Health care professionals deal on a daily basis with several job demands – emotional, cognitive, organizational and physical. They must also ensure high quality care to their patients. The aim of this study is to analyse the impact of... more
Health care professionals deal on a daily basis with several job demands – emotional, cognitive,
organizational and physical. They must also ensure high quality care to their patients. The aim of this study
is to analyse the impact of job demands on quality of care and to investigate team (backup behaviors) and
individual (positivity ratio) processes that help to shield that impact. Data was collected from 2,890 doctors
and nurses in 9 European countries by means of questionnaires. Job demands have a negative impact on
the quality of care delivered by health professionals. Backup behaviors had a mediating effect between job
demands and quality of care. Also, the positivity ratio of professionals (ratio of positive and negative
emotions experienced) was also found as a significant mediator between most job demands and quality of
care dimensions. Finally, we found a double mediation between most job demands and quality of care,
where backup behaviors influenced the positivity ratio. Quality of care in hospitals is closely related to job
demands. Hospital managers should consider the importance of cooperation within health care
professionals’ teams and ought to find ways to develop teamwork in order to promote patients’ safety.
organizational and physical. They must also ensure high quality care to their patients. The aim of this study
is to analyse the impact of job demands on quality of care and to investigate team (backup behaviors) and
individual (positivity ratio) processes that help to shield that impact. Data was collected from 2,890 doctors
and nurses in 9 European countries by means of questionnaires. Job demands have a negative impact on
the quality of care delivered by health professionals. Backup behaviors had a mediating effect between job
demands and quality of care. Also, the positivity ratio of professionals (ratio of positive and negative
emotions experienced) was also found as a significant mediator between most job demands and quality of
care dimensions. Finally, we found a double mediation between most job demands and quality of care,
where backup behaviors influenced the positivity ratio. Quality of care in hospitals is closely related to job
demands. Hospital managers should consider the importance of cooperation within health care
professionals’ teams and ought to find ways to develop teamwork in order to promote patients’ safety.
