Home Care Workers’ Objective and Subjective Recovery From Work

Abstract

Objective The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the recovery from work in Finnish home care nurses with objective and subjective recovery measures. Methods Heart rate and heart rate variability recordings were performed in home care nurses over a period of one work shift and the following night. Following the measurements, the participants (N = 91) answered a questionnaire including questions about their self-rated recovery from work and sleep disturbances. Results The objectively measured recovery was within the recommended heart rate variability range, yet the self-rated recovery from work was only mediocre. Subjective recovery was not associated with objectively measured recovery. Conclusions There is a discrepancy between objectively and subjectively measured recovery from work. Therefore, an additional objective method in occupational field studies, along with questionnaires, is recommended to measure physiological recovery.