Wellbeing of lone working Healthcare Assistants and its impact on staff retention in hospice-at-home services

Katarzyna A. Patynowska; Raquel  Fantoni; Tracey McConnell; Anne Finucane; Peter  Donnelly; Colette  McAtamney; Gillian  Walpole; Jonathan  Clemo; Natasha Wynne; Epiphany  Leone; F. Hasson

doi:10.1177/02692163241242338

Abstract

Background/aims: Recent UK-based research revealed the complex role of lone working Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) who provide hospice-at-home care without direct supervision of a registered professional(1). The complexity of the role combined with emotional labour(2), support needs and variable preparation(1) may have long term implications on wellbeing and retention. Staff attrition leads to inadequate staffing, unmet care needs, and impacts on patient wellbeing(3, 4).
The aim of the study is to investigate wellbeing, intention to leave and support needs amongst lone working HCAs providing hospice-at-home care in UK based charity.
Methods: A mixed-method sequential explanatory design, comprised of two phases 1) a cross-sectional online survey consisting of validated tools and questions designed by the study team, and 2) semi-structured qualitative interviews.
Results: 218 HCAs completed the survey (12/04/23 to 08/06/23), 14 HCAs completed interviews (19/07/23 to 31/08/23). Mean wellbeing score was 52.2(SD=8.64). Higher wellbeing scores were related to lower intentions to leave r(216) = -.25, p<.001. Qualitative data (open text survey responses and interviews) shown the main factors negatively influencing wellbeing were loneliness, isolation and feeling undervalued. The main factors positively influencing wellbeing were high job satisfaction and finding the role meaningful. HCAs revealed a strong preference for contact-based support (in-person and virtual). In-person contact was an important prerequisite for building further contact with peers (virtual or via phone). However, support available from line manager and peers varied greatly and had a substantial impact on wellbeing levels and intention to leave, both positively and negatively.
Conclusions: Many factors impact on wellbeing level of lone working HCAs providing hospice care at home. As higher wellbeing level was related to lower intentions to leave, supporting staff wellbeing is a key organisational strategy for higher retention of staff.
Conflict of interest to declare?: No
Abstract ID: OA30.4

Original language	English
Number of pages	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/02692163241242338
Publication status	Published online - 9 May 2024
Event	13th World Research Congress, European Association for Palliative Care - Spain, Barcelona, Spain Duration: 16 May 2024 → 18 May 2024

Conference

Conference	13th World Research Congress, European Association for Palliative Care
Country/Territory	Spain
City	Barcelona
Period	16/05/24 → 18/05/24

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Access to Document

10.1177/02692163241242338

Cite this

Patynowska, K. A., Fantoni, R., McConnell, T., Finucane, A., Donnelly, P., McAtamney, C., Walpole, G., Clemo, J., Wynne, N., Leone, E., & Hasson, F. (2024). Wellbeing of lone working Healthcare Assistants and its impact on staff retention in hospice-at-home services. Abstract from 13th World Research Congress, European Association for Palliative Care, Barcelona, Spain. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692163241242338

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title = "Wellbeing of lone working Healthcare Assistants and its impact on staff retention in hospice-at-home services",

abstract = "Background/aims: Recent UK-based research revealed the complex role of lone working Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) who provide hospice-at-home care without direct supervision of a registered professional(1). The complexity of the role combined with emotional labour(2), support needs and variable preparation(1) may have long term implications on wellbeing and retention. Staff attrition leads to inadequate staffing, unmet care needs, and impacts on patient wellbeing(3, 4). The aim of the study is to investigate wellbeing, intention to leave and support needs amongst lone working HCAs providing hospice-at-home care in UK based charity. Methods: A mixed-method sequential explanatory design, comprised of two phases 1) a cross-sectional online survey consisting of validated tools and questions designed by the study team, and 2) semi-structured qualitative interviews. Results: 218 HCAs completed the survey (12/04/23 to 08/06/23), 14 HCAs completed interviews (19/07/23 to 31/08/23). Mean wellbeing score was 52.2(SD=8.64). Higher wellbeing scores were related to lower intentions to leave r(216) = -.25, p<.001. Qualitative data (open text survey responses and interviews) shown the main factors negatively influencing wellbeing were loneliness, isolation and feeling undervalued. The main factors positively influencing wellbeing were high job satisfaction and finding the role meaningful. HCAs revealed a strong preference for contact-based support (in-person and virtual). In-person contact was an important prerequisite for building further contact with peers (virtual or via phone). However, support available from line manager and peers varied greatly and had a substantial impact on wellbeing levels and intention to leave, both positively and negatively. Conclusions: Many factors impact on wellbeing level of lone working HCAs providing hospice care at home. As higher wellbeing level was related to lower intentions to leave, supporting staff wellbeing is a key organisational strategy for higher retention of staff. Conflict of interest to declare?: No Abstract ID: OA30.4",

author = "Patynowska, \{Katarzyna A.\} and Raquel Fantoni and Tracey McConnell and Anne Finucane and Peter Donnelly and Colette McAtamney and Gillian Walpole and Jonathan Clemo and Natasha Wynne and Epiphany Leone and F. Hasson",

year = "2024",

month = may,

day = "9",

doi = "10.1177/02692163241242338",

language = "English",

note = "13th World Research Congress, European Association for Palliative Care ; Conference date: 16-05-2024 Through 18-05-2024",

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Patynowska, KA, Fantoni, R, McConnell, T, Finucane, A, Donnelly, P, McAtamney, C, Walpole, G, Clemo, J, Wynne, N, Leone, E & Hasson, F 2024, 'Wellbeing of lone working Healthcare Assistants and its impact on staff retention in hospice-at-home services', 13th World Research Congress, European Association for Palliative Care, Barcelona, Spain, 16/05/24 - 18/05/24. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692163241242338

TY - CONF

T1 - Wellbeing of lone working Healthcare Assistants and its impact on staff retention in hospice-at-home services

AU - Patynowska, Katarzyna A.

AU - Fantoni, Raquel

AU - McConnell, Tracey

AU - Finucane, Anne

AU - Donnelly, Peter

AU - McAtamney, Colette

AU - Walpole, Gillian

AU - Clemo, Jonathan

AU - Wynne, Natasha

AU - Leone, Epiphany

AU - Hasson, F.

PY - 2024/5/9

Y1 - 2024/5/9

N2 - Background/aims: Recent UK-based research revealed the complex role of lone working Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) who provide hospice-at-home care without direct supervision of a registered professional(1). The complexity of the role combined with emotional labour(2), support needs and variable preparation(1) may have long term implications on wellbeing and retention. Staff attrition leads to inadequate staffing, unmet care needs, and impacts on patient wellbeing(3, 4). The aim of the study is to investigate wellbeing, intention to leave and support needs amongst lone working HCAs providing hospice-at-home care in UK based charity. Methods: A mixed-method sequential explanatory design, comprised of two phases 1) a cross-sectional online survey consisting of validated tools and questions designed by the study team, and 2) semi-structured qualitative interviews. Results: 218 HCAs completed the survey (12/04/23 to 08/06/23), 14 HCAs completed interviews (19/07/23 to 31/08/23). Mean wellbeing score was 52.2(SD=8.64). Higher wellbeing scores were related to lower intentions to leave r(216) = -.25, p<.001. Qualitative data (open text survey responses and interviews) shown the main factors negatively influencing wellbeing were loneliness, isolation and feeling undervalued. The main factors positively influencing wellbeing were high job satisfaction and finding the role meaningful. HCAs revealed a strong preference for contact-based support (in-person and virtual). In-person contact was an important prerequisite for building further contact with peers (virtual or via phone). However, support available from line manager and peers varied greatly and had a substantial impact on wellbeing levels and intention to leave, both positively and negatively. Conclusions: Many factors impact on wellbeing level of lone working HCAs providing hospice care at home. As higher wellbeing level was related to lower intentions to leave, supporting staff wellbeing is a key organisational strategy for higher retention of staff. Conflict of interest to declare?: No Abstract ID: OA30.4

AB - Background/aims: Recent UK-based research revealed the complex role of lone working Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) who provide hospice-at-home care without direct supervision of a registered professional(1). The complexity of the role combined with emotional labour(2), support needs and variable preparation(1) may have long term implications on wellbeing and retention. Staff attrition leads to inadequate staffing, unmet care needs, and impacts on patient wellbeing(3, 4). The aim of the study is to investigate wellbeing, intention to leave and support needs amongst lone working HCAs providing hospice-at-home care in UK based charity. Methods: A mixed-method sequential explanatory design, comprised of two phases 1) a cross-sectional online survey consisting of validated tools and questions designed by the study team, and 2) semi-structured qualitative interviews. Results: 218 HCAs completed the survey (12/04/23 to 08/06/23), 14 HCAs completed interviews (19/07/23 to 31/08/23). Mean wellbeing score was 52.2(SD=8.64). Higher wellbeing scores were related to lower intentions to leave r(216) = -.25, p<.001. Qualitative data (open text survey responses and interviews) shown the main factors negatively influencing wellbeing were loneliness, isolation and feeling undervalued. The main factors positively influencing wellbeing were high job satisfaction and finding the role meaningful. HCAs revealed a strong preference for contact-based support (in-person and virtual). In-person contact was an important prerequisite for building further contact with peers (virtual or via phone). However, support available from line manager and peers varied greatly and had a substantial impact on wellbeing levels and intention to leave, both positively and negatively. Conclusions: Many factors impact on wellbeing level of lone working HCAs providing hospice care at home. As higher wellbeing level was related to lower intentions to leave, supporting staff wellbeing is a key organisational strategy for higher retention of staff. Conflict of interest to declare?: No Abstract ID: OA30.4

U2 - 10.1177/02692163241242338

DO - 10.1177/02692163241242338

M3 - Abstract

T2 - 13th World Research Congress, European Association for Palliative Care

Y2 - 16 May 2024 through 18 May 2024