Four-day week in hospital - ViTaWo

The problem

Hospitals up and down the country are struggling with staff shortages - from nurses to doctors. The German healthcare system faces the challenge of securing nursing and medical care in the future.

Although more and more young people are starting nursing training, the shortage of nursing staff is increasing. This is due to the increasing demand for nursing and medical care, as well as the short length of time spent in the profession and the high part-time rate in nursing. Added to this are high psychological and physical workloads, poor compatibility with care activities and a lack of social and institutional recognition. In order to ensure the provision of care in the future, it is therefore necessary to noticeably reduce workloads and make the nursing profession more attractive.

Approach

The interdisciplinary research team from the University of Siegen and TU Dortmund University is working together with two hospitals that have different structures and requirements. This combination enables solutions to be developed for different initial conditions, which can later be transferred to many hospitals.

• Comprehensive analysis of the current situation: observations in everyday hospital life, interviews, workshops and surveys
• Identification of process optimizations and efficiency improvements using digital technologies
• Measures to improve collaboration and processes
• Focus on the "time wasters" of everyday life, such as documentation or communication structures
• Testing of measures and continuous evaluation and adaptation of methods
• The aim is to identify potential savings and measure the impact on job satisfaction and health.

The focus of our chair is on service quality from the perspective of patients and relatives. From a service development perspective, we support process restructuring and workshops.

Objective

The "Four-day week in hospitals" (ViTaWo) project aims to relieve the burden on nursing staff and thus counteract the shortage of nursing staff in the long term. The central project is the development of a toolbox with which hospitals can introduce attractive working time models. One focus is on testing flexible working time models with a reduction in working hours and full wage compensation. The aim is not to increase the workload, but to provide real relief with the help of modern technology, optimized processes, improved interface management and better cooperation.

The results of the project can be used flexibly according to the requirements of the respective institution in order to generate long-term benefits such as employee retention and recruitment, efficient patient care and patient satisfaction as well as satisfactory interdisciplinary cooperation.

The "Four-day week in hospitals" project is funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation.