Ytterst i organisationen : Om undersköterskor, vård- och sjukvårdsbiträden i äldreomsorg

Sammanfattning: The aims of the dissertation were 1. to describe the work content of subordinate caring staff in the care of the elderly; 2. to describe and analyse available knowledge of the work situation, particularly in elderly care; 3. to discuss health and well-being of subordinate caring staff; 4. to compare and discuss different care settings for the aged as organisations; 5. to relate the work situation to different care settings; 6. to identify overloading and promoting work situations. The study is based on concepts stemming from two research traditions, theories of working life and organisation. Data are both qualitative and quantitative: transcribed interviews, a literarysurvey and a postal questionnaire.The work was overall perceived as being independent and rewarding, however mentally and physically straining. The relationship with the recipient, the micro-organisation, was the most significant value of work, however more pronounced among municipal staff. The micro-organisation was superior to the overall organisation. Working in nursing homes was perceived as being the most straining compared to work in home help services, municipal institutions and home nursing, which was favourable. Staff in nursing homes and home nursing were theoretically better educated than the staff in other settings whose attitude towards theoretical studies were ambivalent. Thus, ambivalent attitudes, dilemmas and discrepancies were found. These are a natural consequences of staff interaction with the recipient, which admits experiences both of satisfaction and hopelessness, but also caused by the loose link between the organisation as a whole, the micro-organisation and the studied staff respectively.The concepts of demand and control is theoretically interesting and should be related do different occupational groups, to the dominating content and to the most important aspect of work.