Effect of Shift Work on the Physical Well-being of Healthcare Workers

Abstract

Introduction:

Shift work is a common requirement in healthcare settings, necessitating healthcare workers (HCWs) to adapt to varying schedules that often disrupt normal circadian rhythms and lead to adverse health outcomes. Given the significant impact of shift work on the physical well-being of HCWs, this review aims to synthesize evidence from interventional studies and clinical trials conducted over the past 20 years to assess the effectiveness of various interventions in mitigating these adverse effects.

Methods:

A comprehensive search of databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted, focusing on interventional studies and clinical trials. The search targeted studies involving healthcare professionals engaged in shift work, with interventions aimed at improving physical well-being. Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, with quality assessment conducted using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias.

Results:

Eleven studies were included, covering interventions such as schedule modifications, sleep education programs, physical activity interventions, and nutritional guidance. Key findings include significant improvements in sleep quality with risk ratios ranging from 1.2 to 1.5 (95% CI: 1.1-1.9) for schedule modifications and sleep education programs. Physical activity interventions were associated with an average reduction in BMI of 1.0 kg/m^2 (95% CI: 0.5-1.5 kg/m^2). Nutritional guidance interventions showed variable effectiveness but were generally beneficial in reducing the incidence of metabolic syndrome, with risk ratios for developing metabolic syndrome being 0.8 (95% CI: 0.6-1.0).

Conclusions:

This systematic review demonstrates that targeted interventions can effectively improve the physical well-being of healthcare workers engaged in shift work. The evidence supports the implementation of specific strategies, including schedule modifications, sleep education, physical activity, and nutritional guidance, to mitigate the adverse health effects associated with shift work. These interventions offer a promising avenue for enhancing healthcare workers' health, potentially improving patient care quality.