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Erschienen in:

12.11.2016 | Original Article

Work-related self-assessed fatigue and recovery among nurses

verfasst von: Gerhard Blasche, Verena-Maria Bauböck, Daniela Haluza

Erschienen in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Ausgabe 2/2017

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Abstract

Purpose

Adequate recovery opportunities are crucial for preventing long-term health effects of acute load reactions in response to stressful work. However, little is known about the time course of recovery from work during non-working days. Thus, the present study assessed recovery from two consecutive 12-hours day shifts during a period of three rest days among nurses.

Methods

In total, 48 nurses (89.6% females) working in three public Austrian nursing homes completed 5-day self-reporting diaries prior to a work phase consisting of two consecutive 12-hours day shifts followed by three consecutive rest days. Therefore, morning and evening fatigue, distress, vigor and sleep were self-assessed by standardized questionnaires. We analyzed the data using multivariate analysis of variance for repeated measures.

Results

Study participants experienced worse well-being and a greater decline in well-being on working days compared to rest days. Well-being increased from rest day 1 to rest day 2 in fatigue, vigor and distress. Rest day 2 to rest day 3 showed a further improvement in fatigue and vigor.

Conclusions

Understanding the concepts of allostatic load, need for recovery and fatigue is essential to develop personalized working schedules. The results suggest that at least three rest days are necessary for full recovery after two consecutive 12-hours day shifts. Thus, adequate time for recovery enables nurses to maintain caring attitudes with patients, thus contributing to patient safety.
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Metadaten
Titel
Work-related self-assessed fatigue and recovery among nurses
verfasst von
Gerhard Blasche
Verena-Maria Bauböck
Daniela Haluza
Publikationsdatum
12.11.2016
Verlag
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Ausgabe 2/2017
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Elektronische ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-016-1187-6