World Health Day: European caregivers feel valued, but disparities emerge
On the occasion of World Health Day, April 7, 2025, a study conducted by Ipsos for Clariane reveals that two-thirds (66%) of European caregivers feel valued in their role.
However, five years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the wave of appreciation shown toward caregivers, this perception varies significantly depending on profession, country, and audience.
Mixed perceptions that vary by profession and country
While 84% of doctors feel valued, the sentiment differs among nursing assistants, with 56% of them feeling appreciated. This perception also varies by nationality: Italians report the highest level of perceived recognition (73%), while the French rank lowest (59%).
A mixed perspective depending on the audience
Caregivers feel their work is widely recognized by their immediate circles (85%), their patients (83%), and patients' families (78%). However, this recognition drops significantly when it comes to the “general public” (59%), the media (49%), and especially political leaders (34%).
A sense of recognition fading over time
Nearly half of European caregivers (49%) believe that the level of recognition for their profession has declined over the past five years. This perception is more pronounced in France (58%) than in Italy (47%), Spain (46%), and Germany (44%).
The reasons most often cited include a "lack of resources, time, and staff to properly listen to patients" (51%) and a "consumer-driven approach to healthcare" (45%). Caregivers also point to the influence of information found on the internet (34%) on patient expectations.
For caregivers who, on the contrary, believe that perception for their profession has improved over the past five years (23% overall; 32% in Spain), the main reason is the shortage of caregivers, which has raised awareness of their essential role.
Strong professional satisfaction remains
Despite these challenges, 4 out of 5 caregivers (79%) say they are satisfied with their profession, with higher satisfaction rates in Spain (83%) and among doctors (86%).
This satisfaction drives 57% of caregivers to recommend their profession to young people, with a particularly high number in Spain (67%).
When asked if they have considered changing jobs in the past year, 1 in 5 European caregivers (20%) answered yes. Among those considering leaving their current position, only 25% would also leave the healthcare sector entirely — demonstrating a strong attachment to the field.
Ways to improve recognition: awareness and training
To enhance public appreciation, caregivers call for awareness initiatives such as positive media campaigns (51%), school visits (46%), and open days at healthcare facilities (42%).
They also emphasize the importance of training to improve patient relationships (45%).
---
Link to the study: https://www.clariane.com/en/press-room/kits-and-publications/sudy-ipsos-x-clariane-world-health-day-european-healthcare-workers
---
Study methodology
The Ipsos x Clariane study was conducted from January 10 to February 6, 2025, among 1,602 caregivers from the four most populated countries of the European Union: Germany, France, Italy and Spain.
The sample includes:
• 402 nurses
• 401 nursing assistants
• 400 doctors
• 399 paramedics and other medical/paramedical support staff
