Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 26/27.P.1.00

Description Period: 2026./27 academic year pavasara semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

Psychological wellbeing and psychosocial risks in the working environment

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
VPUPK_443
Branch of Science
Health sciences; Public and environmental health
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Medical Services; Nursing Science
LQF
All Levels
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Valentīna Krūmiņa
Structure Unit Manager
Kristīne Mārtinsone
Structural Unit
Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy
Contacts

Riga, 16 Dzirciema Street, vppk@rsu.lv, +37167061587

About Study Course

Objective

To provide students with the opportunity to acquire scientifically sound knowledge of psychological well-being in the professional environment, psychosocial risks in health care and their impact on professional functioning and patient safety. The course presents important theoretical models of work stress (e.g. Job-Demand-Control-Support model, Effort-Reward Imbalance model), burnout mechanisms and work-related forms of health behaviour (e.g. presenteeism).

Preliminary Knowledge

Not required

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Explains the concept of psychological wellbeing in the professional environment and its role in healthcare.

2.Explains the most important theoretical models of work stress

3.Describes the mechanisms of stress and burnout.

4.Explain work-related forms of health behaviors and their consequences.

5.Describes the impact of organisational factors on health professionals’ wellbeing, quality of work and patient safety.

Skills

1.Identify psychosocial risks in the healthcare work environment by analysing professional situations or cases.

2.Recognises early signs of stress, overload and burnout in a professional context.

3.Analyse the possible impact of work organisation and work environment factors on the quality of work of the healthcare professional.

4.Formulate sound prevention and risk reduction proposals to improve psychological wellbeing.

5.Analyse the potential impact of psychosocial risks on patient safety.

Competences

1.Integrate theoretical knowledge of psychosocial risks into the analysis of professional environment situations.

2.Critically evaluate the role of individual and organisational factors in psychological wellbeing in the working environment.

3.Reflecting on the role of psychological wellbeing in professional development, quality of work and patient safety.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Presentation
30.00% from total grade
10 points

Presentation of a group on a selected aspect of psychosocial risk or professional wellbeing in healthcare.

Evaluation criteria:

    • structured topic analysis;
    • theoretical justification;
    • evidence-based prevention solutions;
    • clear reasoning and professional presentation.
2.

Case analysis
40.00% from total grade
10 points

Students shall analyse the description of the situation in health care by identifying psychosocial risks and their potential impact on professional activities.

Evaluation criteria:

    • identification of psychosocial risks;
    • use of theoretical models in analysis;
    • reasoned conclusions;
    • sound solution proposals.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Written test
30.00% from total grade
10 points

A written test about the theoretical material of the course.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Introduction. Psychological wellbeing in the professional environment.
Description

Course content and requirements. The concept of psychological wellbeing in the working environment. The World Health Organization’s view of psychological health in the working environment. Psychosocial factors in the working environment and their role in healthcare. Relationship between professional wellbeing and quality of work, clinical decision-making and patient safety. Stigma and mental health-related prejudices in the workplace.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Introduction. Psychological wellbeing in the professional environment.
Description

Course content and requirements. The concept of psychological wellbeing in the working environment. The World Health Organization’s view of psychological health in the working environment. Psychosocial factors in the working environment and their role in healthcare. Relationship between professional wellbeing and quality of work, clinical decision-making and patient safety. Stigma and mental health-related prejudices in the workplace.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

The psychosocial risks of the working environment.
Description

Concept and classification of psychosocial risks. Most significant work stress frameworks (e.g. Job Demand–Control–Support model, Job Demands–Resources model). Workplace psychosocial risks in healthcare: workload, time pressure, autonomy, teamwork in multidisciplinary environments, professional hierarchy, conflicts, mobbing, patient aggression, secondary traumatization, adverse clinical events, shift work.

Analytical emphasis: the link between organisational factors, professional functioning and patient safety.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

The psychosocial risks of the working environment.
Description

Concept and classification of psychosocial risks. Most significant work stress frameworks (e.g. Job Demand–Control–Support model, Job Demands–Resources model). Workplace psychosocial risks in healthcare: workload, time pressure, autonomy, teamwork in multidisciplinary environments, professional hierarchy, conflicts, mobbing, patient aggression, secondary traumatization, adverse clinical events, shift work.

Analytical emphasis: the link between organisational factors, professional functioning and patient safety.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Stress in the professional environment
Description

Acute and chronic stress. Allostatic load and long-term health consequences. The impact of stress on attention, memory, judgment and decision-making. Integration of biological and psychological mechanisms in the biopsychosocial model.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Stress in the professional environment
Description

Acute and chronic stress. Allostatic load and long-term health consequences. The impact of stress on attention, memory, judgment and decision-making. Integration of biological and psychological mechanisms in the biopsychosocial model.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Burnout
Description

The concept of burnout and its' development mechanisms. The dimensions and symptoms of burnout. The role of organisational factors in the development of burnout. Burnout as a systemic problem in healthcare organizations.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Burnout
Description

The concept of burnout and its' development mechanisms. The dimensions and symptoms of burnout. The role of organisational factors in the development of burnout. Burnout as a systemic problem in healthcare organizations.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Work-related health behaviors
Description

Work absence and continued work during sickness. The concepts of sickness essence, presenteeism and leaveism. Their relationship to employee health, quality of work and patient safety. Organisational and cultural factors contributing to such behaviour. Returning to work after a prolonged absence due to illness.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Work-related health behaviors
Description

Work absence and continued work during sickness. The concepts of sickness essence, presenteeism and leaveism. Their relationship to employee health, quality of work and patient safety. Organisational and cultural factors contributing to such behaviour. Returning to work after a prolonged absence due to illness.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Recognition of difficulties in psychological wellbeing and principles of support
Description

Early signs of stress and burnout in the working environment. Psychological safety in the working environment. Social support and professional reflection. Obstacles to seeking help.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Recognition of difficulties in psychological wellbeing and principles of support
Description

Early signs of stress and burnout in the working environment. Psychological safety in the working environment. Social support and professional reflection. Obstacles to seeking help.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Prevention and health-promoting approaches
Description

The role of work organisation and leadership in the psychological wellbeing of workers. Organisational interventions to reduce psychosocial risks.

Work-life balance. Individual self-regulation approaches to stress management.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Prevention and health-promoting approaches
Description

The role of work organisation and leadership in the psychological wellbeing of workers. Organisational interventions to reduce psychosocial risks.

Work-life balance. Individual self-regulation approaches to stress management.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Prevention and health-promoting approaches
Description

The role of work organisation and leadership in the psychological wellbeing of workers. Organisational interventions to reduce psychosocial risks.

Work-life balance. Individual self-regulation approaches to stress management.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Digitalisation, digital wellbeing and artificial intelligence
Description

Impact of the digital work environment on the psychological wellbeing of employees.

Digital overload and technostress.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Layard, R., & De Neve, J.-E. (2023). The Quality of Work. In Wellbeing: Science and Policy (pp. 178–201). chapter, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Suitable for English stream

2.

World Health Organization. (2022). WHO guidelines on mental health at work. World Health Organization.Suitable for English stream

3.

Arnold, J., Coyne, I., Randall, R., Pattterson, F. (2020.) Work Psychology: Understanding Human Behaviour In The Workplace. (7thedition). Pearson.Suitable for English stream

4.

World Health Organization, & International Labour Organization. (2022). Mental health at work: Policy brief. World Health Organization.Suitable for English stream