Insight into perceived Positive Health of healthcare professionals. What can be done to improve and stabilize the perceived Positive Health?

Background The shortage of healthcare professionals, combined with the aging population, is leading to increasing pressure on healthcare professionals. To ensure that healthcare professionals are able to do their work and ensure good patient care, it is important to focus on their own health. Positive Health is a health-oriented approach and can be used for understanding and enhancing the health and well-being of healthcare professionals. The aim of the study is to gain insight in the perceived health, personal goals and how to improve or stabilise the Positive Health of employees of a large tertiary hospital in the Netherlands. Methods A qualitative study design was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees (n = 15) of the Cardiology and Rheumatology department, using the Positive Health tool. The data was analysed using thematic content analysis. Results Employees are satisfied with their health or a specific part of their health, also when there are health complaints as well. There were personal goals in several themes being: lifestyle changes, balance, self-development, meaningfulness and social interaction. What is needed to achieve personal goals varies, also within the themes. To enhance well-being, employers can provide supervisor support, empower control over hours, create a pleasant environment, offer fruit, provide challenging opportunities, and integrate Positive Health principles. Conclusion In general, the interviewed employees experienced good Positive Health despite the presence of complaints. To enhance employee health, both work-related and personal measures were needed. The Positive Health approach was appreciated by employees and can be valuable for employers to gain insight into how to support employee health. This is particularly important given the growing pressure on the healthcare system.