We have divided the government’s task to collect and compile knowledge about work environment risks and health factors among healthcare personnel into four sub-projects. As a part of the assignment, we here present a report in which we have interviewed representatives within several organizations with insight into the work environment for healthcare employees.
The authority has engaged in dialogue with the labor market partners, municipalities, regions, professional associations, company health and research institutions to deepen the knowledge of the work environment in healthcare. The interviews were done with representatives of organizations who have insight into the working environment of these groups.
The main questions of the study are:
- What are the most important risk- and health factors for a physical, social and organizational work environment and how are they connected?
- Which measures would create the greatest value to strengthen the work environment?
- What additional knowledge is needed to be able to carry out effective work to strengthen the work environment?
Results substudy
The study shows that risk and health factors in various areas are connected and influence each other. Consequences of a lack of organizational work environment can, for example, lead to physical risks. The results from the study point to possible efforts to strengthen the work environment. A central measure is to establish a functioning systematic work environment work. This, in turn, requires long-term planning, leadership and competence in various parts of the organizations concerned. The need for knowledge needs to be clarified-cut. Some interviewees believe that the knowledge exists and that the problem is that it is not used. Some describe a need for more specific knowledge about health and risk factors in health care. Others point to knowledge about the effects of various risk factors such as ethical stress and the cognitive and digital work environments.
Purpose
The purpose of the assignment is to provide an increased knowledge of how the work environment for healthcare personnel can be promoted and how work environment risks for the group can be minimized and eliminated. Within the framework of the assignment, it is also included to disseminate the results of the compiled knowledge so that it can constitute support for, among other things, employers, managers, safety representatives and other elected representatives at the workplaces concerned.
Goals
The results are compiled so that the knowledge can be a support for, among others, employers, managers, safety representatives and other elected officials at the workplaces concerned. In order to deepen the knowledge of the problem and contribute to dissemination and implementation, a dialogue will be held with, among others, labor market partners, municipalities and regions as well as with relevant professional associations.
The compiled knowledge must be able to be used as a guide to develop and create a promoting work environment for health care personnel.
The study’s four sub-projects:
- Interventions at the workplace for an improved psychosocial work environment in health care
- Dialogue and cooperation with key players in the healthcare system
- Nurses’, doctors’ and assistant nurses’ working environment and health
- Work environment risks and health factors among healthcare personnel