Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 20, 2026
Measuring the Motor Aspect of Cancer-Related Fatigue using a Handheld Dynamometer
Published on: February 20, 2020
Understanding the impact of the physical health care environment on nurse fatigue
Deborah Wingler1, Yolanda Keys2
1School of Architecture, The Center for Health Facilities Design and Testing, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina.
Aim(S):
The purpose of this study was to investigate factors in the physical health care environment (PHE) contributing to nurse fatigue.
Background:
Nurses experience high levels of physical, mental and overall fatigue related to the physically demanding and mentally complex nature of bedside care.
Method(S):
This study used secondary data analysis of a 2017 focus group session, which explored: (a) challenges nursing professionals face while delivering care, (b) the effect of nurse fatigue on care delivery and (c) system factors that can either reduce or contribute to nurse fatigue. Eleven volunteers from a health care design focused nursing organisation participated in the focus group.
Results:
Twenty-seven design elements across four environmental categories were identified in this study as impacting fatigue. The effects of fatigue were found to have implications at the individual level (nurse and patient), the organisational level and the profession at large. Fatigue effects were found to be cumulative.
Conclusion(S):
Findings suggest that the PHE can have a substantial impact on nurse fatigue and contribute to profound effects with patient and staff safety implications.
Implications For Nursing Management:
This study provides nursing managers, hospital administrators, nurses and designers with evidence for utilizing the PHE to mitigate and prevent nurse fatigue.
Related Concept Videos
07:22Measuring the Motor Aspect of Cancer-Related Fatigue using a Handheld Dynamometer
08:36Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments
01:21Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-I
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution...
01:18Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-II
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...
01:29Planning Nursing Care II
01:21Planning Nursing Care I