Jessica Dhesi-Jaouhari
Healthcare Workers play a critical role in keeping individuals safe and healthy. However, the high demand from their jobs often leads to poor sleep habits, which can cause strain on their mental state. A study conducted by Rohmani et al. (2024) examined how sleep disorders impact health and anxiety in health workers. The study analyzed data from 5,267 healthcare workers collected across seven countries including China, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, China, and the United States.
WHAT WERE THE RESULTS?
The study has shown that healthcare professionals who experience sleep problems are more likely to struggle with anxiety and depression compared to those with regulated sleep. Anxiety can cause a constant state of stress, worry, and lack of concentration. Depression can lead to a state of exhaustion, sadness, and lack of motivation. Both conditions can create a much harder work environment for healthcare workers to do their jobs effectively.
A leading cause of this issue is shift work, as many healthcare workers including doctors and nurses, work long hours, overnight lifts, and irregular schedules. These scheduling procedures disrupt the body’s clock, making restful sleep less achievable. Overtime, lack of proper sleep affects their mood, energy levels, levels of concentration, and ability to handle stress.
HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME?
A fatigued healthcare worker is not only harmful to their own well-being, but also the one of a patient. Tired workers are more likely to make mistakes, struggle with decisions, and experience eventual burnout. If healthcare institutions do not take steps to address this issue, it could weaken the whole healthcare system.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
The study suggests several ideas to improve the sleep quality and mental health for healthcare works:
Better Work Schedules → Reduce long shifts and ensure there is enough time between shifts for a mental break and reset.
Encouraging Healthy Sleep Habits → Educating workers on ways to improve sleep, such as keeping a night routine, having a regular bedtime, and avoiding screens before sleep.
Providing Mental Health Support → Offering resources such as counseling and stress management programs will improve mental well-being by teaching ways to cope with anxiety and depression.
Sleep problems are more than just feeling tired – they can lead to serious mental health struggles, especially for those in constant high-stress situations such as healthcare workers. This study highlights the need for better workplace policies to protect the health of our healthcare workers. By bringing light to these issues and addressing them, healthcare facilities can create healthier and safer environments for everyone – workers and patients alike. Change starts with one person – be that advocate for those who won’t speak up for themselves and support your local healthcare workers.