A better physical environment in the workplace means higher well-being?: A study with healthcare professionals

• Cláudia Campos-Andrade ^[1] ; Estefanía Hernández-Fernaud ^[2] ; Maria-Luísa Lima ^[1]
  1. [1] Instituto Universitário de Lisboa

     Instituto Universitário de Lisboa

     Socorro, Portugal

     
  2. [2] Universidad de La Laguna

     Universidad de La Laguna

     San Cristóbal de La Laguna, España

     
• Localización: PsyEcology: Bilingual Journal of Environmental Psychology / Revista Bilingüe de Psicología Ambiental, ISSN-e 1989-9386, ISSN 2171-1976, Vol. 4, Nº. Extra 1, 2013 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Environment and the workplace. Introduction Número especial: Medio ambiente y contextos laborales. Introducción), págs. 89-110
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.1174/217119713805088324
• Títulos paralelos:
  • ¿Produce mayor bienestar un buen entorno físico en el contexto laboral?: Un estudio con profesionales de la salud
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen
  • español

    Las condiciones físicas de trabajo y sus efectos sobre la salud juegan un papel importante en la calidad de vida y la satisfacción laboral. Sin embargo, la mayoría de los estudios sobre las consecuencias dir&ctas o indirectas de las condiciones físicas del entorno en el ámbito de los profesionales de la salud se ha centrado en efectos sobre el rendimiento, la eficiencia y el error. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el efecto del entorno físico en contextos sanitarios sobre el bienestar de los trabajadores. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 148 participantes. Se utilizaron dos variables independientes: calidad ambiental objetiva (alta/baja) y tipo de unidad (de hospitalización/ambulatoria). Se utilizaron tres variables dependientes: satisfacción laboral, cercanía respecto a la unidad de cuidado ideal y estrés. Los resultados muestran que en hospitales con mejores condiciones físicas los trabajadores se sienten más satisfechos y perciben más proximidad respecto al lugar ideal de trabajo. No se obtuvo un efecto significativo sobre el estrés.

  • English

    Physical working conditions have potential effects on health, and play an important role in quality of life, and job satisfaction, yet most studies on the direct or indirect consequences of physical environmental conditions on healthcare professionals' focus on outcomes such as performance, efficiency, and error. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of the physical environment quality of healthcare settings on professionals' well-being. The sample comprised 148 healthcare professionals working in inpatient or outpatient care units from four different hospitals. Two independent variables were used: Objective environmental quality (high/low) and Type of care unit (inpatient/outpatient); and three well-being indicators were analyzed: Job satisfaction, Perception of the care unit as close to an ideal care unit, and Subjective stress. Results show that healthcare professionals working in hospitals with better physical conditions feel more satisfied with their job, and perceive the care unit as closer to the ideal. Stress levels were not affected by physical environment quality or the type of care unit.

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