Health Promotion for Outpatient Careworkers in Germany
Due to ongoing demographic changes, the need for care is increasing in Germany. The number of outpatient care services is also rising, and with it, the number of employees in outpatient care, who are also continuously becoming older. Workplace health promotion (WHP) becomes relevant in this context,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Healthcare |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/10/6/1148 |
| _version_ | 1797486917969772544 |
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| author | Natascha Mojtahedzadeh Monika Bernburg Elisabeth Rohwer Albert Nienhaus David A. Groneberg Volker Harth Stefanie Mache |
| author_facet | Natascha Mojtahedzadeh Monika Bernburg Elisabeth Rohwer Albert Nienhaus David A. Groneberg Volker Harth Stefanie Mache |
| author_sort | Natascha Mojtahedzadeh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Due to ongoing demographic changes, the need for care is increasing in Germany. The number of outpatient care services is also rising, and with it, the number of employees in outpatient care, who are also continuously becoming older. Workplace health promotion (WHP) becomes relevant in this context, as it can reduce negative strain reactions and promote employees’ health. The aim of this study was (1) to reveal implemented WHP interventions in German outpatient care services; (2) to examine the potential challenges regarding a successful implementation of WHP measures; and (3) to illuminate further requests and needs experienced by outpatient careworkers. In qualitative field research, 30 semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with German caregivers, using the problem-centered interview method. The collected data were deductively and inductively evaluated and interpreted, using qualitative content analysis according to Mayring. Outpatient caregivers reported various WHP measures known from their workplaces, such as the provision of fruit baskets, programmes to increase physical activity, or a subsidy for a personal gym. They further reported WHP, such as back training, known from other care services. However, the respondents spoke of the challenges regarding the implementation or the use of WHP interventions in general. The most frequently named barriers were a lack of time after work and interventions that were only offered in their leisure time. In the same course, the participants still needed offers to increase physical activity, joint activities, or relaxation techniques. However, respondents highlighted that they preferred the interventions to take place during working hours. This way, they would also be more likely to take advantage of the interventions. The results of this study provide an insight into various WHP measures that already exist, or that are desirable for implementation with regard to caregivers’ needs. Subjectively perceived challenges for a successful implementation of WHP measures represent the importance of adjustments in the work organization of caregivers. It becomes clear that WHP is not yet established in the ambulant care sector, although it appears to be imperative for keeping caregivers healthy. Considering the different needs of employees, the results can provide a basis for the development of needs-based health promotion measures for caregivers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:40:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ab3b6513a64146139b2677a14d85c55f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9032 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:40:10Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Healthcare |
| spelling | doaj.art-ab3b6513a64146139b2677a14d85c55f2023-11-23T16:53:38ZengMDPI AGHealthcare2227-90322022-06-01106114810.3390/healthcare10061148Health Promotion for Outpatient Careworkers in GermanyNatascha Mojtahedzadeh0Monika Bernburg1Elisabeth Rohwer2Albert Nienhaus3David A. Groneberg4Volker Harth5Stefanie Mache6Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Seewartenstr. 10, 20459 Hamburg, GermanyInstitute for Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environment Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, GermanyInstitute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Seewartenstr. 10, 20459 Hamburg, GermanyDepartment of Occupational Medicine, Hazardous Substances and Public Health, Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW), Pappelallee 33/35/37, 22089 Hamburg, GermanyInstitute for Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environment Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, GermanyInstitute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Seewartenstr. 10, 20459 Hamburg, GermanyInstitute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Seewartenstr. 10, 20459 Hamburg, GermanyDue to ongoing demographic changes, the need for care is increasing in Germany. The number of outpatient care services is also rising, and with it, the number of employees in outpatient care, who are also continuously becoming older. Workplace health promotion (WHP) becomes relevant in this context, as it can reduce negative strain reactions and promote employees’ health. The aim of this study was (1) to reveal implemented WHP interventions in German outpatient care services; (2) to examine the potential challenges regarding a successful implementation of WHP measures; and (3) to illuminate further requests and needs experienced by outpatient careworkers. In qualitative field research, 30 semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with German caregivers, using the problem-centered interview method. The collected data were deductively and inductively evaluated and interpreted, using qualitative content analysis according to Mayring. Outpatient caregivers reported various WHP measures known from their workplaces, such as the provision of fruit baskets, programmes to increase physical activity, or a subsidy for a personal gym. They further reported WHP, such as back training, known from other care services. However, the respondents spoke of the challenges regarding the implementation or the use of WHP interventions in general. The most frequently named barriers were a lack of time after work and interventions that were only offered in their leisure time. In the same course, the participants still needed offers to increase physical activity, joint activities, or relaxation techniques. However, respondents highlighted that they preferred the interventions to take place during working hours. This way, they would also be more likely to take advantage of the interventions. The results of this study provide an insight into various WHP measures that already exist, or that are desirable for implementation with regard to caregivers’ needs. Subjectively perceived challenges for a successful implementation of WHP measures represent the importance of adjustments in the work organization of caregivers. It becomes clear that WHP is not yet established in the ambulant care sector, although it appears to be imperative for keeping caregivers healthy. Considering the different needs of employees, the results can provide a basis for the development of needs-based health promotion measures for caregivers.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/10/6/1148health behavioroutpatientsqualitative researchcaregiversGermany |
| spellingShingle | Natascha Mojtahedzadeh Monika Bernburg Elisabeth Rohwer Albert Nienhaus David A. Groneberg Volker Harth Stefanie Mache Health Promotion for Outpatient Careworkers in Germany Healthcare health behavior outpatients qualitative research caregivers Germany |
| title | Health Promotion for Outpatient Careworkers in Germany |
| title_full | Health Promotion for Outpatient Careworkers in Germany |
| title_fullStr | Health Promotion for Outpatient Careworkers in Germany |
| title_full_unstemmed | Health Promotion for Outpatient Careworkers in Germany |
| title_short | Health Promotion for Outpatient Careworkers in Germany |
| title_sort | health promotion for outpatient careworkers in germany |
| topic | health behavior outpatients qualitative research caregivers Germany |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/10/6/1148 |
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