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A Model for Providing Psychological Support to Healthcare Leaders and Teams in Times of Crisis

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Abstract

Objective

Pre-pandemic, the healthcare workforce was already at risk for higher burnout than the general population and, in some roles (e.g., physicians, nurses), at higher risk for clinical distress and suicide. Studies of healthcare workforce well-being during and after past pandemics reflect that distress can persist after a pandemic subsides, if adequate support within the workplace is not forthcoming and accessible. The current report presents the rationale for and development of a wellness consult service to provide support to leaders and teams in an academic medical center during the COVID-19 pandemic and now as teams work to recover and rebuild after years of significant pandemic and other stressors.

Methods

Healthcare workers who participated in supportive Listening Sessions or Interactive Workshops facilitated by the wellness consult service were invited to complete an anonymous post-session survey.

Results

Between March 2020 and November 2022, 185 leaders and teams participated in 342 supportive Listening Sessions and Interactive Workshops. Of the respondents to the post-session survey (N = 701), 89% rated the intervention as “good to excellent” and 84% were likely or very likely to recommend this service. Leaders rated the experience more highly than non-leaders (F (1,307) = 13.99, p < 0.001) and were more likely to report feeling emotionally supported (F (1,304) = 19.836, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Supporting leader and team well-being may be critical to post-pandemic recovery of the healthcare workforce. The current report presents a feasible, theory-driven model for doing so, which was rated as highly satisfactory by participants.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated and analyzed in the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank our Executive Sponsor, Renee Edwards, MD, Chief Medical Office/Chief Wellness Officer, and the members of the OHSU Well-Being Leadership Team: Abigail Lenhart, MD, Andrea Cedfeldt, MD, Megan Furnari, MD, Alexis Jaggers, MA. In addition, the authors appreciate the contributions made by Natasha Spoden, MS, in establishing Consult Service infrastructure; Sam Sheldon, MS, in survey monitoring; and Kris Henning, PhD, in data presentation. Guest consultants, Jonathan Betlinski, MD, Caroline Macuiba, LCSW, Fernando Serna, M Div, and Leslie Hammer, PhD, graciously shared their expertise in the development of this service. Finally, the authors wish to express gratitude for the healthcare, research, and educator leaders and team members who were willing to share their stories during difficult times.

The presented work was conducted with institutional and not external support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA

    Sara J. Walker, Sydney Ey & Susan Hedlund

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  1. Sara J. Walker
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  2. Sydney Ey
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  3. Susan Hedlund
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Correspondence to Sara J. Walker.

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Walker, S.J., Ey, S. & Hedlund, S. A Model for Providing Psychological Support to Healthcare Leaders and Teams in Times of Crisis. Acad Psychiatry 48, 222–226 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-024-01965-z

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