PS3-51: Variation in the Self-Care Behaviors of Healthcare Personnel: Physicians, Nurses, and Others

Abstract

Background/Aims: The personal self-care and health habits of healthcare personnel may influence patients’ own health-related behaviors including smoking, physical activity, weight management, and alcohol consumption. This study describes the degree to which healthcare providers adhere to recommended health-enhancing behaviors, and whether adherence differs by occupation. Methods: A prospective cohort of healthcare personnel was enrolled in fall 2010 from two large health care organizations: Scott & White Healthcare, and Kaiser Permanente Northwest. Participants were physicians, nurses, and other healthcare personnel providing direct patient care and working full time. Potential participants were invited to take part in a study of “respiratory illness and healthcare workers.” Participation was voluntary. The study tool was a self-administered internet-based questionnaire which participants completed at home or on facility computers. The questionnaire included items on demographic information, occupational factors, and health-related behaviors. Upon completion of the enrollment questionnaire, participants received a small incentive in the form of cash or gift card. Results: Data are presented for 1701 participants who completed the enrollment survey. Participants were grouped in three occupational categories: Physicians (n = 175), Nurses (n = 484), and Other Providers (n = 404). Significant differences emerged in demographic characteristics, with physicians being younger, more likely to be male, married, having a higher median household income, and higher level of education (P <0.001). In terms of body mass index (BMI) physicians were more likely to report a normal weight (55%), and were the least likely group to be obese (10%; P <0.001). By contrast, nurses and other healthcare providers were evenly distributed along three BMI categories (normal weight, overweight, obese). Physicians were more likely to report engaging in exercise at least once per week (85%) than the other two occupational categories (74%; p < 0.005). Approximately 5% of nurses and nearly 10% of other healthcare providers reported smoking, compared to less than 1% of physicians (P <0.001). No differences were found in the self-report alcohol consumption by occupational category Conclusions: Results suggest the need to target healthcare personnel in health promotion interventions, particularly those focused on weight management and physical activity. Keywords: Health Behaviors; Healthcare Workers