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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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Open Access 30-11-2023 | Original Article

Effects of workday characteristics and job demands on recovery from work among Finnish home care nurses: a multi-source cross-sectional study

Authors: Visa Väisänen, Salla Ruotsalainen, Pihla Säynäjäkangas, Satu Mänttäri, Jaana Laitinen, Timo Sinervo

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Objective

Ageing populations and poor care workforce availability are causing increasing job demands for home care nurses across Europe. While recovery from work helps sustain work ability and wellbeing, past research has relied mainly on self-reported measures of health, stressors, and recovery. This study aims to examine how objective and subjective job demands are associated with measured day-time recovery among home care nurses.

Methods

Heart rate variability recording was conducted for 95 Finnish home care nurses. The study participants documented their work tasks throughout the workday and filled a wellbeing questionnaire. The amount of care time, breaktime, number of different weekly clients, and their care needs were obtained from the survey. The associations between job demands and measured day-time recovery were analysed using multivariate linear regression.

Results

The amount of day-time recovery was on average 75 min. The number of different clients during the workday (e.g., care continuity) and higher care needs of the clients were associated with lower day-time recovery. Additionally, something slightly disrupting the course of the workday was associated with increased recovery.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that reducing especially the objective job demands (workday characteristics) can contribute to better day-time recovery among home care nurses. To help sustain work ability and improve wellbeing, day-time recovery can be promoted with better work scheduling that supports care continuity and ensures sufficient care resources and support for nurses with many clients or clients with high care needs.

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Title: Effects of workday characteristics and job demands on recovery from work among Finnish home care nurses: a multi-source cross-sectional study
Authors: Visa Väisänen
Salla Ruotsalainen
Pihla Säynäjäkangas
Satu Mänttäri
Jaana Laitinen
Timo Sinervo
Publication date: 30-11-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 1/2024
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-023-02026-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Effects of workday characteristics and job demands on recovery from work among Finnish home care nurses: a multi-source cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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