Organizational factors impacting on climate perceptions: A mixed method study in health care units

There is a growing interest in work environment of health care staff since they are at high risk for job dissatisfaction. Current literature agreed on the existence of a positive relationship between service climate and job satisfaction, and between service climate and customer satisfaction. The present study investigates the organizational dimensions having a greater impact on climate perceptions, in a sample of Italian health care staff and in a sample of patients' parents. A qualitative and quantitative approach has been chosen to assess organizational climate dimensions, taking into account the opinions of both medical and nursing staff and parents' patients. Participant observation has been integrated by a questionnaire survey (anonymous questionnaires). The setting is represented by two paediatric wards of two government-funded hospitals in Naples, Italy. The survey have been carried out in 2011 in the ward of the first hospital, and in 2013 replied in the same ward transferred in other hospital. Two typologies of questionnaires were distributed respectively to medical and nursing staff, and parents' patients. 79 questionnaires for medical and nursing staff and 95 questionnaires for patients' parents were returned and analysed. In both wards the highest scores were recorded for cooperation among employees. The most appreciated aspects by parents' patients are professional capabilities of medical staff and quality of nurse - patient relationship. Relationship with leader and cooperation with colleagues are the organizational dimensions having a major influence on climate perceptions. Participative leadership is associated with high levels of job satisfaction.