"Exploring job demands and resources influencing mental health and work engagement among physical therapists: a cross-sectional survey of Norwegian physical therapists."

Abstract

Background: Physical therapists play a vital role in the Norwegian health care system, and their work environment may be a significant determinant for their wellbeing and job performance.

Objective: 1) Assess differences in work environment, mental health problems, and work engagement between physical therapists working in specialist versus municipal health care services. 2) Assess the relationships between work environment factors and work engagement and mental health problems.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 273 physical therapists responded to the Survey for Workplace Health Promotion (response rate = 35%). Independent-sample t-tests, Pearson correlations, and multiple regression analyses were performed.

Results: This study did not find any significant differences between physical therapists working in Norwegian hospitals and therapists working in the municipal health care services. Analyses showed that general demands (β = 0.21), fragmented work tasks (0.18), predictability (-0.17) and social support (-0.34) were associated with mental health problems, while meaningful work (0.41), the opportunity to use one's strengths and potential (0.14), and social support (0.25) were associated with higher work engagement.

Conclusion: This study highlights the role of poor job design and professional isolation as hindrances to work engagement among physical therapists, whereas work related meaningfulness and peer support promote their health and wellbeing.