Good Work is Good for Health: The Societal and Individual Perspective

Abstract

Background: Neither public health nor traditional healthcare have generally concerned themselves with employment participation. Most of the outcomes we measure are health-related and in practice we rarely take note of the occupation of our patients or populations or consider the impact of our healthcare on their ability to work. Methods: We report the results of a study of current clinical practice involving patients receiving outpatient care for chronic long-term conditions. Results: Healthcare workers do not take their opportunities to discuss work participation with their patients. Conclusion: Work participation needs more emphasis by healthcare commissioners and providers. The optimal way to achieve this would be for work participation to become a health outcome. Prioritisation of work would lead to important improvements in the health of individuals and societies.