Table 1. Characteristics of the Facilities That Participated in the Web-based Questionnaire by Facility Type.

From: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health Check-ups before and after the COVID-19 Downgrade and Employees’ Mental Health at Health Check-up Facilities: The Third Nationwide Survey of Healthcare Facilities in Japan Society of Ningen Dock and Preventive Medical Care

Total (n = 959) Not annexed to hospitals (n = 390) Annexed to hospitals (n = 569) P valuea
Areab Kanto 331 (34.5) 154 (39.5) 177 (31.1) 0.007
Hokkaido 19 (2.0) 8 (2.1) 11 (1.9)
Tohoku 54 (5.6) 23 (5.9) 31 (5.4)
Chubu 179 (18.7) 60 (15.4) 119 (20.9)
Kansai 188 (19.6) 87 (22.3) 101 (17.8)
Chugoku 73 (7.6) 26 (6.7) 47 (8.3)
Shikoku 24 (2.5) 9 (2.3) 15 (2.6)
Kyushu 82 (8.6) 21 (5.4) 61 (10.7)
Okinawa 9 (0.9) 2 (0.5) 7 (1.2)
Location of facilities Ordinance-designated cities/special wards in Tokyo 379 (39.5) 219 (56.2) 160 (28.1) <0.001
Public or private institutions Public 182 (19.0) 15 (3.8) 167 (29.3) <0.001
Number of employees 1-10 219 (22.8) 73 (18.7) 146 (25.7) <0.001
11-20 249 (26.0) 69 (17.7) 180 (31.6)
21-40 270 (28.2) 92 (23.6) 178 (31.3)
>40 221 (23.0) 156 (40.0) 65 (11.4)
Providing inpatient care for patients with COVID-19 Yes 482 (50.3) 4 (1.0) 478 (84.0) <0.001
Providing outpatient care for patients with COVID-19 Yes 648 (67.6) 125 (32.1) 523 (91.9) <0.001
Number of beds <100 N/A N/A 72 (12.7) N/A
100-299 N/A N/A 282 (49.6)
300-499 N/A N/A 146 (25.7)
≥500 N/A N/A 63 (11.1)
Unanswered N/A N/A 6 (1.1)
Emergency care No emergency care N/A N/A 71 (12.5) N/A
Primary N/A N/A 100 (17.6)
Secondary or tertiary N/A N/A 391 (68.7)
Unanswered N/A N/A 7 (1.2)
Personnel recruitment for check-up facilities is independent of recruitment for annexed hospitals No N/A N/A 321 (56.4) N/A
Yes N/A N/A 243 (42.7)
Unanswered N/A N/A 5 (0.9)
Personnel transfer between the check-up facility and the annexed hospital No N/A N/A 118 (20.7) N/A
Yes N/A N/A 447 (78.6)
Unanswered N/A N/A 4 (0.7)
Negative financial impact in 2023 Yes 235 (24.5) 83 (21.3) 152 (26.7) 0.065
Employee resignations compared to the pre-pandemic period Increased 104 (10.8) 20 (5.1) 84 (14.8) <0.001
New recruits in 2023 compared to 2019 Decreased 123 (12.8) 29 (7.4) 94 (16.5) <0.001
Employees complain that COVID-19-related rules are too strict Yes 73 (7.6) 17 (4.4) 56 (9.8) 0.003
Negative impact on the mental health of check-up facility employees Yes 280 (29.2) 90 (23.1) 190 (33.4) <0.001
Some employees have difficulty working due to long COVID Yes 74 (7.7) 27 (6.9) 47 (8.3) 0.523
Organizational social gathering involving meals held in FY2019/FY2023 FY2019: no FY2023: no 224 (23.4) 96 (24.6) 128 (22.5) 0.069
FY2019: no FY2023: yes 227 (23.7) 91 (23.3) 136 (23.9)
FY2019: yes FY2023: no 273 (28.5) 95 (24.4) 178 (31.3)
FY2019: yes FY2023: yes 235 (24.5) 108 (27.7) 127 (22.3)
Table 2. COVID-19-related Rules before and after the Downgrade.

From: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health Check-ups before and after the COVID-19 Downgrade and Employees’ Mental Health at Health Check-up Facilities: The Third Nationwide Survey of Healthcare Facilities in Japan Society of Ningen Dock and Preventive Medical Care

Before vs after COVID-19 downgrade After COVID-19 downgrade
Before (n = 959) After (n = 959) P valuea Not annexed to hospitals (n = 390) Annexed to hospitals (n = 569) P valueb
Employees
Wearing masks at work Compulsory 951 (99.2) 893 (93.1) <0.001 345 (88.5) 548 (96.3) <0.001
Recommended 8 (0.8) 62 (6.5) 43 (11.0) 19 (3.3)
Personal choice 0 (0.0) 4 (0.4) 2 (0.5) 2 (0.4)
Wearing masks during commuting Compulsory 771 (80.4) 203 (21.2) <0.001 68 (17.4) 135 (23.7) 0.002
Recommended 165 (17.2) 538 (56.1) 213 (54.6) 325 (57.1)
Personal choice 23 (2.4) 218 (22.7) 109 (27.9) 109 (19.2)
Wearing masks indoors during personal time Compulsory 690 (71.9) 101 (10.5) <0.001 37 (9.5) 64 (11.2) <0.001
Recommended 230 (24.0) 539 (56.2) 191 (49.0) 348 (61.2)
Personal choice 39 (4.1) 319 (33.3) 162 (41.5) 157 (27.6)
Taking COVID-19 tests when having a fever Compulsory 868 (90.5) 438 (45.7) <0.001 140 (35.9) 298 (52.4) <0.001
Recommended 68 (7.1) 370 (38.6) 178 (45.6) 192 (33.7)
Personal choice 23 (2.4) 151 (15.7) 72 (18.5) 79 (13.9)
Number of days employees are not allowed to work after a COVID-19 infection No restrictions N/A N/A N/A 12 (3.1) 6 (1.1) <0.001
5 days N/A N/A 321 (82.3) 396 (69.6)
7 days N/A N/A 48 (12.3) 137 (24.1)
≥10 days N/A N/A 4 (1.0) 22 (3.9)
Others N/A N/A 5 (1.3) 8 (1.4)
When family members are infected with COVID-19 Employees are not allowed to work for a certain period 901 (94.0) 210 (21.9) <0.001 70 (17.9) 140 (24.6) 0.045
Employees are allowed to work if they are not sick 57 (5.9) 728 (75.9) 310 (79.5) 418 (73.5)
No restrictions 1 (0.1) 21 (2.2) 10 (2.6) 11 (1.9)
Organizational social gathering among employees involving meals (hospital-wide year-end party, department-wide farewell party) Restricted 884 (92.2) 128 (13.3) <0.001 38 (9.7) 90 (15.8) 0.024
Not restricted but rarely held 70 (7.3) 504 (52.6) 212 (54.4) 292 (51.3)
Not restricted 5 (0.5) 327 (34.1) 140 (35.9) 187 (32.9)
Private meals and gatherings with colleagues Restricted 770 (80.3) 48 (5.0) <0.001 10 (2.6) 38 (6.7) 0.010
Not restricted but rarely held 163 (17.0) 404 (42.1) 176 (45.1) 228 (40.1)
Not restricted 26 (2.7) 507 (52.9) 204 (52.3) 303 (53.3)
Private meals and gatherings with people other than colleagues Restricted 682 (71.1) 26 (2.7) <0.001 4 (1.0) 22 (3.9) 0.024
Not restricted but rarely held 228 (23.8) 263 (27.4) 113 (29.0) 150 (26.4)
Not restricted 49 (5.1) 670 (69.9) 273 (70.0) 397 (69.8)
Examinees
Wearing masks When undergoing check-ups Compulsory 940 (98.0) 719 (75.0) <0.001 221 (56.7) 498 (87.5) <0.001
Recommended 18 (1.9) 215 (22.4) 150 (38.5) 65 (11.4)
Personal choice 1 (0.1) 25 (2.6) 19 (4.9) 6 (1.1)
Undergoing check-ups after having a fever Not allowed for a certain time 842 (87.8) 482 (50.3) <0.001 157 (40.3) 325 (57.1) <0.001
Allowed if the COVID-19 test is negative 99 (10.3) 216 (22.5) 98 (25.1) 118 (20.7)
Allowed if the fever has broken 18 (1.9) 261 (27.2) 135 (34.6) 126 (22.1)
The number of days examinees are not allowed to undergo check-ups after a COVID-19 infection No restrictions N/A N/A N/A 48 (12.3) 45 (7.9) <0.001
5 days N/A N/A 216 (55.4) 191 (33.6)
7 days N/A N/A 59 (15.1) 140 (24.6)
≥10 days N/A N/A 64 (16.4) 188 (33.0)
Others N/A N/A 3 (0.8) 5 (0.9)
Table 3. Multivariate Logistic Regression Model for the Negative Impact on Mental Health of Employees.

From: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health Check-ups before and after the COVID-19 Downgrade and Employees’ Mental Health at Health Check-up Facilities: The Third Nationwide Survey of Healthcare Facilities in Japan Society of Ningen Dock and Preventive Medical Care

Univariate model Multivariate model
Odds ratio (95% CI) P value Odds ratio (95% CI) P value
(Intercept) - - 0.05 (0.02-0.14) <0.001
Type of facility Not annexed to hospitals Ref Ref
Annexed to hospitals 1.67 (1.25-2.24) <0.001 1.69 (1.18-2.41) 0.004
Area Kanto Ref Ref
Hokkaido 0.78 (0.27-2.22) 0.641 0.56 (0.17-1.85) 0.344
Tohoku 1.18 (0.65-2.17) 0.582 1.11 (0.59-2.12) 0.743
Chubu 0.69 (0.46-1.04) 0.079 0.64 (0.41-0.99) 0.047
Kansai 0.97 (0.66-1.43) 0.893 1.03 (0.68-1.56) 0.874
Chugoku 0.66 (0.37-1.20) 0.172 0.60 (0.32-1.12) 0.106
Shikoku 0.20 (0.05-0.86) 0.031 0.23 (0.05-1.02) 0.053
Kyushu 1.01 (0.60-1.70) 0.960 1.00 (0.58-1.74) 0.995
Okinawa 4.37 (1.07-17.8) 0.040 3.02 (0.65-13.98) 0.157
Location of facilities Locations outside ordinance-designated cities or special wards in Tokyo Ref Ref
Ordinance-designated cities or special wards in Tokyo 1.01 (0.76-1.34) 0.960 1.03 (0.74-1.42) 0.864
Public or private institutions Private Ref Ref
Public 1.10 (0.77-1.56) 0.604 0.93 (0.63-1.38) 0.720
Number of employees 1-10 Ref Ref
11-20 1.27 (0.85-1.89) 0.250 0.45 (0.24-0.86) 0.015
21-40 1.28 (0.86-1.89) 0.227 0.81 (0.45-1.46) 0.490
>40 1.01 (0.66-1.54) 0.960 0.64 (0.32-1.30) 0.216
Negative financial impact in 2023 Yes 2.08 (1.53-2.83) <0.001 1.97 (1.42-2.75) <0.001
Employees complain that COVID-19-related rules are too strict Yes 2.89 (1.78-4.68) <0.001 2.96 (1.77-4.96) <0.001
Some employees have difficulty working due to long COVID Yes 3.57 (2.20-5.79) <0.001 3.39 (2.03-5.66) <0.001
Wearing masks indoors during personal time Personal choice Ref Ref
Compulsory or recommended 1.36 (1.00-1.84) 0.048 1.23 (0.86-1.76) 0.250
Taking COVID-19 tests for fever Personal choice Ref Ref
Compulsory or recommended 0.93 (0.64-1.36) 0.709 0.83 (0.54-1.27) 0.384
When family members are infected with COVID-19 No restriction/allowed to work if they are not sick Ref Ref
Employees are not allowed to work for a certain period 1.05 (0.75-1.47) 0.772 1.01 (0.70-1.46) 0.963
Employees are recommended to receive the COVID-19 vaccination Yes 1.03 (0.78-1.36) 0.833 0.84 (0.61-1.14) 0.255
Organizational social gathering among employees involving meals Not restricted Ref Ref
Restricted/Not restricted but rarely held 1.19 (0.88-1.60) 0.263 1.28 (0.87-1.90) 0.215
Private meals with people other than colleagues Not restricted Ref Ref
Restricted/Not restricted but rarely held 1.04 (0.77-1.41) 0.802 0.81 (0.56-1.17) 0.267
Organizational social gathering among employees involving meals held in FY2019/FY2023 FY2019: no FY2023: no Ref Ref
FY2019: no FY2023: yes 0.83 (0.55-1.24) 0.360 0.95 (0.61-1.51) 0.841
FY2019: yes FY2023: no 0.88 (0.60-1.29) 0.505 0.89 (0.59-1.34) 0.571
FY2019: yes FY2023: yes 0.86 (0.58-1.28) 0.457 0.92 (0.58-1.45) 0.715
Table 4. Rate of Increase, Job Types, and the Reasons for Increased Employee Resignations.

From: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health Check-ups before and after the COVID-19 Downgrade and Employees’ Mental Health at Health Check-up Facilities: The Third Nationwide Survey of Healthcare Facilities in Japan Society of Ningen Dock and Preventive Medical Care

Total (n = 104) Not annexed to hospitals (n = 20) Annexed to hospitals (n = 84) P value
Rate of increase in resignations compared to the pre-pandemic period (single answer) <10%
10%-30%
30%-50%
>50%
47 (45.2)
46 (44.2)
3 (2.9)
2 (1.9)
8 (40.0)
10 (50.0)
0 (0.0)
0 (0.0)
39 (46.4)
36 (42.9)
3 (3.6)
2 (2.4)
0.675
Job types with increased resignations (multiple answers) Doctors 12 (11.5) 3 (15.0) 9 (10.7) 0.881
Nurses 86 (82.7) 12 (60.0) 74 (88.1) 0.008
Clinical laboratory technologists 14 (13.5) 6 (30.0) 8 (9.5) 0.041
Radiologic technologists 6 (5.8) 1 (5.0) 5 (6.0) >0.999
Pharmacists 4 (3.8) 0 (0.0) 4 (4.8) 0.728
Other medical professionals 12 (11.5) 3 (15.0) 9 (10.7) 0.881
Clerical workers 41 (39.4) 12 (60.0) 29 (34.5) 0.066
Reasons for increased resignation (multiple answers) Increased workload due to patients with COVID-19 71 (68.3) 7 (35.0) 64 (76.2) 0.001
Shortage of communications 37 (35.6) 7 (35.0) 30 (35.7) >0.999
Stress due to restrictions in private life 18 (17.3) 1 (5.0) 17 (20.2) 0.197
New job with better conditions 7 (6.7) 3 (15.0) 4 (4.8) 0.252
Other reasons (below) 16 (15.4) 5 (25.0) 11 (13.1) 0.326
Other reasons (open-ended response) Increased overall workload 2 (1.9)
Deterioration of working conditions due to the worsening financial situation 2 (1.9)
A gap between the actual work and expectations due to the lack of pre-employment training 2 (1.9)
Table 5. Multivariate Logistic Regression Model for Increased Resignation of Employees.

From: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health Check-ups before and after the COVID-19 Downgrade and Employees’ Mental Health at Health Check-up Facilities: The Third Nationwide Survey of Healthcare Facilities in Japan Society of Ningen Dock and Preventive Medical Care

Univariate model Multivariate model
Odds ratio (95% CI) P value Odds ratio (95% CI) P value
(Intercept) - - 0.05 (0.02-0.14) <0.001
Type of facility Not annexed to hospitals Ref Ref
Annexed to hospitals 3.20 (1.93-5.31) <0.001 2.83 (1.56-5.13) <0.001
Area Kanto Ref Ref
Hokkaido 3.02 (1.03-8.89) 0.045 2.85 (0.85-9.54) 0.090
Tohoku 1.06 (0.42-2.65) 0.906 0.91 (0.34-2.43) 0.852
Chubu 1.12 (0.63-2.00) 0.690 0.99 (0.53-1.86) 0.977
Kansai 0.84 (0.46-1.55) 0.577 0.84 (0.44-1.62) 0.611
Chugoku 0.90 (0.38-2.11) 0.803 0.92 (0.37-2.31) 0.862
Shikoku 0.37 (0.05-2.81) 0.335 0.51 (0.06-4.12) 0.529
Kyushu 1.04 (0.48-2.27) 0.916 0.95 (0.41-2.20) 0.913
Okinawa 4.23 (1.01-17.66) 0.048 2.39 (0.42-13.44) 0.324
Location of facilities Locations outside ordinance-designated cities or special wards in Tokyo Ref Ref
Ordinance-designated cities or special wards in Tokyo vs others 0.95 (0.63-1.45) 0.815 1.25 (0.77-2.02) 0.376
Public or private institutions Private Ref Ref
Public 1.58 (0.99-2.54) 0.056 1.13 (0.66-1.92) 0.660
Number of employees 1-10 Ref Ref
11-20 0.60 (0.33-1.09) 0.095 0.45 (0.24-0.86) 0.015
21-40 1.01 (0.60-1.70) 0.976 0.81 (0.45-1.46) 0.490
>40 0.58 (0.31-1.08) 0.086 0.64 (0.32-1.30) 0.216
Negative financial impact in 2023 Yes 1.75 (1.13-2.69) 0.012 1.35 (0.84-2.18) 0.213
Employees complain that COVID-19 related rules are too strict Yes 1.89 (1.00-3.58) 0.0498 1.20 (0.59-2.45) 0.615
Some employees have difficulty in working due to long COVID Yes 1.31 (0.65-2.65) 0.443 0.79 (0.35-1.75) 0.558
Wearing masks indoors in private time Personal choice Ref Ref
Compulsory or recommended 1.03 (0.67-1.59) 0.896 0.76 (0.45-1.26) 0.285
Taking COVID-19 tests for fever Personal choice Ref Ref
Compulsory or recommended 0.95 (0.55-1.65) 0.859 0.87 (0.46-1.64) 0.660
When family members are infected with COVID-19 No restriction/allowed to work if they are not sick Ref Ref
Employees are not allowed to work for a certain period 0.95 (0.58-1.57) 0.846 0.83 (0.48-1.44) 0.505
Employees are recommended to receive the COVID-19 vaccination Yes 1.54 (1.02-2.33) 0.040 1.41 (0.88-2.24) 0.150
Organizational social gathering among employees involving meals Not restricted Ref Ref
Restricted or rarely held 1.31 (0.84-2.05) 0.232 1.01 (0.55-1.85) 0.972
Private meals with people other than colleagues Not restricted Ref Ref
Restricted or rarely held 0.98 (0.63-1.53) 0.938 0.94 (0.55-1.60) 0.814
Organizational social gathering among employees involving meals held in FY2019/FY2023 FY2019: no FY2023: no Ref Ref
FY2019: no FY2023: yes 0.38 (0.17-0.84) 0.017 0.35 (0.15-0.83) 0.017
FY2019: yes FY2023: no 1.81 (1.05-3.12) 0.032 1.79 (1.00-3.21) 0.0503
FY2019: yes FY2023: yes 1.24 (0.69-2.24) 0.472 1.14 (0.58-2.25) 0.703
Negative impact on the mental health of employees Yes 3.44 (2.27-5.21) <0.001 3.26 (2.07-5.15) <0.001
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