Craig Slatin, ScD, MPH¹, C. Eduardo Siqueira, MD, ScD², Michael O'Sullivan, DPH¹, and The PHASE in Healthcare Project¹. (1) School of Health and Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 3 Solomont Way, Suite 4, Lowell, MA 01854, (978) 934-3291, Craig_Slatin@uml.edu, (2) UMASS Lowell, Department of Work Environment, 1 University Ave., Kitson 200, Lowell, MA 01854

For two decades, the US healthcare system has been changed by neoliberal economic and political restructuring. Neoliberalism demands greater efficiency as defined by a "lean/mean model" that increasingly makes healthcare a commodity and demands that healthcare workers do more with less. A study of occupational injury/health disparities among healthcare workers (Promoting Healthy and Safe Employment [PHASE] in Healthcare) is being conducted in community hospitals and nursing homes outside the Boston Metropolitan Area's core. This research includes qualitative case studies focused on the political economy of healthcare facilities. The case studies aim to understand the ways in which neoliberal political, social, and economic restructuring in the 1990s has shaped the healthcare industry; how regional healthcare provider organizations respond to that; and, how their response, in turn, shapes the healthcare work environment. We will discuss how this research has enhanced our understanding of the social determinants of occupational injury disparities among healthcare workers.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participants will be able to

• describe qualitative research strategies and methods being used to research the political economy of healthcare work environments;
• Identify components of neoliberal restructuring of the healthcare industry and how these may affect the health and safety of healthcare workers;
• Articulate the Theory of the Work Environment put forth by Levenstein and Wooding.

Keywords: Occupational Health, Methodology

Related Web page: www.uml.edu/phase/

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.