Unregistered health care staff's perceptions of 12 hour shifts: an interview study

Thomson, Louise; Schneider, Justine M.; Hare Duke, Laurie

Abstract

Aim

The purpose of the study was to explore the unregistered health care staff’s perceptions of 12-hour shifts on work performance and patient care.

Background

Many unregistered health care staff work 12-hour shifts. It is unclear whether 12-hour shifts are compatible with good quality care or work performance.

Method

25 Health Care Assistants with experience of working 12-hour shifts in a range of care settings took part in semi-structured interviews or focus groups.

Results

A wide range of views emerged on the perceived impact of 12-hour shifts on patient care and work performance in different settings. Negative outcomes were perceived to occur when 12-hour shifts were combined with short-staffing, three or more consecutive long shifts, high levels of demands, insufficient breaks and working with unfamiliar colleagues. Positive outcomes were perceived to be more likely in a context of control over shift patterns, sufficient staffing levels, and a supportive team climate.

Conclusion

The perceived relationship between 12-hour shifts and patient care and work performance varies with the patient context and wider workplace factors.

Citation

Thomson, L., Schneider, J. M., & Hare Duke, L. (in press). Unregistered health care staff's perceptions of 12 hour shifts: an interview study. Journal of Nursing Management, 25(7), https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12490

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 20, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Aug 2, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jun 1, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 3, 2018
• Journal: Journal of Nursing Management
• Print ISSN: 0966-0429
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-2834
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 25
• Issue: 7
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12490
• Keywords: 12-hour shifts, Unregistered health care staff, Patient care, Work performance
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/875406
• Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jonm.12490/full
• Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Thomson L., Schneider J., & Hare Duke L. (2017) Journal of Nursing Management 25, 531–538. Unregistered health care staff's perceptions of 12 hour shifts: an interview study; which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jonm.12490/full This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.