More work-life balance for healthcare workers linked to better safety culture, study finds

Healthcare workers who have a higher work-life balance reported a better safety culture and less burnout, a study published in BMJ Quality & Safety found.

To assess work-life balance, the researchers asked participants to report behaviors such as skipping meals or working without breaks.

Residents, fellows and attending physicians reported the lowest work-life balance, while psychologists, nutritionists and environmental services workers reported the highest work-life balance.

Employees working day shifts reported better work-life balance scores compared to night shift employees, and those who worked shorter shifts had better scores than those working longer shifts.

The study found work-life balance scores also clustered according to work setting: individuals with different roles within a given setting, such as the intensive care unit or the emergency department, had more similar work-life balance.

Burnout interventions should target work settings rather than individuals because work-life balance appears to be a shared experience within healthcare settings, the researchers said.

More articles on clinical leadership and infection control:
Nurses with bachelor's degrees feel better prepared for work than associate degree grads
How EMR interventions helped Boston Medical Center cut unneeded testing
Viewpoint: Why physicians should encourage patients to vote

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.

 

Featured Whitepapers

Featured Webinars