Narrative review reveals the impact of combined physical and psychosocial risks in healthcare workers, highlighting the need for Total Worker Health approaches.
The protection of healthcare workers (HCWs) requires an integrated approach addressing both traditional occupational hazards and psychosocial challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that HCW safety cannot rely solely on infection prevention but must also consider work-related stress, burnout, and organisational determinants of well-being. Contact tracing supported the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, while validated tools such as the Mini-Z questionnaire enabled the assessment of stress and burnout. Evidence highlights the association between occupational stress and poorer health-related quality of life, supporting the need for comprehensive strategies. The Total Worker Health® framework integrates occupational safety, health promotion, and organisational well-being, combining individual interventions with organisational measures. A multidimensional approach based on surveillance, assessment, and evidence-based interventions is essential to promote resilient healthcare systems and sustainable working conditions.
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Fabiola Del Parco (2026) studied this question.
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