The healthcare sector under pressure: why action is needed now and how Empowr helps with this.
The healthcare sector has been facing major challenges for years: high workload, staff shortages and an increasing demand for care. In addition, the number of healthcare workers dealing with mental complaints such as stress, burnout and emotional exhaustion is growing. According to the report “Preventing mental complaints among healthcare workers” at the Trimbos Institute, prevention is crucial to reduce absenteeism and to ensure the vitality of healthcare staff.
This article explores the key findings of the report and shows how targeted interventions, such as our collaboration with the Antonius Hospital in Sneek, contribute to a sustainable and healthy work culture in healthcare. In addition, we also highlight the broader social consequences of a healthcare sector under pressure.
The hard numbers: mental complaints in healthcare
The report by the Trimbos Institute emphasizes that mental complaints among healthcare workers are a major problem:
- 42% of healthcare workers regularly experience stress at work.
- 1 in 6 healthcare workers is struggling with burnout symptoms.
- Psychological absenteeism costs healthcare organizations millions of euros annually in replacement, failure and loss of productivity.
These figures underline not only the magnitude of the problem, but also the need for targeted solutions.
The main causes of mental absenteeism
According to the report, there are several factors that contribute to the mental burden of healthcare workers:
- High workload: Long shifts, staff shortages and emotionally difficult cases cause a continuous load.
- Little autonomy: Many healthcare workers experience a lack of control over their work, which increases stress and frustration.
- Insufficient support: Mental health is often not discussed structurally, so employees do not feel heard or helped.
By addressing these causes, healthcare organizations can achieve absenteeism reduction and contribute to a better work experience.
The wider social consequences
The consequences of an overburdened healthcare sector go beyond healthcare institutions and their employees. The pressure on healthcare workers leads to delays in care, postponed treatments and higher costs for society.
- Delays and deferred care: Overworked care providers and staff shortages mean longer waiting times. This mainly affects patients with acute or chronic care needs, which can lead to more serious illnesses or even unnecessary deaths.
- Higher social costs: The lack of preventive care and the need for crisis measures increase health care costs considerably. This translates into higher contributions and taxes for the population.
- Impaired public health: An overburdened healthcare sector affects the quality of life of the entire society. People who do not receive timely care cannot fully participate in daily life, which also has economic consequences.
The Council for Public Health and Society highlighted in its report “The workplace determines care” that a structural approach to these problems is not only necessary for maintaining the healthcare sector, but also for the well-being of society as a whole.
What does work? Prevention and personal support
The Trimbos report emphasizes that a preventive approach is more effective than intervening only in the event of failure. Crucial components of a successful approach are:
- Coaching and training: Training employees in stress management, self-care and effective communication helps to reduce mental strain.
- Personal support: One-to-one guidance by welfare professionals ensures that employees receive the help they need in a timely manner.
- Organizational changes: Think of realistic workload, sufficient recovery times and an open culture where mental health can be discussed.
How Empower supports healthcare organizations
At Empowr, we work with healthcare organizations to create a healthy and vital workplace. Our collaboration with the Antonius Hospital in Sneek is a great example of how we can unburden HR professionals.
For Antonius, we have developed a custom-made provider bow. This starts with a personal intake with one of our wellbeing consultants. Based on this conversation, we recommend the expert who best suits the employee's situation.
As a result, we not only provide appropriate care, but also remove administrative burdens from Antonius's HR team. Employees receive the right support, resulting in less absenteeism and higher employee satisfaction.
Practical inspiration: what can other healthcare organizations learn?
Other healthcare organizations can learn a lot from these types of collaborations:
- Focus on customization: Every employee has different needs. A personal approach provides effective support.
- Unburdening HR: By outsourcing welfare interventions to experts, HR teams can focus on strategic tasks.
- Data-driven interventions: Monitor the mental health of employees regularly and adjust policies accordingly. This prevents problems from going unnoticed.
Mental health as a priority: where are we now?
The Trimbos report and our experience with Antonius Hospital make one thing clear: investing in the mental health of healthcare workers is not a luxury, but a necessity. Healthcare organizations that focus on prevention and personal support see the results in lower absenteeism rates, higher satisfaction and a healthier work culture. But the commitment to a healthy healthcare sector also has greater social benefits: better care for patients, lower costs for society and a more resilient care system.
Do you want to know how your organization can get started with this? Contact Empowr for tailored advice and find out how you can contribute to a sustainable future for healthcare.
