Navigating Workforce Challenges in Long-Term Care : A Co-Design Approach to Solutions
department or school: Applied Science, Faculty of
department or school: Non UBC
department or school: Nursing, School of
data provider: DSpace
identifier citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 22 (4): 520 (2025)
creator: Boamah, Sheila A.
creator: Akter, Farzana
creator: Karimi, Bahar
creator: Havaei, Farinaz
issued: 2025-05-12T17:14:24Z
issued: 2025-03-28
description: (1) Background: The enduring impact of COVID-19 on the long-term care (LTC) sector remains uncertain, necessitating targeted efforts to address current and emerging challenges. This study aims to identify the key stressors faced by healthcare workers (HCWs) in LTC and to co-develop innovative, actionable strategies that mitigate these stressors, foster resilience, and promote workforce retention. (2) Methods: This study utilized a qualitative co-design methodology within a mixed-methods, multi-phase framework conducted between July 2023 and October 2024. This article focuses on Phase 1, which involved 11 semi-structured focus groups and steering group discussions with 24 HCWs, including personal support workers (PSWs), nurses, and LTC administrators across Ontario to explore workplace-related distress and foster a shared understanding of challenges in the LTC sector. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis to derive key themes and actionable insights. (3) Results: Key themes emerging from co-design sessions included the need for (i) effective workload management tools, (ii) the prioritization of psychological safety and mental health services, (iii) reducing regulatory and bureaucratic burdens, (iv) strengthening management practices, and (v) fostering recognition and a positive sector image. Co-design sessions with HCWs and leaders facilitated the identification of priority issues and high-level solutions, including addressing workload issues, implementing mental health and support programs, enhancing work–life integration, improving management training, and promoting psychological safety in LTC settings. (4) Conclusions: This study deepens our understanding of workplace challenges in the LTC sector and the factors contributing to HCWs’ mental distress. Leveraging a co-design approach offers valuable insights into the lived experiences of HCWs and leaders. The findings provide actionable guidance for LTC leaders and poli…
aggregated CHO: https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/91105
note: Academic Editor: Paul B. TchounwouReceived: 1 February 2025Revised: 15 March 2025Accepted: 25 March 2025Published: 28 March 2025Citation: Boamah, S.A.; Akter, F.;Karimi, B.; Havaei, F. NavigatingWorkforce Challenges in Long-TermCare: A Co-Design Approach toSolutions. Int. J. Environ. Res. PublicHealth 2025, 22, 520. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040520Copyright: © 2025 by the authors.Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.This article is an open access articledistributed under the terms andconditions of the Creative CommonsAttribution (CC BY) license(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).ArticleNavigating Workforce Challenges in Long-Term Care:A Co-Design Approach to SolutionsSheila A. Boamah 1,* , Farzana Akter 1, Bahar Karimi 2 and Farinaz Havaei 31 Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada;akterf1@mcmaster.ca2 Thrive Group Centre of Excellence in Healthcare Innovation, Hamilton, ON L9C 7N4, Canada;bkarimi@thrivegroup.ca3 Faculty of Health, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada;farinaz.havaei@ubc.ca* Correspondence: boamahs@mcmaster.caAbstract: (1) Background: The enduring impact of COVID-19 on the long-term care (LTC)sector remains uncertain, necessitating targeted efforts to address current and emergingchallenges. This study aims to identify the key stressors faced by healthcare workers(HCWs) in LTC and to co-develop innovative, actionable strategies that mitigate these stres-sors, foster resilience, and promote workforce retention. (2) Methods: This study utilizeda qualitative co-design methodology within a mixed-methods, multi-phase frameworkconducted between July 2023 and October 2024. This article focuses on Phase 1, whichinvolved 11 semi-structured focus groups and steering group discussions with 24 HCWs,including personal support workers (PSWs), nurses, and LTC administrators across On-tario to explore workplace-related distress and foster a shared unders…
has type: Article
is shown at: 10.14288/1.0448850
language: eng
peer review status: Reviewed
provider: Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
publisher: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
publisher DOI: 10.3390/ijerph22040520
rights: CC BY 4.0
rights URI: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
scholar level: Faculty
scholar level: Researcher
subject: co-design
subject: mental health
subject: healthcare workers
subject: long-term care
subject: workforce well-being
subject: retention
type: Text
identifier URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/91105