PERCEPTIONS OF OPERATING ROOM STAFF OF THEIR JOB DEMANDS AND TURNOVER INTENTIONS IN WESTERN CAPE METROPOLITAN PROVINCIAL HOSPITALS
Date
2021-11-15
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Specialist trained operating room nurses (ORNs) are a scarce resource and the diminishing number of skilled employees has affected the quality and safety of patient care in South Africa (Washeya, 2018:29). The shortage impacts on the ability of hospitals to cope with the burden of surgery that is attributed to violence, road accidents and disease (Dell & Kahn, 2017:4).
The aim of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions of ORNs and operating department assistants (ODAs) of their job demands, resources and turnover intentions in the Western Cape metropolitan district provincial hospitals.
A self-administered paper and pen survey was used to collect data. Two non-proprietary questionnaires were combined and the respondent’s demographics were included. Cluster sampling of hospitals (n=15) in the geographical area were invited to participate, namely, District hospitals (n=4); Regional hospitals (n=8) and Academic hospitals (n=3). The census of all ORNs and ODAs employed in the OR departments on both day and night duty were included.
Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of the University of Stellenbosch (S20/07/177) and the ethical research department of the Department of Health Western Cape (WC_202101_017). Permission was also sought from the nursing managers of each hospital. Anonymity, confidentiality, and secrecy were assured for both the institutions and the participants. Furthermore, measures to prevent cross infection of Covid-19 on the surveys were meticulously observed.
The majority of the participants indicated that they always have too much work to do, that requires them to be highly attentive and that some tasks affect them personally. For autonomy in the workplace few participants indicated that their job offered them the possibility of independent thought and action. Collegial relationships interfered with the team climate, as did clear communication and indications of appreciation from the supervisor. Training course opportunities were indicated to be almost never provided. The findings may contribute to an alternative understanding of the effects of the current job demands and resources on ORNs wellbeing at work for managers of provincial hospitals. It may further raise awareness of the factors identified in the study that if addressed may contribute to alleviating the shortage of ORNs in provincial hospitals in the Western Cape.
Keywords
Perioperative nurses, job demands, resources, job satisfaction, turnover intention
Description
Keywords
Perioperative nurses, job demands, resources, job satisfaction, turnover intention