Improving the System of Health Maintenance in Social Workers

Abstract

Introduction: Health maintenance in workers implies assessment of occupational risks and development of techniques of their elimination in order to increase labor efficiency and working life expectancy. Objective: To develop the system for maintaining health of social workers based on occupational risk assessment and management. Materials and methods: In 2019–2022, studies of working conditions, socio-demographic status, and psychological wellbeing of social workers were conducted in the clinic of F.F. Erisman Federal Research Center for Hygiene. Results: We established groups of social workers at risk of health disorders, such as common diseases and various manifestations of occupational burnout, including groups with null, early, and severe signs of job burnout, and elaborated programs for disease prevention incorporating targeted techiques of health maintenance. Conclusion: We provide a rationale for the system of preserving physical and mental health of social workers that contains various modules aimed at optimizing working conditions, mitigating risk factors, preventing health disorders, including occupational burnout, and promoting a healthy lifestyle.