Interconnected Stressors and Well-being in Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in healthcare systems, but their demanding work significantly impacts their mental and physical health, affecting patient care. This study investigates the interplay of work environment, doctor-patient relationships, media influence, and self-reported health among healthcare professionals. This study employed a stratified sampling approach to survey 8386 healthcare professionals from 40 hospitals across 8 provinces in China. Gaussian Graphical Modeling was used to analyze factors impacting well-being, including physical and mental health, work environment, doctor-patient relationship, and media influence. Network visualization identified key nodes, and the accuracy and stability of the network were assessed. The work environment emerged as a critical bridging factor in the interconnected network. Strong correlations were observed within the work environment cluster, covering aspects related to career, financial, and working conditions. Mental health issues like anxiety and depression also demonstrated moderate co-occurrence. Centrality analysis further identified key nodes associated with job satisfaction, physical fatigue, and mental health symptoms. Work environment plays a central factor interconnecting healthcare professionals' mental health, physical health, doctor-patient relationships, and media influence. Key insights include strong correlations within the work environment cluster, co-occurrence of mental health issues, and the close relationship between physical and psychological well-being. Addressing workplace stressors, fostering positive doctor-patient relationships, and mitigating negative media portrayals can contribute to a healthier environment for healthcare professionals. Comprehensive programs addressing both mental and physical health needs, including mental health screenings, stress management techniques, and promoting physical activity, are crucial.