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The Health Behaviour of German Outpatient Caregivers in Relation to Their Working Conditions: A Qualitative Study

Author

Listed:
  • Natascha Mojtahedzadeh

    (Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Centre, Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Seewartenstr. 10, 20459 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Elisabeth Rohwer

    (Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Centre, Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Seewartenstr. 10, 20459 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Felix Alexander Neumann

    (Midwifery Science—Health Services Research and Prevention, Institute for Health Service Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Albert Nienhaus

    (Department of Occupational Medicine, Hazardous Substances and Public Health, Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW), Pappelallee 33/35/37, 22089 Hamburg, Germany
    Institute for Health Service Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), Competence Centre for Epidemiology and Health Services Research for Healthcare Professionals (CVcare), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Matthias Augustin

    (Institute for Health Service Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), Competence Centre for Health Services Research in Vascular Diseases (CVvasc), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Birgit-Christiane Zyriax

    (Midwifery Science—Health Services Research and Prevention, Institute for Health Service Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Volker Harth

    (Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Centre, Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Seewartenstr. 10, 20459 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Stefanie Mache

    (Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Centre, Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Seewartenstr. 10, 20459 Hamburg, Germany)

Abstract

Ongoing demographic change is leading to an increasingly older society and a rising proportion of people in need of care in the German population. Therefore, the professional group of outpatient caregivers is highly relevant. Their work is characterised not only by interacting with patients in a mobile setting but also by working in shifts. Health behaviour under these specific working conditions is crucial for ensuring long-term work ability and performance. Little is known about the health behaviour of German outpatient caregivers and its potential impact on their work. The aims of the study were (1) to examine health behavioural patterns (nutrition, exercise, smoking, regeneration) of outpatient caregivers, (2) to illuminate their personal health-promoting behaviours, and (3) to identify potential work-related factors influencing their health behaviour. Fifteen problem-centred interviews were conducted with outpatient caregivers working in Northern Germany in the period January–April 2020. Interviews were analysed by using qualitative content analysis. Outpatient caregivers reported improvable nutrition and hydration, with simultaneous high coffee consumption, low physical activity, poor regeneration (breaks and sleep quality), and good personal health-promoting behaviour (e.g., back-friendly habits), although the majority were smokers. Barriers to the implementation of health-promoting behaviours were a high perception of stress due to increased workload and time pressure, while aids to better health-promoting behaviour were described as being social support and personal resources. The respondents perceived their working conditions as potentially influencing their health behaviour. On the basis of their descriptions, various practice-relevant strategies were derived. The data explore a potential need for outpatient care services to develop interventions on behavioural and structural levels that can help create healthier working conditions for their employees so these caregivers can adopt better health behaviours.

Suggested Citation

  • Natascha Mojtahedzadeh & Elisabeth Rohwer & Felix Alexander Neumann & Albert Nienhaus & Matthias Augustin & Birgit-Christiane Zyriax & Volker Harth & Stefanie Mache, 2021. "The Health Behaviour of German Outpatient Caregivers in Relation to Their Working Conditions: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-33, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:5942-:d:566965
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Felix Alexander Neumann & Elisabeth Rohwer & Natascha Mojtahedzadeh & Nataliya Makarova & Albert Nienhaus & Volker Harth & Matthias Augustin & Stefanie Mache & Birgit-Christiane Zyriax, 2021. "Workplace Health Promotion and COVID-19 Support Measures in Outpatient Care Services in Germany: A Quantitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-15, November.
    2. Natascha Mojtahedzadeh & Felix Alexander Neumann & Elisabeth Rohwer & Albert Nienhaus & Matthias Augustin & Volker Harth & Birgit-Christiane Zyriax & Stefanie Mache, 2021. "The Health Behaviour of German Outpatient Caregivers in Relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-30, August.
    3. Elisabeth Rohwer & Natascha Mojtahedzadeh & Felix Alexander Neumann & Albert Nienhaus & Matthias Augustin & Volker Harth & Birgit-Christiane Zyriax & Stefanie Mache, 2021. "The Role of Health Literacy among Outpatient Caregivers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-25, November.

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