Health and wellness intervention research in the nursing center industry: A preliminary analysis of participatory intervention

Working conditions in the nursing center industry contributed to over 200,000 occupational injuries to clinical staff in 2003. With the number of residents in these centers on the rise, approximately three-quarters of which require assistance in at least three daily activities, the number of occupational injuries to caregivers is sure to increase. These figures have guided various initiatives which more closely examine the work lives of these caregivers.

The goal of this presentation is to examine common work environment concerns identified by the clinical staff members at one of three intervention sites in Massachusetts, and to address these issues with a non-management, employee governed Health and Wellness Team (HWT). Using participatory intervention through the HWT, the facilitators hope to improve employee health, reduce job stress, and increase job satisfaction.

A series of focus groups were conducted at the center to establish site selection criteria which included the level of interest of the employees as well as the enthusiasm and commitment of management. Questionnaires were also distributed in order to gather information regarding health, musculoskeletal symptoms, and the psychosocial stressors of work. The HWT was then assembled to begin identifying and addressing these concerns.

As with other intervention studies, certain challenges have arisen during the implementation of this intervention, however the achievements of the HWT cannot be ignored. To date, the HWT has addressed stress reduction, healthy eating habits, and injury prevention through various projects and continues to address workplace issues to improve the working lives of their colleagues.