<p>Many organizational changes have been accomplished in elder care since the 1980's and many of those have been influenced by market mechanisms. The purpose of this study is to examine how the implementation of these market mechanisms has affected three important aspects in the work situation for personnel. These aspects are, demand, control and support. To attain the purpose of this study, five qualitative interviews with home care personnel have been carried out. The interview material has been analyzed and structured with the help of Karasek and Theorells demand-control-support model. The study shows that the demands on personnel has increased, the prospect of personnel to control their work situation has both decreased and increased in different regards, finally, that support has improved after the implementation of market mechanisms in the municipality where the study was done. This implies that the personnel's prerequisites for self development, teaching and motivation in some regards seem to have improved. Although, at the same time, the increased demands of cost efficiency adhered to time pressure seems to hinder personnel from using their skills and to make work related decisions. This also means that they in their work situation are at a greater risk of suffering illness.</p>

Many organizational changes have been accomplished in elder care since the 1980's and many of those have been influenced by market mechanisms. The purpose of this study is to examine how the implementation of these market mechanisms has affected three important aspects in the work situation for personnel. These aspects are, demand, control and support. To attain the purpose of this study, five qualitative interviews with home care personnel have been carried out. The interview material has been analyzed and structured with the help of Karasek and Theorells demand-control-support model. The study shows that the demands on personnel has increased, the prospect of personnel to control their work situation has both decreased and increased in different regards, finally, that support has improved after the implementation of market mechanisms in the municipality where the study was done. This implies that the personnel's prerequisites for self development, teaching and motivation in some regards seem to have improved. Although, at the same time, the increased demands of cost efficiency adhered to time pressure seems to hinder personnel from using their skills and to make work related decisions. This also means that they in their work situation are at a greater risk of suffering illness.