The objective of this study was to examine open-ended responses by healthcare staff to a quality-of-work-life survey. The results of the study indicated that staff in six healthcare organizations (n=1,819, response rate 30 percent) completed a 65-item QWL survey. Applying Q methodology to open-ended responses, we developed an overall rating of salient and critical issues. The most salient topics were those pertaining to what staff liked best and least about their workplace. The most critical issues included benefits, compensation, staff orientation and job demands.
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