Indispensable outsiders: A qualitative study of the working experiences of hospital care workers in China

To explore the working experiences of Chinese hospital care workers from their own perspectives.

Many countries face an increasing demand for nursing care and an acute shortage of registered nurses. As a result, much of the care work at hospitals is delegated to assistant staff, such as care workers.

Data were collected by semi-structured interviews with 22 hospital care workers in three hospitals of Guangzhou City, China. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Hospital care workers are mainly rural-to-urban migrant women, partaking in caregiver jobs to make a living. They play a significant role in the hospital to aid patients as well as nurses. Hospital care workers experience a sense of ambiguity towards their job, viewing it as "low" and "isolated", yet at the same time, "acceptable" and "helping".

Hospital care workers are a workforce that is not well supported, trained or regulated. Their working experiences suggest that attention needs to be given to protecting this vulnerable group.

The working conditions of hospital care workers should be improved. Hospital care workers need improved status, increased rewards, and channels for further training and opportunities for continued career advancement.