Workplace health culture and trust in the occupational health office: A descriptive study of meatpacking workers.

Autor: Rowland S; College of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA., Ahmed R; Department of Health Promotion, College of Public Health - Center for Reducing Health Disparities, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA., Roman MJS; Department of Health Promotion, College of Public Health - Center for Reducing Health Disparities, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA., Ramos AK; Department of Health Promotion, College of Public Health - Center for Reducing Health Disparities, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: American journal of industrial medicine [Am J Ind Med] 2024 Aug; Vol. 67 (8), pp. 723-731. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 May 21.
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23617
Abstrakt: Introduction: Worker trust in employer-provided occupational health services has not been explored in essential industries, such as meatpacking. The purpose of this study was to describe workplace health culture and trust in the occupational health office and highlight meatpacking workers' experiences with the occupational health office.
Methods: Meatpacking workers were surveyed between February 2021 and October 2022. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests were used to explore trust across demographic variables, including workplace health culture. Thematic analysis was used to examine the short-answer qualitative data.
Results: Among workers who completed surveys (n = 731), health culture was rated low (M = 1.3 (0.73); possible range 0-3). Trust in the occupational health office was also rated low (M = 8.2 (5.06); possible range 0-20). Workers' descriptions of interactions with the occupational health office were mostly unfavorable (287 negative opinion units; 97 positive opinion units) and primarily focused on quality of care, communication, the supervisor as gatekeeper to health services, and the prioritization of company interests.
Conclusion: Meatpacking worker health may be improved by building worker trust in the occupational health office. Suggested strategies include enhanced communication, protection of confidentiality, prioritization of worker well-being, and promotion of a stronger health culture in plants and throughout the industry. Supporting workers without a regular healthcare provider to establish a relationship with a primary care provider of their choice is also recommended.
(© 2024 The Authors. American Journal of Industrial Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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