What Are Human Factors Affect Personal Support Workers?

The purpose of the article below is to provide how different human factors affect personal support workers within patient homes. It examines the biopsychosocial factors that may impact performance of the individual in the occupation. As the environment for personal support workers varies depending on the client demands, the factors are plenty with various consequences. These factors will be further discussed, along with consequences that arise and the overall effect on the worker. Overview of profession
Personal support workers (PSW) are individuals that provide support to long-term care for individuals who need assistance in daily living. Each patient is assigned to a personal support worker based on his or her need; however, with increasing need their time for care increases. Often times a patient can receive all day, all night care or support on an hourly basis a few times a
The patient themself can demand for different levels of attention as well as external stimuli in the worker’s home. Humans are unpredictable, especially while needing the care of another person due to varying levels of illness and differing personalities. Patients may become verbally or physically aggressive towards their personal support worker. This behaviour could take a toll on the personal support worker physically and mentally depending on the severity of the damage. If the patient hits/bites/throws an object at the worker, it could severely damage them whether it is a broken bone or a gash, and leave the worker out of work until they are healed. These instances can distract the worker from their task, dividing their attention and leading to a decrease in performance. It is important for personal support workers to get to know their patients and follow their schedules properly such as giving proper medications at proper times so that they are effective at their job (Warth, G.J.,