Healthcare Professionals, Specifically Nurses, Experience Higher Illness Rates Compared to Workers in Other Sectors

Chronically Ill: Why Care Workers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Face a Higher Sickness Rate

Healthcare professionals experience illnesses at a higher frequency compared to workers in other industries. - Healthcare Professionals, Specifically Nurses, Experience Higher Illness Rates Compared to Workers in Other Sectors

The daily grind faced by care workers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is evident in their above-average sick leave rate, according to a report by the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK). On average, care workers in the region missed 32.6 days of work last year, surpassing the national average of 28.5 days.

"Care workers' sick days surpass those in other professions by a considerable margin," TK regional director Manon Austenat-Wied explained, citing the insurer's data. Across all occupations last year, the average absence rate hovered around 24.6 days.

The struggle for good health in the care sector

"Our care professionals are tirelessly performing Herculean tasks, often at the cost of their own well-being," Austenat-Wied observed. She urged care providers to transform the work environment into one that fosters health and support. "Care workers are as vital and irreplaceable as oxygen in our aging society," she stressed, pointing to ongoing health promotion initiatives.

For the study, Austenat-Wied scrutinized sick certificates of around 103,000 TK-insured employees in the region. TK boasts around 224,000 members in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, making it one of the region's most significant health insurers.

The looming specter of the care worker shortage

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's health ministry reports that over 21,000 care workers are engaged across more than 1,000 long-term care facilities and services in the region. With approximately 120,000 people requiring care and the number steadily growing, the Pact for Care initiative, launched in autumn 2023, aims to retain experts and ensure care services in rural areas. In the past, facilities have been forced to close due to staffing issues.

Behind the High Absenteeism

The elevated sick leave among care workers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern can be traced back to several factors:

1. Exertion and Emotional Stress: Care work demands both intense physical labor (e.g., lifting patients) and heavy mental strain (e.g., managing emotional challenges of caregiving), which can lead to more musculoskeletal disorders and mental health concerns like depression and anxiety[1].
2. Risky Work Environment: Care settings commonly involve specific hazards such as exposure to infectious diseases, potential for violence, and ergonomic perils. These factors contribute to illness or injury-related absences[1].
3. Pre-existing Health Conditions: Care workers often grapple with numerous health comorbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, which can impact their health and attendance[1].
4. Tumbling Work-Life Balance: The challenging nature of care work frequently demands long hours and unusual shifts, which can disrupt work-life balance, intensify stress, and contribute to sickness[2].
5. Insufficient Resources: Healthcare and social care systems may encounter difficulties in regions like Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, such as staffing shortages, inadequate resources, or limited access to mental health support services, adding to the burdens of care workers[3].

Although specific data for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is not available in the search results, these general factors can help explain the higher sick leave rates among care workers compared to other professions.

"Implementing a community policy that includes workplace-wellness initiatives, such as health-and-wellness seminars, nutrition education, and regular vocational training programs for stress management and self-care techniques, could potentially reduce the high sickness rate among care workers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern."

"Moreover, to combat the ongoing health issues faced by care workers, vocational training in ergonomics should be emphasized to help lessen the physical strain during patient lifting and routine tasks, further enhancing the overall health and well-being of the care workforce."

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