Work-related fatigue among medical personnel in Taiwan
Journal
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Journal Volume
112
Journal Issue
10
Pages
608-615
Date Issued
2013
Author(s)
Ho J.-C.
MING-BEEN LEE
Chen R.-Y.
Chen C.-J.
Chang W.P.
Yeh C.-Y.
Lyu S.-Y.
Abstract
Background/Purpose: Work-related fatigue among medical personnel is a major concern for patient safety, however heavy on-call duty is common in many hospitals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of self-reported work-related fatigue and its associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 1833 participants was conducted in two hospitals in Taipei City, Taiwan, using a self-administered questionnaire. Participants reported their demographic characteristics, health-related behavior, health status and symptoms, and work-related fatigue during the past 3 months. Results: The prevalence of work-related fatigue among the 1833 participants was 30.9%. Youngerparticipants (20-29 years old) were more likely to report work-related fatigue than older participants (40-65 years old) [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.18-2.01]. Physicians, nurses, and medical technicians were more likely to report work-related fatigue symptoms than administrative personnel (aOR=2.30, 95% CI=1.57-2.79; aOR=2.83, 95% CI=1.87-3.99; and aOR=2.01, 95% CI=1.12-3.06, respectively). Those who drank coffee more than five times a week were more likely to report work-related fatigue than those who did not drink coffee at all (aOR=2.53, 95% CI=1.25-1.93). Participants with poor and very poor self-reported health were more likely to report work-related fatigue (aOR=1.80, 95% CI=1.26-2.38) than those who reported that their health was fair, good, or very good. Conclusion: We identified factors associated with work-related fatigue among hospital workers in Taipei City. These findings can be applied toward on-the-job training and the development of preventive measures for occupational safety in general hospitals. ? 2013.
Subjects
Hospitals; Medical personnel; Work-related fatigue
Other Subjects
administrative personnel; adult; age; aged; article; coffee; controlled study; cross-sectional study; education; exercise; fatigue; female; gender; groups by age; headache; health behavior; health status; health survey; human; major clinical study; male; medical personnel; medical technologist; mental concentration; nurse; physician; prevalence; questionnaire; self report; somnolence; Taiwan; work related fatigue; hospitals; medical personnel; work-related fatigue; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Coffee; Cross-Sectional Studies; Fatigue; Female; Health Status; Hospitals, Urban; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases; Personnel, Hospital; Prevalence; Questionnaires; Taiwan; Young Adult
Type
journal article