Factors affecting the professional functioning of health care workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A cross‐sectional study

AIM: To examine personal and organisational factors related to professional functioning of nurses and physicians during the COVID‐19 pandemic. BACKGROUND: Exposure to COVID‐19‐related stressors has been associated with lower self‐reported professional functioning among health care workers. METHODS: A cross‐sectional study among 115 hospital workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Israel was designed to explore (a) personal professional functioning, (b) clarity of guidelines, (c) work organisation by the management, and (d) health care workers' feeling of contribution to a global effort. RESULTS: A feeling of contribution to a global effort while treating patients with COVID‐19 mediated the relationships between work organisation by the management and professional functioning (β = .05, p < .05). The clarity of guidelines for routine procedures (β = .21, p < .05) and a feeling of β contribution to a global effort (β = .34, p < .01) positively predicted professional functioning of nurses and physicians during COVID‐19 pandemic (R (2) = .19, p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: In order to achieve optimal functioning of health care workers in an emergency, managers should provide clear guidelines and promote workers' feelings of contribution to a global effort. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The provision of clear guidelines and protocols is essential for efficient emergency management. Expressing appreciation for health care workers and providing positive feedback may improve professional functioning.