Survey: Attractive working time models needed in the care sector

Attractive working time models in the care sector could alleviate the shortage of staff, according to a survey by Techniker Krankenkasse (TK). 93 percent of those surveyed assumed that this could increase the number of nursing staff, according to the health insurance company. Health-promoting offers for employees in the workplace and better pay could also be sensible measures to attract more people to the nursing profession. 92 percent of respondents agreed with these two points.

"We absolutely must increase the attractiveness of the nursing professions," said Alexander Krauß, head of the TK regional office in Saxony. "The structures and career prospects in the care sector must be improved in order to overcome the challenges it faces. To achieve this, everyone involved must pull together. The younger generation in particular is in favor of attractive working time models," explained Krauß.

According to TK, it supports those in need of care, relatives and employees with targeted offers to help them cope with everyday care - for example in terms of work organization, stress management or exercise. Digitalization is also expected to provide relief. "Precisely because many people's private lives are becoming increasingly digital, so too must their professional and care routines," they said. 82 percent of respondents see the use of digital technologies to make work easier as an opportunity to recruit more staff.

60 nursing professionals from Brazil

70 percent of survey participants were in favor of recruiting foreign professionals for the nursing sector in Saxony. In contrast, only one in two respondents (48%) considered image and advertising campaigns for the profession to be suitable. The Free State is already active when it comes to recruiting nursing staff from abroad. Social Affairs Minister Petra Köpping (SPD) traveled to Brazil last winter for this reason. As a result, 60 women and men from the South American country are now to come to Saxony as nursing staff.

For the representative telephone survey commissioned by Techniker Krankenkasse, the opinion research institute Forsa interviewed 1,002 people aged 18 and over in June.