Health care providers demonstrate strong vitality despite the demands of the profession, according to new research from The Cigna Group. Providers report higher overall vitality than workers in other fields, driven by a strong sense of purpose, greater focus on physical well-being, and higher levels of workplace engagement. Key findings include:

• 50% prioritize their physical health, compared with 40% of workers in other professions.
• 60% report choosing to pursue a life with meaning and purpose, compared to 50% in other professions.  
• 70% are enthusiastic about their job, compared with 64% of workers in other professions.
• 49% say they feel alive and vital at work, compared with 38% of workers in other professions.

“Health care providers have faced extraordinary demands over the past several years, but we’re also seeing evidence of remarkable resilience,” said Dr. Stuart Lustig, lead medical director, behavioral health, The Cigna Group. “When providers feel supported in their physical, emotional, and professional well-being, they’re better positioned to care for others while maintaining their own health and vitality.”

The research highlights several opportunities to strengthen provider vitality:

• Address work fatigue: Consistently working long hours are tied to decreased well-being and increased burnout at work.
• Seek support when facing emotional demands: More than 55% of health care providers describe their work as emotionally demanding, compared with 27% of workers in other professions.
• Strengthen recognition across the care team: Feeling recognized and valued is associated with higher job satisfaction, increased engagement, and lower turnover.

Across the health care industry, nurturing provider vitality is essential to delivering quality care and sustaining the workforce. Vital providers are more engaged, resilient, and better equipped to care for patients, improving clinical outcomes and organizational performance.

Download the full white paper to explore how vitality changes across physicians, nurses, advanced practice clinicians, pharmacists and other health care professionals, and discover opportunities to strengthen workforce vitality at every level.