THE EFFECT OF THE NIGHT SHIFT ON THE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHO-SOCIAL WELL-BEING OF NURSES AND THE QUALITY OF NURSING CARE: A STUDY IN A REGIONAL HOSPITAL
Μάριος Μελικίδης, Αναστάσιος Χριστάκης, Maria Saridi, Evangelos Fradelos, Pavlos Sarafis, Αικατερίνη Τόσκα
Monday, January 1, 2024
Publication year:
2024
Authors:
- Μελικίδης Μάριος , M.Sc., Health Care Management, Hellenic Open University, Patra,
- Χριστάκης Αναστάσιος , Ph.D., Department of Nursing, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
- Saridi Maria, Scientific Fellow, Faculty of Social and Educational Policy, University of Peloponnese, Korinthos, Greece Hospital Manager, General Hospital of Argolida, Greece
- Fradelos Evangelos , Assistant Professor, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
- Sarafis Pavlos, Assistant Professor, Technological University of Cyprus
- Τόσκα Αικατερίνη, M.Sc., Health Care Management, Hellenic Open University, Patra, Greece
Keywords index:
Pages: 85-96
Abstract:
Introduction: Nurses are a critical factor in the hospital area with a multidimensional and decisive role in providing continuous quality health care to patients on a twenty-four-hour basis.Aim: The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of the night shift on the physical and psychosocial well-being as well as the work performance of the nurses and the quality of the health care provided.Methodology: This is a quantitative survey, which was conducted among the nursing staff of a General Regional Hospital. The questionnaire was completed in paper and electronic form by a total of 225 nurses who worked in alternating shifts. The statistical analysis of the primary data was based on the SPSS statistical package. Results: The highest mean value is noted in the dimension of nurses' safety (μ=2.91±0.72), while the lowest in the dimension of physical impact (μ=1.83±0.51). Younger ages (p=0.032) and fewer years of work (p=0.032) are associated with less adverse psychological effects, while gender appears to be a determinant of social effects (p=0.028) with men scoring higher, while men scoring lower scores on behavioral risk factors (p=0.019). The physical effects are correlated with the existence of children (p=0.049). Finally, nurses who work night shift by choice score higher in physical impact (p=0.017), psychological impact (p=0.001) and social impact (p=0.000) and safety (p=0.038).Conclusions: The physical and psychological health of nurses is significantly affected by night shift work with an impact on work performance and patient safety.
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