Abstract
BACKGROUND: As the Canadian population ages, there is a need to improve long-term care (LTC) services. An increased understanding of the positive work experiences of LTC staff may help attract more human health resources to LTC. OBJECTIVE: To describe the perceptions of the roles and work of nurses and care assistants in LTC from interprofessional perspectives. METHODS: This study used qualitative data collected from a larger mixed-methods study, Care by Design. The qualitative phase explored the lived experience of LTC staff from the perspectives of key stakeholders via focus groups and individual interviews. RESULTS: One central theme that emerged from the study was that of LTC staff going 'above and beyond' their clinical duties to care for residents. This above and beyond theme was categorized into subthemes including: 1. familial bonds between residents and staff; 2. staff spending additional time with residents; 3. the ability to provide comfort to family members; and 4. staff dedication during end-of-life care. CONCLUSIONS: The findings show that staff develop a kinship with residents, demonstrate respect towards residents' families and provide comfort at the end-of-life. In emphasizing these themes of positive and fulfilling work, the present study provides insight into why staff work in LTC.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 509-516 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Work |
| Volume | 65 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2020 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:While some literature suggests the nursing profession views LTC work as unattractive, we highlight the opposite point of view. These findings demonstrate the positive aspects of working in LTC and feature a newly emerging theme of LTC staff going above and beyond their clinical duties to care for residents. The findings show that staff develop special relationships with residents and their families. The staff and residents form a kinship in so far that residents turn to staff when they need support and reassurance. Staff also demonstrate respect and kindness towards residents’ families. At the end-of-life, staff are dedicated The authors are thankful for the assistance of the participating long-term care facilities and their staff and residents. This study was funded by the Capital Health Research Fund, the Dalhousie University Department of Family Medicine, the Canadian Dementia Knowledge Translation Network, and the Network for End of Life Studies. Melissa Power received summer funding from the Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation Chase Summer Studentship.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 - IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved.
ASJC Scopus Subject Areas
- Rehabilitation
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
