Examining the impact of clinical workload on health worker performance in Ghana

Abstract

A number of studies have been conducted regarding workload and have established some correlation between workload and health worker outcomes. The present study sort to examine the relationship between clinical workload and health worker (nurses, midwives and doctors) performance at the Ridge Hospital, using quality of output as indicator for performance. Specifically, the study sort to examine workload levels, examine factors influencing workload and test the relationship between clinical workload and health worker performance. The objectives were achieved using quantitative approach and descriptive research design. Questionnaires were used for data collection from the selected institution with a sample size of 274. The study found that workload was high at the hospital. Moreover, the study found that organizational process and work interruptions are key predictors, contributing about 8% variation in the dependent variable. In view of the findings of the present study, it is recommended that administrators, human resource managers, agencies in charge of health and government organizations should ensure that organizational processes are properly structured to aid workers’ performance.