Tamara M Schult1, Eve M Nagler, Glorian Sorensen, Jennifer L Sullivan, Nancy Gendreau, Ryan G Seibert, David C Mohr. 1. Veterans Health Administration, Occupational Safety, Health, and GEMS Programs, Washington, DC (Dr Schult); Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Center for Community-Based Research, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Nagler and Dr Sorensen); Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Center for Work, Health, and Wellbeing, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Nagler and Dr Sorensen); Boston VA Health Care System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Sullivan and Dr Mohr); Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Sullivan and Dr Mohr); Boston VA Health Care System, Occupational Health, Boston, Massachusetts (Ms Gendreau); Division of General Internal Medicine, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Burlington, Massachusetts (Dr Seibert).
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Focus groups were conducted at one veterans affairs (VA) medical center to understand (1) how the work environment and conditions of work influence employee safety, health, and well-being; (2) what programs, policies, and practices promote and protect employee safety and health in VA; and (3) how employee safety, health, and well-being impact the organizational mission. METHODS: Nine focus groups were conducted with leadership, supervisor, and frontline employees. Focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed, and content analysis was performed. RESULTS: Fifty-five employees participated in the focus groups. Six common themes emerged-stressful working conditions, health hazards, organizational factors, current program knowledge, participation barriers, and program suggestions. CONCLUSIONS: Employees identified organizational and structural elements of work that impact safety, health, and well-being. Application of the Total Worker Health™ hierarchy of controls provided a novel framework for discussion of focus group findings.
OBJECTIVE: Focus groups were conducted at one veterans affairs (VA) medical center to understand (1) how the work environment and conditions of work influence employee safety, health, and well-being; (2) what programs, policies, and practices promote and protect employee safety and health in VA; and (3) how employee safety, health, and well-being impact the organizational mission. METHODS: Nine focus groups were conducted with leadership, supervisor, and frontline employees. Focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed, and content analysis was performed. RESULTS: Fifty-five employees participated in the focus groups. Six common themes emerged-stressful working conditions, health hazards, organizational factors, current program knowledge, participation barriers, and program suggestions. CONCLUSIONS: Employees identified organizational and structural elements of work that impact safety, health, and well-being. Application of the Total Worker Health™ hierarchy of controls provided a novel framework for discussion of focus group findings.