The pilot study provides indications of a relationship between effort–reward imbalance at work and burnout risk in emergency nurses. These findings may improve rewards for nurses in the form of increased salary and/or recognition to reduce the risk of burnout among employees and avoid turnover. Further research is needed to investigate the influence of preventive measures on the risk of burnout and gratification crises, particularly with regard to the influence of status and recognition on the risk of burnout. Full article
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22 pages, 320 KiB  
Article
Resilience as Safety Culture in German Emergency Medical Services: Examining Irritation and Burnout
by Beatrice Thielmann, Malwine Ifferth and Irina Böckelmann
Healthcare 2024, 12(18), 1860; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12181860 - 15 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 988
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The stress levels in emergency services are enormous. The resulting stress can range from psychological irritation to burnout. This study examines the importance of resilience in the German EMS and its significance for the risk of irritation and burnout among EMS personnel. [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The stress levels in emergency services are enormous. The resulting stress can range from psychological irritation to burnout. This study examines the importance of resilience in the German EMS and its significance for the risk of irritation and burnout among EMS personnel. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 285 EMS personnel in Germany. Resilience was measured by the RS-13 Scale, irritation by the Irritation Scale (IS), and burnout by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Sociodemographic and job-related data were also collected. A classification into resilient groups was used to compare stress levels. Results: More than one-third (39%) of the participants had a low level of resilience. EMS personnel with high levels of resilience had significantly lower scores on the cognitive and emotional irritation dimensions, as well as on the burnout dimensions of emotional exhaustion and cynicism. Conclusions: Resilience plays an important role in the safety culture of emergency services. The results support the hypothesis that high levels of resilience lead to less stress and help people cope better with stress. Almost two-fifths of the participants had lower resilience, underscoring the need for safe communication and targeted measures to strengthen resilience. Regular training, a supportive work environment, and promoting team cohesion and social support can improve emergency responders’ mental health and job performance. Future research should develop specific intervention strategies and evaluate their effectiveness to ensure the long-term health of emergency responders and improve the quality of emergency care. Full article

Review

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14 pages, 350 KiB  
Review
Second Victims in Industries beyond Healthcare: A Scoping Review
by Andrea Conti, Alicia Sánchez-García, Daniele Ceriotti, Marta De Vito, Marco Farsoni, Bruno Tamburini, Sophia Russotto, Reinhard Strametz, Kris Vanhaecht, Deborah Seys, José Joaquín Mira and Massimiliano Panella
Healthcare 2024, 12(18), 1835; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12181835 - 13 Sep 2024
Viewed by 794
Abstract
The second victim phenomenon (SVP) refers to workers negatively impacted by involvement in unanticipated adverse events or errors. While this phenomenon has been extensively studied in healthcare since its acknowledgment over 20 years ago, its presence and management in other high-risk industries have [...] Read more.
The second victim phenomenon (SVP) refers to workers negatively impacted by involvement in unanticipated adverse events or errors. While this phenomenon has been extensively studied in healthcare since its acknowledgment over 20 years ago, its presence and management in other high-risk industries have remained unclear. We conducted a scoping review aiming to map the SVP in non-healthcare industries, as well as to explore the available interventions or support programs addressed to help second victims (SVs). A total of 5818 unique records were identified and, after the screening process, 18 studies from eight sectors were included. All industries acknowledged the existence of the SVP, though many did not use a specific term for defining the SV. Similarities in psychological and emotional consequences were found across sectors. Support strategies varied, with the aviation sector implementing the most comprehensive programs. Self-care and peer support were the most reported interventions, while structured clinical support was not mentioned in any industry. Our review highlighted a lack of standardized terminology and industry-specific, evidence-based support interventions for the SVP outside of healthcare. Healthcare appears to be at the forefront of formally recognizing and addressing the SVP, despite traditionally learning from other high-reliability industries in safety practices. This presents opportunities for reciprocal learning and knowledge transfer between healthcare and other high-risk sectors. Full article
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Correlation of effort-reward-imbalance with the risk of burnout among nursing staff in an emergency department
Author: Darius
Highlights: In this pilot study, 47% of nursing staff had an increased risk of occupational gratification crises. The study found a positive correlation between the ERI ratio and burnout risk.

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