Wellness assessment of United States healthcare provider and healthcare-support personnel using NHIS (National Health Interview Survey).

OBJECTIVES This study aims to categorize wellness (injury, mental health, and health descriptives) in the healthcare industry and healthcare provider occupations and compare them to other industries and occupations.

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective ecological epidemiological study.

METHODS We analyzed data from the 2020 and 2023 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) on a total of 61,090 records (31,568 for 2020 and 29,522 for 2023). These derived, after Primary Sampling Unit weighing (PSU), to a total of 510,289,600 weighted records. Associations were evaluated through PSU adjusted logistic regression These models use the healthcare industry and context as reference category for comparisons. This study evaluated industry and occupation sub stratified responses to 15 main outcomes: injuries, injuries at home, injuries at work, visits to the emergency room, repetitive strain injuries; diagnoses of depression, anxiety, and dementia along with medication usage to manage those conditions; cancer and diabetes diagnoses.

RESULTS Mental health was the highest concern among healthcare industry employees and healthcare provider occupations compared to most other industries, this was reflected more often in higher risk for depression (ORs ranging from 0.41 to 0.82), anxiety (ORs ranging 0.41 to 0.82), and medication usage to treat these ailments (ORs ranging from 0.36 to 0.83). Healthcare industry employees also demonstrated higher rates of diabetes compared to most other industries and occupations (ORs ranging from 0.43 to 0.76). Despite some specific instances, risk of injury was not a major concern.

CONCLUSIONS These findings reiterate the need for increased mental health awareness and support for healthcare professionals, not only to retain professionals but to also enhance performance and improve healthcare outcomes for patients.