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The purpose of the study was to find out the kind of management that satisfies the ward personnel. Based on the employees' satisfaction with the management in the ward, two groups were formed: 'Satisfied wards' (7 wards in which the personnel were exceptionally satisfied with the management, n = 124) and 'Other wards' (8 wards with not so satisfied personnel, n = 186). In the questionnaire survey, the employees in the 'Satisfied wards' reported more possibilities to participate in decision making, better communication in the ward as well as with other units, more innovative activities in the ward, and more managerial support, than did the employees in the 'Other wards'. There were no significant differences between the 'Satisfied' and 'Other wards' in the structure or number of employees in the ward, in clarity of goals and processes, or in the employees autonomy.

The main aim was to develop a standardized survey instrument for measuring job stress and well-being in hospital settings. The actual study group consisted of 349 workers from medical bed wards, first aid unit wards and bed wards for gynecology and obstetrics in a middle-sized hospital in the Helsinki region. Based on the factor analysis of separate questions, the following content areas were chosen for the job stressor scales: haste at work, problems in interpersonal relations at work, problems in occupational collaboration with others, too much responsibility, safety and health risks, lack of appreciation, troublesome patients, and lack of equipment and resources. Content areas for well-being scales and items were general job satisfaction, strain symptoms, perceived mental and physical work load. The reference values of the questionnaire and reliabilities for the scales were calculated. The application and further development of the questionnaire was discussed.