#E0066 Influence of COVID-19 on support for balancing between medical treatment and work in small- and medium-sized enterprises
Influence of COVID-19 on support for balancing between medical treatment and work in small- and medium-sized enterprises
In 2016 and 2017, the Japanese government published a guideline and action plan to support employees with diseases, establishing the balance of sustainable medical treatment and work. Employers are encouraged to collaborate with the attending physicians, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure workers with conditions such as cancer, stroke, or other physical diseases receive suitable employment considerations for balancing their work and medical treatment.
This descriptive qualitative study examined 11 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) each employing fewer than 300 individuals. Participants were identified through ‘’Work-Treatment Balance Support Navi" website created by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. The interviewees selected from each SME were individuals responsible for employee health through company initiatives within their company. Interview data were collected through individual interviews, each lasting approximately 1 hour, providing insights into the strategies and perspectives regarding work–treatment balance support in the context of these SMEs.
This study presented few challenges associated with supporting the balance between medical treatment and work in SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic as: Difficulties in accessing health services: employees with chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer refrained from doctor visits, fearing infection risk.
Rapid spread of teleworking: Emphasis was given for pregnant women and employees with chronic diseases on prioritizing work from home. The necessity of various responses depending on the situation: where SMEs had to consider measures to prevent the spread of the infection, including restrictions on work-related travel, social movement, and adapting necessary measures as per information of each region and employee health. Anxiety: It was seen that employees faced anxiety due to various concerns such as unexpected accidents, fear of infection, and discrimination due to COVID-19. No major changes: It was to be noted that the COVID-19 pandemic did not influence support for the balance between medical treatment and work in SMEs.
Overall, the study underscores the resilience and adaptability of SMEs in maintaining their commitment to supporting employee health amid changing circumstances influenced by the ongoing global health crisis. These efforts involve adapting to the challenges posed by the spread of infection and integrating advanced information and communication technologies that have evolved in response to the pandemic.
Link to the original journal article:
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/eohp/5/1/5_2023-0011-OA/_article
Title of the paper:
Challenges in acquiring support for employee treatment and work balance in small- and medium-sized enterprises in Japan during COVID-19
Authors:
Etsuko Yoshikawa, Hitomi Abe, Noriko Nishikido, Minako Sasaki, Michiyo Ito, Satoko Shimamoto, Makoto Tajima
