{"id":14456,"date":"2025-01-14T11:14:03","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T11:14:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tartuh.ee\/?page_id=14456"},"modified":"2026-02-01T17:26:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-01T17:26:37","slug":"health-professionals-job-satisfaction-and-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tartuh.ee\/en\/research-and-development\/research-groups-in-tartu-applied-health-sciences-university\/health-professionals-job-satisfaction-and-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Occupational Health and Safety Research Group"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Collaborators: <\/strong>\u00a0Ene\u00a0Indermitte\u00a0(University of Tartu), Eda Merisalu (Estonian University of Life Sciences), Rauno\u00a0Salupere, Kaja Kastep\u00f5ld-T\u00f5rs\u00a0(University of Tartu).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keywords: <\/strong>occupational health, ergonomics, physical and mental health, well-being, safety factors, job satisfaction, emotional well-being, work stress, burnout, compassion\u00a0satisfaction\u00a0and fatigue.
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Research Group Members<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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ANNA-LIISA TAMM, <\/strong>
PhD (physical education), Research Group Leader<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MAIVE M\u00d5TTUS, <\/strong>
MSc (public health), doctoral student<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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EVA MENGEL,<\/strong>
PhD (sport sciences)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MARIT SALUS,<\/strong>
MSc (sport sciences)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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KRISTI VAHUR,<\/strong>
MSc (public health), doctoral student<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00dcLLE PARM<\/strong>,
PhD (microbiology)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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JELENA SOKK<\/strong>,
PhD (sport sciences)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Overview of the Research Group’s Main Activities:\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The research group focuses on occupational health, ergonomics, and employee well-being. The group analyzes the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints related to physiological risk factors, such as lifting heavy loads and forced postures. It also investigates connections between job satisfaction and emotional well-being, including causes of burnout and work stress. Additionally, it examines the impact of\u00a0compassion of\u00a0fatigue and satisfaction, which affect motivation, service quality, and patient safety among healthcare and social sector workers. The research group’s goal is to provide a scientific contribution to better understanding and solving these problems, including in the healthcare sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ongoing Research and Projects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. 2021-2027.1.01.24-0611 “Physiotherapists’ Job Satisfaction and Mental Health” (01.09.2024\u201331.08.2028).<\/strong>\u00a0Responsible executor: M. M\u00f5ttus; Tartu\u00a0Applied Health Sciences University\u00a0(coordinator); Funder: European Regional Development Fund;\u00a0allocated\u00a0amount: 124,703 EUR. The project’s aim is to develop the physiotherapist curriculum at\u00a0Tartu Applied Health Sciences University. Applied studies conducted during the project enable curriculum changes, as factors influencing physiotherapists’ job satisfaction, mental health indicators, and aspects related to compassion fatigue have been\u00a0identified. This analysis allows the\u00a0university to better prepare students for the labor market and ensure the availability of necessary specialists in the healthcare sector.7<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. “Estonian Physiotherapists’ Job Satisfaction and Mental Health (including emotional well-being, burnout, compassion satisfaction and fatigue)”.<\/strong>\u00a0The study’s aim is to assess Estonian physiotherapists’ job satisfaction and mental health indicators, including emotional well-being, burnout, compassion satisfaction, and fatigue (University of Tartu Human Studies Ethics Committee approval 398\/T-22, 17.02.2025). Responsible researcher: M. M\u00f5ttus; co-researchers: E.\u00a0Indermitte, A.-L. Tamm, E. Mengel, \u00dc. Parm, K. Kastep\u00f5ld-T\u00f5rs.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. “Associations of Estonian Physiotherapists’ Health Behavior (physical activity, sleep quality, and eating habits) with\u00a0Quality of Life\u00a0Indicators” (University of Tartu Human Studies Ethics Committee approval 402\/T-10, 16.06.2025).<\/strong>\u00a0The study’s aim is to clarify the associations between Estonian physiotherapists’ health behavior (physical activity, sleep quality, eating habits) and quality of life indicators. Responsible researcher: M. M\u00f5ttus; co-researchers: E. Mengel, J. Reinmann.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. “SA Ida-Viru Central Hospital (IVKH) Staff’s Perception of Physiotherapist Activities and Role in an Interdisciplinary Team” (University of Tartu Human Studies Ethics Committee approval 402\/T-9, 16.06.2025).<\/strong>\u00a0The study’s aim is to clarify IVKH staff’s understanding of physiotherapists’ activities and their role in an interdisciplinary healthcare team. Responsible researcher: A.-L. Tamm; co-researchers: A. Mihhailova, K. Kuld, \u00dc. Parm.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. “Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Complaints and Work Ability Before and After Intervention Activities Among Medical Laboratory Workers” (University of Tartu Human Studies Ethics Committee approval 333\/T-24; 18.01.2021).<\/strong>\u00a0The study’s aim is to clarify the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints (MSC) among medical laboratory workers and the impact of ergonomic interventions on the functional state of the musculoskeletal system of the subjects. Responsible researcher: K. Vahur; co-researchers: E. Merisalu, \u00dc. Parm.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Completed studies and projects:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n