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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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Open Access 12-07-2023 | Care | Original Article

How does the distribution of work tasks among home care personnel relate to workload and health-related quality of life?

Authors: Fredrik Norström, Magnus Zingmark, Anita Pettersson-Strömbäck, Klas-Göran Sahlén, Malin Öhrling, Karin Bölenius

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 8/2023

Abstract

Background

The work for Swedish home care workers is challenging with a variety of support and healthcare tasks for home care recipients. The aim of our study is to investigate how these tasks relate to workload and health-related quality of life among home care workers in Sweden. We also explore staff preferences concerning work distribution.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 16 municipalities in Northern Sweden. Questionnaires with validated instruments to measure workload (QPSNordic) and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D), were responded by 1154 (~ 58%) of approximately 2000 invited home care workers. EQ-5D responses were translated to a Quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) score. For 15 different work task areas, personnel provided their present and preferred allocation. Absolute risk differences were calculated with propensity score weighting.

Results

Statistically significantly more or fewer problems differences were observed for: higher workloads were higher among those whose daily work included responding to personal alarms (8.4%), running errands outside the home (14%), rehabilitation (13%) and help with bathing (11%). Apart from rehabilitation, there were statistically significantly more (8–10%) problems with anxiety/depression for these tasks. QALY scores were lower among those whose daily work included food distribution (0.034) and higher for daily meal preparation (0.031), both explained by pain/discomfort dimension. Personnel preferred to, amongst other, spend less time responding to personal alarms, and more time providing social support.

Conclusion

The redistribution of work tasks is likely to reduce workload and improve the health of personnel. Our study provides an understanding of how such redistribution could be undertaken.

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Title: How does the distribution of work tasks among home care personnel relate to workload and health-related quality of life?
Authors: Fredrik Norström
Magnus Zingmark
Anita Pettersson-Strömbäck
Klas-Göran Sahlén
Malin Öhrling
Karin Bölenius
Publication date: 12-07-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Care
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 8/2023
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-023-01997-2

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How does the distribution of work tasks among home care personnel relate to workload and health-related quality of life?

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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