scholarly journals Promoting resilience in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic with a brief online intervention

Author(s):  
Nicole R DeTore ◽  
Louisa Sylvia ◽  
Elyse R Park ◽  
Anne Burke ◽  
Julie H Levison ◽  
...  

Introduction: The psychological wellbeing of healthcare workers has been impacted by the high levels of stress many have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a brief online course focused on introducing skills that could increase resilience and decreases emotional distress in healthcare workers during the pandemic. Materials and Methods: Employees of a large healthcare system completed a survey at baseline, one month, and two months later. The online course, called Resilience Training for Healthcare Workers, consists of three 12-20 minute videos focused on evidence-based skills that support aspects of emotional resilience: mindfulness, mentalization, and self-compassion. Results: A total of 554 participants completed the baseline survey, endorsing moderate to high levels of emotional distress. Of those who completed all three assessments and participated in the course (n = 38), significant improvements in resilience and reductions in emotional distress were found across two months, in comparison to those who did not participate in the course. Discussion: These findings suggest that a brief, online intervention can improve the mental health of healthcare workers during a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Author(s):  
E. Hedderman ◽  
V. O’Doherty ◽  
S. O’Connor

Abstract Clinicians are routinely subjected to intense and stressful working environments, and the current COVID-19 crisis increases their risk of psychological distress. Mindfulness has been shown to improve life satisfaction, resilience to stress, self-compassion, compassion and general well-being in healthcare workers. Based on their clinical experience, the authors present mindfulness moments for clinicians (MMFC), a selection of short, simple and accessible mindfulness practices to promote resilience and compassion among clinicians working in this pandemic. The practices can be used on the job and are accessible to both novice and experienced meditators. Most of these practices are extracted from evidence-based mindfulness programmes. Further research is indicated to assess the effectiveness of using MMFC to support clinicians in their work and to promote resilience.


Author(s):  
Quratul-Ain Zafar

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on frontline healthcare workers in Pakistan in terms of psychological factors emotional distress, insomnia, and burnout. Study Design: Observational cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at different hospitals across Pakistan and data collection was carried out from 15th June 2020 till 15th August 2020. Material and Methods: This was a questionnaire-based study aiming to compare the levels of burnout and emotional distress between frontline COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 healthcare workers. Any physician, nurse, and other healthcare workers were recruited from emergency care units and Covid-19 care units (target group), and non-COVID-19 care units (control group). Participation was voluntary and participants had to complete self-reported questionnaires and scales. A mixed-mode data collection was carried out, either in paper or web-based form to ensure maximum participation. Results: The independent t-test showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding depression, stress, and insomnia. The study group showed higher scores for these factors than the control group. Chi-square test of association revealed significant scores of burnout and professional fulfillment in both groups. There was a higher prevalence of burnout in the study group than in the control group. Conclusion: This study concludes that there was a significant psychosocial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in the frontline healthcare workers measured in terms of emotional distress, insomnia, and burnout.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 233339362110357
Author(s):  
Johanna R. Jahnke ◽  
Julee Waldrop ◽  
Alasia Ledford ◽  
Beatriz Martinez

Many studies have demonstrated a significant burden of maternal stress and depression for women living on the Galápagos Islands. Here, we aim to uncover burdens and needs of women with young children on San Cristóbal Island and then explore options for implementing evidence-based programs of social support to meet these needs. We conducted 17 semi-structured qualitative interviews with mothers of young children, healthcare workers, and community stakeholders. We then used Summary Oral Reflective Analysis (SORA), an interactive methodology, for qualitative analysis. Despite initial reports of a low-stress environment, women described many sources of stress and concerns for their own and their children’s health and well-being. We uncovered three broad areas of need for mothers of young children: (1) the need for information and services, (2) the need for trust, and (3) the need for space. In response to these concerns, mothers, healthcare workers, and community leaders overwhelmingly agreed that a social support program would be beneficial for the health of mothers and young children. Still, they expressed concern over the feasibility of such a program. To address these feasibility concerns, we propose that a web-based education and social support intervention led by nurses would best meet mothers’ needs. Women could learn about child health and development, develop strong, trusting friendships with other mothers, and have their own space to speak freely among experts and peers.


Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Teresa Fazia ◽  
Francesco Bubbico ◽  
Giovanni Berzuini ◽  
Laura Dalla Tezza ◽  
Carolina Cortellini ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are known for their beneficial effects on positive and negative psychological factors. When applied in an occupational context, MBIs might help workers to cope with stress, increase their professional outcomes and wellbeing. OBJECTIVE: In this two-groups pre-post experimental design we tested the effect of our MBI, called Integral Meditation (IM), among the employers of an Italian service company by measuring positive and negative aspects of psychological wellbeing related to mindfulness and workplace functioning through eight self-report questionnaires (CORE-OM, FFMQ, WEMWBS, MAIA, PSS, PANAS, STAI-X1, SCS). METHOD: Forty-two voluntary non-clinical employers of the company, randomly assigned to the experimental or the control group, were analyzed. The experimental group underwent our IM program, which consists of 12 weekly meditation classes given after the afternoon shift, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data was analyzed via linear mixed models. RESULTS: Statistically significant results were obtained for FFMQ observing subscale (β= 0.49, p = 0.014), WEMWBS (β= 5.31, p = 0.02), PSS (β= –3.31, p = 0.03), the whole scale of SCS (β= 0.47, p = 0.01) and self-judgment (β= 0.68, p = 0.003) and isolation (β= –0.66, p = 0.01) SCS subscales. Statistically significant results were also found in four out of eight subscales of MAIA: emotional awareness (β= 1.26, p <  0.001), self-regulation (β= 1.28, p <  0.001), body listening (β= 1.08, p <  0.001) and trusting (β= 1.1, p <  0.001). CONCLUSION: Our intervention has demonstrated to bring beneficial effects in a mindfulness subdomain, in perceived stress, self-compassion, interoception and psychological wellbeing. Based on our results, we conclude that our intervention was effective in increasing the positive aspects of wellbeing and in reducing stress.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S131-S132
Author(s):  
Annalie Clark ◽  
John Stevens ◽  
Sarah Abd El Sayed

AimsEvidence shows that research-active trusts have better clinical patient outcomes. Psychiatric trainees are required to develop knowledge and skills in research techniques and critical appraisal to enable them to practice evidence-based medicine and be research-active clinicians. This project aimed to evaluate and improve the support for developing research competencies available to general adult psychiatry higher trainees (HT) in the North-West of England.MethodGeneral Adult HT in the North–West of England completed a baseline survey in November 2019 to ascertain trainee's experience of research training provision. The following interventions were implemented to address this feedback:A trainee research handbook was produced, containing exemplar activies for developing research competencies and available training opportunities, supervisors and active research studies.The trainee research representative circulated research and training opportunities between November 2019 – August 2020.Research representatives held a trainee Question and Answer session in September 2020.All General Adult HT were asked to complete an electronic survey in November 2020 to evaluate the effect of these interventions.Result18 General Adult HT completed the baseline survey in November 2019. 29.4% of trainees thought they received enough information on research competencies and 88.9% wanted more written guidance. 38.9% of trainees knew who to contact about research within their NHS Trust and 33.3% were aware of current research studies. Identified challenges for meeting research competencies included lack of time, difficulty identifying a mentor and topic and accessibility of projects.20 General Adult HT completed the repeat survey in November 2020. 50% of trainees wanted to be actively involved in research and 35% wanted to develop evidence-based medicine skills. A minority of trainees aimed to complete only the minimum ARCP requirements. All trainees thought the handbook was a useful resource for meeting research competencies and would recommend it to other trainees. In trainees who received the handbook, 94.7% thought they had received adequate support on meeting research competencies and 94.7% knew who to contact about research in their trust. 68.4% of trainees would like further written guidance on meeting research competencies. Trainees highlighted ongoing practical difficulties with engaging with research and concern about lacking required skills for research.ConclusionTrainees are motivated to engage with research on various different levels, not purely for ARCP purposes. Simple interventions can help trainees feel adequately supported with meeting research competencies. Further work to support trainee involvement in research and improve trainee confidence in engaging with research is required.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (S11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Soraia Teles ◽  
Maria do Rosário Zincke ◽  
Milaydis Sosa‐Napolskij ◽  
Ana Ferreira ◽  
Constança Paúl

2020 ◽  
pp. 003329412096547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faruk Bozdağ ◽  
Naif Ergün

The COVID-19 pandemic as a public health issue has spread to the rest of the world. Although the wellbeing and emotional resilience of healthcare professionals are key components of continuing healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals have been observed in this period to experience serious psychological problems and to be at risk in terms of mental health. Therefore, this study aims to probe psychological resilience of healthcare workers. The findings of this study showed that in order to raise psychological resilience of healthcare professionals working during the COVID-19 pandemic their quality of sleep, positive emotions and life satisfaction need to be enhanced. Psychological resilience levels of healthcare workers in their later years were found to be higher. Doctors constitute the group with the lowest levels of psychological resilience among healthcare workers. The current study is considered to have contributed to the literature in this regard. Primary needs such as sleep which are determinants of quality of life, life satisfaction and psychological resilience should be met.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Restivo ◽  
M Gaeta ◽  
A Odone ◽  
C Trucchi ◽  
A Battaglini ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The clinical and surgical procedures are often based on scientifical evidence but 30-40% of patients do not receive treatment according to evidence based medicine. The main aim of this review and meta-analysis is to assess the effectiveness of leadership in healthcare setting. Methods It was conducted a literature research on MEDLINE, Pubmed and Scopus with publication year between 2015 and 2019. The inclusion criteria were studies involving healthcare workers that evaluated effectiveness of opinion leaders in improving behaviour of healthcare workers, according to clinical or patient related outcomes. The quality of studies were assesed with the NHLBI for before after studies and the NOS for other study designs. The effect of leadership was assessed as risk difference for all studies with the exception of cross sectional studies. For the last it was evaluated correlation between leadership level and outcome measurment. Results A total of 3,155 articles were screened and 284 were fully assessed including 22 of them in the final database: 1 randomized trial, 9 cross sectional and 12 before after studies. For the cross-sectional studies there was a correlation of 0.22 (95% CI 0.15-0.28) between leadership level and outcome measurment. In the metaregression analysis the only factor that increased the correlation was private setting (meta regression coefficent =0.52, p = 0.022). The pooled efficacy was 24% (95% CI 10%-17%) for before after studies. Furthermore, a higher effectiveness was revealed in studies conducted on multi professional (24%) than single professional (9%) healthcare workers. Conclusions According to results, the guidelines adherence and task performance increased in a setting with leadership implementation. The leadership effectiveness appears comparable to other strategies as audit and feedback used to implement evidence-based practice in worldwide healthcare. Key messages The translation of evidence into clinical practice is often difficult but this study suggests that leaderhip can had higher effectiveness in multiprofessional healthcare workers and private setting. The effectiveness of leadership in this review suggests that it can be of help in order to make aware healthcare professionals about effectiveness of comply with evidence-based practice.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document