Quality of life and patient safety: The impact of the work environment on the well-being of medical staff in ICU settings

Abstract

Background and Aim:

Professional Quality of Life (ProQoL) is essential for understanding the well-being of the healthcare professionals working in high-stress environments, such as the intensive care units (ICUs). - This study aimed to assess the influence of age, gender, hospital affiliation, and professional role on the ProQoL dimensions (Compassion Satisfaction – CS, Burnout – BO, Secondary Traumatic Stress – STS) and to analyze the relationship between the perceptions of patient safety (measured via the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire – SAQ) and the professional quality of life.

Method:
This cross-sectional observational study included 247 healthcare professionals (April-November 2024) from 20 different hospitals working in ICUs (nurses, attending physicians, medical residents, and other staff). Participants filled out the ProQoL and SAQ questionnaires, out of which only 10 SAQ items were used. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA, t-tests, and Pearson correlation coefficients.

Results:
Medical residents and participants in the 20–30 age group reported having the highest burnout scores (28.37 ± 0.37) and the lowest level of compassion satisfaction score (36.65 ± 0.61), while attending physicians had elevated levels of secondary traumatic stress (25.69 ± 0.57). Positive perceptions of the work environment (safety, conflict resolution, workplace satisfaction) were negatively correlated with burnout (r = –0.5888, p < 0.0001). Finally, the perception of a pleasant job and workplace positively correlates with the CS score (r=0.53, p˂0.0001).

Conclusions:
Professional well-being varies significantly in terms of age, experience, and position.  These findings suggest that workplace strategies focusing on safety, teamwork, and workload balance may play a role in supporting the ICU staff's well-being.