Organizational climate and health. Preventing burnout and promoting engagement in ambulance service organizations

Background. Little research has been done on the importance of organizational climate for psychosocial subjective health in ambulance service organizations. Organizational climate research focuses on the pattern of organizational environment perceived by members of organizations. Similarities and differences of organizational climate between departments allow the grouping of departments with similar organizational climate. Based on differences in specific organizational climate characteristics between the groups of departments, levels of intervention for implementing/improving healthy organizations can identified, if groups also differ in employees' health status. Methods. A sample of 316 ambulance service personnel from 21 departments was surveyed. Departments could be devided into groups with similar organizational climate by clusteranalysis. Results. The groups of departments are differing concerning perception of control, experienced workload, fairness, leadership behaviour and the reliability of information. Conclusion. The perception of balanced job-demands and resources are associated with less exhaustion and more commitment. The further development of participation and feedback systems, a transparent and fair allocation, and a selective extension of areas of control are suggested as levels of intervention to promote healthy ambulance service organizations.