A pilot study on the effects of a team building process on the perception of work environment in an integrative hospital for neurological rehabilitation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Neurological rehabilitation is one of the most care-intensive challenges in the health care system requiring specialist therapeutic and nursing knowledge. In this descriptive pilot study, we investigated the effects of a team building process on perceived work environment, self-ascribed professional competence, life satisfaction, and client satisfaction in an anthroposophic specialized hospital for neurological rehabilitation. The team-building process consisted of didactic instruction and training in problem-solving, teambuilding and constructive conflict resolution.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Seventy seven staff members and 44 patients' relatives were asked to complete a survey that included the Work Environment Scale (WES-10), a Life Satisfaction Scale (BMLSS), the Conviction of Therapeutic Competency (CTC) scale and the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8). To evaluate the outcome of the team building process, we analyzed changes over time in the WES-10 subscales. Additionally the interrelationship between the WES-10 subscales with other subscales and with sociodemographic parameters like age, gender was calculated by means of a bivariate correlation analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The team building process had a significant positive effect on perceived work environment in only one area. There was a significant improvement in the ward staffs' perception of their ability to constructively resolve conflicts 3 years after inception of the team building process than there was before inception. However, even in a unit that utilized holistic treatment and nursing in the care of severely disable patients, such care necessitating a very heavy workload, the measurements on the Self Realization, Life Satisfaction and Conviction of Therapeutic Competency scales remained high and unchanged over the three year time period of the study.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Strategic interventions might be an option to improve interpersonal relationships and finally quality of patient care.</p

Emotional Support for New Graduated Nurses in Clinical Setting: a Qualitative Study

Introduction: Newly graduated nurses experience many stressful situations during transition to practice. The provision of emotional support from more experienced nurses can ameliorate such work-related tension. Studies have not clearly specified the means through which such support could be most effectively provided; therefore the present study was conducted to explore the experiences of qualified nurses around the provision of emotional support to newly graduated nurses. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 18 qualified nurses. A purposive sampling approach was used for selection of participants. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed by the conventional content analysis method. The study took place from 2014-2015 in six teaching hospitals in the northwest of Iran. Results: Emotional supports emerged in four following main-categories: Assurance, creating a sense of relaxation and security, lifting spirits, and emotional belonging and involvement. Conclusion: These results can help to establish an effective source of emotional support for newly graduated nurses. This can play an important role in reducing their stress and anxiety, in increasing their self-confidence and in forming a constructive relationship between them and qualified nurses