New Research Aims to Address High Sick Leave Rates among Elderly Care Assistants
Forte-funded research explores causes of sick leave among elderly care assistants in Sweden.
Key Points
- • New research funded by Forte investigates high sick leave rates among elderly care assistants.
- • Study led by Hederos, Sandberg, and Moberg involves four sub-studies on various workplace factors.
- • Focus areas include split shifts, workplace violence, and care assistants' preferences for better conditions.
- • Research aims to produce recommendations for a sustainable work environment.
A recent initiative funded by Forte is set to investigate the significant sick leave rates among elderly care assistants in Sweden, who frequently face high absenteeism due to illness. The project is led by researchers Karin Hederos, Anna Sandberg, and Ylva Moberg and involves four sub-studies focusing on various workplace factors, including split shifts, violence in the workplace, and the implications of pregnancy and parenthood, as well as care assistants' preferences for better working conditions.
The aim is to delve deep into the causes of these sick leave rates and propose actionable changes to enhance the working environment. According to Anna Sandberg, "Our goal is to thoroughly understand the underlying issues and identify practical solutions that will significantly improve daily life for care assistants." The research will integrate registry data and surveys to develop tailored recommendations, ultimately striving for a more sustainable work environment and enhanced quality of care for the elderly.