Working Conditions in Complementary and Integrative Healthcare Professions
Margaret D Whitley1, Jocelyn Faydenko, Dana Madigan
1From the Behavioral and Policy Sciences, RAND, Santa Monica, California (M.D.W.); Research Department, National University of Health Sciences, Lombard, Illinois (J.F., D.M.); School of Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (D.M.); Whole Health, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Austin, Texas (J.S,F.); and Research Institute, Bastyr University, Kenmore, Washington State (J.S.F.).
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|January 2, 2025
Summary
Complementary and integrative healthcare providers generally experience positive working conditions. However, massage therapists, chiropractors, and acupuncturists face significant ergonomic hazards in their practice.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Integrative Healthcare
- Workplace Safety
Background:
- Complementary and integrative healthcare (CIH) is a growing sector.
- Understanding the working conditions of CIH providers is crucial for workforce well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the working conditions of acupuncturists, chiropractors, massage therapists, midwives, and naturopathic doctors.
- To compare these conditions to conventional healthcare and non-healthcare occupations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized cross-sectional Occupational Information Network data from 2013-2021.
- Analyzed 10 variables representing positive, ergonomic, psychosocial, and schedule demands.
- Calculated means and 95% confidence intervals for five CIH occupations.
Main Results:
- CIH providers reported favorable conditions, moderate psychosocial demands, and moderate work hours.
- Massage therapists, chiropractors, and acupuncturists exhibited higher ergonomic hazards compared to midwives and managers.
- Chiropractors reported a mean bending/twisting frequency of 3.43, significantly higher than midwives (2.17).
Conclusions:
- CIH occupations generally offer healthy work environments.
- Ergonomic hazards represent a notable concern for specific CIH practitioners.
- Further research into mitigating ergonomic risks in CIH is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-II
1.4K
An interdisciplinary team includes many healthcare professionals working together and utilizing their skills, knowledge, and expertise to provide holistic and quality patient care. Here are a few more healthcare professionals.
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...
1.4K
01:21Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-I
1.6K
An interdisciplinary team includes many healthcare professionals working together and utilizing their skills, knowledge, and expertise to provide holistic and quality patient care.
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution...
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution...
1.6K
01:27Ethical Issues
846
Nurses are essential in patient care, upholding the ethical principles of their profession and effectively navigating ethical dilemmas. Neglecting ethical issues can lead to inadequate patient care, compromised therapeutic relationships, and moral distress among healthcare workers.
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
846
01:16Nurses' Legal Responsibilities III
639
Nurse-to-nurse relationships are legally required to adhere to professional standards, ensuring a respectful and positive working environment. Professional conduct demands that nurses treat all colleagues respectfully and courteously, fostering a productive, supportive workplace. Nurses must actively eliminate bullying, discrimination, and harassment to maintain a safe and inclusive environment.
Cultivating a culture of collaboration and mutual respect among nurses transcends mere enhancement...
Cultivating a culture of collaboration and mutual respect among nurses transcends mere enhancement...
639
01:23Nurses' Legal Responsibilities II
685
Establishing a secure, collaborative nurse-patient relationship is crucial for delivering high-quality care. This relationship, founded on trust, respect, and honesty, enhances the patient's comfort and willingness to share vital health information. For example, a nurse who listens actively and without judgment provides clear information about health conditions and treatment options and respects patient decisions, which builds a trusting relationship.
Communication between nurses and...
Communication between nurses and...
685
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
700
Rural Health Centers
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
700