복합만성질환을 가진 고령근로자 직업건강간호의 과제

A Challenge in Occupational Health Nursing among Elderly Workers with Multimorbidity

Purpose: Multimorbidity is defined as the coexistence of multiple chronic diseases within a person. This study explores the burden of multimorbidity in the working population, focusing on the recent increase in elderly workers in Korea. Methods: We summarized past empirical or theoretical literature. Results: Previous literature shows that about 80% of the elderly are multimorbid, and more than half of people with chronic disease have two or more chronic conditions. Multimorbidity is a common phenomenon in the elderly working population. However, little is known about its prevalence, the factors related to its unequal distribution among workers, and its effects on health outcome measures such as mortality, medical use, and employment decisions. Conclusion: This study asks researchers to focus on a subgroup analysis employing data on the working population. Health professionals need to develop clinical guidelines for multimorbid patients. As multimorbidity is a major health concern in the working elderly, prevention and control should be promoted in the workplace.