Psychosocial stressors and well-being in health care workers. The impact of an intervention program

There have been few prospective studies of the impact of workplace interven tions on employee and organizational well-being within health care settings . This study was conducted at a large regional hospital in Sweden in 1994 w ith a follow-up in 1995. Effects of a structured organizational and staff i ntervention program on perceived psychosocial work quality, supporting reso urces and self-reported health and well-being were evaluated. Based on depa rtment-specific results from the baseline assessment in 1994, each departme nt formulated their own improvement goals. They also made their own decisio ns on relevant improvement activities. Since there was no formal reference group in this study, departments with high and low rating levels, respectiv ely, with regard to intervention activities were compared. Despite an overa ll worsening in most of the measures most likely due to a notice of 20% sta ff reduction prior to the follow-up assessment, the intervention appeared t o have attenuated negative changes in the high as compared with the low act ivity group. Manager-rated impact of the program as well as positive staff attitudes and staff involvement in the enhancement process were identified as important determinants for more favourable changes. The study points out the relevance of structured workplace interventions for organizational and employee well-being especially in times of cut-backs and organizational tu rmoil. Department-specific factors will determine the impact of such progra ms. The study indicates that the psychosocial impact of personnel cut-backs in health cart, may be attenuated through management initiatives. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.