Healthcare workforce satisfaction and perceptions pertaining to application of ergonomics in primary health care settings in Qatar

Background Globally, the healthcare workforce operates in complex healthcare settings putting in strenuous efforts to provide the highest standards of care to patients. Evidence suggests that there are serious health risks such as work-related musculoskeletal diseases, mental health diseases and lower job satisfaction levels among healthcare workforce who are exposed to work environments which are structured without proper consideration and application of ergonomic principles. The study aims to investigate the perceptions of a diverse healthcare workforce pertaining to their work environment to highlight the existing practices and application of ergonomics principles in a highly demanding and extensive primary care setting in the state of Qatar. Methods The study utilized validated online questionnaire (with structured and open-ended questions section) which was distributed through official emails to the healthcare workforce registered in primary healthcare corporation which is comprised of 31 primary health care centers distributed across the country. The domains and items in the survey encompassed general principles of ergonomics within healthcare settings, overall satisfaction levels, wellbeing and perceptions pertaining to the work environment. Quantitative data was analyzed in Microsoft Excel as frequency, distribution, and multiple regression models. Significance level: α = 0.05 (95% confidence). Responses to the open-ended section were analyzed by framework thematic analysis. This approach encompassed interpreting, exploring, and reporting patterns and clusters of meaning within the given data. Results Half of the healthcare workforce (50%) that participated in the online survey documented that they were either satisfied or very satisfied with their work-life balance. Feeling supported by colleagues and supervisors in terms of mental and emotional well-being at work significantly reduced the risk of reporting a work-related discomfort by half (adjusted OR = 0.54) after adjusting for the remaining explanatory variables as reported by the multiple regression model. The themes that emerged from qualitative analysis included desirable workspace, long working hours, increasing awareness relating to ergonomics principles at workplace and factors associated with staff satisfaction. Conclusions The findings of the study further substantiate the existing evidence base in this area of research and suggest devising innovative strategies and interventions to ensure that ergonomic principles within specific healthcare systems are updated, regularly monitored and effectively implemented to safeguard the health and overall wellbeing of healthcare workforce.