Work culture among healthcare personnel in a palliative medicine unit

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Abstract

Objective: Understanding and assessing health care personnel's work culture in palliative care is important, as a conflict between high tech and high touch is present. Implementing necessary changes in behavior and procedures may imply a profound challenge, because of this conflict. The aim of this study was to explore the work culture at a palliative medicine unit (PMU). Method: Healthcare personnel (N = 26) at a PMU in Norway comprising physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, and others filled in a questionnaire about their perception of the work culture at the unit. The Systematizing Person-Group Relations (SPGR) method was used for gathering data and for the analyses. This method applies six different dimensions representing different aspects of a work culture (Synergy, Withdrawal, Opposition, Dependence, Control, and Nurture) and each dimension has two vectors applied. The method seeks to explore which aspects dominate the particular work culture, identifying challenges, limitations, and opportunities. The findings were compared with a reference group of 347 ratings of well-functioning Norwegian organizations, named the Norwegian Norm. Results: The healthcare personnel working at the PMU had significantly higher scores than the Norwegian Norm in both vectors in the Withdrawal dimension and significant lower scores in both vectors in the Synergy, Control, and Dependence dimensions. Significance of results: Healthcare personnel at the PMU have a significantly different perception of their work culture than do staff in well-functioning organizations in several dimensions. The low score in the Synergy and Control dimensions indicate lack of engagement and constructive goal orientation behavior, and not being in a position to change their behavior. The conflict between high tech and high touch at a PMU seems to be an obstacle when implementing new procedures and alternative courses of action. © 2012 Cambridge University Press.

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APA

André, B., Sjovold, E., Rannestad, T., Holmemo, M., & Ringdal, G. I. (2012). Work culture among healthcare personnel in a palliative medicine unit. Palliative and Supportive Care, 11(2), 135–140. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1478951512000818

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