Workplace-based integrative care for firefighters: real-world evidence from a visiting healthcare program.

چکیده اصلی

INTRODUCTION: Firefighters, as essential workers, face substantial barriers to healthcare access due to shift work, unpredictable schedules, and physically demanding duties. Workplace-based healthcare delivery models have emerged as a potential strategy to address these access gaps, yet real-world evidence remains limited. METHODS: This study evaluated a workplace-based visiting healthcare program implemented at fire stations in Seoul, Korea, between September 2023 and February 2024. A retrospective chart review assessed changes in pain intensity among firefighters receiving integrative care, including acupuncture and Chuna manual therapy, while a cross-sectional survey examined user satisfaction, perceived need, and acceptability of the program. RESULTS: Forty firefighters were included in the clinical evaluation, showing significant reductions in pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, median [IQR]: 4.0 [4.0-6.0] to 2.0 [1.0-2.0]; Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p < 0.001), with 97.5% achieving the minimal clinically important difference. The intervention was well-tolerated, with only minor and transient adverse events reported. Survey responses from 133 participants indicated high satisfaction (median 4 out of 5 for all items) and strong willingness to recommend the service (88.0%). Most respondents recognized the need for such services (92.0%) and supported their integration into institutional healthcare systems (84.0%). CONCLUSION: Workplace-based integrative care may represent a feasible and acceptable model to improve healthcare access among shift-based essential workers. These findings provide real-world evidence supporting workplace-based healthcare delivery models for shift-based essential workers.

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