Comparison of Patient-Sitter Ward Nurses and General Ward Nurses on Work-Related Musculoskeletal Symptoms, Occupational Stress and Nursing Work Environments

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare work-related musculoskeletal symptoms, occupational stress and nursing work environments of nurses working in patient-sitter wards and general wards. METHODS: The study surveyed 240 nurses with more than one year of experience working in both patient-sitter wards and general wards. The collected data then was analyzed by SPSS statistics version 22. RESULTS: As for the musculoskeletal symptoms, the survey showed that 85.2% and 67.8% of the nurses had such symptoms respectively in patient-sitter wards and general wards. In terms of occupational stress, no significant difference was observed between the patient-sitter ward and the general ward (t=-0.23, p=.821). Lastly, the study showed that there is a significant difference in terms of work environment considering the scores recorded 2.65 and 2.55 points respectively in patient-sitter ward and general ward (t=2.53, p=.012). CONCLUSION: Follow-up research should look at ways to lower the rate of experiencing work-related musculoskeletal symptoms; analyze work performances and establish work standards to lower occupational stress; and devise measures to improve the work environment for the nurses working in patient-sitter wards.

A Study on Satisfaction with Care Service depending on Activities of Daily Living and Type of Caregivers among Inpatients with Chronic Disease / 재활간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the satisfaction level of care services depending on the activities of daily living and types of care services for inpatients with chronic disease. METHODS: The participants consisted of 156 chronically ill patients. A structured questionnaire and personal interviews were used for collecting the data. The data were analyzed using SPSS (ver. 12.0) program for frequency, t-test, ANOVA, multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The chronically ill patients taken care of by family members were more satisfied with care services than those taken care of by paid caregivers. Also, the more able the patients were for their daily living activities, they were more satisfied with care services. In addition, type of care services was the most important factor in terms of affecting patients' satisfaction with care services most. CONCLUSION: The result of this study suggests that nurses need to pay more attention to those with low activities of daily living and taken care of by paid caregivers, who have the probability of low satisfaction of care services.