Well-being Index Scores and Subjective Health Status of Korean Healthcare Workers

Yoonhee Shin, Bohyun Park, Nam Eun Kim, Eun Jeong Choi, Minsu Ock, Sun Ha Jee, Sue K. Park, Hyeong Sik Ahn, Hyesook Park

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the subjective level of health-related quality of life of Korean healthcare workers using various quality-of-life instruments. Methods: This study included 992 participants, who were doctors and nurses. A survey was conducted between November 28 and December 4, 2019. Data from 954 participants divided into 3 groups (physicians, residents, and nurses) were analyzed. Four measurement tools (29 questions) were used in the survey to evaluate subjective health status and well-being. Results: In the Mayo Well-being Index, burnout during work (88.5%) and emotional difficulties caused by work (84.0%) were frequently cited by the respondents. Regarding questions on burnout and emotional difficulties, residents and nurses had the highest scores (91.0 and 89.6%, respectively). Emotional problems, such as anxiety, depression, and irritability, accounted for a high percentage (73.1%) of the total, while 82.2% of respondents reported that their work schedules interfered with their leisure and family time. There was no significant difference among the groups in subjective health status. However, 10.1% of the residents experienced very low quality of life, which was a higher proportion than that of physicians (2.7%) and nurses (5.2%). Conclusions: The level of well-being that Korean medical workers experienced in relation to work was lower than the results of the United States healthcare workers surveyed using the same tool. This study was unique in that it conducted a subjective quality-of-life survey on Korean healthcare workers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)226-233
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
Volume55
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 May 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research was supported by a grant of the National Academy of Medicine of Korea (2019).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Korean Society for Preventive Medicine.

Keywords

  • Health status
  • Healthcare workers
  • Korea
  • Quality of life

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