Article

Individuals with severe and complex disabilities, defined by a combination
of profound intellectual impairment and serious motor deficit resulting in
extreme dependence, often remain in hospital or at residential facilities. The
aim of this study was to identify the determinants of quality of life (QoL) of
238 health care workers (HCWs) caring for individuals with severe and complex
disabilities. METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional study. The recruitment of
the HCWs was performed in five French centres specializing in patients with
severe and complex disabilities. The selection criteria were age above 18 years,
being an institutional referent HCW (a resource person coordinating various
issues for or about the patient), and agreeing to participate. Sociodemographic,
health, professional variables, and psycho-behavioural (QoL, burn-out, and coping
strategies) data were collected. RESULTS: Of the 362 eligible HCWs, 65.7%
returned the questionnaires. The scores of the physical and social dimensions of
QoL were significantly lower, and the score of the psychological dimension
significantly higher, than those of a comparison group.
The main factors
modulating QoL were age, financial difficulties, nature of coping strategy, and
burn-out. INTERPRETATION: This research provides preliminary evidence that caring
for patients with severe and complex disabilities affects the QoL of HCWs. These
results support the need for optimization of the work environments for HCWs.
CI - (c) 2017 Mac Keith Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS