Corporate health promotion in the care sector during Covid-19

THE CHALLENGE
The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic at the beginning of 2020 increased the already high workload in hospitals and brought further problems. The fear of infection and the social isolation led to additional psychological stress, and the constant wearing of the FFP2 mask and protective equipment led to additional physical stress.

OUTCOMES
Our research found that over 50% of the nursing staff in the St. Vinzenz hospital are physically and mentally stressed by COVID-19. The exposure was hefty, especially before the COVID vaccination. In the meantime, normality has returned, and the fear of infection has decreased. As relief measures, the nursing staff from the St. Vinzenz hospital would like preventive measures, extended breaks in larger break rooms, sports activities, a salary increase, care to become part of the heavy labor regulation, and more appreciation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the nurses waived a lot and worked very hard, which is why they should get the appreciation they deserve.

 

Corporate health promotion

Corporate health promotion

Fact Box
  • Study Program: Nonprofit, social and health care management
  • Team: Lisa Brüssermann, Johannes Loacker, Ulrike Niedrist, Sabine Ruech
  • Supervisor(s): Siegfried Walch, Jolanda Baur, Nils Mevenkamp, Wei Manske-Wang, Vladan Antonovic
  • Partner Organisation: ÖGK
  • Year project was carried out: 2021


Partner Statement:
“I think your work and the suggestions for improvement concerning the measures are well prepared and give some food for thought. Congratulations! The research work "What effects on health did nurses in hospitals have during the COVID-19 pandemic and which recommendations from workplace health promotion can be used to respond to them?" clearly shows the physical and psychological stress the nursing staff is currently exposed to in Austria. The students dealt with the hospital nursing staff's anxieties and desires. Nurses are essential for the Austrian healthcare system. The project group highlighted the urgent need for action to a healthy working environment in hospitals. As described in their work, implementing health-promoting measures can make the nursing profession more attractive and reduce the burden on nursing staff. The thought of classifying nursing as a hard-working occupation could be a first step in the direction of the much demanded but rarely lived appreciation for this occupation. Health-promoting measurements and a pay raise can, in further consequence, counteract the shortage of skilled workers in the nursing sector that has been problematic for years and relieve this system-preserving professional group." - Lisa Stern, Expertisezentrum Gesundheitsförderung, Prävention und Public Health

 

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