Nearly one-third of healthcare workers surveyed in France meet the diagnostic criteria for clinical depression, according to results published this month in the International Journal of Nursing Studies.
French researchers surveyed 10,325 healthcare workers from public and private healthcare facilities in France using standardized depression assessment questionnaires. Results showed that 3,122 healthcare workers, around 30 percent, met the diagnostic criteria for clinical depression.
The survey showed that workplace issues were the biggest contributor to depressive symptoms.
To combat this, the researchers wrote, "Our results suggest that improving organizational issues, reducing exposure to potentially morally injurious events, promoting brief naps at work and provision of evidence-based prevention approaches have been reported to be helpful in supporting the mental health of hospital staff."
Six more researcher recommendations for improving staff mental health:
- Relaxation or stress management exercises
- Leadership training
- More frequent workplace performance feedback
- Eliminating conflicting workplace demands
- Creating peer support programs