Restructuring of the Québec health network and its effects on the profession of home health aides and their occupational health and safety.
The Québec health sector is facing profound macroeconomic and macro-organizational changes. This article addresses the impact of these changes on the work of home health aides (HHAs) and their occupational health and safety (OHS). The study was carried out in the home care services of four local community service centers (CLSCs) with different organizational characteristics. It is based on an analysis by triangulation of 66 individual and group interviews, 11 work days, and 35 multidisciplinary or professional meetings observed, as well as administrative documents. HHAs are experiencing an erosion of their job because the relational and emotional components of their work are disappearing. This results in an increase in musculoskeletal and psychological health problems. This study also shows that managers' decisions can reduce or increase the HHAs' work constraints. Stability in the clientele served and the possibility of organizing their routes are good examples of positive impacts.
Cloutier
Esther
E
Institut de recherche, Robert Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, 505 boulevard de Maisonneuve ouest Montréal (Québec) Canada H3A 3C2. ESTCLD@irsst.qc.ca
Ledoux
Elise
E
Bourdouxhe
Madeleine
M
David
Hélène
H
Gagnon
Isabelle
I
Ouellet
François
F
D000328:Adult; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D018574:Home Care Agencies / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D018576:Home Health Aides / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016272:Occupational Health; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D011187:Posture; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D012449:Safety; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D016387:Women's Health; D014931:Women, Working; D016526:Workload / Q000706:statistics & numerical data