Date of Award
2019
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Department
Occupational Therapy
First Advisor
Rebecca Wolf, JD, MPH, OTR/L
Abstract
Background/Literature Review: Sleep and well-being have a dynamic, reciprocal relationship. A review of the literature suggests hospital night shift employees are vulnerable to health disparities due to circadian rhythm disruption, and experience low ratings of well-being. Methods: A multi-layered needs assessment included meetings with interdisciplinary representatives, review of employee satisfaction and attrition data, and interviews with night shift workers. Results: The needs assessment identified several unmet employee needs, including staffing, scheduling, and healthy food access. Insufficient staffing emerged as a barrier to employee health and well-being. Discussion: The results suggested that new graduates enter PCH enthusiastic and resilient but suffer over time if they are required to continue working the night shift. Furthermore, frequent requests for healthy food options pointed to a need for personal, environmental, and occupation-level interventions to better support the health of night shift employees. Interventions: Multilevel interventions were proposed to senior management to increase sleep and wellbeing of night shift workers. The author developed a night shift training program – Sleep Well at PCH – to promote sleep and well-being for night shift employees. Design of an employee well-being space provided 24-hour access to relaxation, fitness, and other wellness services to all employees – including shift workers. Conclusion: The project identified a need for evidence-based programs to support sleep and wellbeing for shift workers. Recognition of the relationship of sleep and wellbeing is essential to informing healthy workplace programs for night shift employees. This project has potential for replication at other hospitals or industries that employ shift workers.
Recommended Citation
Knowles, Rebecca LS, "Sleep and Wellbeing at Phoenix Children’s Hospital" (2019). OT Student Capstones. 48.
https://scholarworks.atsu.edu/ot-capstones/48