Workplace fatigue is a significant challenge for the healthcare workforce, with implications for patient safety, worker wellbeing, workforce retention, and organisational performance. While health leaders play a critical role in managing fatigue-related risks, little is known about their understanding of workplace fatigue and fatigue risk management.

This Health Research Council-funded project aims to improve fatigue risk management in healthcare by exploring health leaders’ perceptions of workplace fatigue, its impacts, and approaches to managing fatigue risk within Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand.

The project uses a mixed-methods design that includes a nationwide survey of health leaders, followed by focus groups and interviews. Findings will help identify organisational needs and priorities for developing effective, system-based approaches to fatigue risk management in healthcare.

The nationwide survey of all health leaders has indicated that they recognise workplace fatigue as an important issue but identify gaps in organisational systems, tools, and resources for managing it. The study has highlighted opportunities to strengthen leadership capability, improve fatigue risk management systems, and support safer and healthier workplaces across Aotearoa New Zealand.

The survey findings will be complemented by additional work on this project, including focus groups and interviews with leaders to explore their perceptions of the strategies currently employed to manage fatigue at Te Whatu Ora and what they believe is needed to support them in their roles and improve fatigue risk management.

Funding: Health Research Council of New Zealand