ObjectivesPhysicians’ demanding work conditions may reduce the time and energy required for maintaining healthy lifestyles. This study examined health-related behaviours, perceived health status and emotional stress among physicians, and analysed the effects of personal and work characteristics on these endpoints.DesignA cross-sectional study using a digital questionnaire.Setting and participantsAll 25 590 physicians who were members of the Israeli Medical Association in 2015 were invited to participate by email. Of 14 694 who opened the e-mail, 4832 (32.9%) responded.Outcome measuresSurvey topics included physical activity (PA), nutrition and eating habits, smoking, sleep, perceived health status and emotional stress, body mass index (BMI) and contact with a regular physician, as well as personal and work characteristics. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.ResultsOf the 4832 respondents, 21% reported poor or fair health status, 36% felt considerable emotional stress, 57% were overweight or obese (according to BMI≥25 kg/m2), 71% did not meet the recommended PA level, 79% did not meet a composite measure of healthy nutrition, 8% were current smokers, 25% slept 5 hours or less and 57% did not have a regular physician. Residents and hospital physicians reported significantly less healthy lifestyles, lower perceived health status and higher stress levels, compared with senior and community physicians. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that being female (OR=0.74, 95% CI=0.64 to 0.85), younger (0.69, 0.64 to 0.74), having poor nutrition (0.66, 0.55 to 0.78), not meeting PA targets (0.68, 0.57 to 0.82), inadequate sleep (0.54, 0.40 to 0.56) and perceived poor health status (0.48, 0.40 to 0.56) were significantly associated with high stress levels (p<0.001).ConclusionsThe unfavourable health behaviours reported among Israeli physicians may have negative effects on their health and well-being. An intervention program to help physicians to adopt a healthier lifestyle is urgently needed.

Purpose The study aimed to (1) examine health behaviors and perceived health among nurses; (2) analyze the effect of nurses’ personal and work characteristics on these variables; and (3) explore the relationship between health behaviors and nurses’ health perception. Design and methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted among nurses working in health care organizations (HCOs) across Israel. An email with the online questionnaire was sent to nurses working in 19 HCOs across Israel during September–December 2018. Findings Of 18,120 nurses employed, 3542 completed the survey. Mean age was 44.8 years, 91% were female), 64.6% were hospital nurses and 52.8% were clinical staff nurses. Two‐thirds of nurses did not achieve the physical activity (PA) target; the majority reported unfavorable eating habits; 66% slept less than 7 h at night and 15% smoke. Hospital nurses working night shifts reported the least favorable health behaviors. Non‐Jewish nurses had less eating habits compared with Jewish nurses. Nurses born in the Former Soviet Union perceived their health as significantly worse than that of the other respondents. Binomial logistic regression demonstrated that, age, Israeli origin, achieving the PA target, having food breaks during work, consuming a Mediterranean diet, sleeping at least 7 h, undergoing screening tests as recommended, and not smoking predicted better health perception among nurses. Conclusions Nurses, particularly hospital‐based, non‐Jewish and immigrants from the Soviet Union, demonstrated unfavorable health behaviors that may negatively affect their wellbeing and health perception. Clinical relevance Interventions aimed at improving the health promoting mindset of nurses have the potential to improve their health and wellbeing and to enable them to become role models and health educators for patients and their families.

Aim To explore associations between nurses' sense of professional self‐actualization, nursing work environment and their involvement in promotion and marketing of the nursing profession. Design A descriptive cross‐sectional study. Methods 144 nurses from various clinical fields completed a promotion and marketing activity questionnaire, selected items from the Brief Index of Self‐Actualization and a part of the Revised Nursing Work Index. Results Nurses' perception of their work environment and holding a master's degree in nursing were associated with their involvement in promotion activities [ R 2 = 0.27, F (4, 113) = 10.4, p < .001]. Nurses' perception of their work environment was associated with their sense of professional self‐actualization [ R 2 = 0.21, F (2, 121) = 16.5, p < .001]. Nurses' sense of professional self‐actualization did not contribute to the explanation of variance in their involvement in promotion of the nursing profession.

Aims:The aim of this study is to examine (a) public image of nursing and the intention to choose nursing as a future career and (b) the relationship between the public image, gender roles and the choice of the nursing career among Arab high school students.Background: School graduates from the Arab sector represent an important social group with the potential to provide quality candidates for the nursing profession in Israel. Methods:In this cross-sectional study, 138 high school students from two Arab schools in Israel completed a structured questionnaire.Results: One third of the sample intended to choose nursing as a future career. Students from families with a higher level of paternal education and those exposed to the work of nurses perceived nursing as more positive. The profession's public image contributed to the explanation of 21% of the variance of the intention to choose a nursing career. Conclusion:A positive public image of nursing contributes to decisions about choosing a nursing career in the future among Arab high school students.Implications for Nursing Management: School graduates may be influenced by providing information and presenting the role of a nurse as significant, as well as by emphasizing the positive image of nursing to parents and influential people in the Arab community.