Comparison of Working Conditions Between Immigrant and Non-immigrant Healthcare Workers in the United States: Evidence From the National Health Interview Survey

Abstract

Immigrants in the United States (U.S.) healthcare workforce face challenging working conditions. This study aimed to compare the working conditions of healthcare workers based on immigration status. Using National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2015 data, we compared the sociodemographic characteristics and working conditions between 374 non-U.S. born and 1,986 U.S. born healthcare workers. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations between immigration status and selected working conditions. It was found that non-U.S. born and U.S. born healthcare workers differed in sociodemographic and occupational characteristics. After adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, non-U.S. born healthcare workers had higher odds of non-permanent contract work (aOR: 1.87, 95% CI [1.25, 2.79], p < 0.01) and lower odds of workplace harassment (aOR: 0.51, 95% CI [0.31, 0.83], p < 0.01), compared to U.S. born healthcare workers. Immigrant healthcare workers' occupational experiences should be further explored to improve organizational and psychosocial working conditions.

Keywords

• Emigrants and immigrants
• Health personnel
• Occupational health
• Working conditions