Health and Medicine: Shift Work - Essay Example

Introduction Healthcare sector is continuous service sector having 24 hours working per day. Healthcare facilities could not run effectively withoutshift work. Paramedics or health care professionals provide support to patients in accidents and emergencies and, confer pre-hospital medical care and treatment. Shift work is inherent part of their profession (Charney 1999). Professionals facing shift work should be physically stronger and should have better health. Some people have robust physique and constitution of body. Such individuals can cope well with shift work. Since this is not the case with average person, it becomes very difficult for normal person to survive shift work. Daily exposure to shift work has negative impact on the individual. These shift workers find themselves over-tired. The quality of working life and job performance is affected by working patterns and work schedules (Poissonnet & Veron 2001). The clinical and non clinical problems associated with abnormal working hours should be identified. The risk should not be underestimated since health hazards have cumulative effect over time and age. Shift work imposes personal, social, domestic and professional problems. Often short term consequences like stress, strain, sleep discomforts are tolerated and ignored. But, these problems are not temporary and may impact severely later in their life. Abnormal working hours might exhibit various ailments like heart diseases, vascular diseases, vascular disease, hypertension, and gut disorders, and for women, reproductive health problems and breast cancer. Asthma, diabetes and epileptic seizures, and mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression have also been correlated to shift work. Thus, long term effects of shift work damages human being (Shields 2002). It has been found that healthcare workers need help to survive through the difficulties of shift-work. To handle, prevent and cope adverse effects of shift work effective, efficient and powerful way should be followed. The programs regarding coping strategies and health care provision should be provided and reminded to prevent bad effects of shift work. Caring for the ones who cares their patient becomes responsibility of health care facility. If paramedics are satisfied with their job, then only they will able to provide best medical emergency care. Sleep The alertness, efficiency and performance of the individual are decided by the human biological clock which functions 24 hours. A circadian pacemaker assigns different duties to internal organs on a 24 hour schedule. Therefore, the individuals are fresh and vigilant during day period and feel sleepy during night time. Body rhythm alterations associated with work period (usually at night) leads to fatigue, insomnia or excessive sleepiness. The person does not feel fresh after sleep. They are unable to concentrate on their tasks and become incapable to take good and fast decisions in demanding situations. The quantum of health consequences are related to proportion of circadian disruption (OHCOW, 2005). When normal sleep hours are disturbed, postponing sleep patterns worsens sleep quality. Deprivation of proper sleep also brings unwanted depression and social stress. As a result, organisations face higher rate of sick leave. These are some of the consequences of lack of sleep. Normal person requires at least 6 hours sleep in 24 hours. Healthcare providers should make sure to get quiet, cool, dark, soothing and comfortable place to sleep. Every possible measures should be taken to have unperturbed and uninterrupted sleep by external intruders like phone, television, guests etc. Shift work inculcates unhealthy behaviour and inculcates bad habits. Paramedics should avoid sleep affecting stimulants like caffeine (from coffee), nicotine (from tobacco smoking), alcoholic drinks and also should avoid habit forming sleep pills. They should use relaxation techniques like breathing exercises before going to bed. Another approach used to study shift work is focused on shift systems. Negative impacts of night shift can be slowed down by following quickly rotating shift system. When human biological clock is considered, it has been found out that the benefits of rapid rotation (2 to 4 days) are more than conventional weekly rotation. A fast rotation helps in minimizing detrimental or ill effects of shift work (like sleep deprivation, circadian rhythm disruption) and improves social contacts, alertness and well-being. Therefore, productivity of the heath care professionals is bound to increase. The effects of direction of the rotation of shift schedules have also been studied. It has been observed that the clockwise (forward rotation or delaying system) direction of rotation has more beneficial effects than counter-clockwise (backward rotation or advancing system) (Pati et al 2001). Diet Shift work is associated with work scheduled outside normal day light hours. Circadian dysfunction is caused due to the deflection in the routine body rhythm. In order to adjust to the mandatory stimuli imposed by shift work or changes in routine, body suffers heavily. Since the biological clock interacts with the system and patterns of food intake, appetite is activated or suppressed during night or day. For instance, night time is a period associated with fasting where food and energy are impoverished. Digestive, renal and bowl functions are regulated so as not to disturb sleep. Therefore, along with the sleep disorders, gastrointestinal dysfunctions like ulcers are also induced due to shift work requirements (Baum 1997). Paramedics should ensure to get adequate nutrition to increase their immunity and combat future problems and disorders. Meal and food choices should be cautiously chosen to ameliorate the long term problems. Adequate canteen facilities should be provided. Healthcare providers should cultivate healthy eating habits. Job requirement is such that the healthcare provider might not able to take his meals at proper, regular and required time. Body’s metabolism is disturbed if either of breakfast, lunch or dinner is missed. Therefore at least, the diet composition should be properly selected and followed. The composition of the diet should be properly planned. The individual should consume minimally processed foods like natural grains, fresh vegetables, fruits etc. The diet should be rich in protein based products like soy-based stuff, nuts and beans. Large fatty, heavy meal should be avoided at night. They should care to consume easily digestible meal at night. In built cafeteria facilities should able to provide good healthy hot food at night also. Paramedics have to eat sensibly and drink lots of water. More often, due to lack of time person tend to eat snacks which are junk food. Then, these shift workers have to face unwanted weight gain problem. The person should carry healthy snacks to control unhealthy eating habit. Customized counseling sessions should be conducted to formulate balanced meals to get maximum energy throughput throughout day. Health care providers should ensure to have quick and healthy meal rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements in their busy time (Bledsoe et al 2008). Stress Paramedics experience stress at all times in health care environment. Paramedics should have ability to react quickly and take instant decision when needed. They should have capability to think laterally and work under tension. Theses qualities are needed for handling patients who are in crisis. Paramedics are continuously physically and mentally challenged. They should able to handle every tough situation with focus, strength, stamina and heightened alertness. All these factors provoke stress. Short term outcome of stress is positive, since it increases person’s efficiency to under pressure. This is because stress behaves like a switch whose on and off positions makes our body to respond to externally challenged stimuli. The physical changes which occur with respect to stressful situations increases body’s energy to operate. But, overload and long term stressful situations are very harmful. The crammed schedules and continued pressure fails body’s system to return to normal state and upset the body system. The individual might become irritable, moody and/or depressed. Fatigue caused due to shift work might become potential source of work place accidents. Clinical symptoms like loss of appetite, stomach ache, headaches, chest pain, sleep disorders, and eating disorders might develop due to overburden of stress. Disorders like ulcers, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome etc might develop as a result of severe body response to stress. Stress collapses body’s immunity system to fight against disorders. Fatigue related problems lead to errors in judgments. To reset the body rhythm, training should be given to manage unavoidable stresses. Consultative programs should be arranged to pick up the techniques needed to release tension. Relaxation techniques like simple breathing exercises should be learned and adopted. Whenever time permits, soothing and pleasing activities should be enacted. Physical activity Physical inactivity is a measure cause of ill health and mortality. Physical inactivity hosts lots of problems like heart diseases, diabetes, cancer etc. Physically unfit persons are not able to handle stress situations, their cognitive power decreases and they lose self respect. Paramedics should be physically fit and agile to work hard in challenging and dynamic environment. They have to adopt physically active life style. Regular physical activity is much needed in day to day life. Systematic daily exercises maintains blood pressure, helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints, and promotes positive psychological wellbeing. Routine physical activity should include aerobics, stretching exercises, muscle strengthening exercises etc (Bledsoe et al 2008). To take care of their health, fitness units should be installed. Healthcare facilities should have well equipped gym room. The gym room should include treadmill, step mill, elliptical etc. The impact of healthy diet and exercise habits among nurses working in night shift was investigated. The influencing factors were identified. It was shown that nutrition problems and physical inactivity are closely related. Their coping abilities at work and leisure time were compared. It was found that different strategies can be developed and implemented to have positive influence on well being of shift workers (Persson & Martenson 2006). A coach or trainer can be appointed to train supervise professionals. In-house fitness programs have to be developed to increase their ability to produce force to stabilize and remain fit. Fitness assessment programs should be conducted at intervals for the professionals. The programs should be based on individual’s body’s need. The problem areas should be worked out so that body’s balance is restored. Then, the body begins to operate as it was charted. After that, the focus can be shifted to enhance the competency of the person. The healthcare facility should ensure that the healthcare professionals get opportunities to exercise. Also, paramedics should make positive efforts from their side. Individual should take time out to do exercises and adjust them on their busy schedule without affecting work. The person should be responsible and honest to himself to get maximum output from their body. The quality of sleep can be improved by doing regular exercises. Naturally, good sleep is going to increase alertness required for the work. Health and wellness initiatives implemented by the organisation are not expensive from long term perspective. This is an investment to cultivate long-lasting positive effects in personal and professional lives of the employee which proves cost effective, and ultimately benefits to the organisation. Leisure activity When the person is on shift his personal as well as social life is disturbed. Paramedic’s busy life style has less time for their family which might impair relationships. Great understanding and communication skills are needed in such situations to make the relationships work. Shift workers have to make special efforts to resolve any conflicts and build sound relationship with their partners and set some time aside just for their partners (Newey & Hood 2004). The organisation should conduct self awareness and assessment programs, motivational programs, staff and family get together for their employees. This reduces depression. The hospital center should have recreation centre, sports club to spend some time to divert the mind from strains associated with work. They should take care of themselves, feel fresh and agile, have fun with friends, laugh whole heartedly, and do things that interest and enjoy. These techniques help to retreat stressed body. Conclusion Paramedics tiring job becomes troublesome in long run. The individuals working in shifts have to face problems related to health, personal life and longevity. Health and well being of healthcare professionals is very important, since they have to work around the clock in strenuous environment. To minimize occupational health hazards various steps and strategies should be implemented. Shift work should be properly managed through education, training, following and providing access to all necessary resources. The shift work issues like stress, physical activity, nutrition, sleep and leisure activity which has negative implications are all interlinked and interdependent. Paramedics and healthcare providers should be proactive towards their health in terms of nutrition, strain management, physical fitness, and preventive measures so that positive emotional and mental health is also cherished. Guidelines should be developed and initiatives must be executed and assessed to protect health care givers workers from the negative impact of shift work. Paramedics should able to enjoy their work without stress. Then only, they will able to make justice to their profession. Healthy work-life balance should be nurtured. Reference Baum A. (1997) Cambridge Handbook Of Psychology, Health And Medicine : Shift work and Health, Cambridge University Press. Bledsoe, B. Porter, R. & Cherry R. (2008) Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice; Volume 1, Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3/E, Prentice Hall. Charney, W. (1999) Handbook of Modern Hospital Safety: Health and safety hazards of shift work, CRC Press. Newey, C. & Hood, B (2004) Determinants of shift-work adjustment for nursing staff: The critical experience of partners, Journal of Professional Nursing, May-June 2004, 20 (3), pp. 187 – 195. Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc. (OHCOW), Shiftwork: Health Effects & Solutions, 2005, pp 1-6. Pati, A. Chandrawanshi, A. & Reinberg A. (2001) Shift work: Consequences and management, Current Science, 81 (1), July 2001, pp. 32-52. Persson, M. & Martensson, J. (2006) Situations influencing habits in diet and exercise among nurses working night shift, Journal of Nursing Management, 14 (5), 2006, pp. 414 – 423. Poissonne, C. & Véron, M. (2001) Health effects of work schedules in healthcare professions Journal of Clinical Nursing, 9 (1), pp. 13 – 23. Shields, M. (2002) Shift work and Health Reports, Statistics Canada, Catalogue 82-003, 13 (4), July 2002, pp. 11-33. Read More