THE AWARENESS OF REGULATIONS IN THE FIELD OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS – A CASE STUDY

Abstract

The global pandemic crisis caused by the coronavirus has demonstrated the importance of occupational safety of healthcare professionals. Workplace risks are not the same across all categories of healthcare professionals. This research is focused on healthcare professionals in psychiatric institutions. We wanted to explore to what extent healthcare professionals are familiar with their rights and obligations in the field of occupational safety. Empirical research was conducted using the survey method. The research sample consisted of healthcare professionals (medical doctors and nurses/technicians) employed at the Special Hospital for Psychiatric Diseases Gornja Toponica in Niš. The study included 215 respondents. The age of the respondents ranged between 20 and 64 years. Their educational qualifications varied from high school education to completed PhD studies. We concluded that the majority of healthcare professionals included in the sample were familiar with legal regulations in the field of occupational safety and health. This is encouraging if we bear in mind the fact that the knowledge of how to react in specific cases, the need for cooperation with persons in charge of occupational safety, and care for occupational safety are preconditions for reducing occupational risks, improving health and increasing safety.