Effect of Job Training and Work Environment on Professionalism Among Direct Long-Term Care Workers

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Healthcare Management
• Sociology

Background:

• Professionalism is crucial for quality care in the long-term care (LTC) sector.
• Understanding factors influencing LTC worker professionalism is essential for workforce development.
• South Korea faces a growing demand for LTC services due to an aging population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the associations between job training, work environment, and professionalism among direct LTC workers in South Korea.
• To identify key factors that can enhance professionalism in the LTC workforce.
• To provide practical recommendations for improving the LTC work environment and training.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional survey design.
• Analysis of data from 264 direct long-term care workers in South Korea.
• Descriptive statistics, correlation, and hierarchical regression analysis were employed.

Main Results:

• Work environment factors, specifically work promotion and hindrance, showed significant associations with professionalism.
• Education and monthly income were positively associated with professionalism.
• Job training did not show a direct association with professionalism, possibly due to limited content variability.

Conclusions:

• Enhancing the work environment by increasing recognition and reducing obstacles is crucial for strengthening LTC worker professionalism.
• Job training programs may need redesign to improve relevance and effectiveness.
• Future longitudinal and multi-regional studies are recommended to understand workforce professionalism in aging societies.