Komunikacija na delovnem mestu in njen vpliv na zdravje zaposlenih v javnem zdravstvenem zavodu/The influence of the workplace communication on the health of employees in public health institutions

The workplace environment and relationships may have potential effects on the health of the employees. The aim of the present study was to determine to what extent the employees' perception of communication, transfer of information and organizational climate in public healthcare settings influence their health. For this study, a non-experimental causal research method was employed. A structured survey questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument. The Cronbach alpha coefficient for independent variable of quality of communication in the organization was 0.830 and the dependent variable for the health status of employees was 0.607. The entire staff of the public healthcare institution were included in the study. The survey was conducted from April 11 to May 7, 2012. A total of 455 questionnaires were distributed, yielding a response rate of 32.1 % (n = 142). The hypothesis was tested by linear regression analysis, the Enter method. The regression model was appropriate, statistically significant and suitable for interpretation of the results (F = 29.463, p = 0.000), the percentage of variance explained was 17.1 %. The results indicate a direct correlation between the quality of communication in the organization and the health status of the employees (β = -0.421, p = 0.000). Results of the study confirm the hypothesis that workplace communication significantly influences the health of employees. This health impact assessment presents an important reference tool to guide further research into workplace communication and the ensuing consequences on the health of the employees.