The study can be considered to have high content validity, also due to the evaluation by subject matter experts of whether the questions were essential and useful, i.e. Apart from a literature review on the relationship between work-related factors and health, these questions were mainly developed through the analyses of five focus group interviews and four individual interviews in seven of the participating PHCCs to secure a high content validity (for results, contact the author). Questions on salutogenic work conditions complemented these measures. Both instruments were constructed through theoretical analysis of various dimensions of health. įive sub-indices of WEMS were used (See Table 1). respondents’ feelings and experiences of their physical, mental and social well-being, and WEMS (Work Experience Measurement Scale). The questionnaire was based on two previously validated and psychometrically tested instruments, SHIS (Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale) measuring indicators of health, e.g. The salutogenic perspective formed the basis for the questionnaire and included: health, psychosocial work environment and experiences, recovery, leadership, social climate, reflection and work-life balance.
The aim of the present study was to explore work-related factors important to health among primary health care employees to increase the knowledge base on how to develop relevant workplace health promotion strategies. There is a general lack of information about salutogenic work factors, that are evident in health care settings and especially in primary health care. This approach has led to the conclusion that the way we view the world affects our ability to cope with stress and that positive feelings help us cope when we are confronted with negative situations. Įver since the WHO health promotion conference in Ottawa, Canada, in 1986, a salutogenic approach has gradually developed. This type of orientation can be found in a small number of studies in hospital care regarding the work experiences and health of the staff. Work-related enhancing resources, such as reflective skills, open-mindedness, comprehensive view, flexibility and reinforcements, have been explored in relation to the salutogenic theory. creating health) sets out from the healthy and from the resources in human beings and environments, which can lead to an improved health. However, there is research with a more salutogenic approach with focus on positive domains of health. There is still a gap between vision and reality in workplace health promotion, and a difference in approach to work environment research. The dominant paradigm in work environment research is the biomedical model, with a focus on risk factors and shortcomings. Investigations of primary health care in many countries have highlighted a high level of stress and high job demands as well as poor mental and physical health for many categories of staff, especially among general practitioners. Poor psychosocial work conditions have been found in primary health care, and this factor prompted the current study. Employees in health service professions are considered to be at high risk of stress-related disorders, and numerous studies of the work environment experience among nursing staff indicate that job stress as well as job turnover and long-term sick leave are common. The well-being of health care staff is a much discussed subject in many countries.
For many professional groups work may be associated with adverse effects, such as stress and burn out.
Work can influence employees in both positive and negative ways. Regarding recovery, most studies so far have focused on retrieval of energy outside work settings. Įmployee health has been related to the organization and the social climate at work, experiences of positive workplace attributes and sufficient time for tasks as well as recovery and work-life balance. A health promotion-orientated, sustainable and organization-wide healthy workplace policy is an effective way to develop and maintain a healthy workforce. Workplace health promotion has been defined as the combined efforts of employers, employees and society to improve the health and well-being of people at work and focuses on the factors associated with safe, motivating and enjoyable work settings.