Cost burden of the presenteeism health outcome: diverse workforce of nurses and pharmacists

To describe presenteeism, its cost burden, and comparative and interactive effects of race/ethnicity in nurses and pharmacists.

Using 226 self-reports, ordinal logistic regression with marginal/interactive effects modeled 12 presenteeism predictors, contingency tables detected differences/associations, and Human Capital Approach determined cost burden.

Presenteeism's prevalence was 52.65% with mean productivity decrement 13.2%. Minorities had lower base presenteeism rates; however, race/ethnicity differences were not significant. Physical symptoms and mental conditions were associated with increased presenteeism likelihood, while decreased likelihood was associated with no medications or lack of resumption of previous medications. Indirect cost burden in 2008 averaged $12,605 per professional for $36 billion nationally.

Prevention of symptoms and conditions impacting cognitions, pain, and perceptions can decrease presenteeism. Minorities' lower rates of presenteeism can be viewed both positively and negatively.