The Effect of Psychosocial Work Environment on Quality of Life of Healthcare Providers

Abstract

Background: Psychosocial work environment (PWE) is a significant factor in the provision of quality healthcare. Understanding the PWE in the Saudi Arabian healthcaresystem is critical in opening up new paths for future workplace interventions and thepromotion of quality healthcare practices. Saudi Arabia's vision 2030 highlights strategiesfocused on national transformation, as well as the improvement of the Quality of Life(QoL) in Saudi Arabia. The National Transformation Program 2020 outlines the themeof healthcare transformation, which can easily be achieved by considering the workenvironment.Objectives: To determine the relationship between PWE and QoL of employees in amajor Saudi Healthcare setting.Methods: Quantitative cross-sectional study design conducted at King Fahad UniversityHospital using a Web-based validated survey targeting all hospital employees.Results: Participants were 128, t-test showed that males have significantly higher QoLscores and PWE scores compared to females (t= -2.992, p<0.001) and (t=-2.07, p<0.05)respectively. Employees with day shifts only had significantly higher QoL scorescompared to regular rotation shifts (t=3.228, p<0.001). Pearson correlation showed asignificant association between QoL and PWE (r= .349, p<0.001). The multivariableregression model showed a significant effect of PWE, gender, and type of shift on theQoL [Adj R2 = 0.2665, F=16.26, p<0.001].Conclusion: It is anticipated that with higher QoL, employee’s QoL increases. Thus,patient care is expected to improve by increasing the healthcare providers’ QoL scores.This study showed a significant correlation between PWE and QoL. Further research isneeded to prove this hypothesis.