CQU researcher calling on shift workers for study on health

A CQUniversity PhD student is calling on shift workers to complete a survey that aims to understand the impact of shift work on health.

Meagan Crowther says the online survey takes about 30 minutes to complete and the results will assist researchers in building on their understanding of the impact that shift work can have on ones health.

"Shift work is crucial for our society's daily lives. Shift workers support everything from transport to health care and emergency services. Many of these shift workers have been essential workers throughout the pandemic' including retail and first responders. Existing research shows us that shift workers may be more likely to experience some poorer health outcomes' and poor health behaviours'" Ms Crowther explains.

"We also know that shift workers are more likely to have poor sleep."

To assist shift workers with better health outcomes' through her PhD' Ms Crowther wants to understand what influences health behaviours in different shift workers and also build the foundations to develop interventions and strategies to improve these health behaviours in those shift workers who need it.

"For example' why might some shift workers be able to get more sleep than others?'" she asks.

"To answer these questions we have developed a Health Belief scale' utilising a panel of expert researchers and detailed interviews with shift workers themselves. Now we are asking shift workers from all over to respond to our survey to help us better understand health behaviours in shift workers."

To complete the survey' head to shiftworkstudy.com. All participants have the chance to win one of 10 $30 e-gift cards.