Experiences of work culture delineated by workplace sense of belonging: A comparative qualitative study of clinical support staff

Background

Promoting workplace sense of belonging (WSB) is suggested to improve the wellbeing and retention of clinical support staff (CSS), a critical group in healthcare systems. This comparative thematic analysis explored how CSS with and without WSB described their work culture, using the multi-level Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model. Using an exploratory approach, we aimed to capture the breadth of cultural elements potentially related to WSB among CSS.

Methods

An anonymous employee engagement survey from a large academic medical center in the Southeastern United States was analyzed using hybrid thematic analysis. Responses to an open-ended question about work culture were inductively coded, then codes were deductively sorted into multi-level JD-R categories. Matrix coding explored differences in code frequency and content between those who agreed/strongly agreed with a WSB and those who disagreed/strongly disagreed.

Results

Among 385 analyzed respondents, 77 % indicated WSB. Respondents described positive and negative elements of work culture; those with WSB highlighted positive aspects more frequently (64 %) and negative aspects less frequently (56 %), whereas the opposite pattern was more pronounced for those without WSB (22 % positive, 89 % negative). Code and content differences emerged across organizational, team, and individual level themes. Those without WSB uniquely described being treated as inferior based on their profession, directly experiencing discrimination, and more intensely experiencing team conflict, among others. Those with WSB more saliently describe workplace diversity, inclusion, and collegial relationships, among others.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that work culture experiences differ by WSB, warranting further research to better understand and support this understudied population.