Cultural and Socioeconomic Influences on Medicine Choice: A Comparative Review of Herbal and Pharmaceutical Drug Preferences
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61194/jrkpk.v3i1.677Keywords:
Healthcare Workers, occupational Stress, Mental Health, Burnout, Workplace Interventions, Psychological Resilience, Healthcare PolicyAbstract
Occupational stress among healthcare workers has become an urgent global concern, exacerbated by increased workloads, insufficient institutional support, and poor working conditions. This study aims to examine the primary stressors affecting medical professionals and evaluate existing interventions. A systematic review of peer reviewed literature from PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library was conducted, focusing on studies published between 2019 and 2024. Inclusion criteria encompassed empirical research on healthcare worker stress, while non English, non peer reviewed, and non empirical studies were excluded. The findings indicate that excessive workload, lack of workplace support, and emotional distress are major contributors to stress. High intensity settings such as intensive care units (ICUs) exhibit greater stress levels than primary care facilities. Healthcare workers in low resource environments experience disproportionately higher stress due to limited infrastructure and inadequate psychological support. Effective coping mechanisms include peer support, humor, and institutional interventions such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). Digital mental health solutions and policy driven interventions have proven beneficial in reducing occupational stress. The study concludes that structured institutional support, mental health training, and flexible work policies are essential in mitigating stress among healthcare professionals. Further research should explore long term stress impacts and evaluate innovative interventions to improve workforce resilience and patient care quality.
References
Aguilera NE, Martínez CL. Socio Labor, Health, and Organizational Factors as Predictors of Perceived High Mental Load in Healthcare Personnel During the COVID 19 Pandemic. An Sist Sanit Navar. 2022;45(3).
Angus R, Wenke R, Burrett S, Mahoney J, Roberts S. Impacts of the Early COVID 19 Response on Allied Health Staff Within an Australian Tertiary Health Service: A Qualitative Study. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2023;Volume 16:3833–46.
Hernández‐Díaz Y, Genis‐Mendoza AD, Fresán A, González‐Castro TB, Tovilla‐Zárate CA, Juárez‐Rojop IE, et al. Knowledge, Emotions and Stressors in Front Line Healthcare Workers During the COVID 19 Outbreak in Mexico. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(11):5622.
Davey S, Lee B, Robbins T, Randeva HS, Thake D. Heat Stress and PPE During COVID 19: Impact on Healthcare Workers’ Performance, Safety and Well Being in NHS Settings. Journal of Hospital Infection. 2021;108:185–8.
Messeri A, Bonafede M, Pietrafesa E, Pinto I, deʼDonato F, Crisci A, et al. A Web Survey to Evaluate the Thermal Stress Associated With Personal Protective Equipment Among Healthcare Workers During the COVID 19 Pandemic in Italy. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(8):3861.
Bilal B, Al‐Matari EM, Khan S, Senan NAM, Abbas A, Manzoor S. Impact of Fear of COVID 19 Pandemic on Job Insecurity and Subjective Well Being. Inquiry the Journal of Health Care Organization Provision and Financing. 2022;59.
Wolff MB, O’Connor PJ, Wilson MG, Gay JL. Associations Between Occupational and Leisure Time Physical Activity With Employee Stress, Burnout and Well Being Among Healthcare Industry Workers. American Journal of Health Promotion. 2021;35(7):957–65.
Jovanović Ž, Pešut S, Miletić B. Comparison of Perception of Stress and Consumption of Anxiolytics in Hospital and Out Hospital Conditions: A Cross Sectional Study. Front Public Health. 2024;12.
Russo S, Ronchetti M, Tecco CD, Valenti A, Jain A, Mennini FS, et al. Developing a Cost Estimation Model for Work–related Stress: An Absence Based Estimation Using Data From Two Italian Case Studies. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2021;47(4):318–27.
Gilleen J, Santaolalla A, Valdearenas L, Salice C, Fusté M. Impact of the COVID 19 Pandemic on the Mental Health and Well Being of UK Healthcare Workers. BJPsych Open. 2021;7(3).
Kim JA, Hwang WJ, Jin J. An Exploration of Contextual Aspects That Influence Cardiovascular Disease Risks Perceived by Workers in a Small–Medium Sized Workplace. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(14):5155.
Gorini A, Fiabane E, Sommaruga M, Barbieri S, Sottotetti F, Rovere MTL, et al. Mental Health and Risk Perception Among Italian Healthcare Workers During the Second Month of the Covid 19 Pandemic. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2020;34(6):537–44.
Luan R, Pu W, Dai L, Yang R, Wang P. Comparison of Psychological Stress Levels and Associated Factors Among Healthcare Workers, Frontline Workers, and the General Public During the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic. Front Psychiatry. 2020;11.
Bellehsen M, Cook HM, Shaam P, Burns D, D’Amico P, Goldberg A, et al. Adapting the Stress First Aid Model for Frontline Healthcare Workers During COVID 19. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024;21(2):171.
Migisha R, Ario AR, Kwesiga B, Bulage L, Kadobera D, Kabwama SN, et al. Risk Perception and Psychological State of Healthcare Workers in Referral Hospitals During the Early Phase of the COVID 19 Pandemic, Uganda. BMC Psychol. 2021;9(1).
Gaber DM, Ahmed M, Sayed AM, Elkholy YS, Sarhan MD. Perception of COVID 19 related Stigma and Associated Psychological Challenges Among Healthcare Workers at Cairo University Hospitals. Journal of International Medical Research. 2023;51(1).
Yörük S, Açıkgöz A, GÜLER DS. The Predictors of Secondary Traumatic Stress and Psychological Resilience in Healthcare Workers During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Cross‐sectional Study in Turkey. Stress and Health. 2022;38(4):746–54.
Temsah M, Huzaimi AA, Alrabiaah A, Alamro N, Alsohime F, Al‐Eyadhy A, et al. Changes in Healthcare Workers’ Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Stress During the COVID 19 Pandemic. Medicine. 2021;100(18):e25825.
Halcomb E, McInnes S, Williams A, Ashley C, James S, Fernandez R, et al. The Experiences of Primary Healthcare Nurses During the COVID‐19 Pandemic in Australia. Journal of Nursing Scholarship. 2020;52(5):553–63.
Chatterjee SS, Chakrabarty M, Banerjee D, Grover S, Chatterjee SS, Dan U. Stress, Sleep and Psychological Impact in Healthcare Workers During the Early Phase of COVID 19 in India: A Factor Analysis. Front Psychol. 2021;12.
Berggren K, Ekstedt M, Joelsson‐Alm E, Swedberg L, Sackey P, Schandl A. Healthcare Workers’ Experiences of Patient Safety in the Intensive Care Unit During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Multicentre Qualitative Study. J Clin Nurs. 2023;32(19–20):7372–81.
Hăisan A, Hogaş S, Mãirean C, Punei MO, Volovăț SR, Hogaș M, et al. Compassion Fatigue and Compassion Satisfaction Among Romanian Emergency Medicine Personnel. Front Med (Lausanne). 2023;10.
Kleinpell R, Ferraro D, Maves RC, Gill SL, Branson RD, Greenberg SB, et al. Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Measures: Reports From a National Survey of 9,120 ICU Clinicians. Crit Care Med. 2020;48(10):e846–55.
Geng Y, Khamis RS. Social Media Usage in Health Communication and Its Implications on Public Health Security: A Case Study of COVID 19 in Zanzibar. Online J Commun Media Technol. 2021;11(1):e202101.
Yanchus NJ, Periard DA, Osatuke K. Further Examination of Predictors of Turnover Intention Among Mental Health Professionals. J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2016;24(1):41–56.
Huang L, Onge JMS, Lai S. Urban Rural Differences on Accessing Patient Centered Medical Home Among Children With Mental/Developmental Health Conditions/Disorders. Journal for Healthcare Quality. 2024;
Araújo CAR de, Ribeiro D V, Oliveira DB d., Barbieri W, Castilho GS d., Jiménez M, et al. Psychological Impact of the COVID 19 Pandemic on Dentists in Latin America’s Epicenter: São Paulo, Brazil. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(22):15028.
Duarte R, Aguiar A, Pinto MJ, Furtado I, Tiberi S, Lönnroth K, et al. Different Disease, Same Challenges: Social Determinants of Tuberculosis and COVID 19. Pulmonology. 2021;27(4):338–44.
Cansel N, Varol Fİ. Burnout, Mental Health Symptoms, and Empathy in Healthcare Workers Who Care for Children Treated in a Liver Transplant Center. Pediatr Transplant. 2022;27(2).
Jarabicová O, Šupínová M, Jankovičová J, Witczak I, Zemanová M, Cmorej PC, et al. Perception of Work Related Stress and Quality of Life Among Nurses During COVID 19 Pandemic–An International, Multicenter Prospective Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(4):3393.
Samara M, Peppou LΕ, Giannouchos T V, Nimatoudis I, Papageorgiou C, Economou M, et al. COVID 19 Psychological Impact, Knowledge and Perceptions of Healthcare Professionals in Greece: Α Nationwide Cross Sectional Study. Psychiatriki. 2021;
Majeed M, Irshad M, Bartels J. The Interactive Effect of COVID 19 Risk and Hospital Measures on Turnover Intentions of Healthcare Workers: A Time Lagged Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(20):10705.
Cousin L, Beo VD, Marcellin F, Rousset‐Torrente O, Mahé V, Valderas JM, et al. Negative Representations of Night Shift Work and Mental Health of Public Hospital Healthcare Workers in the COVID 19 Era (Aladdin Survey). BMC Health Serv Res. 2023;23(1).
Yoo IG. The Effects of the Type of Delivery of Cognitive‐behavioral Therapy for Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review. J Clin Psychol. 2021;78(2):149–66.
Badía MDC, Alarcón R, Trillo J, Páez JM. Psychological Mediators Between Risk Perception and Psychological Wellbeing in Emergency Healthcare Workers. Front Psychol. 2024;15.
Leonelli LB, Andreoni S, Martins P, Kozasa EH, Salvo VL d., Sopezki D, et al. Estresse Percebido Em Profissionais Da Estratégia Saúde Da Família. Revista Brasileira De Epidemiologia. 2017;20(2):286–98.
Barattucci M, Padovan AM, Vitale E, Rapisarda V, Ramaci T, Giorgio AD. Mindfulness Based IARA Model® Proves Effective to Reduce Stress and Anxiety in Health Care Professionals. A Six Month Follow Up Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(22):4421.
Lagaa MBA, Alhoot MA, Baobaid MF. Knowledge, Attitude, Perception and Psychological Status of Healthcare Workers During COVID 19 Outbreak in Libya: A Cross Sectional Study. J Pure Appl Microbiol. 2022;16(2):1370–83.
Moll S. The Web of Silence: A Qualitative Case Study of Early Intervention and Support for Healthcare Workers With Mental Ill Health. BMC Public Health. 2014;14(1).
Wang C, Huang L, Li J, Dai J. Relationship Between Psychosocial Working Conditions, Stress Perception, and Needle Stick Injury Among Healthcare Workers in Shanghai. BMC Public Health. 2019;19(1).
Wang F, Wu H, Li J, Liu J, Xu Q, An L. Microfiber Releasing Into Urban Rivers From Face Masks During COVID 19. J Environ Manage. 2022;319:115741.
Canestrari C, Bongelli R, Fermani A, Riccioni I, Bertolazzi A, Muzi M, et al. Coronavirus Disease Stress Among Italian Healthcare Workers: The Role of Coping Humor. Front Psychol. 2021;11.
Goniewicz M, Włoszczak Szubzda A, Al Wathinani AM, Goniewicz K. Resilience in Emergency Medicine During COVID 19: Evaluating Staff Expectations and Preparedness. J Pers Med. 2023;13(11):1545.
Katirayi L, Shoopala N, Mitruka K, Mengistu A, Woelk G, Baughman AL, et al. Taking Care to the Patients: A Qualitative Evaluation of a Community Based ART Care Program in Northern Namibia. BMC Health Serv Res. 2022;22(1).
Provenzano M, Cillara N, Curcio F, Pisu M, González CIA, Herrera M. Electronic Health Record Adoption and Its Effects on Healthcare Staff: A Qualitative Study of Well Being and Workplace Stress. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024;21(11):1430.
Wozniak H, Benzakour L, Larpin C, Sgardello S, Moullec G, Corbaz S, et al. How Can We Help Healthcare Workers During a Catastrophic Event Such as the COVID 19 Pandemic? Healthcare. 2022;10(6):1113.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Jurnal Riset Kualitatif dan Promosi Kesehatan
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
