Chronic Ailments Plague Care Professionals in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern More Than Other Fields' Workers
Healthcare Workers More Frequently Sick Compared to Staff in Other Fields - Healthcare Workers in the Nurse Sector Experience Higher Illness Rates Compared to Professionals in Other Industries
Ever-increasing strain on care professionals in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is reflected in a significantly high sickness rate, according to a recent report by the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK). On average, care workers in the northeast were off the job for a whopping 32.6 days last year, considerably surpassing the national average of 28.5 days.
"Care professionals consistently suffer from higher sickness rates than workers in most other professions," ethically clarified TK regional director Manon Austenat-Wied. Based on the health insurance company's extensive sickness records, the overall average absence rate across all occupations was only 24.6 days last year.
Promoting health for a nurturing work landscape
"Time and again, care experts nationwide perform exceptional feats, often at the expense of their well-being," Austenat-Wied pointed out. She stressed the urgency of creating a positive and supportive work environment to not only make the profession more appealing but to also cater to the invaluable and irreplaceable role care workers play in our aging society. "Care professionals are the lifeblood of our society," the TK director emphasized, highlighting existing health promotion services.
For this study, Austenat-Wied disclosed that the work incapacity certificates of 103,000 employed individuals insured with TK in the northeast were evaluated. TK boasts around 224,000 insured members in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and occupies a significant position among health insurance companies.
Careworker shortage looms ominously
As per the Ministry of Health, nearly 21,000 care workers operate in over 1,000 long-term care facilities and services in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. More than 120,000 residents desperately require care, a number that continues to climb. The "Pact for Care" initiative launched in the state in autumn 2023 aims to retain specialists and ensure care services, particularly in rural areas. In the past, care facilities have had to close due to staffing issues.
factors contributing to the high sickness rate among care workers:
- Physical and psychological toll: The strenuous nature of care work, characterized by high physical and emotional demands, can result in a higher occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders and mental health issues, which are prevalent among care professionals.
- Work setting and resources: The availability of resources and support within care settings can significantly impact a care worker's health. Inadequate staffing, insufficient equipment, or inadequate training can lead to increased workload and stress levels, contributing to sickness.
- Healthcare sector pressures: The healthcare sector, including care workers, frequently faces challenges such as overtime, high caseloads, and staff turnover, which can contribute to a higher sickness rate.
- Aging population: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's older population puts greater demands on healthcare services, which can affect the sickness rates among care workers in this region.
- Economic and healthcare access conditions: Socioeconomic factors such as lower income levels and fewer healthcare resources can also contribute to higher sickness rates in certain regions due to delayed or inadequate healthcare interventions.
Although specific data for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is not extensive, these factors can contribute to elevated sickness rates among care workers compared to other professions. Combining these factors with the specific challenges that healthcare services face in this region can provide a more comprehensive understanding.
- In light of the high sickness rate among care workers, it may be beneficial to implement a community policy that emphasizes workplace-wellness, including programs focused on fitness-and-exercise, medical-conditions management, and nutrition.
- To combat chronic-diseases prevalent among care professionals, vocational training could be provided to ensure care workers are equipped with proper techniques to avoid work-related injuries and psychological stressors.
- As part of the ongoing effort to create a positive work environment, TK could consider partnering with scientific institutions to develop specialized health-and-wellness programs tailored to the unique needs of care workers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
- Encouraging care professionals to undergo vocational training and continuous learning in health-and-wellness matters might mitigate the physical and psychological toll they experience, potentially reducing the overall sickness rate in this field.
