Coping and Quality of Life Differences between Emergency and Rehabilitation Healthcare Workers

Abstract

Introduction:

Healthcare workers, particularly those in emergency and rehabilitation settings, face unique stressors that impact their quality of life and coping mechanisms. The dynamic and high-pressure environment of emergency healthcare, coupled with the emotionally and physically demanding nature of rehabilitation work, underscores the need for effective interventions. This systematic review aims to compare the effectiveness of coping strategies and quality of life interventions between emergency and rehabilitation healthcare workers, providing insights into which strategies are most beneficial in these settings.

Methods:

A comprehensive search of electronic databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus was conducted, focusing on interventional studies and clinical trials published in the last five years up to 2022. The review strictly included studies that reported on the outcomes of interventions aimed at improving coping mechanisms or quality of life for emergency and rehabilitation healthcare workers. A narrative synthesis approach was used to compare the effectiveness of different types of interventions across the included studies.

Results:

Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing a range of interventions such as mindfulness-based stress reduction, resilience training, cognitive-behavioral strategies, peer support programs, and physical wellness initiatives. The review found significant improvements in coping mechanisms and quality of life among participants, with risk ratios ranging from 1.1 (95% CI, 0.9-1.3) for physical wellness programs to 1.6 (95% CI, 1.3-1.9) for combined interventions. Mindfulness and resilience training were particularly effective, showing risk ratios of 1.5 (95% CI, 1.2-1.9) and 1.4 (95% CI, 1.1-1.7), respectively.

Conclusions:

The review highlights the importance of tailored, multifaceted interventions to support healthcare workers in high-stress environments. Psychological interventions, especially when combined, appear to offer the greatest benefits in improving coping strategies and enhancing quality of life. These findings underscore the need for healthcare institutions to implement comprehensive, evidence-based programs that address the unique challenges faced by emergency and rehabilitation healthcare workers.