Person-centred care and the work-related health and job satisfaction of health and social care professionals: protocol for a prospective longitudinal cohort study combined with qualitative studies (the PCC@Work project).

BACKGROUND: The interplay of ethical stress, heavy workloads, and job dissatisfaction poses challenges to both the recruitment and retention of health and social care professionals. Person-centred care, rooted in ethical principles, involves collaborative care, and is expected to improve care and job satisfaction. However, prior research on the impact of person-centred care practices on professionals' work-related health and job satisfaction has yielded mixed results, and most studies emanate from residential care. Understanding how person-centred care practices influence health and social care professionals across different care settings thus requires further exploration through rigorous methodology. The overall aim of PCC@Work is to follow, describe, assess, and explore the impact of person-centred care practices in hospital wards, primary care centres and municipal care on health and social care professionals' work-related health and job satisfaction. METHODS: PCC@Work is designed as a prospective, longitudinal cohort study combined with qualitative studies. A web-based questionnaire will be distributed on five occasions within two years to health and social care professionals in the three care settings. In addition, focus groups and interviews will be conducted with a selection of health and social care professionals to explore their experiences of work-related health and job satisfaction in relation to person-centred practices. DISCUSSION: PCC@Work will highlight some of the knowledge gaps on the impact of person-centred care practices regarding work-related health and job satisfaction of health and social care professionals. The uniqueness of the project lies in the multi-method design, combining a prospective longitudinal cohort study with qualitative studies, and the involvement of various professions and settings. This means we will be able to provide a comprehensive and representative understanding of person-centred care practices as a critical component for effective change in the working conditions of health and social care.

Healthcare professionals' experiences of job satisfaction when providing person-centred care: a systematic review of qualitative studies.

OBJECTIVES: This qualitative systematic review aimed to explore and synthesise healthcare professionals' (HCPs) experiences of job satisfaction when providing person-centred care (PCC) in healthcare settings in Europe. METHOD: This systematic review of qualitative studies was followed by a thematic synthesis applying an inductive approach. Studies concerning HCPs and different levels of healthcare in Europe were eligible for inclusion. The CINAHL, PubMed and Scopus databases were searched. Study titles, abstracts and full texts were screened for relevance. Included studies were assessed for methodological quality using a quality appraisal checklist. Data were extracted and synthesised via thematic synthesis, generating analytical themes. RESULTS: Seventeen studies were included in the final thematic synthesis, and eight analytical themes were derived. Most studies were conducted in Sweden and the UK and were performed in hospitals, nursing homes, elderly care and primary care. Thirteen of these studies were qualitative and four used a mixed-method design in which the qualitative part was used for analysis. HCPs experienced challenges adapting to a new remoulded professional role and felt torn and inadequate due to ambiguities between organisational structures, task-oriented care and PCC. Improved job satisfaction was experienced when providing PCC in line with ethical expectations, patients and colleagues expressed appreciation and team collaboration improved, while learning new skills generated motivation. CONCLUSION: This systematic review found varied experiences among HCPs. Notably, the new professional role was experienced to entail disorientation and uncertainty; importantly, it also entailed experiences of job satisfaction such as meaningfulness, an improved relationship between HCPs and patients, appreciation and collaboration. To facilitate PCC implementation, healthcare organisations should focus on supporting HCPs through collaborational structures, and resources such as time, space and staffing. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022304732.

Interprofessional collaboration in connection with a medical ship: nurses' experiences.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe nurses´ experiences of interprofessional collaboration (IPC) in connection with a medical ship offering primary health care in Papua New Guinea. BACKGROUND: More than a third of the population in Papua New Guinea are living in severe poverty, resulting in serious and fatal diseases. Due to rough terrain and lack of infrastructure, most of them cannot benefit from health care in the cities. Thus, a medical ship is used since the sea route is one of the few possible ways to reach the people. DESIGN: A qualitative study with an inductive and descriptive approach was performed, and content analysis of the data was used. METHODS: In January 2018, eleven nurses from seven countries were interviewed onboard the medical ship assessing their experiences when performing IPC. The COREQ checklist for qualitative studies was applied in the conduct and reporting of this study. RESULTS: Three generic categories emerged: Nurses' motivation to achieve the common goal of doing good using IPC; Nurses' view of performing IPC within special conditions; and Nurses' perception of their role in IPC. Overall, the IPC was perceived by the nurses as well functioning. Having a common goal, positive mindset and effective communication improved the team's collaboration. When these aspects were accomplished, the chances of overcoming the challenge of working in new circumstances and limited space with a newly formed team were increased. CONCLUSION: Good collaboration within an interprofessional team required repeated sharing of information. This demonstrates the importance of communication and engagement to overcome existing challenges when working interprofessionally. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study recommends the establishment of IPC for similar contexts such as onboard Youth With a Mission and ashore, as well as in disaster situations or home care where the healthcare professional must collaborate and adapt to new circumstances and prevailing situations.