Research sheds light on well-being challenges faced by women in healthcare

Recent Global advances in integrative medicine and health This study assesses factors that influence the well-being of women in health care workers.

study: Women's well-being in the health workforce: A comprehensive review. Image credit: Ground Picture / Shutterstock.com

background

Since 2000, the number of full-time healthcare workers has nearly doubled. Women have accounted for a significant portion of this growth and will continue to be an integral part of healthcare service delivery. Therefore, it is essential to understand what contributes to women's well-being in the workplace.

Because women play a wide range of roles in society, they can be under tremendous pressure to succeed both at home and at work. This can lead to negative effects such as occupational burnout, psychological distress, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.

In the medical field, these negative effects can lead to loss of patient trust, lack of adherence to treatment protocols, and reduced quality of care. Therefore, it is important that health workers, especially women, receive adequate support.

About research

The study reviewed a total of 71 studies published in 26 countries between 1979 and 2022. Adult female health professionals aged 18 to 74 years were enrolled in these studies and included mental health workers, clinical social workers, nurses, and physicians.

Several health-related factors were investigated, including resilience, health, burnout, stress, and quality of life (QOL). The current study included individuals who identified as female, regardless of gender assigned at birth.

research result

This extensive review considered different research designs on the well-being of women professionals in the medical field in different countries and social contexts. Previous research defined happiness as the absence of illness or job dissatisfaction. However, this definition is insufficient because well-being must also include promoting happiness, safety, and comfort.

Several studies have reported a negative relationship between poor work-life balance and happiness. To this end, women have often been encouraged to prioritize the needs of their families and children over professional development.

Approximately 25% of reviewed studies suggest that women experience burnout at a faster rate than their male colleagues due to limited occupational autonomy and poor working conditions. . However, rates of burnout were lower when women worked in a supportive environment and had flexible schedules.

Additionally, 20% of studies emphasize the importance of personal relationships, finding that family relationships, romantic relationships, and friendships have a positive impact on the well-being of women working in the medical field. Environmental influences and individual lived experiences are critical to well-being.

Approximately 16% of studies revealed that implicit gender bias is the main cause of psychological distress among female health care workers. This manifested itself in a variety of ways, including unequal pay, fewer opportunities for advancement, and not referring to female colleagues by their professional titles.

Several studies discuss positive associations between intentional mindfulness, exercise, sleep, nutrition, and well-being. The results of these studies highlight that lifestyle interventions can potentially reduce stress levels, compassion fatigue, and burnout.

Mentoring and opportunities to pursue professional development had a positive impact on 11% of the papers reviewed. These activities foster deeper connections with co-workers and lead to a greater sense of belonging, which in turn leads to a sense of fulfillment in professional opportunities and higher job satisfaction.

conclusion

In this review, we investigated the well-being of female medical professionals and further analyzed the correlation between well-being and work-related stressors. Several factors were found to cause emotional turmoil and job dissatisfaction, which can seriously impact the affected individuals and the quality of patient care.

The findings of this study should motivate future research evaluating different levels of gender-sensitive interventions. More preventive methods, such as educational workshops, mindfulness practices, and institutional policies, need to be introduced to study the effects of more holistic health practices on women.

Furthermore, by combining physical and mental health, the definition of well-being can become more comprehensive. Happiness must also incorporate a sense of meaning and purpose, life satisfaction, and the ability to manage stress.