Beyond Exposure: A Comprehensive Vision for Healthcare Worker Protection

The protection of healthcare workers (HCWs) requires an integrated approach addressing both traditional occupational hazards and psychosocial challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that HCW safety cannot rely solely on infection prevention but must also consider work-related stress, burnout, and organisational determinants of well-being. Contact tracing supported the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, while validated tools such as the Mini-Z questionnaire enabled the assessment of stress and burnout. Evidence highlights the association between occupational stress and poorer health-related quality of life, supporting the need for comprehensive strategies. The Total Worker Health® framework integrates occupational safety, health promotion, and organisational well-being, combining individual interventions with organisational measures. A multidimensional approach based on surveillance, assessment, and evidence-based interventions is essential to promote resilient healthcare systems and sustainable working conditions.