Clinical Optometry (Feb 2025)
Workplace Wellness Support Enhances Health and Mental Well-Being in Optometrists
Abstract
Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk,1,2 Jeffrey J Walline,3 Andreanna Pavan Hsieh,1 Nathan P Helsabeck1 1College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; 2Office of the Chief Wellness Officer, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; 3College of Optometry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USACorrespondence: Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, The Ohio State University, 300N Heminger Hall, 1577 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA, Tel +1 614-292-4844, Email [email protected]: To (1) assess rates of burnout in Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry and (2) assess associations among perceptions of workplace wellness support with lifestyle behaviors and health and wellness indicators (ie, anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, mattering to the workplace, and workplace is not stressful).Methods: A survey collected sample characteristics and outcomes of interest from 321 Fellows.Results: Thirty-two percent reported burnout. Females and those working in academia were significantly more likely to report being burned out at work. Compared to Fellows with low perceptions of workplace wellness support, Fellows with high perceptions of support were significantly more likely to report mattering to their workplace, a non-stressful workplace environment, and no burnout.Conclusion: Promoting workplace wellness support may improve perceptions of mattering, stressful workplace environments, and rates of self-reported burnout in optometrists.Keywords: workplace wellness, optometry, burnout, mental health, health behaviors
