Morale among Ontario health-care workers is deteriorating, according to a new report. The peer-reviewed study, released on Monday, found a growing staffing crisis is putting the well-being of hospital workers and patients at risk. "This study found that our cherished public health-care system is in serious trouble," said researcher Dr.
James Brophy. Top health headlines, all in one place "We heard about the daily fear hospital workers felt going to work and being unable to perform the duties of caring for their patients because of understaffing." The study is based on 26 in-depth interviews with Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario hospital workers and a survey taken by 775 of their colleagues.
The researchers concealed the identities of the health-care workers who took part in the study. "We hardly have time to take breaks or go to the washroom. I don't think that patients are getting the care they need," said one outpatient clinic nurse in their interview.
Other nurses said they used to be excited about their jobs, but now dread going to work. "You think it can’t get any worse and it just got worse," said a trauma department nurse. "I was going through increasing panic attacks before work, crying before I got into the car.
" Brophy noted several respondents suffered depression, physical and mental exhaustion and burnout because of their working conditions. The concerns echo those of Saskatchewan registered nurses who expressed their own worries with staffing s.