Workaround behaviors: nurses’ strategies for coping with high workload and burnout

Purpose Healthcare workers often develop particular work patterns that can improve their performance and patient safety. These working methods are known as “workarounds” and can be defined as alternative work procedures developed by employees to solve workflow obstacles or problems without necessarily analyzing the underlying causes. Studies on workarounds have mainly been concerned with documenting their existence, and few studies have looked at the potential antecedents of workarounds or their impacts. Building on previous research and the Conservation of Resources theory, this study aims to examine the effects of workload on workaround behaviors using the three components of burnout (emotional exhaustion, physical fatigue and cognitive exhaustion) as mediators. Design/methodology/approach Cross-sectional data from 562 nurses in Quebec (a province of Canada) were analyzed. Structural Equation Modeling analyses provide crucial insights into the intricate relationship between workload and workarounds within healthcare settings. Findings Notably, it reveals that physical fatigue, cognitive weariness, and emotional exhaustion are pivotal mediators in this dynamic. Originality/value Navigating the complex dynamics between healthcare institutions’ endeavors to standardize care quality and ensure patient safety and employees’ responses to these demands underscores the critical role of human resource management. In this milieu, this research underscores the significant risks of workarounds while highlighting their potential positive impacts if managed adeptly. By addressing these challenges and leveraging the insights gleaned from this research, healthcare organizations can strive towards more resilient and adaptive systems that prioritize patient safety and staff well-being.