The Mental Well-Being of Health Care Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Health care professionals are particularly vulnerable to emotional distress in the COVID-19 pandemic, due to risk of exposure to the virus, concern about infecting and caring for their loved ones, longer work hours, and involvement in emotionally and ethically fraught resource allocation decisions. The sudden role reversal from healthcare provider to the confirmed or suspected patient potentially leads to a sense of frustration. During the COVID-19 battle the doctors and nurses in India are handling increased infection risk, paucity of protective gear, and assault.Methods: An online questionnaire based cross sectional study was conducted among health care professionals in a tertiary health care setting in central India. Proforma had questions on impact of COVID 19, mental well being, stress and anxiety.Results: Of the 237 study participants, 182 had moderate and 25 had high stress. Anxiety was present in 46%. There was a significant difference in stress (χ2=11.22, p<0.001) and anxiety (χ2=6.6712, p=0.009) in study participants <40 years and ≥40 years age. Multivariate logistic regression showed significant role of sleep and appetite disturbances. Positive correlation was established between perceived stress and anxiety (R=0.713).Conclusions: A state of good mental well-being despite the presence of stress and anxiety simultaneously indicates.

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Teaching Interspiritual Dialogue to Health Care Professionals

10.1093/oso/9780190677565.003.0022 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Kelly R. Arora

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Doctoral Students ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Well Being ◽

Course Structure ◽

Beliefs And Practices ◽

Pedagogical Choices ◽

Dimensions Of Teaching ◽

Contemporary Context ◽

Made In

Interspiritual conversations are becoming more common in health care settings as providers recognize that patients’ diverse spiritual/religious values, beliefs, and practices may influence their health care decision-making and general well-being. This essay explores the practical dimensions of teaching health care professionals how to use an interspiritual dialogue approach grounded in values and particularism through a course entitled “Faith, Spirituality and Culture in Health Care,” which was designed for and taught to doctoral students at a Denver, Colorado, School of Pharmacy. After considering the contemporary context for teaching interspiritual dialogue to healthcare professionals, the essay reflects upon and relates the pedagogical choices made in designing and teaching the course, as well as the course structure, outline, objectives, and schedule.

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COVID-19 is having a destructive impact on health-care workers’ mental well-being

International Journal for Quality in Health Care ◽

10.1093/intqhc/mzaa158 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Kris Vanhaecht ◽

Deborah Seys ◽

Luk Bruyneel ◽

Bianca Cox ◽

Gorik Kaesemans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Residential Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Well Being ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

Care Workers ◽

Sources Of Support ◽

Mental Well Being

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may aggravate workplace conditions that impact health-care workers’ mental health. However, it can also place other stresses on workers outside of their work. This study determines the effect of COVID-19 on symptoms of negative and positive mental health and the workforce’s experience with various sources of support. Effect modification by demographic variables was also studied. Methods A cross-sectional survey study, conducted between 2 April and 4 May 2020 (two waves), led to a convenience sample of 4509 health-care workers in Flanders (Belgium), including paramedics (40.6%), nurses (33.4%), doctors (13.4%) and management staff (12.2%). About three in four were employed in university and acute hospitals (29.6%), primary care practices (25.7%), residential care centers (21.3%) or care sites for disabled and mental health care. In each of the two waves, participants were asked how frequently (on a scale of 0–10) they experienced positive and negative mental health symptoms during normal circumstances and during last week, referred to as before and during COVID-19, respectively. These symptoms were stress, hypervigilance, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, unable to relax, fear, irregular lifestyle, flashback, difficulty concentrating, feeling unhappy and dejected, failing to recognize their own emotional response, doubting knowledge and skills and feeling uncomfortable within the team. Associations between COVID-19 and mental health symptoms were estimated by cumulative logit models and reported as odds ratios. The needed support was our secondary outcome and was reported as the degree to which health-care workers relied on sources of support and how they experienced them. Results All symptoms were significantly more pronounced during versus before COVID-19. For hypervigilance, there was a 12-fold odds (odds ratio 12.24, 95% confidence interval 11.11–13.49) during versus before COVID-19. Positive professional symptoms such as the feeling that one can make a difference were less frequently experienced. The association between COVID-19 and mental health was generally strongest for the age group 30–49 years, females, nurses and residential care centers. Health-care workers reported to rely on support from relatives and peers. A considerable proportion, respectively, 18 and 27%, reported the need for professional guidance from psychologists and more support from their leadership. Conclusions The toll of the crisis has been heavy on health-care workers. Those who carry leadership positions at an organizational or system level should take this opportunity to develop targeted strategies to mitigate key stressors of health-care workers’ mental well-being.

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Economics of mental well-being: a prospective study estimating associated health care costs and sickness benefit transfers in Denmark

The European Journal of Health Economics ◽

10.1007/s10198-021-01305-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ziggi Ivan Santini ◽

Hannah Becher ◽

Maja Bæksgaard Jørgensen ◽

Michael Davidsen ◽

Line Nielsen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Healthcare Costs ◽

Psychiatric Morbidity ◽

Government Expenditure ◽

Well Being ◽

Population Based ◽

Sickness Benefit ◽

A Prospective Study ◽

Mental Well Being

Abstract Background Previous literature has examined the societal costs of mental illness, but few studies have estimated the costs associated with mental well-being. In this study, a prospective analysis was conducted on Danish data to determine 1) the association between mental well-being (measured in 2016) and government expenditure in 2017, specifially healthcare costs and sickness benefit transfers. Methods Data stem from a Danish population-based survey of 3,508 adults (aged 16 + years) in 2016, which was linked to Danish registry data. A validated scale (WEMWBS) was used for the assessment of mental well-being. Costs are expressed in USD PPP. A two-part model was applied to predict costs in 2017, adjusting for sociodemographics, health status (including psychiatric morbidity and health behaviour), as well as costs in the previous year (2016). Results Each point increase in mental well-being (measured in 2016) was associated with lower healthcare costs ($− 42.5, 95% CI = $− 78.7, $− 6.3) and lower costs in terms of sickness benefit transfers ($− 23.1, 95% CI = $− 41.9, $− 4.3) per person in 2017. Conclusions Estimated reductions in costs related to mental well-being add to what is already known about potential savings related to the prevention of mental illness. It does so by illustrating the savings that could be made by moving from lower to higher levels of mental well-being both within and beyond the clinical range. Our estimates pertain to costs associated with those health-related outcomes that were included in the study, but excluding other social and economic outcomes and benefits. They cover immediate cost estimates (costs generated the year following mental well-being measurement) and not those that could follow improved mental well-being over the longer term. They may therefore be considered conservative from a societal perspective. Population approaches to mental health promotion are necessary, not only to potentiate disease prevention strategies, but also to reduce costs related to lower levels of mental well-being in the non-mental illness population. Our results suggest that useful reductions in both health care resource use and costs, as well as in costs due to sick leave from the workplace, could be achieved from investment in mental well-being promotion within a year.

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Caring for Gravely Ill Children

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.94.4.433 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 94 (4) ◽

pp. 433-439 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Alan R. Fleischman ◽

Kathleen Nolan ◽

Nancy N. Dubler ◽

Michael F. Epstein ◽

Mary Ann Gerben ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Decision Making ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Treatment Plan ◽

Ethics Committees ◽

Well Being ◽

Pediatric Health Care ◽

Spiritual Well Being ◽

Primary Focus

Background. Much has been written about the care of the hopelessly ill adult, but there is little guidance for pediatric health care professionals in the management of children who are critically or terminally ill. Methods. Through a 3-day meeting in Tarrytown, NY, attended by a group of pediatricians and others directly involved in these issues, a principled approach was developed for the treatment of, and health care decision-making for, children who are gravely ill. Results. The group agreed that the needs and interests of the child must be the central focus of any treatment plan and that the child should be involved to as great extent possible, consistent with developmental maturity, in the decision-making process. Quality of future life should be viewed as being relevant in all decisions. Parents are believed to be the natural guardians of children and ought to have great latitude in making decisions for them. However, parental discretion is not absolute and professionals must maintain an independent obligation to protect the child's interests. Conclusions. Decision-making should be collaborative among patient, parents, and professionals. When conflict arises, consultation and ethics committees may assist in resolution. When cure or restoration of function is no longer possible, or reasonable, promotion of comfort becomes the primary goal of management. Optimal use of pain medication and compassionate concern for the physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being of the child and family should be the primary focus of the professionals caring for the dying child.

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Health-care Workforce Training to Effectively Support Family Caregivers of Seniors in Care

Canadian Geriatrics Journal ◽

10.5770/cgj.23.384 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 160-171

Author(s):

Rachel Fisher ◽

Jasneet Parmar ◽

Wendy Duggleby ◽

Peter George J. Tian ◽

Wonita Janzen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Health Care Services ◽

Well Being ◽

Workforce Training ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Canadian Health Care System ◽

Care Services ◽

Qualitative Thematic Analysis

Introduction Family caregivers (FCGs) play an integral, yet often invisible, role in the Canadian health-care system. As the population ages, their presence will become even more essential as they help balance demands on the system and enable community dwelling seniors to remain so for as long as possible. To preserve their own well-being and capacity to provide ongoing care, FCGs require support to the meet the challenges of their daily caregiving responsibilities. Supporting FCGs results in better care provision to community-dwelling seniors receiving health-care services, as well as enhancing the quality of life for FCGs. Although FCGs rely upon health-care professionals (HCPs) to provide them with support and services, there is a paucity of research pertaining to the type of health workforce training (HWFT) that HCPs should receive to address FCG needs. Programs that train HCPs to engage with, empower, and support FCGs are required. Objective To describe and discuss key findings of a caregiver symposium focused on determining components of HWFT that might better enable HCPs to support FCGs. Methods A one-day symposium was held on February 22, 2018 in Edmonton, Alberta, to gather the perspectives of FCGs, HCPs, and stakeholders. Attendees participated in a series of working groups to discuss barriers, facilitators, and recommendations related to HWFT. Proceedings and working group discussions were transcribed, and a qualitative thematic analysis was conducted to identify key themes. Results Participants identified the following topic areas as being essential to training HCPs in the provision of support for FCGs: understanding the FCG role, communicating with FCGs, partnering with FCGs, fostering FCG resilience, navigating healthcare systems and accessing resources, and enhancing the culture and context of care. Conclusions FCGs require more support than is currently being provided by HCPs. Training programs need to specifically address topics identified by participants. These findings will be used to develop HWFT for HCPs.

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Efficacy of a brief online mindfulness-based intervention on the psychological well-being of health care professionals and trainees during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed method design

Health SA Gesondheid ◽

10.4102/hsag.v26i0.1682 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 ◽

Author(s):

Iram Osman ◽

Shaista Hamid ◽

Veena S. Singaram

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Health Care ◽

Mixed Method ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Well Being ◽

Personal Accomplishment ◽

Intervention Analysis ◽

Health Crisis ◽

The Impact

Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, health professionals were pushed to the front line of a global health crisis unprepared and resource constrained, which affected their mental well-being.Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a brief online mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on stress and burnout for health professionals training and working in South Africa during the COVID-19 crisis.Setting: The context of the study is the overburdened, under-resourced health care system in South Africa during a global pandemic.Methods: A mixed method framework was adopted for this study. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive analysis and the participants’ qualitative experiences were interpreted using interpretative phenomenological analysis.Results: Forty-seven participants took part in this study. The study found a statistically significant (p 0.05) reduction in stress levels and emotional exhaustion as well as an increase in mindful awareness and feelings of personal accomplishment after the intervention. The participants’ shared experiences were analysed in two parts. The pre-intervention analysis presented with central themes of loss of control and a sense of powerlessness because of COVID-19. The post-intervention analysis comprised themes of a sense of acquired control and empowerment through increased mindfulness.Conclusions: The study found that a brief online MBI can be associated with reduced levels of stress and burnout as well as an increased sense of control and empowerment, felt both personally and professionally, during a global crisis.Contribution: The impact of an online MBI for health care professionals amidst a pandemic has not been previously documented.

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