| Autor: |
Van Merode F; Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.; Maastricht University Medical Centre+, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands., Groot W; Maastricht Graduate School of Governance, Maastricht University, Boschstraat 24, 6211 AX Maastricht, The Netherlands., Somers M; Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market, Maastricht University, Tongersestraat 49, 6211 LM Maastricht, The Netherlands. |
| Jazyk: |
angličtina |
| Zdroj: |
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) [Healthcare (Basel)] 2024 Jan 16; Vol. 12 (2). Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jan 16. |
| DOI: |
10.3390/healthcare12020220 |
| Abstrakt: |
Healthcare systems are facing a shortage of nurses. This article identifies some of the major causes of this and the issues that need to be solved. We take a perspective derived from queuing theory: the patient-nurse relationship is characterized by a scarcity of time and resources, requiring comprehensive coordination at all levels. For coordination, we take an information-theoretic perspective. Using both perspectives, we analyze the nature of healthcare services and show that ensuring slack, meaning a less than exhaustive use of human resources, is a sine qua non to having a good, functioning healthcare system. We analyze what coordination efforts are needed to manage relatively simple office hours, wards, and home care. Next, we address the level of care where providers cannot themselves prevent the complexity of organization that possibly damages care tasks and job quality. A lack of job quality may result in nurses leaving the profession. Job quality, in this context, depends on the ability of nurses to coordinate their activities. This requires slack resources. The availability of slack that is efficient depends on a stable inflow and retention rate of nurses. The healthcare system as a whole should ensure that the required nurse workforce will be able to coordinate and execute their tasks. Above that, workforce policies need more stability. |
| Databáze: |
MEDLINE |
| Externí odkaz: |
|
