Professional status and well-being in healthcare organizations

Abstract

This paper aims to explore what aspects of work-life affect healthcare professionals’ well-being and if these aspects may explain a possible categorization considering different professional status. We administered a slightly altered version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire to assess the well-being of patient care workers in a government-funded healthcare organization in Southern Italy. Then, we run an analysis of variance test to explore the aspects affecting the well-being of patient care workers, and to understand if these aspects vary per different professional status (physicians, nurses, and health technicians). Results show important differences among the various professional categories of patient care workers, thus providing the basis for reflections and interventions to improve employee well-being, relevant from a theoretical, practical, and above all policy-making perspectives.