Authors (including presenting author) :
Ho NL(1), Au WK(1), Tsui BPC(1), Yung TC(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Queen Mary Hospital
Introduction :
The Hospital Authority has implemented a 5-Day work week pattern to bring better work-life balance and enhance the quality of life of staff members. The Department of Paediatric Cardiology (DPC) in Queen Mary Hospital has piloted this work pattern since 2 July 2018. A survey was conducted in 2019 to evaluate the effects of this pattern on DPC staff.
Objectives :
(1) To collect DPC staff’s opinions of the effects of the 5-Day week pattern after one year of implementation; (2) to evaluate their satisfaction towards this new work pattern.
Methodology :
A questionnaire with 24 response options covering 3 aspects, including (1) personal effects, (2) effects on daily activities and patient care, and (3) effects on staff training was distributed to all DPC staff.
Result & Outcome :
In July 2019, a total of 28 questionnaires were distributed and all received with responses. Regarding the effects on staff personally, 78.6% of respondents had more time for family and other personal interests. 60.7% of respondents felt happier and more satisfied. 53.6% mentioned that they had saved money on going to and from work. Only 3.6% of respondents thought the productivity lagged as the day went out. Regarding the effects on daily activities and patient care, 75.0% of staff agreed there was more manpower during the overlapped shift period of AM and PM shift for complex nursing care. 67.9% of staff thought there was improved hand-over between shifts, while 42.9% received more support from colleagues. 3.6% of staff thought there would be less efficient usage of time during the overlapped shift region. Regarding the effects on staff training, 53.6% of staff thought there were more chances for department in-service training and attend training sessions organized by the hospital. 10.7% of staff thought the staff training arrangements have no significant changes. The survey results indicated that the majority of respondents have positive expressions towards the 5-Day work week policy. No significant differences were found on the effects by the years of experience of DPC staff. Better management strategies on manpower allocation can be adopted and more opportunities for staff training programmes can be provided to utilize the overlapping period of AM and PM shift more efficiently.
