The Perception of Occupation by Hospital Nurses in Poland and Germany in Terms of the Risk of Excessive Stress and Burnout as Well as Possible Coping and Preventive Solutions

Abstract

Nurses constitute a professional group exposed to a high risk of stress and occupational burnout. Fewer nurses are recruited every year and the ever higher age of those professionally active is alarming. This article presents the results of international comparative studies from 2018 and 2019 involving Polish and German nurses (747 people) dedicated to the perception of aspects of nurses’ work in terms of the risk of excessive stress and burnout and possible preventive measures. Using a proprietary questionnaire, the authors evaluated differences in the perception of the nursing profession in Poland and Germany, as well as in terms of seniority or decision-making. Next, the relationship between the perception of work specificity and opinions about professional risks and possible preventive measures was evaluated. The analysis used the Mann-Whitney U test and correlation analysis of the questions. Using exploratory factor analysis, the number of dimensions describing the nursing profession was reduced from 16 to four related to (1) workload, (2) job satisfaction, (3) atmosphere in the organisation and (4) sense of control over one’s own work. The results showed statistically significant differences in the perception of professional specificity and risks according to the analysed characteristics.

Perception of Occupational and Environmental Risks and Hazards among Mineworkers: A Psychometric Paradigm Approach

“…Considerable occupational and environmental risk perception research has been conducted using various risk assessment methods, such as the analytical hierarchical process (AHP), cost–benefit analysis, checklist, and severity–frequency analysis [ 7 , 8 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. These methods were initially designed to examine expert perceptions of risks and hazards.…”

“…The vital role that risk perception plays in risk management success is well documented in the literature [ 7 , 8 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Nonetheless, much of the research related to occupational and environmental risk perception has been conducted using assessment methods designed to measure experts’ assessment (e.g., Analytical Hierarchical Process, cost–benefit analysis, and severity–frequency analysis) [ 7 , 8 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. However, these methods should be used mainly with risk experts who have sufficient experience and knowledge about risk assessment processes.…”

Analysis of Strategies for Managing Stress by Polish Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Nurses are one of medical professional groups at risk of being under constant stress [ 19 ]. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the stress among Polish nurses was caused by responsibility for human health and life, high workload, shift work, low salaries, insufficient number of employees, poor organization of work, conflicts on the therapeutic team, inappropriate interpersonal relationships, lack of support, contact with gravely ill and dying patients and their families [ 20 , 21 ].…”

Stress, Burnout, and General Mental Health among Healthcare Workers in Poland during the Long-Lasting COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Depending on the measurement tool used and the criteria adopted, between 32% and 50% of healthcare workers experience burnout [7,10,12], yet rates in Poland are higher, with up to 67% of medics experiencing burnout [12]. It is particularly concerning that young medics starting their professional careers are the most at-risk of burnout [9,13,14], considering that the average age of a nurse in Poland is 52 years [13]. Moreover, research indicates that up to half of healthcare workers may experience high levels of stress [8].…”