The Implementation of a Stress Management Program for Health Care Workers Through a Rural Occupational Health Clinic

Abstract

Background: Stress affects U.S. healthcare workers (HCWs) and costs US$191 billion annually. About 30% to 50% of healthcare providers report burnout. Based on an assessment of a U.S. rural hospital system, 94% of workers experienced negative health consequences. We conducted a quality improvement (QI) project for the purpose of implementing a stress management program for HCWs in a hospital system. Methods: A total of 500 HCWs were informed of the program through hospital communication channels. Using the Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) process, we screened workers presenting to the occupational health clinic for care. Project team members recruited other workers for stress screening throughout the organization. Interventions included contacting workers with elevated scores on the Perceived Stress Survey (PSS; N = 213). The nurse practitioner scheduled them for a shared-decision-making (SDM) appointment ( N = 33) where workers were informed of and encouraged to participate in stress reduction activities. Surveys were used to assess effectiveness of SDM appointments and the stress reduction activities. After each 2-week PDSA cycle, interventions were adjusted. Findings: Of the 42% ( N = 213) of workers who were screened for stress, 24% ( n = 52) had elevated scores. Fifty percent ( n = 26) completed an SDM appointment. Participants reported an 86% assurance level that they would use personalized stress management plans. Participants utilizing the interventions ( n = 271) reported 25% to 72% reduced stress levels. Conclusions/Application to Practice: This successful project, in a rural setting, included workers across job classifications. Team engagement, PSS screening, SDM opportunities, and stress management activities were project strengths. This low-cost project can be replicated.

Characteristics of Medical Deserts and Approaches to Mitigate Their Health Workforce Issues: A Scoping Review of Empirical Studies in Western Countries

“…This category of approaches was found in eight studies 39 , 61 , 73 , 99 , 141 , 225 , 228 , 229 describing or assessing approaches to support rural HWF and provide them with improved infrastructure.…”

“…White et al 73 developed and implemented a stress management and reduction program among healthcare workers in rural areas. Participants that used such intervention reported between 25% to 72% reduced stress levels.…”

Investigating How Auditory and Visual Stimuli Promote Recovery After Stress With Potential Applications for Workplace Stress and Burnout: Protocol for a Randomized Trial

“…Across professions, several interventions have been tested to mitigate the effects of burnout and workplace stress at both the individual and organizational level ( West et al, 2016 ; Panagioti et al, 2017 ). Individual-focused interventions (e.g., meditation, yoga, and focused breathing), and organizational strategies (e.g., institutionally funded counseling sessions, mindfulness-based education courses, and stress management programs) can reduce burnout and workplace stress ( Hätinen et al, 2007 ; Lambert and Corpus, 2021 ; Rolling et al, 2021 ; White et al, 2021 ). In the past few years, relaxation rooms have been used as an organization-level approach to reduce workplace stress and burnout.…”

“…In the past few years, relaxation rooms have been used as an organization-level approach to reduce workplace stress and burnout. Relaxation rooms are designed to reduce stress ( Ruotsalainen et al, 2015 ; Sass, 2019 ; White et al, 2021 ), however, certain features of the rooms might be more effective at reducing stress for one person than another.…”

“…The efficacy of relaxation rooms is often determined based on self-report of stress by the individual ( Sass, 2019 ; Sullivan et al, 2019 ; Putrino et al, 2020 ; White et al, 2021 ). Recently, Putrino et al (2020) found healthcare workers who used their multisensory, nature-inspired recharge room experienced a 59.6% reduction in self-reported stress levels after a single 15-minute session.…”