Abstract
Background: Long-term care (LTC) workers are subjected to structural and inherent difficult conditions that are likely to impact their quality of life at work; however, no agreed scale measures it. This study aims to develop a scale to measure the work-related quality of life among LTC workers in England (CWRQoL). The study establishes the domains/sub-domains of CWRQoL, investigates the tool’s utility and collates information on existing supporting strategies for CWRQoL. Methods: We adopt a mixed-methods approach employing inductive/deductive processes at three stages: (1) a scoping review of the literature; (2) interviews and focus groups with frontline LTC workers, managers and LTC stakeholders; and (3) a content validity consensus survey. Results: CWRQoL is composed of seven domains (and 23 sub-domains). Additional domains to those in the literature include financial wellbeing, sufficient time for building relations, managing grief and emotions associated with client death and end of life care. Stakeholders identified several benefits and challenges related to the CWRQoL tool’s utility. COVID-19 significantly impacted LTC workers’ mental wellbeing and spillover between work and home. Conclusions: The study highlighted the complex nature of CWRQoL and provided a solid ground for developing and validating a CWRQoL scale.
Highlights
Long term care (LTC), or social care in England, describes a range of activities to support people who need personal and social care, including older people and adults living with disabilities
This paper reports on findings of a study focused on developing an LTC-specific measure of care work-related quality of life (CWRQoL) scale
There is limited evidence on how to improve CWRQoL among people working in adult social care
Summary
Long term care (LTC), or social care in England, describes a range of activities to support people who need personal and social care, including older people and adults living with disabilities. In England, LTC roles include social work, personal care and practical support for adults with a physical disability, a learning disability, or physical or mental illness, and support for their carers [1]. The sector has been experiencing many long-standing challenges exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic [2]. These challenges include limited access to publicly funded LTC services, a fragmented care market, demographic trends increasing demands and the inability to attract and retain a sufficient supply of care workers [3,4]. The workforce comprises a high prevalence of female workers (82%) with an over-representation of workers from ethnic minority groups who usually face worse employment outcomes within the sector [6]
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