title: Exploring communication processes in workplace meetings: A mixed methods study in a Swedish healthcare organization.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An efficient team and a good organizational climate not only improve employee health but also the health and safety of the patients. Building up trust, a good organizational climate and a healthy workplace requires effective communication processes. In Sweden, workplace meetings as settings for communication processes are regulated by a collective labor agreement. However, little is known about how these meetings are organized in which communication processes can be strengthened.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore communication processes during workplace meetings in a Swedish healthcare organization.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitatively driven, mixed methods design was used with data collected by observations, interviews, focus group interviews and mirroring feedback seminars. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and conventional content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The communication flow and the organization of the observed meetings varied in terms of physical setting, frequency, time allocated and duration. The topics for the workplace meetings were mainly functional with a focus on clinical processes. Overall, the meetings were viewed not only as an opportunity to communicate information top down but also a means by which employees could influence decision-making and development at the workplace.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Workplace meetings have very distinct health-promoting value. It emerged that information and the opportunity to influence decisions related to workplace development are important to the workers. These aspects also affect the outcome of the care provided.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Stress Medicine, Gothenburg, Sweden.|Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bergman
authors.affiliation: School of Technology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.|Academy of Caring, Work and Wellfare, University of Borås, Borås, Sweden.
authors.forename: Lotta
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dellve
authors.affiliation: Institute of Stress Medicine, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Skagert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013548:Sweden; D017132:Workplace
keywords: Meeting; dialogue; hospital; qualitative method; workplace health promotion