Implementation of a Web-Based Resilience Enhancement Training for Nurses: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background Global workforce challenges faced by health care providers are linked to low levels of job satisfaction, recruitment, retention, and well-being, with detrimental impacts on patient care outcomes. Resilience-building programs can provide support for staff who endure highly stressful environments, enhance resilience, and support recruitment and retention, with web-based formats being key to increasing accessibility. Objective We aimed to examine participants’ engagement with a newly developed Resilience Enhancement Online Training for Nurses (REsOluTioN), explore its acceptability, and compare levels of resilience and psychological well-being in nurses who completed REsOluTioN with those who did not. Methods We carried out a pilot randomized trial (1:1), conducted at a single site (mental health and community trust in South England) between August 2021 and May 2022. Local research ethics approvals were obtained. Nurses were invited to participate and were randomly assigned to a waitlist group or REsOluTioN group. Training lasted for 4 weeks, consisting of prereading, web-based facilitated sessions, and mentorship support. We evaluated trial engagement, acceptability of training, and pre-post changes in resilience, measured by the Brief Resilience Scale, and psychological well-being, measured by the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. Qualitative participant feedback was collected. Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials 2010 extension guidelines for reporting pilot and feasibility trials were used. Results Of 108 participants recruited, 93 completed the study. Participants’ mean age was 44 (SD 10.85) years. Most participants were female (n=95, 88.8%), White (n=95, 88.8%), and worked in community settings (n=91, 85.0%). Sixteen facilitated and 150 mentoring sessions took place. Most REsOluTioN program participants reported the sessions helped improve their resilience (n=24, 72.8%), self-confidence (n=24, 72.7%), ability to provide good patient care (n=25, 75.8%), relationships with colleagues (n=24, 72.7%), and communication skills (n=25, 75.8%). No statistically significant differences between training and control groups and time on well-being (F1,91=1.44, P=.23, partial η2=0.02) and resilience scores (F1,91=0.33, P=.57, partial η2=0.004) were revealed; however, there were positive trends toward improvement in both. Nurse participants engaged with the REsOluTioN program and found it acceptable. Most found web-based training and mentoring useful and enjoyed learning, reflection, networking, and participatory sessions. Conclusions The REsOluTioN program was acceptable, engaging, perceived as useful, and nurses were keen for it to be implemented to optimize resilience, psychological health, communication, and workplace environments. The study has evidenced that it is acceptable to implement web-based resilience programs with similar design features within busy health care settings, indicating a need for similar programs to be carefully evaluated. Mentorship support may also be a key in optimizing resilience. Trial limitations include small sample size and reduced statistical power; a multicenter randomized controlled trial could test effectiveness of the training on a larger scale. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05074563; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05074563 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/37015

Coping Strategies Used by Health Care Workers in Ecuador During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Observational Study to Enhance Resilience and Develop Training Tools

“…This study highlights the need for health care organizations to go beyond providing institutional support to recognize the importance of individual resources and provide tools and support to promote individual resilience. Such support can take the form of employee assistance programs, mental health support, peer support resources [ 11 , 29 ], wellness programs [ 30 ], and training to help staff manage their personal resources and cope with the stress of their work [ 31 ]. In situations such as the pandemic, where social distancing is crucial, digital tools can be a useful way to provide emotional and psychological support [ 32 ].…”

Knowledge graph analysis of research on nurses’ psychological resilience

“…Nurses showed enthusiasm for implementing such programs to optimize their resilience levels as well as improve their mental health status communication skills and work environment. [24] In addition, a team of Chinese researchers led by Shao Haiyan, Han Peng, Jiang Jinxia, Duan Xia, and Liu Yue had dedicated their research to exploring the factors that influence the psychological resilience of critical care or emergency nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their studies had demonstrated that adequate pre-outbreak preparation, well-planned arrangements, a supportive working environment built on trustworthiness, encouragement and enhancement of individual and collective coping strategies for nurses in facing adversity, timely recognition and rewards, and empowerment of nurses through counseling and training can effectively enhance their psychological resilience.…”