Factors supporting resilient performance and mental well-being among health care professionals in home care settings: a qualitative study

The growing demand for home care services, mainly due to an aging population and increasing complexity of care, has intensified the shortage of qualified health care professionals, resulting in increased workloads, emotional strain, a constant need to adapt to changing care demands, and poor mental well-being. It is therefore crucial to understand what helps healthcare professionals to stay in their roles and perform under pressure. This study aimed to explore the factors that support resilient performance and mental well-being among healthcare professionals in home care settings. This study used a qualitative exploratory design with a thematic analysis approach. Seven semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with 34 participants working in three home care settings in three Norwegian municipalities. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews using an interview guide that focused on actual work situations, resilience in healthcare, patient safety, mental well-being, leadership support, and engagement in care services. Four themes were extracted: collaborative culture, describing collective problem-solving, team unity and collegiality; leadership support practices, highlighting the leadership accessibility, supportive, and attentive to the professional and emotional needs of Health care professionals; organization of work, roles and procedures, highlighting the structured routines, tools and technologies, as well as individual coping and adaptation strategies, describing Health care professionals’ flexibility and task prioritization in handling unpredictable situations. A dynamic interplay of individual factors and organizational elements shaped healthcare professionals’ ability to cope with and adapt to the challenges and stressors encountered in home care settings. Our research contributes to the growing understanding of the importance of actively promoting collaborative team cultures, accessible leadership, clear organizational structures, and supportive coping strategies in developing resilient and sustainable home care services.