Factors affecting the professional functioning of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: To examine personal and organisational factors related to professional functioning of nurses and physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. BACKGROUND: Exposure to COVID-19-related stressors has been associated with lower self-reported professional functioning among health care workers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study among 115 hospital workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel was designed to explore (a) personal professional functioning, (b) clarity of guidelines, (c) work organisation by the management, and (d) health care workers' feeling of contribution to a global effort. RESULTS: A feeling of contribution to a global effort while treating patients with COVID-19 mediated the relationships between work organisation by the management and professional functioning (β = .05, p < .05). The clarity of guidelines for routine procedures (β = .21, p < .05) and a feeling of β contribution to a global effort (β = .34, p < .01) positively predicted professional functioning of nurses and physicians during COVID-19 pandemic (R(2)  = .19, p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: In order to achieve optimal functioning of health care workers in an emergency, managers should provide clear guidelines and promote workers' feelings of contribution to a global effort. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The provision of clear guidelines and protocols is essential for efficient emergency management. Expressing appreciation for health care workers and providing positive feedback may improve professional functioning.