When the management of nurse absenteeism becomes a cause of absenteeism: a study based on a comparison of two health care facilities

Sébastien Damart () and Frédéric Kletz
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Sébastien Damart: NIMEC - Normandie Innovation Marché Entreprise Consommation - UNICAEN - Université de Caen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - ULH - Université Le Havre Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - UNIROUEN - Université de Rouen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - IRIHS - Institut de Recherche Interdisciplinaire Homme et Société - UNIROUEN - Université de Rouen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université, DRM - Dauphine Recherches en Management - Université Paris Dauphine-PSL - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

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Abstract: Aim – The study aims to explore perceptions of the causes of nurse absenteeism. Background – Nurse absenteeism is rising in many countries. However, there is little evidence as to how strategies adopted in order to cushion the effects of absenteeism on workload influence absenteeism itself. Method – The study used a ‘qualitative' method based on cognitive mapping techniques in order to represent perceptions about absenteeism graphically. The study was conducted in two health-care facilities with a sample of 55 interviewees. Results – Absenteeism is due in part to strategies adopted in order to cushion the effects of absenteeism on organisations. Furthermore, the strategies are self-legitimising. The more they are used, the more they are regarded as normal and useful. Conclusions – A plan to reduce absenteeism among nurses must explicitly take into account the strategies used to cushion its impact. Implications for nursing management – To cushion the effects of absenteeism among caregivers, managers must make trade-offs that take into account, for example, the workload or disruption linked to the substitution of personnel.

Keywords: management of absenteeism; nurse absenteeism; cognitive mapping technique; health-care facilities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Published in Journal of Nursing Management, 2016, 24 (1), pp.4-11. ⟨10.1111/jonm.12262⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01277576

DOI: 10.1111/jonm.12262

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