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. 2022 Jul;30(5):1157-1167.
doi: 10.1111/jonm.13629. Epub 2022 Apr 22.

Factors affecting the professional functioning of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Semyon Melnikov  1 , Shoshi Fridman  2 , Anat Aboav  3 , Fariba Moore  4 , Yael Cohen  5
Affiliations

Factors affecting the professional functioning of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Semyon Melnikov et al. J Nurs Manag. 2022 Jul.

Abstract

Aim: To examine personal and organisational factors related to professional functioning of nurses and physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Exposure to COVID-19-related stressors has been associated with lower self-reported professional functioning among health care workers.

Methods: A cross-sectional study among 115 hospital workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel was designed to explore (a) personal professional functioning, (b) clarity of guidelines, (c) work organisation by the management, and (d) health care workers' feeling of contribution to a global effort.

Results: A feeling of contribution to a global effort while treating patients with COVID-19 mediated the relationships between work organisation by the management and professional functioning (β = .05, p < .05). The clarity of guidelines for routine procedures (β = .21, p < .05) and a feeling of β contribution to a global effort (β = .34, p < .01) positively predicted professional functioning of nurses and physicians during COVID-19 pandemic (R2 = .19, p < .01).

Conclusions: In order to achieve optimal functioning of health care workers in an emergency, managers should provide clear guidelines and promote workers' feelings of contribution to a global effort.

Implications for nursing management: The provision of clear guidelines and protocols is essential for efficient emergency management. Expressing appreciation for health care workers and providing positive feedback may improve professional functioning.

Keywords: COVID-19; guideline clarity; health care workers; professional functioning; work management.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
A feeling of contribution to a global effort mediates the relationships between work organisation and personal professional functioning
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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