Exploring the impact and experience of fractional work in medicine: a qualitative study of medical oncologists in Australia

Rebalancing of professional identity roles in an integrated maternity and neonatal care setting designed to increase parent autonomy: a qualitative study among health professionals

This case-based qualitative study explored the professional identity as experienced by health professionals working in an integrated maternal-neonatal ward when their practice changed from a "paternalistic" model, in which physicians and nurses were in charge, to a shared or "consumerist" model, to increase parent autonomy. We analyzed transcripts of focus group discussions and interviews with 60 health professionals on their experiences with empowering parents and described factors associated with themes of professional identity. The changes most affecting professional identity were the constant proximity of parents to their newborns and the single-family room design. These changes influenced three themes of professional identity: (1) connectedness and relationships (2) communication, and (3) competencies. A fourth theme, values, beliefs, and ethics, affected how the health professionals coped with the changes in the first three themes. When empowering parents of newborns in a hospital setting, health professionals experience beneficial as well as threatening shifts in their professional identities. Values, beliefs, and ethics associated with family integrated care helped health professionals to embrace their new roles, but other values, beliefs and ethics could create barriers. Continuous professional identity development in a patient-inclusive team is a topic for future research.

Telework, Hybrid Work and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals: Towards Policy Coherence

With increased participation in telework expected to continue, in the aftermath of COVID, it will be important to consider what long-term impact this practice could have on sustainability outcomes. This paper describes a scoping review and identifies connections between telework and sustainability outcomes from previous academic studies. These connections were categorised, and are discussed, based on their contributions to different United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Most research was found to focus on countries classified as having a very high human development index status. The SWOT matrix technique was used to illustrate the strengths and weaknesses identified in the existing literature, and the threats and opportunities for future work. This aims to ensure policy coherence so that strategies to promote one outcome, such as economic productivity improvements, do not undermine another, such as improved health. Practical implications and research opportunities were identified across a range of SDG impact areas, including good health and well-being, gender equality, reduced inequality, climate mitigation, sustainable cities, and resilient communities. Overall, our impression is that increased rates of telework present an important opportunity to improve sustainability outcomes. However, it will be important that integrated and holistic policy is developed that mitigates key risks.

A neglected issue in hospital emergency and disaster planning: Non-standard employment in hospitals

Work organization and relationships have changed over recent decades. Following the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the norms concerning work-related standards will likely change even more significantly. There has been a shift away from standard employment to non-standard employment (NSE), which includes fixed-term, part-time, on-call, agency-related employment, dependent self-employment, dispatch, and temporary employment, etc. In nearly every sector. The health sector is no exception. However, the effects of non-standard employment on the disaster preparedness of health systems, particularly on hospitals' emergency and disaster plans, have not yet been adequately studied. Most crucial themes are engagement of non-standard employees in emergency and disaster planning and response, and the impact of non-standard employees in expanding hospitals' capacity in large-scale events. This short communication paper aims to discuss this neglected issue in hospital emergency and disaster planning. In order to see whether NSE is considered in hospital disaster and emergency plans, two hospital disaster and emergency planning guidelines-the Hospital Incident Command System, and the Hospital Emergency Response Checklist developed by the World Health Organization-were assessed regarding NSE in their respective contexts. Although these guidelines are comprehensive tools for hospital preparedness, NSE is not specifically considered in any of them. However, it is essential that NSE, with its trade-offs, is considered in disaster plans to maintain an effective implementation of them. Further research and actions are necessary, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, to identify how this reflection should be conducted and to supply evidence for further measures and revising emergency and disaster planning guidelines.