Psychosocial Working Conditions of Health Professionals in a Continuing Care Unit

Abstract

Nowadays, work-related psychosocial risks are one of the major challenges for occupational
safety and health. Its risk factors are identified in the literature as being present in health activities, and
their consequences may affect both health and quality of the care provided to users. So it matters
understanding the weight of these risks on workers' health and how they can intervene in work
situations, with a view to better health, safety and well-being of workers. Through a literature review and
an empirical study with nurses and health assistants of a Continuing Care Unit, we sought to understand
the type of psychosocial working conditions to which this type of professionals are exposed. Primary
data were collected using the Psychosocial Working Conditions Characterization Questionnaire (Neto,
2013), which also includes COPSOQ scales, one of the internationally recognized instruments for the
analysis of psychosocial dimensions inherent to the work context. Both professional activities were
considered to be very demanding. Work rhythm and emotional and / or cognitive demands were
evidenced as the most problematic risk factors in this sample.