Low Morale Research Articles

Banality of Political Communication in Indonesian Presidential Election Contestation

This study aims to describe the banality of discourse through the deconstruction of discourse on the discourse of political actors through viral political communications in online media. Through discourse deconstruction, an overview of the discourse meaning is obtained, and the discourse intent under study is revealed. This study uses a constructivist paradigm. The research uses linguistic and structural methods, objectives hermeneutic, and social semiotics. The results of the study show that there is power-oriented vulgarity with vulgar language, low political morality, political egoism, and political justification. This research shows that symbolic violence in political communication.

Factors Leading Students to Academic Dishonesty on the University Level in Pakistan

This research aimed to investigate the reasons behind academic dishonesty among postgraduate students at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad in Pakistan. A total of 105 students were randomly selected from the Faculty of Social Sciences for this study. Data was collected using a reliable and validated questionnaire, and the analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results of the study revealed several factors contributing to learning difficulties, which in turn led to academic dishonesty. These factors included the fear of failure, lack of interest in studies, lower retention ability, difficulty speaking and writing English, fear of teachers, and language barriers. Personal factors like time management, daydreaming, laziness, parental pressure, low motivation from family, financial problems, and lower work morale had impacts on students. Behavioural factors such as deviation from targets, habits of sadness, careless behaviour, unethical behaviour, excessive anger, abuse and addiction, considering work or study as a burden and irrelevant teaching methodologies contributed to academic dishonesty. Teaching and social factors such as lack of teaching skills, communication barriers, overloading students with subject matter, sense of competition, social rejection and social injustice were also influential. This study suggested implementing strict and corrective measures, including raising awareness among teachers, students, and institutions to address and overcome academic dishonesty.

Fiscal transparency and tax morale: is the relationship shaped by perceptions of government performance and corruption?

The potential of fiscal transparency to improve tax morale (or the willingness to pay taxes) has been widely studied. However, the strength of the fiscal transparency-tax morale relationship may depend on how citizens perceive government performance and corruption. To probe these questions, this study draws on data from the World Values Survey Wave 7 (2017–2022), comprising 70,203 respondents from 48 countries, as well as various international governance indicators. The findings suggest that when individuals perceive more government corruption, fiscal transparency is associated with lower tax morale. In contrast, when individuals perceive better government performance, fiscal transparency has limited influence on tax morale. The results imply that the effect of fiscal transparency on tax morale is context dependent and, moreover, may backfire in countries with high levels of perceived corruption. Implications for policy and practice are discussed. Points for practitioners Citizens’ perceptions of government may influence their reactions to fiscal transparency. Efforts to boost willingness to pay taxes through greater fiscal transparency should also consider citizens’ views on government corruption.

Relationship between Head Teacher's Motivation Strategies and Teacher's Performance in Secondary Schools in Serere District

Globally, teacher performance is a significant challenge for education, necessitating effective strategies to combat low morale and ensure adequate school performance (Gitonga, 2012). This study investigated the relationship between headteacher motivation strategies and Teacher Performance in secondary schools in the Serere district. Head teachers in Serere District are faced challenges such as lack of supervision, low assessment, absenteeism and non-participation in school activities, leading to a 50% decline in performance. Research was needed to understand the relationship between motivation strategies and teachers’ performance. With a sample size of 246 respondents, including head teachers and teachers, a cross-sectional correlation survey methodology was employed.The Spearman Rank Order Correlation Coefficient was utilized to analyze the data that were collected through surveys.The results showed a favorable relationship between head teachers' motivation and secondary school teachers' performance in the Serere district, suggesting that accommodations, salary increases, and capacity building encourage teachers to work hard.The research findings indicated a positive association between the motivational strategies employed by head teachers and the performance of teachers in secondary schools within the Serere District. The study suggested that additional policies should be introduced to bolster and sustain the existing framework of head teachers' motivational strategies. It further recommended revisiting and refining policies related to their implementation to foster continuous improvement in teachers' performance. Additionally, the study proposed the exploration of further research avenues to delve into motivation strategies and teachers' job satisfaction in secondary schools specifically within the Serere District

Трансформация модели развития северного оленеводства в Ненецком автономном округе

The era of accelerating globalization and urbanization has necessitated adaptations in Arctic economic systems. Among the key factors are the active industrial development of Arctic regions, social and cultural shifts among the indigenous peoples of the North, and changes in the modern market. The reindeer husbandry sector developed against the backdrop of collectivization in the 1930s and market reforms in the 1990s. This study aims to analyze shifts in the economic model of contemporary reindeer husbandry in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO) within the context of global transformations. The research novelty lies in examining the evolutionary transition of reindeer herding farms to a new management system during the Soviet period and investigating the factors influencing its effectiveness. While management improvements resulted in a profound restructuring of the mindset of reindeer herders, the onset of political reforms resulted in the shift to market relations and the upheaval of the industry during the crisis-ridden years of perestroika. The ensuing decline stemmed from the disintegration of the economic system and the government's not being ready to search for the right economic reforms. By employing the principal component method, the study identified two primary factors impacting the unstable nature of meat production: the number of reindeer per herder and the proportion of adult female reindeer in the herd. In farms facing challenges such as understaffing, low morale, or a high percentage of inexperienced workers, caution should be exercised in adopting advanced techniques. This involves adjusting the reindeer load per herder, managing larger herds, and increasing the number of adult female reindeer in the herd. An individual approach and an analysis of previous years' work are crucial to prevent negative trends in production indicators such as the number of calves, adult livestock preservation, and unforeseen loss prevention. Promising directions for future research include an analysis of the effectiveness of support programs for reindeer herding farms, encompassing both subsidies and trainings for young professionals in the industry.

When the ward is the patient: Using the PRISM protocol to understand and reduce violence in an inpatient intellectual disability setting.

Violence in inpatient settings is recognised as a worldwide issue, with inpatient intellectual disability services having higher rates than other mental health settings. Violence results in injury and illness, lack of confidence in the organisation and staff burnout. These combined effects have a negative impact on the ability of services to provide therapeutic environments. Attempts to manage violence tend to focus on the individual. This is only one part of the solution. Situational risk factors for violence within secure settings can be identified and modified to reduce violence rates. The role of situational risk factors in rates of institutional violence requires consideration in addition to individual patient risk assessment and management. To discuss an illustrative case study of a ward experiencing high levels of violence, resulting in staff burnout and low morale. To describe how assessing and addressing the relevant situational risk factors led to demonstrable reductions in violence and improvements in the service provided. This case study demonstrates the practical application of assessing and managing situational risk factors for violence in a locked intellectual disability ward in order to effectively reduce levels of violent incidents. A description of the violence and critical issues faced by the ward is provided, noting key elements of the timeline of events and the application of the Promoting Risk Intervention by Situational Management (PRISM) process to address these. The PRISM protocol enabled a comprehensive assessment and understanding of situational factors relevant to the violence rates in the ward. The recommendations following the analysis enabled the management team to identify areas for immediate and long-term action. Practical steps to address issues such as improving soundproofing were implemented quickly whilst other issues required changes over the longer term. Significantly, reduced levels of violence were observed within a 2-month period of immediate steps being taken, with further gains achieved over the longer term. This paper provides the only example of the use of the PRISM protocol in an intellectual disability inpatient setting. The reduction in violence seen in this unit provides 'real world' evidence that addressing situational factors for institutional violence can be effective in intellectual disability inpatient settings, with beneficial outcomes for patients and staff. Whilst individual patient risk assessment and risk management are key components of forensic mental health care, situational risk factors for violence are highly relevant to rates of violence within secure care settings. Structured assessment of situational risk factors should be considered when inpatient settings experience persistent high levels of violence. Further research on the impact of assessing situational risk factors in forensic mental health settings (including intellectual disability services) would help to develop the existing evidence base.

‘Occasionally there are moments of light’: the challenges of primary school teaching in England, and the factors that motivate teachers to stay in the profession

ABSTRACT This research, exploring the health and well-being of education professionals, was carried out at the behest of a Multi-Academy Trust of five primary schools. The intention was to assess the needs of educators, before designing a programme to support them. Data were collected through anonymous online survey from 244 staff in primary schools in England. Similar to previous literature, respondents reported feeling stressed and overwhelmed with their workload; as well as feeling undervalued, lacking autonomy and experiencing low morale. Our data suggest that these factors damaged educators’ health and well-being and, for some, impacted negatively upon their home lives. The general negativity of responses was tempered by mentions of the more intrinsically rewarding aspects of the role. This research highlights significant changes that are needed to education funding and policy, whilst suggesting approaches that schools can take, in the meantime, to protect the health and wellbeing of their staff.

Career Development Practices and Job Performance in Nakuru County Government, Kenya

Organizations today operate in a highly dynamic and competitive environment. To remain effective and efficient, they must respond quickly to changing employee needs by implementing appropriate HRM practices. The purpose of the study was to assess the influence of career development practices on job performance in the county government of Nakuru. This study was anchored on Equity Theory. The study employed an explanatory research design since the design focuses on studying a situation or problem to explain the relationships between variables. The target population for this study was all 2411 employees from the county government of Nakuru County's various departments. Using Nassiuma's formula for sample determination, a sample of 96 was obtained, which was allocated proportionately across the county departments. In this study, questionnaires were used to collect data since they are simple and time-saving for both the researcher and the respondents, and they allow for rapid contact with a large number of respondents. The questionnaire was piloted to ensure its reliability and validity. Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software (version 23). Correlation findings showed that career development [r = .703**, p=.000] had a positive and significant correlation with job performance. Furthermore, the overall model was statistically significant (F = 76.133, p=.000), indicating that career development practices were a significant predictor of job performance. The study concluded that career development significantly influenced job performance. The study recommends the need to address aspects of career plateau amongst employees as most county structures are static, which may lead to low morale.

Healing the Heart of Healthcare.

Healthcare workers continue to work without fully processing the stress of the pandemic on their overall health. Outcomes of stress include workplace burnout, low morale, and an increase in suicide rates. At Huntington Hospital, a need was identified to give caregivers an opportunity to grieve and process their experiences. Healing the Heart of Healthcare was a formal intervention that provided acknowledgment of trauma and reinstated a sense of hope to the profession. The activities in this program may be duplicated in other celebrations such as Nurses Day recognition.

The Role of Job Satisfaction in Preschool Teachers’ Well-Being: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis

<p style="text-align:justify">Teacher well-being is a stimulating topic frequently appearing in studies over long periods. Teachers are typically exposed to stress that, when addressed, can lead to low morale and positively impact their work. This study examined the relationship between job satisfaction and well-being among preschool teachers in Selangor. We used a quantitative research method and correlational research design to test the hypotheses and answer the research questions. The current study involved 977 government preschool teachers selected using a cluster random sampling method. After data cleaning, a data set of 610 respondents was used for this study. This study used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using AMOS for data analysis. SEM Analysis showed that job satisfaction positively influences teachers' well-being. However, our results also showed that the subconstruct of job satisfaction with students did not significantly influence preschool teachers' well-being.</p>

Abstract 14263: Comparison of Catheter Ablation versus Antiarrhythmic Therapy in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Introduction: The differences in outcomes between catheter ablation (CA) versus antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) for atrial fibrillation (AF) in the setting of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are not known. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that patients with AF and HFpEF who undergo CA will have lower morality, stroke/TIA, and acute HF compared to those treated with AAD. Methods: TriNetX, a national retrospective electronic database, was used to identify patients aged 18-80 years with AF and HFpEF from 2017-2023. Patients with a prior diagnosis of systolic HF or cross overs from AAD to CA were excluded. Patients who underwent CA were compared to those treated with AAD (amiodarone, flecainide, dronedarone, dofetilide, propafenone, sotalol). Baseline group comparison was performed using student’s t-test. Age, sex, chronic kidney disease, COPD, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and stroke/TIA were used for 1:1 propensity matching. Kaplan Meier curves were calculated to compare all-cause mortality, stroke/TIA, acute diastolic and systolic HF. Results: Patients who received CA (n=1468) and AAD (n=7426) were propensity matched yielding 1008 patients per cohort. Compared to AAD, CA demonstrated significantly lower all-cause mortality (9.13% vs. 23.7%; HR=2.6; 95% CI [2.038,3.315]; log-rank p<0.0001), lower stroke/TIA risk (5.12% vs. 7.69%; HR=1.6; 95% CI [1.056,2.28]; log-rank p=0.02), and less frequent hospitalization for acute diastolic HF (12.1% vs. 18.8%; HR=1.6; 95% CI [1.185,2.152]; log-rank p=0.0018). Rate of acute systolic HF was similar for both cohorts with 7.76% for CA and 6.90% for AAD (HR=0.88; 95% CI [0.63,1.222]; log-rank p=0.4395). Conclusions: Patients with AF and HFpEF had lower mortality, risk of stroke and acute diastolic HF when they received CA versus AAD. Randomized clinical trials are needed to better understand their short and long-term outcomes.

Using crises to leverage change and build resilience: Legacies and learnings from shocks

Abstract Background The economic crisis of 2008 and the Covid-19 pandemic acted as profound shocks on health systems around the world. During the financial crisis, Ireland was one of five European countries to receive a bailout from the Troika. The loss of sovereignty in governance and six austerity budgets created a huge challenge for the Irish health system and its ability to be resilient in the face of long-lasting shock. These constraints on resources and a shift in governance meant that Ireland's health infrastructure was weak going into the Covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the depletion of workforce numbers and low morale also presented challenges. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven senior stakeholders as part of the wider RESTORE research project, following ethical approval from the research Institution. Nvivo software was used to conduct thematic analysis independently by three researchers. Results The financial crisis deeply impacted the Irish health system throughout the years of austerity. Due to these legacy issues, the system was in a relatively weak position when faced with the Covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, a lack of long-term planning was evident during the recovery period and the system was unable to reverse many of the negative impacts brought on during austerity. However, the system proved adaptive and innovative in response to Covid-19, and the pandemic proved to be a catalyst for positive change, providing opportunities for long-term reform, alongside an immediate response to the crisis. This was facilitated by increased funding and a devolution in decision-making structures. Conclusions The findings raise the question of whether health systems are entering a state of permacrisis and if so what can be done to promote resilience and prepare for future shocks. Furthermore, it asks whether health systems should put resources into acute shocks or everyday crises and explores the relationship between these two foci and resilience.

Application of Situational Action Theory in Japan Using Vignette Survey

This study applied Wikström’s Situational Action Theory (SAT) of crime causation to Japanese people in their 30 s–40 s (N = 320). Participants in an internet survey were presented with three criminogenic scenarios—traffic crime, individualistic white-collar crime, and corporate white-collar crime—and were asked to rate the likelihood of them committing a crime in these scenarios. They were also asked to evaluate their morality, moral context, and degree of temptation in each scenario, as well as their tendency for self-control, interdependent view of self, and independent view of self. The results supported SAT in that the moral context positively and morality negatively predicted the likelihood of committing a crime. However, the results were inconsistent with SAT’s assertion that other variables influenced those with low morality more than those with high morality. Further, the tendency to have an interdependent view of self affected the likelihood of committing a crime in some scenarios. This result indicates that in some situations, some people are more influenced by expectations of their behavior from their surroundings, in addition to their morality. Future empirical studies of SAT are needed to examine the influence of self-control on criminal phenomena using the ability to exercise self-control in certain situations that conform to the concept of self-control advocated by SAT. Morality is also a crucial concept in the SAT. Therefore, future research should examine how the morality of trying to fulfill social role expectations and previously assessed morality influence the likelihood of committing a crime.

Putting Compassion Back into Care

Public services are stressed by soaring demand, inadequate capacity, staff burnout and low morale with strikes reflecting profound unhappiness. With so many difficulties, the fundamental need for compassion in public services has been eroded, with adverse consequences for patients and their families or carers. The need for compassion is not only an individual’s humanitarian and professional responsibility but one that should be given high priority by organisations, educational institutions, and professional bodies. The care of patients with dementia and support for families or carers provides a perfect example of such disparities and their devastating impact. The implications for families affected by dementia in minority ethnic or marginalised communities are considered alongside the need for a ‘paradigm shift’ to patient-centred, ‘needs-based’ services to improve outcomes. This article explores and attempts to extrapolate the relevance of personal experience to those in minority ethnic or marginalised communities on whom there is limited information and those who have little voice or advocacy.1 There is a distinct role for charitable and third-sector organisations with a deeper understanding of the cultural context to demonstrate leadership in moving policy and resources to address such societal and service disparities.

Challenges compounding foster care services in the Limpopo Department of Social Development, South Africa

Pre-Trial Diversion services by juvenile offenders from high density suburbs in Zimbabwe. Foster care as an alternative placement for children in need of care and protection comes with innumerable challenges in the Department of Social Development (DSD). This paper uses a scoping literature review method to discuss the challenges of foster care services in Limpopo DSD. Literature on foster care was perused, analysed and derived into two major themes which constituted the discussion of this paper; namely administration challenges such as backlog, ineffectiveness of newspaper advertisement, and CSG top-up; human resource challenges such as inadequate supervision/management and low morale and burnt-out of social workers. This paper suggests practical and possible ways in which the situation could be remedied, such as amending the newspaper advertisement regulation in the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 and capacitating social work managers and supervisors to be effective in supporting social workers underground to improve their performance.Key wordsHow to cite this article using ASWNet styleMamukeyani E. (2023). Challenges compounding foster care services in the Limpopo Department of Social Development, South Africa. People centred – The Journal of Development Administration (JDA), 8(3), 68-74. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jda.v8i3.3
 Visit journal website: https://jda.africasocialwork.net

Exploring the Global Pupil’s Academic Performance in Linear Programming: A Glimpse on Literature Review

The main objective of this essay was to conduct an exhaustive literature review of the pupil’s performance in linear programming. The study sample had 15 participants comprising 8 females and 7 males purposively sampled. The study concerning students’ lived experiences of their academic success in linear programming was conducted using a hermeneutics phenomenology design. The study was qualitative as the details were descriptive, led by the specified methodology, and used qualitative research methodologies and procedures. This is a result of its stringent compliance standards for a variety of processes, including sampling techniques and data analysis methodologies (Mulenga, 2015). The intent was to describe the pupil’s academic performance, explore pupils’ linear programming-related disablers, and explore techniques for enhancing pupils’ academic performance. The study was only carried out for six months. In light of this, it has been noted that the performance of pupils in linear programming is subpar as a result of a variety of complications, including lack of teaching and learning resources, incompetent teachers, pedagogy they use, pupils’ attitude, mathematical language, time and the usage of subpar textbooks, among others. As a result, the existing difficulties have even led to pupils’ low morale, which is prevalent worldwide, especially in developing nations. In order to address the issue of the topic being taught by incompetent teachers, it is advised that the government train and recruit qualified and competent mathematics teachers to teach the subject at senior secondary. Furthermore, additional time should be allotted to the challenging topics through collaboration between the MoGE and the Curriculum Development Centre (CDC). In order to support pedagogies among mathematics teachers, it is also advised that the MoGE strengthen Continuous Professional Development (CPD) initiatives in schools. Besides, the MoGE should receive more funding in order to purchase instructional materials for different schools across the nation. Teachers of mathematics are commended to use a variety of approaches, tactics, and strategies in order to enhance how they present the lesson they are teaching.

Exploring the Impact of Workload And Fatigue on Work Productivity Among Workers of the Makassar New Port Toll Access Road Project

Objective: Fatigue is a combination of a decline in mental and physical performance that leads to lower morale and subsequently lower productivity at work. This study attempts to ascertain the impact of workload and weariness on job productivity in Makassar New Port Toll Access Road Project construction workers. Method: The research design was a cross sectional study with a sample size of 146 workers selected by accidental sampling. Chi-square test was used to examine the acquired data in univariate, bivariate, and multivariate settings utilizing path analysis. Results: Then, it results showed that there is a relationship between physical workload and productivity (p=0.003), mental load affects work productivity (p=0.007), work fatigue affects work productivity (p=0.045), physical workload affects work fatigue (p=0.016), mental load on work fatigue (p=0.046). Based on the intervening test, physical workload has a direct effect on work productivity through job fatigue (p=0.003), mental load has a direct effect on work productivity through job fatigue (p=0.007) and physical workload has an indirect effect on work productivity through job fatigue (p=0.031), mental load has an indirect effect on work productivity through job fatigue (p=0.026). Conclusion: Furthermore, there is a significantly impacted by workload and work exhaustion. More investigation is being done on additional variables that may impact output at work. Implication of the research: This research can contribute to increasing public awareness of existing hazards that can impact health and productivity in the workplace. The results of this study can help employees and the general public by educating them about the elements that can lead to excessive workload, job burnout and reduced work productivity. Originality: This journal presents a study of physical and mental workloads on productivity in toll road construction workers. considering that previous studies have mostly discussed factory workers or employees, there are very few discussions in the construction sector regarding physical and mental loads simultaneously. This study discusses the relationship between physical and mental loads on productivity either through fatigue or not. these findings explain the importance of maintaining physical and mental health for construction workers so that workers remain productive at work.

Primary care transformation in Scotland: a qualitative study of GPs' and multidisciplinary team members' views.

The Scottish Government's vision to transform primary care includes expansion of the primary care multidisciplinary team (MDT), formalised in the new GP contract in April 2018. To explore practitioners' views on the expansion of MDT working in Scotland. Qualitative study with GPs and a range of MDT staff working in three different population settings in Scotland. In-depth semi-structured interviews were carried out by telephone with 8 GPs and 19 MDT staff between May and June 2022. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify commonalities and divergences in the interviews. Internal challenges facing MDT staff included adapting to the fast pace of primary care, building new relationships, training and professional development needs, line management issues, and monitoring and evaluation of performance. External challenges included the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of time, difficulties with hybrid working, and low staff morale. Most GPs reported that expansion of their roles as expert medical specialists had not yet happened because their workload had not decreased (and in many cases had increased). In deprived areas, insufficient resources to deal with the high numbers of patients with complex multimorbidity remained a key issue. Interviewees in remote and rural settings felt the new contract did not take into account the unique challenges of providing primary care services in such areas, and recruitment and accommodation were cited as particular problems. Although there has been substantial expansion of the primary care MDT, which most GPs welcome, many challenges to effective implementation remain that must be addressed if transformation of primary care in Scotland is to become a reality.

Effectiveness of Informational Booklet on knowledge of Interventional Strategies regarding Internet overuse among Students of Selected Degree Colleges in Udaipur city (Rajasthan)

Internet overuse poses a serious risk to students and teenagers in the form of decreased face-to-face interaction, reduced outdoor creativity, cyberbullying, wastage of time, abandonment of family, invasion of privacy, lack of sleep, reduced physical activity, low morale, psychological blocks, elimination of book reading, etc., all of which have an adverse effect on relationships, increased anxiety, and excessive online spending1. In the current study, information was gathered on what degree college students in Udaipur knew about interventional strategies on internet overuse and when the usage needed to be reduced through the reading of an informational booklet. A simple non-probability random selection method was used to choose a sample of 169 students. Once the information booklet was distributed, the mean knowledge score was 17.7. The study's conclusions showed that there was no statistically significant correlation between post-test knowledge scores and particular baseline factors. The study's conclusions confirm the necessity of educating students about information booklet for internet overuse. Students' knowledge was increased because of the distribution of the instructional pamphlet. The study strongly advises implementing an organised teaching programme in institutions and schools to boost students' mental well-being, lower their risk of internet addiction, and encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Comparison of hospitalist morale in a COVID-19 alternate care site (ACS) to hospitalist morale in conventional hospitals in Maryland.

Morale and burnout were concerns for hospitalists prior to the COVID-19 pandemic; these concerns were amplified as COVID-19 spread and hospitals experienced unprecedented stress. In contrast to prior literature, our study assesses both satisfaction and the importance of various factors. This study examines morale of hospitalists early in the COVID-19 pandemic in two settings: conventional hospitals and a COVID-19 Alternate Care site (ACS) in the same geographic region in Maryland. Multiple studies published early in the pandemic show low morale in COVID-19 hospitals. In a cross-sectional survey study, we analyze data from the Hospitalist Morale Index (HMI) administered between September 2020 and March 2021 to determine the pandemic's impact on hospitalist morale. Surprisingly, our study found morale in the ACS was better than morale at the conventional hospitals. ACS hospitalists and conventional hospitalists were demographically similar. Our results show that a significantly higher proportion of conventional hospitalists reported burnout compared to the ACS hospitalists. General quality of life was rated significantly higher in the ACS group than the conventional group. Significantly more ACS hospitalists were invested in making their group outstanding. Five main HMI domains were examined with questions on a 5-point rating scale: Clinical Factors, Workload, Material Rewards, Leadership, and Appreciation/Acknowledgement. ACS hospitalists rated most measures higher than conventional hospitalists; largest differences were observed in Clinical Factors and Appreciation/Acknowledgement domains. Narrative comments from ACS hospitalists revealed strong identification with the mission of the ACS and pride in contributing during a crisis. One key difference between the two groups explains these findings: provider autonomy. The ACS staff chose the position and the assignment, while conventional hospitalists caring for COVID-19 patients could not readily opt out of this work. Our data suggest that autonomy in assignments with risk has implications for morale and burnout.