Eikendal Ties, Prudon Naomi, Kool Rudolf Bertijn, Jeurissen Patrick, Gaakeer Menno Iskander, de Groot Bas, van Dulmen Simone A
Department of Emergency Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
IQ Health Science Department, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
BMC Emerg Med. 2025 Sep 2;25(1):178. doi: 10.1186/s12873-025-01334-5.
Adequate staffing and manageable workloads are crucial for high-quality emergency care. However, high perceived workloads in the emergency department (ED) threaten both. Increased demand and staff shortages intensify these issues and cause crowding. Understanding healthcare workers' perspectives on workload is essential for effective policymaking and maintaining a durable workforce. The objective of this study was to explore the current perceived workload of ED professionals, and their vision on how to influence it and to understand the healthcare worker's perspective on proposed healthcare reforms in the Netherlands.
Qualitive study using semi-structured interviews with 33 healthcare professionals (ED physicians, physician assistants and nurses) working in a university medical center, and three general hospitals from March-July 2023. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The interview transcripts were coded. An inductive content analysis was performed, where codes were assigned to the transcripts and adjusted. Codes were then sorted into themes on causes of workload, consequences and proposed solutions for reducing the workload.
Emergency department professionals identified increasing patient inflow, barriers to patient throughput and output, and staff shortages as key workload causes. Consequences included increased time, mental and psychological demands, leading to stress and reduced job satisfaction. A well-coordinated team and having social interaction with colleagues is seen as a key part of the profession by ED-professionals. Next to that, training and development opportunities contribute to job satisfaction. Proposed solutions involved public education, improved care coordination, technological innovations, and enhanced collaboration within and among hospitals to improve efficiency and job satisfaction, and to reduce perceived workload pressure.
Addressing perceived workload is crucial for maintaining quality and accessibility of care. Dutch ED professionals face a high workload leading to stress and lower job satisfaction. To ensure successful changes, adequate preconditions and engaging healthcare professionals in decision-making are crucial. In future research, a stronger focus on effective work habits and processes, including provider satisfaction and workplace well-being, is necessary.
充足的人员配备和可管理的工作量对于高质量的急诊护理至关重要。然而，急诊科（ED）中较高的工作量感知对这两者都构成威胁。需求增加和人员短缺加剧了这些问题，并导致拥挤。了解医护人员对工作量的看法对于有效的政策制定和维持稳定的劳动力队伍至关重要。本研究的目的是探讨急诊科专业人员当前的工作量感知，以及他们对如何影响工作量的看法，并了解医护人员对荷兰拟议的医疗改革的看法。
采用定性研究方法，于2023年3月至7月对一家大学医学中心和三家综合医院的33名医护专业人员（急诊科医生、医师助理和护士）进行半结构化访谈。访谈进行了录音，并逐字转录。对访谈记录进行编码。进行了归纳性内容分析，将代码分配给记录并进行调整。然后将代码分类为工作量原因、后果以及减少工作量的建议解决方案等主题。
急诊科专业人员将患者流入量增加、患者流转和输出的障碍以及人员短缺确定为关键的工作量原因。后果包括时间、精神和心理需求增加，导致压力和工作满意度降低。一个协调良好的团队以及与同事的社交互动被急诊科专业人员视为该职业的关键部分。除此之外，培训和发展机会有助于提高工作满意度。建议的解决方案包括公众教育、改善护理协调、技术创新以及加强医院内部和医院之间的协作，以提高效率和工作满意度，并减轻工作量感知压力。
解决工作量感知对于维持护理质量和可及性至关重要。荷兰急诊科专业人员面临高工作量，导致压力和工作满意度降低。为确保改革成功，充分的前提条件以及让医护专业人员参与决策至关重要。在未来的研究中，有必要更加强调有效的工作习惯和流程，包括提供者满意度和工作场所幸福感。
