| Summary: | Employee assistance was initiated early in the 19th century in the United States of
America to assist employees with alcohol abuse in the workplace. During the 1970s,
the concept of an employee assistance programme (EAP) was adapted to assist
employees not only with alcohol-related problems, but also with personal and other
work-related problems resulting in poor work performance. It is evident from the
literature that no EAP is the same and that researchers have developed the seven
EAP core technologies to promote uniformity within the field of employee assistance.
The aim of this study was to establish a framework for a best-practice EAP for the
health care sector and the quality management thereof. As background to the study,
the researcher conducted an extensive literature review to investigate the current
situation on the utilisation of EAPs in various industries worldwide. The literature
review was used as a guide during the empirical phase of the study in order to gain
more in-depth knowledge with regard to employee assistance in the health care
sector. A case study design as a qualitative research approach was applied. Five
focus group discussions were held with supervisors from various levels in several
health care institutions as a data-gathering method. Several criteria for the bestpractice
EAP were identified during the data gathering and a six-round Delphi survey
was conducted to achieve consensus with regard to the criteria to be included in the
best-practice EAP. Accordingly, a framework for a best-practice EAP and the quality
management thereof was developed. The management of health care institutions should realise that their health care
workers are their most valuable resource and that there is a need to assist them with
personal and work-related problems. The framework was developed specifically for a
health care institution with the option to adapt it in order to suit the unique
requirements of each individual health care institution. This proposed framework could
be used to develop an institution-unique EAP. The establishment of a workplaceunique
EAP will show employees that they are regarded as the most valuable
resource in the health care institution.
The overall goal and objectives, as set out for the research study, were addressed
and realised, and meaningful recommendations in the field of employee assistance
have been made. The framework for a best-practice EAP is in line with the core
technologies of EAPs, the needs of supervisors in health care institutions and the
EAPs used internationally. The proposed framework includes the following main
aspects, namely the need for an EAP in a health care institution, the strategic
approach for the development of such a programme, the structure and processes of
an EAP, and the evaluation of an EAP in terms of its effectiveness.
The framework will contribute significantly to the management of human resources in
the health care industry and provide a supportive work environment for health care
workers to ensure healthy and productive employees.
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