Quality of Life and Work Ability among Healthcare Personnel with Chronic Viral Hepatitis. Evaluation of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Program of the Wartenberg Clinic

Claudia Westermann, Albert Nienhaus and András Treszl
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Claudia Westermann: Competence Centre for Epidemiology and Health Services Research for Healthcare Professionals (CVcare), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany
Albert Nienhaus: Competence Centre for Epidemiology and Health Services Research for Healthcare Professionals (CVcare), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany
András Treszl: Competence Centre for Epidemiology and Health Services Research for Healthcare Professionals (CVcare), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 20, 1-14

Abstract: The aim of this study was to research the impact of inpatient rehabilitation on work ability and health-related quality of life factors for healthcare personnel (HP) with chronic hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) infection. A prospective evaluation study with three data collection times without an external control group was conducted. HP ( n = 163) with an occupational acquired chronic hepatitis B/C infection who participated in an inpatient rehabilitation program were surveyed. Information was collected on work ability (WAI—Work Ability Index), quality of life (SF-36—Short Form-36 Health Survey), and anxiety and depression-related symptoms (HADS-D—Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). The majority of participants had HCV infection. Work ability was poor, improved significantly until the end of treatment, and remained at a moderate level six months later. The SF-36 showed no change in physical health over the study period, the results regarding mental health were in the average range with a significant improvement directly after intervention. The HADS-D results indicate noteworthy anxiety and depression symptoms during the study period. The inpatient rehabilitation program proved to be effective in the short term regarding mental health (SF-36) and WAI. To ensure long lasting positive results, services aimed at enhancing physical and mental health should be provided as early as possible and on a recurring basis.

Keywords: chronic hepatitis; occupational disease; work ability; quality of life; mental health; inpatient rehabilitation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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