A1 Journal article (refereed)
Illegitimate tasks in health care : illegitimate task types and associations with occupational well‐being (2021)
Kilponen, K., Huhtala, M., Kinnunen, U., Mauno, S., & Feldt, T. (2021). Illegitimate tasks in health care : illegitimate task types and associations with occupational well‐being. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 30(13-14), 2093-2106. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15767
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Kilponen, Kiia; Huhtala, Mari; Kinnunen, Ulla; Mauno, Saija; Feldt,Taru
Journal or series: Journal of Clinical Nursing
ISSN: 0962-1067
eISSN: 1365-2702
Publication year: 2021
Publication date: 07/04/2021
Volume: 30
Issue number: 13-14
Pages range: 2093-2106
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15767
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/75059
Abstract
The aims of the study were to identify content categories of unreasonable and unnecessary illegitimate tasks and to investigate how unreasonable and unnecessary tasks relate to occupational wellbeing.
Background
Illegitimate tasks are a common stressor among healthcare professionals, and they have been shown to have negative associations with occupational well‐being. Despite this evidence, research has not yet uncovered what kinds of tasks healthcare professionals consider illegitimate.
Design and method
The data gathered by means of an online survey consisted of 1024 municipal healthcare organisation employees. A theory‐driven qualitative content analysis was used to analyse freely reported illegitimate tasks. For occupational well‐being associations, a mixed‐methods approach was used (ANCOVA and linear regression analysis). The STROBE statement—checklist for cross‐sectional studies was used.
Results
Eight content categories were found for illegitimate tasks. For unreasonable tasks, these were (1) tasks outside one's occupational role (78% of all unreasonable tasks), (2) conflicting or unclear demands (9%), (3) tasks with insufficient resources (8%) and (4) tasks with difficult consequences (5%), and for unnecessary tasks, these were (1) impractical or outdated working habits (31% of all unnecessary tasks), (2) tasks related to dysfunctional technology (30%), (3) unnecessary procedures (27%) and (4) tasks related to bureaucratic demands (12%). Unreasonable and unnecessary tasks were associated with higher levels of burnout and lower work engagement and the meaningfulness of work.
Conclusions
Our findings support the theory that illegitimate tasks are an occupational stressor with negative effects on burnout, work engagement and meaningfulness of work.
Relevance to clinical practice
The study offers insights into the types of tasks health care employees see as illegitimate and highlights the importance of good job design in promoting occupational well‐being in health care.
Keywords: nursing (work); work content; well-being at work; exhaustion; meaningfulness; tasks; health care personnel
Free keywords: burnout; illegitimate tasks; meaningfulness of work; nurses; work engagement
Contributing organizations
Related projects
- Managing new intensified job demands through self-regulative resources: A large-scale study across occupations and age groups
- Feldt, Taru
- Academy of Finland
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2021
JUFO rating: 2
