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Allsopp K, Varese F, French P, White H, Chung P, Hassan AA, Wright SA, Young E, Barrett A, Bhutani G, McGuirk K, Huntley F, Sarsam M, Ten Cate H, Watson R, Willbourn J, Hind D. Implementing psychological support for health and social care staff affected by the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative exploration of staff well-being hubs ('Resilience Hubs') using normalisation process theory. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e071826. [PMID: 37612138 PMCID: PMC10450134 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-071826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Evaluate the implementation of Hubs providing access to psychological support for health and social care keyworkers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN Qualitative interviews informed by normalisation process theory to understand how the Hub model became embedded into normal practice, and factors that disrupted normalisation of this approach. SETTING Three Resilience Hubs in the North of England. PARTICIPANTS Hub staff, keyworkers who accessed Hub support (Hub clients), keyworkers who had not accessed a Hub, and wider stakeholders involved in the provision of staff support within the health and care system (N=63). RESULTS Hubs were generally seen as an effective way of supporting keyworkers, and Hub clients typically described very positive experiences. Flexibility and adaptability to local needs were strongly valued. Keyworkers accessed support when they understood the offer, valuing a confidential service that was separate from their organisation. Confusion about how Hubs differed from other support prevented some from enrolling. Beliefs about job roles, unsupportive managers, negative workplace cultures and systemic issues prevented keyworkers from valuing mental health support. Lack of support from managers discouraged keyworker engagement with Hubs. Black, Asian and minority ethnic keyworkers impacted by racism felt that the Hubs did not always meet their needs. CONCLUSIONS Hubs were seen as a valuable, responsive and distinct part of the health and care system. Findings highlight the importance of improving promotion and accessibility of Hubs, and continuation of confidential Hub support. Policy implications for the wider health and care sector include the central importance of genuine promotion of and value placed on mental health support by health and social care management, and the creation of psychologically safe work environments. Diversity and cultural competency training is needed to better reach under-represented communities. Findings are consistent with the international literature, therefore, likely to have applicability outside of the current context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Allsopp
- Complex Trauma and Resilience Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Filippo Varese
- Complex Trauma and Resilience Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Paul French
- Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
- Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Ashton-under-Lyne, UK
| | - Hannah White
- Complex Trauma and Resilience Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Priscilla Chung
- Lancashire and South Cumbria Resilience Hub, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire, UK
| | - Alysha A Hassan
- Cheshire and Merseyside Resilience Hub, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sally-Anne Wright
- Lancashire and South Cumbria Resilience Hub, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire, UK
| | - Ellie Young
- Greater Manchester Resilience Hub, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Ashton-under-Lyne, UK
| | - Alan Barrett
- Greater Manchester Resilience Hub, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Ashton-under-Lyne, UK
- School of Health Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Gita Bhutani
- Lancashire and South Cumbria Resilience Hub, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire, UK
- School of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Katherine McGuirk
- Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, Manchester, UK
| | - Fay Huntley
- Cheshire and Merseyside Resilience Hub, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
- Doctorate of Clinical Psychology, School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - May Sarsam
- Cheshire and Merseyside Resilience Hub, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Hein Ten Cate
- Lancashire and South Cumbria Resilience Hub, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire, UK
| | - Ruth Watson
- Greater Manchester Resilience Hub, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Ashton-under-Lyne, UK
- Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Jenni Willbourn
- Greater Manchester Resilience Hub, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Ashton-under-Lyne, UK
| | - Daniel Hind
- School of Health and Related Research, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Hien DN, Bauer AG, Franklin L, Lalwani T, Pean K. Conceptualizing the COVID-19, Opioid Use, and Racism Syndemic and Its Associations With Traumatic Stress. Psychiatr Serv 2022; 73:353-356. [PMID: 34346733 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.202100070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Individually, the COVID-19 pandemic and opioid epidemic have each been responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths. Systemic racism, including public perceptions about people who use opioids, inadequate substance abuse prevention and treatment efforts, heightened risks for COVID-19 exposure, and inadequate access to testing and health care, has contributed to the ongoing disparities underlying these health crises. Thus, the authors propose an integrative framework for conceptualizing the COVID-19, opioid use, and racism (COR) syndemic, with traumatic stress as a critical underpinning of this model. Action is needed to address trauma and the COR syndemic. Implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Nguyen Hien
- Rutgers Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies (Hien, Bauer) and Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (Hien, Franklin, Lalwani, Pean), Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey. Ruth S. Shim, M.D., M.P.H., and Michael T. Compton, M.D., M.P.H., are editors of this column
| | - Alexandria G Bauer
- Rutgers Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies (Hien, Bauer) and Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (Hien, Franklin, Lalwani, Pean), Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey. Ruth S. Shim, M.D., M.P.H., and Michael T. Compton, M.D., M.P.H., are editors of this column
| | - Liza Franklin
- Rutgers Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies (Hien, Bauer) and Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (Hien, Franklin, Lalwani, Pean), Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey. Ruth S. Shim, M.D., M.P.H., and Michael T. Compton, M.D., M.P.H., are editors of this column
| | - Tanya Lalwani
- Rutgers Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies (Hien, Bauer) and Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (Hien, Franklin, Lalwani, Pean), Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey. Ruth S. Shim, M.D., M.P.H., and Michael T. Compton, M.D., M.P.H., are editors of this column
| | - Kierra Pean
- Rutgers Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies (Hien, Bauer) and Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (Hien, Franklin, Lalwani, Pean), Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey. Ruth S. Shim, M.D., M.P.H., and Michael T. Compton, M.D., M.P.H., are editors of this column
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David E, DePierro JM, Marin DB, Sharma V, Charney DS, Katz CL. COVID-19 Pandemic Support Programs for Healthcare Workers and Implications for Occupational Mental Health: A Narrative Review. Psychiatr Q 2022; 93:227-247. [PMID: 34606067 PMCID: PMC8488324 DOI: 10.1007/s11126-021-09952-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
This narrative review aims to summarize initiatives developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to support healthcare workers' emotional well-being within the context of a pre-existing framework of occupational mental health guidelines. This occupational mental health framework integrates principles from multiple disciplines to optimize prevention and management of mental health issues among employees. We conducted an online search on Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase for studies that reported on design or execution of medical institution-based interventions, aiming to support healthcare worker mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inclusion criteria was intentionally broad in order to incorporate as many types of interventions at varying stages of development or evaluation. We included 31 studies in our review that reported on newly designed psychological support interventions for healthcare workers (HCW) during the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that most programs commonly supported HCW mental health through offering one or more of the following initiatives: expanded basic need resources/services, additional workplace training programs that bolstered professional preparedness while also indirectly boosting HCW emotional health, and/or expanded psychological support programs, such as peer support programs, psychoeducational or counseling services. Most programs, however, did not consider methods to ensure program longevity or sustainability. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the acuity of HCW mental health issues and is likely to leave long lasting mental health strains among HCW. This pandemic is a critical point in time to catalyze much needed progress in reducing stigma and expanding HCW mental health care access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eden David
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Jonathan M DePierro
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Deborah B Marin
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vanshdeep Sharma
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dennis S Charney
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Craig L Katz
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Emergency Medicine Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant Burnout, Perceived Stress, and Utilization of Wellness Resources During 2020 in a Large Urban Medical Center. Adv Emerg Nurs J 2022; 44:63-73. [PMID: 35089284 DOI: 10.1097/tme.0000000000000392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to measure perceived stress, burnout, and utilization and perceived benefit of wellness practices among emergency medicine (EM) nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs). An additional aim was to evaluate attributions of stress to racism and the COVID-19 pandemic. A 28-item electronic survey of ED NPs/PAs at 3 hospitals was used to measure respondents' perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), stress attributed to COVID-19 and systemic racism, burnout (2-item measure), and utilization and helpfulness of wellness practices. The sample consisted of 53 ED NPs/PAs respondents (response rate 42.4%). More than one half (58.5%) reported burnout from their job, and a majority (58.5%) reported moderate to high stress. Burnout was reported by 70% of female respondents compared with 30.8% of male respondent (p = 0.002). A large majority (70%) of Black respondents reported concerns about experiencing racism at work, and 58.8% reported higher levels of stress attributed to racism. Respondents reported meals during shifts, community donated personal protective equipment, flexible work hours, and societal offerings of financial support (e.g., Internal Revenue Service stimulus check) as helpful. The COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of systemic racism are significant contributors to the stress and burnout of NPs/PAs. Female ED NPs/PAs disproportionally share the burden of burnout. Strategies to reduce burnout should be prioritized by institutional leadership. In addition, a majority of Black ED NPs/PAs are concerned about experiencing racism at work and report moderate to high stress associated with racism in general. There is an urgent need to address racism in the workplace with training on implicit bias, systemic racism, and allyship behavior.
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