VUCA in the present-day health workplace and the mental health and wellbeing of health care workers: a systematic scoping review.

Journal: BMC health services research

Volume: 24

Issue: 1

Year of Publication: 2024

Affiliated Institutions:  School of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, , Australia. Charles.Okonkwo@unisq.edu.au. School of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, , Australia. School of Psychology and Wellbeing, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, , Australia. School of Business, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, , Australia.

Abstract summary 

The health workplace is fraught with fluctuations and uncertainties, creating a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment, particularly impacting frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) and leading to an epidemic of stress, burnout and health issues, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.This paper aims to explore the multifaceted aspects of HCWs wellbeing, address challenges arising due to COVID-19 and VUCA and highlight innovative approaches within health systems to enhance the quality of life HCWs.A systematic review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus with search terms including 'VUCA,' 'health personnel,' 'frontline healthcare workers,' and 'psychological wellbeing.' Grey literature focusing on Australia and Nigeria was also included. Search was limited to titles on "COVID-19", articles published in English, and articles published from inception to 11th March 2024.Initial search terms generated hundreds of thousands of literatures but after limitations to titles on COVID-19, 32 articles were screened and 22 selected for critical review. Seven other grey articles were included with focus on Australia and Nigeria. The summary findings indicate the disruptiveness of VUCA, and associated need to improve healthcare workers' resilience and this calls for further research.This report highlights the further need to explore the volatile, uncertain, complex and/or ambiguous health workplace with a view to improve healthcare workers wellbeing. Intentional organizational support strategies along with personal coping strategies should be further explored towards improving HCWs resilience and wellbeing.

Authors & Co-authors:  Okonkwo Charles Chigoziem CC Nwose Ezekiel Uba EU Beccaria Gavin G Khanam Rasheda R

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  Sustainable Development Goals. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/health/ .
Authors :  4
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1186/s12913-024-11806-2
SSN : 1472-6963
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Humans
Other Terms
Ambiguity;Burnout;Complexity;Pressure;Resilience;Stress;Uncertainty;Volatility;Wellbeing
Study Design
Study Approach
Systemic Review
Country of Study
Niger
Publication Country
England