Tehran private hospitals-identifying and prioritizing factors affecting employer branding.

BACKGROUND: Employer branding (EB) is a collection of ideas and beliefs that influence the perspectives of current and prospective employees regarding an organization and their employment experiences, serving as a strategic tool in the competition to attract talent. Positive EB can help retain current employees and attract new talents, making it an important issue in human resource management. This study aimed to identify and prioritize the factors affecting the EB of private hospitals in Tehran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study is applied in purpose and descriptive and analytical in terms of data analysis. Eleven hospitals were selected from 55 private hospitals in Tehran using non-probability and theoretical sampling methods. An expert from each hospital was purposively selected and interviewed. The experts held doctoral degrees in medical specialties and hospital administration experience. In-depth, unstructured interviews with experts constituted the primary method of data collection. Theoretical saturation was reached following the interview with the 11th expert. The entire research process lasted one year, from 2021 to 2022. The method of pairwise comparison matrix with triangular fuzzy numbers was utilized to rank factors contributing to hospital EB. RESULTS: By using a fuzzy method of identification and prioritization, it was found that the most significant factors influencing the EB of private hospitals in Tehran were the level of industry competitiveness, an empowering work environment based on a coaching approach, cooperation with strong suppliers of drugs and hospital and surgery consumables, a generation-based focus on value, and a competitive advantage in EB. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides valuable insights into the factors that contribute to EB in private hospitals in Tehran, which can be used to inform health policy making. The identified factors, such as industry competitiveness, an empowering work environment, and cooperation with strong suppliers, can help private hospitals attract and retain talented employees, ultimately improving the quality of healthcare services provided in the region.

Under pressure - Nursing staff's perspectives on working hours and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to increased pressure on healthcare systems. During periods when the demands exceed the capacity of healthcare organizations, adaptive strategies are used to meet these demands. During the COVID-19 pandemic, working hours for nursing staff were reorganized and extended. This has posed challenges for recovery, which may be a key factor for maintaining health and safety under such conditions. Objectives: The aim of the study was to bring insights into how nursing staff perceived their working hours and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic, and if they experienced any changes in their sleep and well-being. Design: A qualitative descriptive design was chosen, as it is suitable for gaining insight into perceptions and experiences. Methods: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted using an interview guide. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Sixteen registered nurses and six certified nursing assistants from four Swedish hospitals participated in the study. Results: The organization of working hours during the COVID-19 pandemic was considered suboptimal and resulted in more demanding working hours and poor recovery. Nursing staff experienced loss of control as they lost influence over working hours, working hours became more unpredictable and the boundaries between work and leisure became blurred. Nursing staff also experienced a decline in their health and well-being, including extreme fatigue, impaired sleep and physical/mental changes. Conclusion: The strategies used by healthcare organizations to meet increasing demands during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to impaired recovery and well-being of nursing staff, which could generate negative feedback loops contributing to depletion of resources at the organizational level.

Practical Considerations of Workplace Wellbeing Management under Post-Pandemic Work-from-Home Conditions.

As a natural experiment or "stress test" on the rapidly shifting work environment from office to home during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, staff wellbeing has been considered as the most critical issue in organizational change management. Following an overview of the relevant literature and recent official statistics, this essay aims to (i) address the major considerations and challenges in light of the transformation and re-design of the mode of work in the new normal and (ii) inform practical decisions for overall staff wellbeing under post-pandemic work-from-home (WFH) conditions with recommendations. For the sake of both staff healthiness and safety, as well as organizational competitiveness, senior management should take reasonable steps to enhance occupational safety in their WFH policy in line with practical recommendations on five areas, namely, (i) ergonomics, (ii) stress and anxiety management, (iii) workplace boundaries, (iv) work-family conflicts, and (v) other factors regarding a negative work atmosphere (e.g., loneliness attack, burnout, and workplace violence) particularly on virtual platforms. With the suggested evidence-based practices on WFH initiatives, senior management could make a difference in optimizing the overall workplace wellbeing of staff after the pandemic.

Team climate and patients' perception of primary healthcare attributes in Brazil: a cross-sectional study.

Team climate and attributes of primary healthcare (PHC) are key elements for collaborative practice. Few researchers have explored the relationship between team climate and patients' perceptions of PHC. This study aimed to assess the association between team climate and patients' perceptions of primary healthcare attributes. A quantitative approach was adopted. In Stage 1, Team climate was assessed using Team Climate Inventory in 118 Family Health Strategy (FHS) teams at a PHC setting. In Stage 2, Patients' perceptions of PHC attributes were assessed using the Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool) in a sample of 844 patients enrolled in teams studied in Stage 1. Cluster analysis was used to identify team climate groups. The analysis used multilevel linear regression models. Patients assigned to teams with the highest team climate scores had the highest PHC attributes scores. Patients who reported affiliation at the team level had the highest PCATool scores overall. They also scored higher on the attributes of comprehensiveness and coordinated care compared to patients with affiliation to the health unit. In conclusion, patients under the care of FHS teams exhibiting a more favorable team climate had more positive patient perceptions of PHC attributes.

Presencia de egresados y egresadas de la Universidad Nacional del Sur en el sistema de residencias médicas de Bahía Blanca / Presence of graduates from the National University of the Sur in the medical residency system of Bahía Blanca

Introducción: La atracción, captación y retención son determinantes de una distribución equitativa de profesionales de la salud. Objetivo: describir las decisiones de formación de posgrado de egresados/as de medicina de la Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), y su impacto en el sistema de residencias médicas de Bahía Blanca durante el año 2023. Resultados: el 79,63% de quienes egresaron de esta universidad decidieron realizar una residencia médica, y el 51,12 % adjudicó en especialidades del Primer Nivel de Atención con una adjudicación en pediatría menor a la media nacional. La carrera de medicina local cubrió el 39,24 % de las vacantes de Bahía Blanca, y el 38% de sus graduados/as decidió formarse en otras ciudades. Ocho residencias de la ciudad quedaron sin ingresantes en el 2023. Conclusión: existe una gran proporción de egresados/as de la UNS que eligen especialidades de APS. Hay una baja adjudicación en Pediatría que contrasta con la elección de Medicina Familiar, a diferencia de las elecciones a nivel nacional. En términos generales hay un déficit en la atracción y captación de egresados/as de la UNS por parte del sistema de salud local, lo cual demanda a los sectores docentes y asistenciales nuevas estrategias para captar y atraer profesionales en área prioritarias (AU)

Introduction: Attraction, recruitment and retention are determinants of an equitable distribution of healthcare professionals. Objective: to describe the postgraduate training decisions of medical graduates from the National University of the South (UNS), and their impact on the Bahía Blanca medical residency system during the year 2023. Results: 79.63% of Those who graduated from this university decided to carry out medical residency, and 51.12% were awarded in First Level Care specialties with a pediatric award lower than the national average. The local medical career covered 39.24% of the vacancies in Bahía Blanca, and 38% of its graduates decided to train in other cities. Eight residences in the city were left without entrants in 2023. Conclusion: there is a large proportion of UNS graduates who choose APS specialties. There is a low allocation in Pediatrics that contrasts with the choice of Family Medicine, unlike the elections at the national level. In general terms, there is a deficit in the attraction and recruitment of UNS graduates by the local health system, which demands new strategies from the teaching and healthcare sectors to attract and attract professionals in priority areas (AU)

Nurses Caring for Older Adult Family Members: Disclosing Caregiving to Work Supervisors.

BACKGROUND: Disclosure of family caregiving to work supervisors is needed for nurses to access work support for family caregiving. Little is known about characteristics of nurses who decide to/not to disclose family caregiving to supervisors. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to examine characteristics of nurses based on whether they disclosed caregiving responsibilities to their nursing supervisors and describe reasons for non-disclosure. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey. Registered nurses who had a work supervisor and cared for an older adult family member completed a survey including demographics, work and caregiving characteristics, and disclosure. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were conducted. RESULTS: The sample included 162 nurses. Participants were on average 50 years old, 90.1% female, 65.4% married, and 80.9% were caring for a parent or parent-in-law. The disclosure was more likely among nurses who provided higher intensity care (hours of care), cared for a parent or in-law, or had a quality caregiver-care recipient relationship. Reasons for non-disclosure included wanting to separate personal and work life, discomfort, and fear of consequences. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses struggle with similar disclosure challenges as other family caregivers. Care intensity, caregiver-care recipient relationships, and care stress were associated with disclosure behaviors.

Nurses' perceptions of desired support from their employer during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative survey study.

BACKGROUND: Nurses play a crucial role in getting through the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic for nurses has been recognized, and thus, support for nurses is urgently needed. Support with various methods should help nurses' welfare and their ability to cope at work. Moreover, with appropriate support, it is possible to avoid anxiety, insomnia, or uncertainty caused by work. The aim of this study was to describe nurses' perceptions of desirable support from their employer during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This qualitative survey study is a part of a follow-up study for the entire personnel of Helsinki University Hospital. This study focuses on one open-ended question answered by nurses (n = 579) at baseline of a follow-up study. Answers were analysed using qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach. RESULTS: The findings reveal that various types of support desired from an employer. Qualitative content analysis raised six main categories, 39 categories, 167 sub-categories and 1235 codes from the original text. Main categories were as follows: Awarding personnel, Offering safety in working conditions, Showing appreciation to personnel, Offering a variety of support methods, Providing proper flow of information and Ensuring proper management in exceptional situations. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a better understanding of nurses´ perspectives on support from their employer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results of this study suggest that employers, for example, should award personnel, ensure that working conditions are safe, show more appreciation to personnel. Employers should also pay attention to offer a variety method of support and make sure that the information is provided with a proper flow. In exceptional situations is important to ensure proper management too. With appropriate support methods, employers can avoid a shortage of nurses and maintain nursing as an attractive profession in the future.

Design of an instrument to measure midwives' workloads based on nursing interventions classification / Design de um instrumento para medir a carga de trabalho das parteiras com base nas intervenções de classificação das intervenções de enfermagem / Diseño de un instrumento para medir cargas de trabajo de matronas basado en intervenciones nursing interventions classification

ABSTRACT Objective: to design a qualitative and quantitative scale for measuring specific workloads for obstetric-gynecological nurses (midwives) within the delivery unit and based on the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC). Method: this is a mixed qualitative study through focus groups and quantitative with real measurements of NIC times, descriptive and cross-sectional. From September 2020 to May 2021, an extensive bibliographic search, mapping, ad hoc scale development and configuration of three focus groups were carried out to agree on scale design. Moreover, a comparison was carried out on the subjective perception of the time spent providing care (NIC) during the delivery process by focus groups with respect to times actually measured between March and April 2021 in a delivery unit. Results: the qualitative data obtained in focus groups were analyzed and related, agreeing on the ad hoc measuring instrument's final structure and the importance of having this measuring instrument representative of their work, with standardized language adapted to real health demands. Furthermore, when comparing the subjective and real execution times of each of the NIC, we found a significant correlation when presenting different mean execution times with a variation of 13 minutes. Conclusion: the midwives in this study determined the measurement instrument construct validity for their workloads.

RESUMO Objetivo: elaborar uma escala qualitativa e quantitativa para mensuração de cargas de trabalho específicas para enfermeiras obstétrico-ginecológicas (parteiras) na unidade de parto e baseada na Classificação das Intervenções de Enfermagem (NIC). Método: trata-se de um estudo qualitativo misto por meio de grupos focais e quantitativo com medidas reais de tempos NIC, descritivo e transversal. De setembro de 2020 a maio de 2021, foi realizada uma extensa pesquisa bibliográfica, mapeamento, desenvolvimento de escala ad hoc e configuração de três grupos focais para chegar a um acordo sobre o desenho da escala. Além disso, foi realizada uma comparação da percepção subjetiva do tempo gasto na prestação de cuidados (NIC) durante o processo de parto pelos grupos focais com os tempos efetivamente medidos entre março e abril de 2021 em uma unidade de parto. Resultados: os dados qualitativos obtidos nos grupos focais foram analisados ​​e relacionados, concordando com a estrutura final do instrumento de medição ad hoc e a importância de ter este instrumento de medição representativo do seu trabalho, com linguagem padronizada e adaptada às reais demandas de saúde. Além disso, ao comparar os tempos de execução subjetivos e reais de cada uma das NIC, encontramos correlação significativa ao apresentar tempos médios de execução diferentes com variação de 13 minutos. Conclusão: as parteiras deste estudo determinaram a validade de construto do instrumento de medida para suas cargas de trabalho.

RESUMEN Objetivo: diseñar cualitativa y cuantitativa, una escala de medición de cargas de trabajo, específica para las enfermeras obstétrico-ginecológicas (matronas), dentro de la unidad de partos y basada en la Clasificación de Intervenciones de Enfermería (NIC). Método: estudio mixto cualitativo mediante grupos focales y cuantitativo con mediciones reales de tiempos NIC, descriptivo y transversal. Durante los meses de septiembre de 2020 a mayo de 2021, se realizó una extensa búsqueda bibliográfica, mapeo, elaboración ad hoc de la escala, y la configuración de tres grupos focales, para consensuar el diseño de la escala. Además, se ejecutó una comparativa sobre la percepción subjetiva del tiempo empleado en la prestación de cuidados (intervenciones NIC) durante el proceso de parto por parte de los grupos focales, con respecto a los tiempos medidos realmente entre marzo y abril del 2021 en una unidad de partos. Resultados: se analizaron y relacionaron los datos cualitativos obtenidos de los grupos focales, coincidiendo en la estructura final del instrumento ad hoc de medida, y en la importancia de tener este instrumento de medida representativo de su trabajo, con un leguaje estandarizado y adaptado a la demanda sanitaria real. Además, al comparar los tiempos subjetivos y reales de ejecución de cada una de las intervenciones NIC, encontramos una correlación significativa, al presentar distintos promedios de tiempos de ejecución con una variación de 13 minutos. Conclusión: las matronas de este estudio determinaron la validez del constructo del instrumento de medición para sus cargas de trabajo.

Comparação do nível de dependência de Enfermagem e dimensionamento entre unidades de internação clínica e cirúrgica / Comparación del nivel de dependencia de Enfermería y dimensionamiento entre unidades clínicas de hospitalidad y quirúrgico / Comparison of Nursing dependency levels and sizing between clinical and surgical inpatient units

Resumo Objetivo comparar o nível de dependência dos cuidados de Enfermagem e o dimensionamento de pessoal entre unidades de internação clínica e cirúrgica. Método estudo descritivo e retrospectivo, realizado em quatro unidades de internação de um hospital universitário de grande porte do sul do Brasil. Foram incluídos 7.486 registros da classificação dos pacientes entre janeiro e outubro de 2022. Empregou-se a análise estatística descritiva, demanda de horas de Enfermagem, projeção de pessoal e teste qui-quadrado. Resultados prevaleceram os pacientes de cuidados intermediários (40,2%) e semi-intensivos (40,8%), com diferença entre as unidades (p-valor<0,001). Em todas as unidades verificou-se o déficit de enfermeiros. Em uma unidade clínica, o quadro de técnicos/auxiliares de Enfermagem projetado era igual ao disponível (n=46). Em duas unidades, verificou-se um discreto a moderado superávit de pessoal de nível médio. A unidade de internação cirúrgica que teve a melhor taxa de classificação (92,3%) apresentou maior discrepância entre o dimensionamento prescrito e o real. Conclusão e implicações para prática as unidades apresentaram uma elevada dependência do cuidado de Enfermagem. Ao considerar também as taxas de ocupação e de adesão à classificação de pacientes, é plausível que uma das unidades clínicas tenha a maior demanda de cuidados.

Resumen Objetivo comparar el nivel de dependencia de los cuidados de Enfermería y el dimensionamiento de personal entre las unidades de hospitalización clínica y quirúrgica. Método estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo, realizado en cuatro unidades de hospitalización de un gran hospital universitario del sur de Brasil. Se incluyeron datos de 7.486 registros de clasificación de pacientes entre enero y octubre de 2022. Se utilizaron análisis estadísticos descriptivos, demanda de horas de Enfermería y proyección de personal, además de comparación mediante la prueba de Chi-cuadrado entre unidades. Resultados predominaron los pacientes de cuidados intermedios (40,2%) y semi-intensivos (40,8%), con diferencia entre unidades (p-valor<0,001). En todas las unidades había escasez de enfermeros. En una unidad clínica, el número de técnicos/auxiliares de Enfermería proyectados era igual al disponible (n=46). En dos unidades, hubo un excedente de leve a moderado de personal de nivel medio. La unidad de hospitalización quirúrgica que tuvo la mejor tasa de clasificación (92.3%) tuvo la mayor discrepancia entre el tamaño prescrito y el real. Conclusión e implicaciones para la práctica las unidades mostraron alta dependencia de los cuidados de Enfermería. Sin embargo, considerando también los índices de ocupación y la adherencia a la clasificación de los pacientes, es posible que una de las unidades clínicas presente la mayor demanda de atención.

Abstract Objective to compare the level of dependence on nursing care and staffing between clinical and surgical inpatient units. Method This is a descriptive, retrospective study carried out in four inpatient units of a large university hospital in southern Brazil. A total of 7,486 patient classification records were included between January and October 2022. Descriptive statistical analysis, demand for nursing hours, staff projections, and the chi-square test were used. Results Intermediate care (40.2%) and semi-intensive care (40.8%) patients prevailed, with a difference between the units (p-value<0.001). There was a shortage of nurses in all the units. In one clinical unit, the projected number of nursing technicians/assistants was the same as the number available (n=46). In two units, there was a slight to moderate surplus of mid-level staff. The surgical inpatient unit with the best classification rate (92.3%) showed the greatest discrepancy between the prescribed and actual sizing. Conclusion and implications for practice the units were highly dependent on nursing care. When also considering occupancy rates and adherence to patient classification, it is plausible that one of the clinical units has the highest demand for care.

Validação de escala para mensurar a carga de trabalho das parteiras / Validación de escala para medir la carga de trabajo de las parteras / Validation of a scale to measure the workload of midwives

Resumo Objetivo Validar a elaboração de uma escala para mensurar a carga de trabalho das parteiras com base na Classificação das Intervenções de Enfermagem (NIC) por meio da sua aplicação multicêntrica em diferentes unidades de parto. Métodos Estudo quantitativo, longitudinal, de caráter multicêntrico, realizado em três hospitais universitários gerais da rede pública de saúde. A amostra foi composta por cinquenta parteiras, que examinaram a validade de construto da escala elaborada, com um total de 370 partos. A coleta de dados iniciou-se por meio da escala elaborada ad hoc pela equipe de pesquisa, contabilizando o tempo e o número médio de intervenções NIC, realizadas a cada nascimento. Resultados As parteiras do estudo estão sujeitas a um aumento na sua carga de trabalho quanto ao número e ao tempo médio gasto na realização das NIC em cada parto atendido. Em sua jornada de trabalho (turno de 12 horas), elas destinam 960,61 minutos (16 horas no turno diurno) e 840,29 minutos (14 horas no turno noturno) para executar suas funções na assistência ao parto. Conclusões Os dados indicam a validade da escala elaborada ad hoc, pois esse instrumento reflete a real carga de trabalho vivenciada pelas parteiras do estudo.

Resumen Objetivo Validar la elaboración de una escala para medir la carga de trabajo de las parteras con base en la Clasificación de Intervenciones de Enfermería (NIC) a través de su aplicación multicéntrica en diferentes unidades de parto. Métodos Estudio cuantitativo, longitudinal, de carácter multicéntrico, realizado en tres hospitales universitarios generales del sistema de salud pública. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 50 parteras, que examinaron la validez del constructo de la escala elaborada, con un total de 370 partos. La recopilación de datos comenzó mediante la escala elaborada ad hoc por el equipo de investigación y contabilizó el tiempo y el número de intervenciones NIC realizadas en cada nacimiento. Resultados Las parteras del estudio están sujetas a un aumento de su carga de trabajo con relación al número y al tiempo promedio utilizado en la realización de las NIC en cada parto atendido. En su jornada laboral (turno de 12 horas), destinan 960,61 minutos (16 horas en el turno diurno) y 840,29 minutos (14 horas en el turno nocturno) para ejecutar sus funciones en la atención al parto. Conclusión Los datos indican la validez de la escala elaborada ad hoc, ya que este instrumento refleja la real carga de trabajo que tienen las parteras del estudio.

Abstract Objective To validate the design of a scale to measure the workload of the midwives based on Classification of Nursing Interventions (NIC), through their multicentric application in different delivery units. Methods Quantitative, longitudinal, study multicentric character, conducted in three general university hospitals of the public system of health. The sample consisted of fifty midwives, who examined the validity of the construct of the designed scale, for a total of 370 births. Data collection began through the scale designed ad hoc by the research team, accounting for the time and average number of NIC interventions, performed at each birth. Results The midwives of the study, are subject to an increase in their workload regarding the number and average time spent conducting interventions NIC in each attended delivery. In their working day (12-hour shift) they allocate 960.61 minutes (16 hours in day shift) and 840.29 minutes (14 hours in night shift), to execute their roles in childbirth attendance. Conclusion The data indicate the validity of the scale designed ad hoc, as this instrument reflects the actual workload experienced by the midwives of the study.