Millions for research to reduce sick leave in elderly care

Assistant nurses are one of the occupational groups in Sweden with the highest sick leave.

AFA Försäkring is now investing SEK 4.5 million in a new research project at the University of Gävle to improve the work environment among staff in home care and nursing homes.

High physical and psychosocial demands at work contribute to sickness absence problems - but a good psychosocial safety climate (PSC) can be the key to change.

- Instead of just looking at the health of the individual, we focus on the organization. How management handles psychosocial issues can affect both the work environment and sickness absence," says Leticia Januario, project manager and researcher in occupational health science.

Putting leadership in focus

The psychosocial safety climate (PSC) is about the degree to which an organization takes responsibility for improving and protecting the psychosocial work environment of its employees. Previous studies show that a good PSC can reduce the negative effects of high workloads.

The project will investigate whether there is a link between PSC and future sickness absence among elderly care workers, either directly or by influencing psychosocial and physical work environment factors. The study will also identify barriers and opportunities for creating or maintaining a good PSC in municipal elderly care, from the perspective of managers.

- "There are many statistics on high sickness absence in healthcare, but we know too little about how organizational factors can affect this. Here we have an opportunity to find new ways forward," says Leticia Januario.

Three methods - three perspectives

The project is being carried out in municipalities in Gävleborg County, with staff in both home care and special care homes. A total of 568 employees and 36 managers are included in the study. The research is based on three methodological tracks:

• Surveys to employees about work demands, resources and PSC
• Technical measurements of physical load.
• Register data from municipalities on sick leave

In addition, unit managers will be interviewed about their experiences of working with PSC and creating a sustainable work environment.

A healthier working life as a goal

The project will run for three years, starting in August. Leticia Januario leads a research team of six people from the University of Gävle, including David Hallman, Gunnar Bergström and Svend Erik Mathiassen.

The aim is to contribute new knowledge about how the work environment can be improved in a sector that is crucial to society's welfare, but where working conditions are often tough.

- It is about more than just reducing sick leave. If we are to succeed in recruiting and retaining staff in elderly care, we need to create a better working environment where fewer people go on sick leave," says Leticia Januario.