The reality of workplace culture in critical care units in South Africa

Abstract

Healthcare services are expected to shift towards person-centredness, which is underpinned by the values of respect for persons, individual right to self-determination, mutual respect and understanding. The workplace culture in the South African critical care context have been reported as encompassing poor adherence to routine and evidence-informed practices and decreased accountability and responsibility of nurses. A total of 230 hours of participants’ observation were undertaken in 11 critical care units, using the Workplace Culture Critical Analysis Tool was used. Data analysis were collaborative analyses and participants reached consensus on six themes, namely hierarchical care and caring, disconnected communication, impeded learning environment, professional transgression, team ineffectiveness and demanding environment. The poor quality of care reported in the South African critical care context is confirmed by the unfavourable ‘non-person-centred’ workplace culture observed in both private and public critical care units.