Improving outcomes: focus on workplace issues

Purpose of review Staff satisfaction has not traditionally been included as an intensive care unit quality indicators. The process of providing intensive care may profoundly affect clinicians. Dysfunctional encounters with coworkers and ethical burdens may extract a considerable personal toll and affect work attitudes and performance. Recent findings Mounting evidence indicates that psychosocial tensions, burnout and ethical stress are common and serious problems in the intensive care unit. These experiences impact negatively on job satisfaction, turnover, workplace disruption and patient care. Addressing workplace issues will help improve quality of care. Summary Two common sources of staff dissatisfaction are examined. Improving staff satisfaction can improve unit performance, and serve to attract and retain quality clinicians.