You are using an outdated browser. For a faster, safer browsing experience, upgrade for free today.

OCCUPATIONAL RISKS FOR MEDICAL WORKERS:MODERN CHALLENGES AND WAYS OF PREVENTION

OCCUPATIONAL RISKS FOR MEDICAL WORKERS:MODERN CHALLENGES AND WAYS OF PREVENTION

ISSN 2223-6775 Ukrainian journal of occupational health Vol.21, No 4, 2025

https://doi.org/10.33573/ujoh2025.04.294

OCCUPATIONAL RISKS FOR MEDICAL WORKERS:MODERN CHALLENGES AND WAYS OF PREVENTION

Biduchak A.1, Hopko N.2, Myroniuk M.2

1 Bukovynian State Medical University, Chernivtsi, Ukraine

2State institution «Chernivtsi Oblast Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine», Chernivtsi, Ukraine

Full article (PDF), UKR

Introduction. Modern medical practice is characterized by a high level of professional workload and constant exposure to dangerous and harmful factors of the working environment. Medical workers in the process of performing their professional duties are exposed to biological, chemical, physical and psychosocial risks, which negatively affects their health, working capacity and professional longevity. In the context of reforming the healthcare system, global epidemiological challenges and staff shortages, the problem of occupational risks of medical workers is becoming particularly relevant and requires a comprehensive scientific analysis taking into account domestic and international experience.

The aim of the research – a comprehensive analysis of occupational risks of medical workers, taking into account modern Ukrainian and international statistical data, as well as determining the main directions of prevention of the negative impact of production factors on the health of medical personnel.

Materials and methods. The work used analytical, bibliosemantic, statistical and comparative research methods. The data were summarized taking into account the classification of occupational risks by biological, chemical, physical, ergonomic and psychosocial factors.

Results. It was established that medical workers belong to the group of increased occupational risk. The leading place in the structure of occupational threats is occupied by biological factors, in particular infectious diseases, among which tuberculosis dominates in Ukraine. Chemical and physical factors have a significant impact, contributing to the development of allergic, toxic and musculoskeletal disorders. A high prevalence of psycho-emotional stress and emotional burnout syndrome was revealed, the signs of which are observed in the majority of medical workers. Analysis of international data confirms the global nature of the problem and the tendency to increase professional workload in the medical field.

Conclusions. Occupational risks of medical workers are complex and multifactorial in nature and require a systematic approach to their prevention. Ensuring safe working conditions, implementing effective occupational health and safety programs and psychological support for medical personnel is a necessary condition for maintaining human resources and improving the quality of medical care.

Keywords: occupational risks, medical workers, occupational safety, biological factors, occupational diseases, emotional burnout.

References

  1. Skaletskyi YuM, Yavorovskyi OP, Brukhno RP, Naumenko OM, Zinchenko TO, Zhukovskyi OM. Assessment of the risk of aggression toward medical staff in healthcare facilities based on official statistics (toward the issue of creating a safe hospital environment). Ukrainian Journal of Occupational Health. 2025;21(1):11–8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33573/ujoh2025.01.011
  2. Sysoenko IV. Regulatory and legal aspects of regulation of the investigation procedure for occupational disease for COVID-19. Ukrainian Journal of Occupational Health. 2022;18(1):3–11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33573/ujoh2022.01.03
  3. Nagorna AM. [Occupational morbidity in Ukraine during the COVID-19 pandemic: an epidemiological analysis]. Ukrainian Journal of Occupational Health. 2022;18(1):12–21. Ukrainian. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33573/ujoh2022.01.12
  4. Pinchuk I, Pishel V, Polyvianaia M, Yachnik Y, Virchenko V. Occupational stress in healthcare workers during a COVID 19 pandemic. Medicni perspektivi. 2021;26(4):196–204. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26641/2307-0404.2021.4.248232
  5. Yavorovsky AP, Skaletsky YuM, Brukhno RP, Shkurba AV, et al. Problems of safety, occupational hygiene and control over infections in fighting with occupational diseases of healthcare workers with COVID 19 in treatment facilities of Ukraine. Medicni perspektivi. 2020;(4):221660. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26641/2307-0404.2020.4.221660
  6. Daragan GM, Krushinska TYu, Hrankina NV, Vorontsova OV, Stepanskiy DO. Problematics of proving the fact of occupational TB in health care workers. Medicni perspektivi. 2018;23(3 Pt 1):80–8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26641/2307-0404.2018.3(part1).142339
  7. Kapustnyk VA, Shelest BO, Babicheva OO, et al. [Occupational diseases in health care workers: methodical guidelines for practical training]. Kharkiv: KhNMU; 2025. Ukrainian.
  8. Mohanty A, Kabi A, Mohanty AP. Health problems in healthcare workers: A review. J Family Med Prim Care. 2019;8(8):2568–72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_431_19
  9. Tawiah PA, et al. Occupational hazards among healthcare providers: a systematic review. BMJ Open. 2022;12:e064499. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064499
  10. Miller K. Risk factors and impacts of occupational injury in healthcare workers: a critical review. OA Musculoskeletal Medicine. 2013;1(1):4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13172/2052-9287-1-1-447
  11. Pinchuk I, Pishel V, Polyvianaia M, Yachnik Y, Virchenko V. [Occupational stress and psycho-emotional factors in healthcare workers. Sociological study of stress reactions among doctors]. Kyiv: Institute of Psychiatry, Taras Shevchenko National University; 2021. Ukrainian.
  12. World Health Organization [Internet]. Occupational health: health workers; 2022 Nov 7 [cited 2025 Sep 10]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/occupational-health--health-workers