Article Text
PDF
Abstract
Introduction The Together towards health program was implemented in a large hospital in Québec, Canada to target psychosocial work factors. An organisational psychologist developed activities to improve team management in several units, based on a participatory implementation process. The aim of this study was to assess the adequacy between workers’ needs and activities that were effectively implemented.
Methods We used a longitudinal design with a mixed-method approach. Data were collected in three medical analysis laboratories (n=25, 25, 35) within the hospital. Quantitative data were collected with a questionnaire among all active workers before the intervention implementation. Psychosocial work factors (validated demand-control-support and effort-reward imbalance models), psychological distress (validated Kessler-6), sleep quality (Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index) were measured. Three top priorities for intervention were ranked by workers. Qualitative data through observation (logbooks) during all steps of intervention (8–24 months) were collected in the three units and documented the elaboration of action plan and the nature of activities effectively implemented.
Results
Two different sources of data for workers needs assessment were compared: the diagnosis of psychosocial work factors resulting from quantitative data analysis and workers’ ranking of their 3 top priorities. Results showed a good adequacy between diagnosis and workers’ ranking in the three units.
The correspondence between the action plan (elaborated by workers, managers and the psychologist) and the identified needs was partial in two units and low in one unit.
The types of implemented activities covered only a part of identified needs in the three units.
Discussion Results show that the discrepancy between needs, action plan and activities may be important. In the three units, implemented activities addressed social support, reward and justice at work, but did not address work organisation issues (psychological demands, decision latitude) although prevalence of exposure was high for these risk factors.