Abstract (eng)
The aim of this thesis was to investigate the potential relationship between an already
implemented workplace health promotion process and the actual willingness of staff in
nursing homes to participate in occupational behavioral health care services. This is an
important issue because, although the professional work stress in this setting has to be
assessed as high as the participatory willingness of caregivers in occupational health
activities, which according to previous researches, was rather low. Caregivers in nursing
organizations are affected by particularly high physical and mental stress. Despite the high
workload and stress in the field of health care, evaluations on the effect of health promotion
activities, particularly in the field of geriatric care, are rarely conducted.
Besides the theoretical introduction, the reasons for a decision for the implementation of
workplace health promotion gave cause for heavy discussions. In addition, healthcare
organizations are presented as a suitable setting for the implementation of workplace health
promotion. As a specific example I identified geriatric care organizations in terms of their
organizational and communication structures. Furthermore, I highlighted the opportunities for
nursing staff in this particular setting, to participate and contribute in the health-promoting
organization process.
Twelve nurses, from three different geriatric organizations, thereby based on a qualitative
guideline for analysis, were interviewed. The collected data was then analyzed and
interpreted by means of qualitative content analysis based on Mayring.
In summary, this thesis shows that the interviewed nurses thought to be sufficiently informed
about the workplace health promotion. The motivation for nurses to participate in a healthpromoting
organizational development process was mainly to inform their superiors about
health risks and furthermore, suggest adequate solutions. The existing behavioral health
program within the geriatric organization was consistently evaluated as positive and
appropriate to their needs concerning their health issues.
Nurses who participate in behavioral health activities are mainly those who were motivated
by the health promotion process. Participants were mainly those who had not actively cared
for their health prior to the implementation of the workplace health promotion. People with a
health care activity in their spare time do not tend to be consumers inside of behavioral
health services.
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Hereby, highly interesting was the actual timing of claim of the offered behavioral health
services. Thereby, the position of the interviewed nurses, was that they would only take on
those behavioral offers, if an illness had already be diagnosed or if health issues are to
emerge in nearer future.
It is essential for the future to develop adequate strategies motivating the nursing staff in
geriatric care organizations, thereby actively taking part in workplace health promoting
processes in order to strengthen their awareness concerning their own health. This in return
would lead to more willingness adopting behavioral health activities.