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Cameron E, Noble N, Bryant J, Norton G, Allanson Oam V, Sanson-Fisher R. Job satisfaction and regulation in the aged care sector: staff perspectives. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1421. [PMID: 38102701 PMCID: PMC10722849 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10472-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The quality of care provided in residential aged care facilities is largely dependent on the job satisfaction of employees and the organisational framework and systems that they provide care in. This study aimed to explore aged care staff perceptions of job satisfaction, regulation of the sector and the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. METHODS A cross-sectional survey conducted in 2019-early 2020 with staff employed in various roles at residential aged care services in Australia. The study specific survey collected views and experiences about working in the aged care sector as well as information about their role. RESULTS A total of 167 aged care staff completed the survey of which 71% worked in a direct care role. Most participants indicated they thought they were doing a worthwhile and important job (98%), were proud to work in the sector (94%) and found the job personally rewarding (94%). However, participants also reported feeling emotionally drained by the work (37%) and fatigued by having to face a day of work (30%). 72% of participants felt the Royal Commission would lead to improvements in the care provided to residents. CONCLUSION Aged care staff have an overall positive feeling towards their work. Additional support including increasing skills to deliver high-quality care, creating a supportive work environment to reduce job stressors and changes to the way the sector is regulated, are likely to lead to improved care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Cameron
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Locked Bag 1000, New Lambton, NSW, 2305, Australia.
| | - Natasha Noble
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Locked Bag 1000, New Lambton, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Jamie Bryant
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Locked Bag 1000, New Lambton, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Grace Norton
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Locked Bag 1000, New Lambton, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Viv Allanson Oam
- Maroba Caring Communities, 58 Edith Street, Waratah, NSW, 2298, Australia
| | - Rob Sanson-Fisher
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Locked Bag 1000, New Lambton, NSW, 2305, Australia
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Manchha AV, Walker N, Way KA, Dawson D, Tann K, Thai M. Deeply Discrediting: A Systematic Review Examining the Conceptualizations and Consequences of the Stigma of Working in Aged Care. Gerontologist 2021; 61:e129-e146. [PMID: 33103188 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnaa166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The stigma of working in aged care can discredit and devalue those working in gerontology. This overlooked workforce issue may underpin complex staffing challenges like chronic worker shortages and inadequate care delivery. Our review synthesizes the existing literature and introduces a conceptual framework based on linguistics to reconcile disparate conceptualizations and negative consequences of this stigma. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We conducted a systematic review and assessed peer-reviewed articles published from 1973 to 2019 across 5 databases. Fifty-nine articles were selected based on criteria grounded in stigma theory. RESULTS Only 10 articles explicitly used the term "stigma" when conceptualizing the stigma of working in aged care. An additional 49 articles conceptualized this stigma in terms of stigma processes (e.g., status loss). Findings from a deeper examination using a linguistic analysis revealed societal groups predominantly conceptualized stigma in 3 distinct ways based on (a) unfavorable character judgment of aged care workers, (b) lower value placed on aged care work, and (c) negative emotional reactions towards working in aged care. Last, stigma was associated with adverse psychological and job-related consequences. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS Reconceptualizing this workforce issue and recognizing it as a societal challenge will enable policymakers to design evidence-based interventions at industry and societal levels. We propose workforce challenges in the aged care sector such as attraction, retention, and well-being may lessen with interventions aimed at mitigating the stigma of working in aged care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmita V Manchha
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Nicole Walker
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kïrsten A Way
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Danielle Dawson
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ken Tann
- The University of Queensland Business School, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Michael Thai
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Gao F, Newcombe P, Tilse C, Wilson J, Tuckett A. Models for predicting turnover of residential aged care nurses: a structural equation modelling analysis of secondary data. Int J Nurs Stud 2014; 51:1258-70. [PMID: 24529835 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2013] [Revised: 12/04/2013] [Accepted: 01/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nurse turnover in the residential aged care industry is a pressing issue. Researchers have shown ongoing interest in exploring how the factors that are amendable to change in aged care policy, regulation and funding and in organizational procedures (e.g. job demands, coping resources and psychological health of nurses) impact on turnover. However, the findings are mixed. OBJECTIVE This study tested two theoretical models of turnover to examine the structural relationships among job demands, coping resources, psychological health and turnover of residential aged care nurses. Although many previous studies operationalized turnover as intention to leave, the present study investigated actual turnover by following up with the same individuals over time, and thus provided more accurate predictive models of turnover behaviour. DESIGN AND METHODS The sample, 239 Australian residential aged care nurses, came from the Nurses and Midwives e-cohort Study. Job demands, coping resources, and psychological health were measured using standardized instruments. Structural equation modelling was used to test the measurement and structural models. RESULTS Controlling for a number of workforce and individual characteristics, coping resources (measured by job control, supervisor support, and co-worker support) were negatively and directly associated with turnover. Additionally, the findings supported the Job Demand-Control-Support model in that higher coping resources and lower job demands (indicated by psychological demands, physical demands, and effort) were related to better psychological health (measured by vitality, social functioning, role emotional, and mental health), and higher job demands were related to lower coping resources. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that aged care policy makers and service providers might consider increasing coping resources available to nurses and minimizing job demands of care work to reduce turnover and improve nurses' psychological health. Moreover, findings from this Australian study may provide valuable practical and policy implications for other developed countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengsong Gao
- School of Social Work and Human Services, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Peter Newcombe
- School of Social Work and Human Services, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Cheryl Tilse
- School of Social Work and Human Services, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Jill Wilson
- School of Social Work and Human Services, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Anthony Tuckett
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Queensland, Herston Campus, Herston Road, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia; The University of Queensland/Blue Care Research and Practice Development Centre, P.O. Box 1539, Milton BC, QLD 4064, Australia.
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