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Occupational Health among Swedish Occupational Therapists: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Annika Lexén

    (Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, P.O. Box 157, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden)

  • Ida Kåhlin

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden)

  • Lena-Karin Erlandsson

    (Academy of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University, SE-301 18 Halmstad, Sweden)

  • Carita Håkansson

    (Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden)

Abstract

The Swedish public sector is facing great challenges in recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals, due to increasing sick leave numbers. The aim of this study was to describe Swedish occupational therapists’ occupational health in terms of risk factors in the social and organizational work environment, occupational balance, and work-related mental health problems. A web survey was emailed to all working members of the Swedish Association of Occupational Therapists ( n = 7600) and 3658 answered the survey. The web survey included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, social and organizational environment, occupational balance, and work-related health. The occupational therapists in general rated their workload as high, which was described as leading to increased stress, difficulties doing a good job, and increased job turnover. They also reported having difficulties maintaining occupational balance. Almost a fifth reported having symptoms related to mild incipient exhaustion or a pronounced exhaustion disorder. Almost 60 percent reported having, during the last year, seriously considered seeking new employment as an occupational therapist and 35 percent had seriously intended to leave their profession. In conclusion, there is an urgent need to improve the work situation of occupational therapists. If not, increases in mental health problems, sick leave and job turnover rates may seriously jeopardize the welfare system by eroding healthcare.

Suggested Citation

  • Annika Lexén & Ida Kåhlin & Lena-Karin Erlandsson & Carita Håkansson, 2020. "Occupational Health among Swedish Occupational Therapists: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:10:p:3379-:d:357210
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Tore Bonsaksen & Sissel Horghagen & Cathrine Arntzen & Astrid Gramstad & Linda Stigen, 2023. "Job Satisfaction among Occupational Therapists Employed in Primary Care Services in Norway," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-11, March.
    2. Elisabeth Dahlbäck & Carita Håkansson, 2023. "A Comparison of the Self-Perceived Organisational and Social Work Environment among Swedish Occupational Therapists in Different Job Sectors: An Observational Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-10, February.
    3. Elín Broddadóttir & Sigrún Ólafsdóttir Flóvenz & Haukur Freyr Gylfason & Þórey Þormar & Hjalti Einarsson & Paul Salkovskis & Jón Friðrik Sigurðsson, 2021. "“I’m So Tired”: Fatigue as a Persistent Physical Symptom among Working People Experiencing Exhaustion Disorder," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-12, August.

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