Health Policy Manag.  2022 Dec;32(4):368-379. 10.4332/KJHPA.2022.32.4.368.

The Strategy for Improving Work Environment and Working Conditions among Long-term Health Care Workers in Korea

• Son M
• Kim TU
• Yeh SE
• Hwang EA
• Choi M
• Yun JW

• KMID: 2538414
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4332/KJHPA.2022.32.4.368

Abstract

Background
This study aimed to establish a strategy to improve the poor working environment and working conditions among long-term healthcare workers in Korea.
Methods
A total of 600 questionnaires with which long-term health care workers participated in the targeted base areas of each city and province nationwide were distributed directly and 525 responses were collected and 506 responses were analyzed. Surveys, on-site field visits, and in-depth interviews were also conducted to understand the working environment as well as conditions and establish a strategy for improving the working environment among long-term healthcare workers to understand the demands of working conditions and working conditions.
Results
Korean long-term care workers firstly and mostly enumerated their risk factors for ill-health when lifting or moving elderly recipients directly by hand (69.9%), followed by increased physical workload with old beds, tools, and facilities (42.3%) in the workplaces, shortage of manpower (32%), and source of infection (30%). To improve the working environment as well as conditions, Korean long-term care workers considered improving low-wage structures, ergonomic improvements to solve excessive physical loads, and increasing various bonus payments as well as implementing the salary system, positive social awareness, and increasing resting time. Of 506 responses, 92.3% replied that the long-term care insurance system for the elderly should be developed to expand publicization at the national level.
Conclusion
This study proposes to improve the low-wage structure of Korean long-term care workers, automation and improvement of facilities, equipment, and tools to eliminate excessive physical loads (beneficiary elderly lifting), and reduction of night labor.

Keyword

Risk factors; Strategy for improving working environment and conditions; Long-term health care workers in Korea