The Health Care Worker Well-being Survey (WBS): An Assessment of the Impact of Well-being and Climate Change on Health Care Quality Improvement, Tajikistan, 2023.

Surayo Pulatova, Tahmina Jaborova, Md, Halima Boboyeva, Phd, Md, Gulnora Razykova Md, Phd, Mba

Keywords: Health care workers, well-being, professional burnout, emotional state, stress level, climate change, quality improvement, Tajikistan

Background:

A comprehensive health care worker (HCW) well-being survey was conducted in Tajikistan by Healthy Mother, Healthy Baby (HMHB) Activity. The article highlights the significance of prioritizing the well-being and mental health of HCW, particularly in the context of providing quality care for women and children. The research demonstrates how professional burnout and stress as well as climate change can diminish quality of healthcare. Lessons learned validate how enhancing the well-being and support of HCWs contributes to improving quality of care, preventing burnout and improving job retention.

Research questions:

Does work environment and climate change impact Tajik HCW well-being and negatively impact quality of care?

Method:

HMHB received legal consent from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration and the Bureau of Primary Health Care to use and digitalize the survey tool in Tajik and Russian. An additional section on impacts of climate change was added. The survey was conducted in 12 HMHB-supported districts of Bokhtar Zone of the Khatlon region, Tajikistan. 252 respondent were surveyed.

Results:

7.1% of HCWs indicated that they feel professional burnout. Of these, respondents answered that they feel tired even before coming to work (49.4%), need more time to rest than before (52.6%), often feel emotionally exhausted while working (45.8%) and usually feel overwhelmed and tired after work (76.1%). The high frequency of communication with patients was noted by 74.1% of HCWs, and is one of the reasons leading to psychological stress and professional burnout. 72.8% of respondents confirmed that climate change significantly affects their mental and physical health

Conclusions:

The survey provided multi-level data to help identify health system strengths and weaknesses affecting HCW burnout and exhaustion which can lead to increased medical errors. The findings from the survey offer valuable data that can be used to shape policies and approaches to improve healthcare quality and outcomes.

Points for discussion:

Implement robust mental health support and stress management programs. Strategies and adequate approaches to mitigate burnout. Provide access to mental health resources, including counseling.

Create Professional Development and Recognition: provide opportunities for continuous education, career advancement, and recognizing the contributions of HCWs can enhance job satisfaction and motivation.

Implement programs on National level that promote decreased burnout and stress management can help HCWs maintain their well-being and improve health care quality.

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