A qualitative exploration of staff satisfaction in innovative Australian aged care

Long-term worker shortages in Australian residential aged care are well-documented. These shortages adversely impact residents' well-being and the morale of staff caring for them. This study aimed to explore staff and management experiences through workplace theories related to worker satisfaction: job demands-resources theory, self-determination theory, moral disengagement and work as calling theory, at NewDirection Care, which provides innovative aged care in Queensland. A further aim was to identify the impact of the innovations on staff satisfaction.

Semi-structured staff and management interviews (n = 18, 13 females, 5 males) were held on-site. An appreciative inquiry approach identified the under-researched linkages between staff satisfaction in innovative aged care and workplace theories. The NVivo 12.0 qualitative analysis software was used for reflexive thematic analysis of interviews.

Three themes emerged from the interviews: (1) the supportive management culture, (2) the innovative conditions and (3) finding meaningfulness at work. These themes demonstrated how staff attitudes linked to the chosen workplace theories and identified how specific innovations, combined in both the physical environment and models of care, were associated with improved staff satisfaction.

The current study indicates that workplace initiatives may increase staff satisfaction, potentially ameliorating shortages by attracting and retaining staff. Semi-structured interviews identified that specific innovations, combined in both the physical environment and models of care, are associated with improved staff satisfaction. Reflexive thematic analysis of interviews contributed to the literature and suggested future research opportunities, such as examining differences in aged care worker satisfaction between traditional and innovative residences.