Exploring physical health perceptions, stress level and job satisfaction among health care professionals — YRD
  1. Schedule
  2. Concurrent Session 4 - Paper Session with a Focus on Nurses
  3. Exploring physical health perceptions, stress level and job satisfaction among health care professionals

Exploring physical health perceptions, stress level and job satisfaction among health care professionals (71)

Vanessa Rice 1 , Nel Glass 1 , K. Robyn Ogle 1 , Nasrin Parsian 1 , Paul Fulbrook 2
  1. Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy, Vic, Australia
  2. Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Introduction

Current government guidelines for physical activity are 30 minutes of moderate intensity on most days of the week. Sub-optimal physical health contributes to increased stress levels. Health professionals with poor levels of physical activity combined with shift work are at greater risk of overweight/obesity.

The purpose of this study was to explore health professionals’ perceptions of health status; the relationship between job satisfaction and health; and the relationship between health status and stress levels. The presentation focuses on physical health.

Method

A mixed methods research design was employed. Qualitative data were collected using one-to-one interviews. Stress was assessed quantitatively using an assessment scale. There were 24 nurses, midwives and paramedics participants.

Findings

Most participants had a desire to increase their activity levels, however the emotional toll of their positions prevented some from reaching optimal health.  Furthermore, participants believed their work based organisations should take more responsibility in supporting their health.

The findings revealed a significant relationship between the importance of physical health to job satisfaction and that stress was paramount for all participants with 23 experiencing either moderate or high levels of stress. The results also identified that self indicators of physical health and current government recommendations were not always the same.

Conclusion

Health professionals’ failure to meet the minimum amount of physical activity due to work pressure increases in level of stress and leads to sub-optimal physical health. This may affect their physical competency to conduct their professional responsibilities. Future research will focus on improving physical health status.

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