Influence of well-being and quality of work-life on quality of care among health professionals in Southwest, Nigeria

The Nigerian healthcare industry is bedevilled with infrastructural dilapidations, inadequate funding and staffing, and a dysfunctional healthcare system. This study investigated the influence of health professionals’ well-being and quality of work-life (QoWL) on the quality of care (QoC) of patients in Nigeria. The study was a multicentre cross-sectional survey conducted at four tertiary health institutions in southwest, Nigeria. Participants’ demographic information, well-being, quality of work-life, and quality of care were obtained using four standardized questionnaires. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics of frequency (percentage) and mean (standard deviation). Inferential statistics included Chi-square, Pearson’s correlation, and independent samples t-test analyses. Medical practitioners (n = 609) and nurses (n = 570) constituted 74.6% of all the health professionals with physiotherapists, pharmacists, and medical laboratory scientists constituting 25.4%. The mean (SD) participants’ well-being = 71.65% (14.65), quality of life = 61.8% (21.31), quality of work-life = 65.73% (10.52) and quality of care = 70.14% (12.77). Participants’ quality of life had a significant negative correlation with quality of care while well-being and quality of work-life had a significant positive correlation with quality of care. We concluded that health professionals’ well-being and quality of work-life are important factors that influence their productivity and ultimately the quality of care rendered to patients. The hospital management and policymakers should ensure improved work-related factors to promote the well-being of health professionals, in order to enhance the quality of care given to patients and ultimately reduce brain drain and medical tourism.