Management, HRM and a multi-level phenomenon: the impact of job demands and job resources on medical radiation practitioners

Purpose This study examines job demands and job resources and the effects on mental health and wellbeing of medical radiation employees (radiographers and radiation therapists) in healthcare clinical settings. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research approach was adopted involving semi-structured interviews with 20 managers and 30 radiographers and radiation therapists in Australia. This study is underpinned by the Job-Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory to identify work and mental health and wellbeing issues and Emotional Labour theory to examine the emotional experiences of participants relative to job expectations. Findings The study reported that the mental health and wellbeing of managers and employees are interconnected within a multi-level system, where a manifold of complex relationships are influenced by excessive job demands relative to job resources. Practical implications The study underscores the need for HR departments to develop multi-level wellbeing strategies to improve mental health support for managers and employees to enhance workforce retention and ultimately contribute to better patient care outcomes. Originality/value This research integrates multi-level perspectives on job demands, job resources and emotional labour in particular deep acting within an under-researched workforce (medical radiation professionals). It provides new insights into interconnected nature of mental health and wellbeing among managers and employees and patients.