Does Context Count? The Association Between Quality of Care and Job Characteristics in Residential Aged Care and Hospital Settings: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background and objectives: Within residential aged care settings, reduced quality of care (QoC), abuse, and neglect have been global phenomena which require urgent intervention. As the reported rate of these problems is much higher in aged care compared to hospital settings, we investigated whether differing job design characteristics between the 2 settings might explain the difference.

Research design and methods: We used a meta-analysis to compare differences in the relationships between high job demands, low job resources, and job strain with QoC and counterproductive work behaviors (CWBs) across aged care and hospital settings.

Results: Data were extracted from 42 studies (n = 55 effects). QoC was negatively correlated with high job demands (ρ¯ = -0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.29, -0.15, k = 7), low job resources (ρ¯ = -0.40, 95% CI: -0.47, -0.32, k = 15), and job strain (ρ¯ = -0.32, 95% CI: -0.38, -0.25, k = 22), CWBs had a positive relationship with job demands (ρ¯ = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.59, k = 3) and job strain (ρ¯ = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.56, k = 6). The association between poor QoC and low job resources was stronger in aged care (r = -0.46, 95% CI: -0.55, -0.36, k = 8) than in hospital settings (r = -0.30, 95% CI: -0.41, -0.18, k = 7).

Discussion and implications: Our findings suggest that relationships between low job resources and poor QoC are exacerbated in residential aged care contexts. To improve care outcomes, stakeholders should improve job resources such as skill discretion, supervisory supports, and increased training and staffing levels in residential aged care.

Keywords: Burnout; Care quality; Counterproductive work behavior; Job demands; Job resources.

Figure 1.

Study selection based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria.