A Video-based Debriefing Program to Support Emergency Medicine Clinician Well-being During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction Emergency clinicians on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic experience a range of emotions including anxiety, fear, and grief. Debriefing can help clinicians process these emotions, but the coronavirus pandemic makes it difficult to create a physically and psychologically safe space in the emergency department (ED) to perform this intervention. In response, we piloted a video-based debriefing program to support emergency clinician well-being. We report the details of our program and results of our evaluation of its acceptability and perceived value to emergency clinicians during the pandemic. Methods ED attending physicians, resident physicians, and non-physician practitioners (NPP) at our quaternary-care academic medical center were invited to participate in role-based, weekly one-hour facilitated debriefings using Zoom. ED attendings with experience in debriefing led each session and used an explorative approach that focused on empathy and normalizing reactions. At the end of the pilot, we distributed to participants an anonymous 10-point survey that included multiple-answer questions and visual analogue scales. Results We completed 18 debriefings with 68 unique participants (29 attending physicians, 6 resident physicians, and 33 NPPs. A total of 76% of participants responded to our survey and 77% of respondents participated in at least two debriefings. Emergency clinicians reported that the most common reasons to participate in the debriefings were “to enhance my sense of community and connection” (81%) followed by “to support colleagues” (75%). Debriefing with members of the same role group (92%) and the Zoom platform (81%) were considered to be helpful aspects of the debriefing structure. Although emergency clinicians found these sessions to be useful (78.8 +/− 17.6) interquartile range: 73–89), NPPs were less comfortable speaking up (58.5 +/− 23.6) than attending physicians (77.8 +/− 25.0) (p = < 0.008). Conclusion Emergency clinicians participating in a video-based debriefing program during the coronavirus pandemic found it to be an acceptable and useful approach to support emotional well-being. Our program provided participants with a platform to support each other and maintain a sense of community and connection. Other EDs should consider implementing a debriefing program to safeguard the emotional well-being of their emergency clinician workforce.

Associations between the working experiences at frontline of COVID-19 pandemic and mental health of Korean public health doctors

“…A recent study of medical professionals in Wuhan of China emphasizes the importance of timely mental health supports for frontline workers during pandemic [43]. Psychological supports [67] that provide strategies of positive coping (altruistic acceptance of work-related risks, motivation to learning different skills, and humor) [15,67], psychological debriefing [15,68], and regular monitoring of mental health [67] aiming to delivering proper treatment by psychiatrists would be effective in protecting mental health of PHDs at frontline. In addition, short-term and long-term plans to support mental health of healthcare workers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic is warranted [54].…”

Immediate faculty feedback using debriefing timing data and conversational diagrams

“…Locally, we are now using the tools listed above with the data-driven approach assessed in the study [ 35 ]. We use either video conferencing or a real-time approach depending on the current local policy on social distancing and remote learning [ 36 ].…”

Interventional Response of Hospital and Health Services to the Mental Health Effects of Viral Outbreaks on Health Professionals

“…Fourteen articles were commentary papers (including one newsletter), five papers were cross-sectional studies, three papers were qualitative studies, and one paper was a pilot study of an intervention (pre and post). Support groups included team support sessions ( 39 , 41 , 54 ) drop-in virtual support groups ( 32 – 34 , 43 , 56 , 69 , 70 ), weekly groups led by a mental health professional ( 31 , 42 , 44 , 45 , 71 ), debriefing groups ( 38 , 40 , 72 , 73 ), and peer support groups ( 32 , 35 , 39 , 46 , 74 , 75 ).…”

“…Likewise in Rome (Italy), Monette et al ( 72 ) piloted a video-based debriefing program to support ED staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. The facilitated debriefings were delivered virtually (via Zoom) and were conducted once a week for an hour each ( 72 ). Monette et al ( 72 ) reported 18 completed Emotional Debriefing sessions, with 68 unique individuals participating.…”

“…The facilitated debriefings were delivered virtually (via Zoom) and were conducted once a week for an hour each ( 72 ). Monette et al ( 72 ) reported 18 completed Emotional Debriefing sessions, with 68 unique individuals participating. A survey was distributed to participants in the debriefing groups, asking them about their experience of the groups ( 72 ).…”