Quality of work in health services : magnetism and mentorship

Abstract

Human resources management is important for the survival of health care organisations. There is, however, a concern about the quality of work life, experienced by health care workers. The apparent lack of quality of work life might have a negative effect on the productivity of health care workers. Walton’s (1975) eight requirements for a good or desirable quality of work life, is used as a framework to structure the discussion of the lecture. Requirements addressed are: adequate and fair compensation, opportunity to utilise and develop human capacities, opportunity for continued growth and security, social interaction, constitutionalisation in the work environment, work and total life space, social relevance of the work and a safe and health working condition. Suggestions on how to enhance the quality of work life are made.