Justice sensitivity among nurses and physiotherapists in a Croatian rehabilitation hospital

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare justice sensitivity between self-perceived beneficiaries, victims, and observers in a sample of 90 healthcare workers (nurses and physiotherapists) at the Varaždinske Toplice Special Medical Rehabilitation Hospital, Croatia. For this purpose we used a questionnaire consisting of demographic data and the Croatian version of the justice sensitivity inventory developed by Schmitt. Regardless of its limitations, our study clearly shows that healthcare professionals at Varaždinske Toplice are most sensitive to injustice from the beneficiary’s perspective, that is, as persons who personally benefitted from injustice, although they may not have been instrumental to this effect. They are less sensitive to injustice perceived on the outside (observer’s perspective) or to injustice suffered by themselves (victim’s perspective). Another important finding is that participants of female gender, rural residence, and nurses (who are all women) are significantly more sensitive to injustice, whereas age and marital status do not seem to contribute to justice sensitivity. Future research should investigate the perception of injustice over a longer timeframe and involve all healthcare workers. It could also address different approaches to management, especially in terms of worker rewards and career advancement. Qualitative research among healthcare workers could provide a broader and clearer idea of social injustice at their workplace.