Resources for work-related well-being: A qualitative study about healthcare employees' experiences of relationships at work

Abstract

Aims and objectives: To explore municipal healthcare employees' experiences of relationships with care recipients and colleagues. The specific research questions were when do the relationships enhance well-being, and what prerequisites are needed for such relationships to occur?

Background: Employees in health and social care for older people often depict their work in negative terms, and they often take a high number of sick leaves. Despite the heavy workload, other employees express well-being at work and highlight social relationships as one reason for this. However, a greater understanding of how these relationships can act as resources for workplace well-being is needed.

Design: The design of the study was qualitative and exploratory.

Methods: Qualitative interview studies were conducted with 23 healthcare employees in municipal health care. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results: Two themes were identified as resources for promoting relationships between employees and care recipients or colleagues: (a) Being personal-a close interpersonal relationship to a care recipient-and (b) Colleague belongingness-a sense of togetherness within the working group. Spending quality time together, providing long-term care and providing additional care were prerequisites for a close interpersonal relationship with care recipients. Trust, mutual responsibility and cooperation were prerequisites for a sense of togetherness within the working group.

Conclusions: The findings provide an empirical base to raise awareness of relationships with care recipients and colleagues as health aspects. Relationships among employees in health care are vital resources that must be considered to create sustainable workplaces and consequently improve the quality of care.

Relevance to clinical practice: The results of this study advocate health promotion efforts based on interpersonal relationships at the workplace. Dialogues in the working groups, based on the employees' experiences of positive daily situations, may be a promoting method for the work-related well-being of the employees.

Keywords: employee well-being; municipal health care; qualitative method; relationships; workplace health promotion.