scholarly journals Exploring Drivers of Work-Related Stress in General Practice Teams as an Example for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Protocol for an Integrated Ethnographic Approach of Social Research Methods

10.2196/15809 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e15809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Rind ◽  
Sigrid Emerich ◽  
Christine Preiser ◽  
Elena Tsarouha ◽  
Monika A Rieger ◽  
...  

Background An increasing shortage of skilled personnel, including medical personnel, has been reported in many postindustrial economies. Persisting and growing trends in absenteeism and incapacity to work due to mental disorders are concerning and have increased political, economic, and scientific interest in better understanding and management of determinants related to the work environment and health. Objective This study protocol describes an integrated approach of social research methods to explore determinants of work-related stress in general practice teams as an example for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Methods The methods applied will allow an in-depth exploration of work practices and experiences relating to psychological well-being in general practice teams. An ethnographic approach will be used to develop an in-depth understanding of the drivers of work-related stress in general practice teams. We will combine participating observation and individual interviews with five to seven general practitioners (GPs), and five to seven focus group discussions with the nonphysician staff (3-4 participants per group) in approximately four GP group practices and one single practice in Germany. Data collection and analysis will follow a grounded theory approach. Results The Ethics Committee of the Medical Faculty, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Germany, has approved this study (reference number: 640/2017BO2). Recruitment has commenced with study completion anticipated in mid-2020. Conclusions The data from this project will be used in follow-up projects to develop and test an intervention to reduce and prevent work-related stress in GP practices and other SMEs. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/15809

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Rind ◽  
Sigrid Emerich ◽  
Christine Preiser ◽  
Elena Tsarouha ◽  
Monika A Rieger ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND An increasing shortage of skilled personnel, including medical personnel, has been reported in many postindustrial economies. Persisting and growing trends in absenteeism and incapacity to work due to mental disorders are concerning and have increased political, economic, and scientific interest in better understanding and management of determinants related to the work environment and health. OBJECTIVE This study protocol describes an integrated approach of social research methods to explore determinants of work-related stress in general practice teams as an example for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). METHODS The methods applied will allow an in-depth exploration of work practices and experiences relating to psychological well-being in general practice teams. An ethnographic approach will be used to develop an in-depth understanding of the drivers of work-related stress in general practice teams. We will combine participating observation and individual interviews with five to seven general practitioners (GPs), and five to seven focus group discussions with the nonphysician staff (3-4 participants per group) in approximately four GP group practices and one single practice in Germany. Data collection and analysis will follow a grounded theory approach. RESULTS The Ethics Committee of the Medical Faculty, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Germany, has approved this study (reference number: 640/2017BO2). Recruitment has commenced with study completion anticipated in mid-2020. CONCLUSIONS The data from this project will be used in follow-up projects to develop and test an intervention to reduce and prevent work-related stress in GP practices and other SMEs. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/15809


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Tsarouha ◽  
Christine Preiser ◽  
Birgitta Weltermann ◽  
Florian Junne ◽  
Tanja Seifried-Dübon ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Work-related stress has been associated with poor psychological and physical outcomes. A better understanding of work-related psychosocial demands, risks and resources can therefore contribute to the prevention of work-related stress. Compared to the general population, medical staff have reported a higher prevalence of chronic stress. Using general practices as an example for small enterprises, this study aims to gain a deeper understanding of work-related psychosocial demands, stressors and resources in the primary care setting. Methods We applied an ethnographic design, comprising a combination of participating observations, individual interviews with physicians (N = 6) and focus group discussion with physician assistants and administrative staff (N = 19) in five general practices in Germany. Access to the practice teams was established via a local general practice network. A grounded theory approach was applied to analyze all data. Results Our results identified specific psychosocial demands, stressors and resources exemplified mainly along two typical tasks in GP practices: the issuing of medical prescriptions and blood sampling. Main psychosocial risks included factors related to work content and tasks (eg, incompleteness of task), organization of work (eg, frequent interruptions), and the working environment (eg, noise). Work-related resources comprised staff’s influence on aspects related to work organization (eg, scope for action) and social support (eg, positively perceived teamwork). Conclusion Although work processes in general practices are complex and partly regulated by law, there are opportunities for practice owners and practice teams to establish working procedures in ways that reduce psychosocial risks and strengthen work-related resources.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Tsarouha ◽  
Christine Preiser ◽  
Birgitta Weltermann ◽  
Florian Junne ◽  
Tanja Seifried-Dübon ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Work-related stress has been associated with poor psychological and physical outcomes. A better understanding of work-related psychosocial demands, risks and resources can therefore contribute to the prevention of work-related stress. Compared to the general population, medical staff have reported a higher prevalence of chronic stress. Using general practices as an example for small enterprises, this study aims to gain a deeper understanding of work-related psychosocial demands, stressors and resources in the primary care setting. Methods We applied an ethnographic design, comprising a combination of participating observations, individual interviews with physicians (N = 6) and focus group discussion with practice assistants and administrative staff (N = 19) in five general practices in Germany. Access to the practice teams was established via a university general practice network. A grounded theory approach was applied to analyze all data. Results Our results identified specific psychosocial demands, stressors and resources exemplified mainly along two typical tasks in GP practices: the issuing of medical prescriptions and blood sampling. Main psychosocial risks included factors related to work content and tasks (e.g. incompleteness of task), organization of work (e.g. frequent interruptions), and the working environment (e.g. noise). Work-related resources comprised staff’s influence on aspects related to work organization (e.g. scope for action) and social support (e.g. positively perceived teamwork). These factors did not occur in isolation but were closely interrelated with each other.Conclusion Although work processes in general practices are complex and required to comply with legal regulations, the specific organization of work processes is the responsibility of the general practitioner. Therefore, there are opportunities for practice owners and practice teams to establish working procedures in ways that reduce psychosocial risks and strengthen work-related resources.


Author(s):  
Paul Cullen ◽  
Joan Cahill ◽  
Keith Gaynor

Abstract. Increasing evidence suggests that commercial airline pilots can experience physical, mental, and social health difficulties. Qualitative interviews with commercial airline pilots explored the relationship between work-related stress and well-being. Participatory workshops involving pilots were conducted. The methodology of this action-based research involved a blend of person-centered design approaches; specifically, “stakeholder evaluation” and “participatory design.” The findings further support the hypothesis that pilot well-being is being negatively affected by the nature of their work. The biopsychosocial model of the lived experience of a pilot, as presented in this paper, provides a useful structure to examine pilot well-being, and to identify and scope potential coping strategies to self-manage health and well-being issues associated with the job of being a pilot.


2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (11) ◽  
pp. 2622-2633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Van Bogaert ◽  
Jef Adriaenssens ◽  
Tinne Dilles ◽  
Daisy Martens ◽  
Bart Van Rompaey ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekta Rao ◽  
Alok Goel

Hotels are an important component of the hospitality sector as every tourist wants a comfortable and secure stay. Customers rate a tourist destination according to the performance of the hotels. The workforce of a hotel plays an important role in satisfying a customer. But the workforce is highly stressed because of a number of factors pertaining to the hotel industry. This paper aims to identify the factors causing work related stress among hotel employees. Descriptive research method was used to identify the factors causing stress and technique of factor analysis is applied. Findings of the study   identified Work load, Control over work, Role clarity, Interpersonal relations Managerial Support   and Organizational Policies as   six major factors causing stress among employees in the hotel industry.  The findings of the paper are a guideline for the hotels   to bring about modifications in these factors and hence improve mental well-being of their workforce.   Key words: Hospitality, hotels, work related stress, service delivery.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 357-363
Author(s):  
Youjin Hong ◽  
Jukab Lee ◽  
Hyuk Joo Lee ◽  
Kyumin Kim ◽  
Inn-Kyu Cho ◽  
...  

Objective We aimed to investigate the effect of nursing professionals’ resilience on their mental health, work-related stress, and anxiety in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods We conducted an online survey in the Asan Medical Center and Ulsan University Hospital, South Korea. We extracted data of 824 nursing professionals who consented to participate, including demographic variables and the Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-9 (SAVE-9), PHQ-9, GAD-7, and Brief Resilience Scale scores.Results Resilience was negatively correlated with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) (rho=-0.23), Generalized Anxiety Scale-7 items (GAD-7) (rho=-0.25), Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidem-ics-6 items (SAVE-6) (rho=-0.15), and Stress And anxiety to Viral Epidemics-3 items (SAVE-3) (rho=-0.13, all, p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis adjusting age, marital status, and years of employment revealed that high level of general anxiety [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.31–1.50], work-related stress during viral epidemics (aOR=1.16, 95% CI=1.03–1.29), and a low level of resilience (aOR=0.91, 95% CI=0.85–0.97) were expecting variables for the depression of healthcare workers.Conclusion Nursing professionals’ level of resilience may be associated with low level of work-related stress and anxiety induced by a viral epidemic. We need to explore further the possibility of resilience as coping strategy of healthcare workers in this pandemic era.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lindiwe Gumede

Introduction Work related stressors are identified as the main reason for the decline in patient care in Radiography in public hospitals. Radiographers opt to leave the public sector because of stressful experiences. Research has shown that the scarcity of qualitative studies on the phenomenon makes it difficult to understand work related stress in relation to radiography as a profession. Aim of the study The aim of the study was to explore and describe work related stressors in Radiography at a public hospital in Gauteng, South Africa. Methodology This study was a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study. An interview guide was used to elicit information from 10 participants through semi-structured interviews. All the interviews were one-on-one and were audio-recorded. The data were analysed through Tesch’s eight steps of thematic analysis. Findings The following three themes emerged during data analysis, namely: personal well-being of Radiographers; decline in quality patient care and impaired radiography service; and, environmental enablers. The findings of the study revealed that the participants’ general health was compromised by various factors pertaining to work related stress. Conclusion Interventions necessary for dealing with work related stressors are highlighted as a way of enabling improvement of the working environment conditions. The participants in the study felt that hiring more staff could alleviate their work related stressors. The study has shown that it is also imperative that staff and management are constantly communicating well.


Author(s):  
Lauren Hawthorne ◽  
Shannon K. McCoy ◽  
Ellen E. Newell ◽  
Amy Blackstone ◽  
Susan K. Gardner

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