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Organizational stressors, work–family interface and the role of gender in the hospital: E xperiences from T urkey
Author(s) -
Turk Meral,
Davas Asli,
Tanik Feride A.,
Montgomery Anthony J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
british journal of health psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 2044-8287
pISSN - 1359-107X
DOI - 10.1111/bjhp.12041
Subject(s) - stressor , health care , psychology , thematic analysis , workload , nursing , interpersonal communication , burnout , focus group , social psychology , medicine , qualitative research , clinical psychology , sociology , political science , management , social science , law , economics , anthropology
Objectives In the framework of the EU project ‘Improving quality and safety in the hospital: The link between organizational culture, burnout and quality of care’, focus groups ( FG s) were conducted to explore hospital environment stressors and their relationship with health care professional ( HP ) well‐being and quality of care. Methods Semi‐structured interviews and FG s were used. Three mixed FG s with 23 health care workers, two FG s with 12 nurses, and another one with nine physicians were conducted. Thematic analyses were performed. Data were coded into main themes and subthemes. Results Three themes emerged from the discussions: (1) Organizational stressors associated with working conditions concerning the nature of the job, workload and working schedule, unclear role definition, lack of time for personal development, interpersonal relationships at work, changes in health policy, (2) work–family spillover and (3) the gendered nature of health care work and of patients' expectations, and the gendered character of the workplace. Conclusions Health care professionals are faced with numerous challenges that create stress affecting their daily life. Job stressors related to working conditions, the negative and positive spillover of work–family interference and the gendered nature of health care work emerged as important issues for T urkish HP s. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject?In Turkey, gender has rarely been considered in the healthcare studies. Rapid changes in health reforms are making healthcare professionals more vulnerable to stress. The deteriation in the health system impacts women more than men, as higher ratios work in outsourced services.What does this study add?Despite signifcant changes in attitudes towards women, nurses are treated as “mothers” of the clinics. Women as health workers are particularly exposed to multiple stressors, that are rooted in ideals about gender. Understanding the way healthcare is organized along gendered lines is a precusor to any real organizational change.