Research: Physical activity may curb health care worker burnout
A new study from the University of Georgia suggests that investing in more physical activity programming could mitigate the effects of stress and improve worker mental and emotional health.
Tackling burnout in health care is critical to ensuring patient safety, said lead author Marilyn Wolff, an alumna of UGA’s College of Public Health.
“Studies show increased worker stress and burnout are associated with poor patient safety," she said. “In order to keep our patients safe and provide quality health care delivery, we must first care for our health care workers, physically, mentally, and socially.”
Co-authors of the study include associate professor Jennifer Gay and professor emeritus Mark Wilson in the UGA College of Public Health’s Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, and Patrick O’Connor, a professor in the College of Education’s Department of Kinesiology.