Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Conceptual Model Of Organizational Compassion In Healthcare, Rachel Thienprayoon, Eli Awtrey, Teresa Pestian, Beth A. Lown, Naomi Winick, Jason Kanov

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: In healthcare, while the suffering of patients is often evident, the suffering of clinicians receives less focus. Some sources of clinician distress are directly related to constant exposure to patient suffering, but others are caused by the health care system, and thus potentially preventable. Looking at clinician suffering through the lens of compassion fosters a new paradigm of individual, team, and organizational capabilities, and moves the responsibility to alleviate this suffering from the individual onto the organization and team. Yet research into the impact of organizational compassion in healthcare has been extremely limited.

Approach: Our conceptual model of organizational …

Wellness Review 2023, Part 1, Brian A. Ferguson, Martin Huecker

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: The 2023 Part 1 summary reviews research on wellness in healthcare professionals published outside of JWellness from January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023.

Methods: Editors conducted a Boolean search of titles and abstracts in PubMed utilizing keyword identifiers pairing healthcare personnel (providers, nurses, and other staff) with a well-being metric. Of 416 relevant articles, an intriguing and innovative 30 were selected for inclusion, with two additional articles manually curated.

Literature in Review: This sample of the recent literature into healthcare professional wellness included multiple targeted interventions and studies of resilience. Main themes that emerged include: positive systematic healthcare …

Virtual Delivery Of Stress Management And Resiliency Training (Smart) During The Covid-19 Pandemic To Hematology/Oncology Fellows: A Pilot Study, Colt Williams, Sherry Chesak, Deirdre R. Pachman, Ross Dierkhising, Laura Rhee, Konstantinos Leventakos

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Medical trainees experience a high degree of stress that predisposes them to burnout. This pilot study tested a scalable approach to deliver a validated resilience program (Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART)) among Hematology/Oncology fellows at an academic medical center.

Methods: This was a mixed-methods, prospective, single-arm clinical trial involving Hematology/Oncology fellows at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, USA. Four one-hour training sessions were conducted virtually with 26 fellows. Stress, burnout, and emotional resilience were measured at baseline, three months, and six months post-intervention using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS), and Connor-Davidson Resilience …

Exploration Of Burnout, Emotional Thriving, And Emotional Recovery In An Academic Medical Center: A Mixed Methods Quality Improvement Project, Roxana Naderi, Katherine T. Morrison, Zuzanna Czernik, James E. Carter Jr, Katherine N. Dickerman, Alexandra Gallant, Lara Kirkbride-Romeo, Lauren Mcbeth, Angela Keniston, Kristin M. Jensen

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Healthcare provider burnout, an indicator of wellbeing, impacts patient safety, provider distress, and employee turnover. In this mixed methods, multi-site quality improvement study conductedpandemic, we assessed employee wellbeing in a large clinical department.

Methods: Wellbeing surveys were sent electronically to Department of Medicine clinicians, researchers, administrators, and staff from August-September 2019 assessing perceptions of Burnout, Emotional Thriving (ET), and Emotional Recovery (ER). Qualitative responses were reviewed for themes using mixed inductive-deductive analysis. The initial coding was done by small teams with consensus obtained through large group discussions. This study was IRB-approved as non-human subjects research.

Results: Of the 671 …

Burnout As Chronic Disease, Benjamin Doolittle

Journal of Wellness

Burnout is endemic. The prevalence of burnout (~50%) among healthcare providers has been stable over the past 20 years. Acknowledging variability from year to year, burnout is pervasive, with no signs of abating. Despite increased awareness of mental health issues, the rise of Chief Wellness Officers, and the expansion of Employee Assistance Programs, there has not been much improvement. We are even burned out from burnout. Survey responses are low and often do not result in action. Longitudinal intervention trials are often small and of short duration. We need a new paradigm to manage physician burnout. A chronic care management …

Utilization Of Wellness Practices For Burnout And Stress During Covid-19 Among An Interdisciplinary Cohort Of Emergency Healthcare Workers, Michael J. Zdradzinski, Sheri-Ann O. Kaltiso, Roslyn Seitz, Timothy P. Moran, Jennifer Clements, Sheryl L. Heron, Michelle D. Lall

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) introduced additional stress to the baseline occupational stressors of emergency care workers. The objectives of this study were to evaluate perceived stress and burnout and the utilization and perceived benefit of wellness practices among emergency healthcare workers (EHCWs), including: emergency physicians, advanced practice providers (APPs), nurses, and departmental administrative staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A cross-sectional 28-item electronic survey of EHCWs at three hospitals in a major United States city was used to measure participants’ utilization and perceived benefit of wellness practices, burnout (2-item measure), overall stress (perceived stress scale), and stress …

Barriers And Facilitators To Achieving Well-Being In Pediatric Providers, Whitney Marvin, Jillian Harvey, Natasha Ruth

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Physician well-being has become increasingly important for health systems across the country due to the strong ties between quality, safety, and overall patient outcomes. Burnout has increased steadily and has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study seeks to successfully identify factors that both enhance and detract from well-being in a cohort of pediatric faculty and advanced practice providers (APPs).

Methods: This study utilized a multimethod approach including surveys and a total of 8 semi-structured, virtual focus groups of pediatricians and advanced practice providers (orchestrated through Microsoft Teams) to understand perspectives on burnout and well-being. Each …

Wellness Review 2022, Part 2, Martin Huecker, Brian A. Ferguson, Jacob Shreffler

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Similar to prior reviews, the Journal of Wellness editors searched the literature from the second half of 2022 for an interesting and impactful selection of publications on wellness in healthcare professionals.

Methods: Editors conducted a standard keyword search in Pubmed, focusing chiefly on large journals, interventional trials, and other prospective research. We included papers published between July 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022.

Literature in Review: Finding several hundred publications, we excluded editorials, reviews, and some smaller, less generalizable papers. A final 25 significant studies focusing on wellness in medical professionals were sorted into the following categories: logistics, creativity …

Emergency Medicine In-Training Examination Scores Are Not Associated With Burnout And Not Affected By The Introduction Of A Wellness Curriculum, Kelly Williamson Md, Patrick M. Lank, Nicholas Hartman, Nathan Olson, Elise O. Lovell

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: There is little research examining the relationship between burnout and medical knowledge. Study Objectives: The authors sought to determine if emergency medicine (EM) resident performance on the In-Training Examination (EM-ITE) is associated with burnout and if EM-ITE scores are affected by the implementation of a wellness curriculum.

Methods: As part of a multi-institution prospective education intervention trial, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, a valuable tool in the assessment of physician burnout, was administered at 10 EM residencies in February 2017. Then, five intervention sites introduced a year-long wellness curriculum. The MBI was re-administered at all sites in August 2017 and …

Peer-Supervision Of Nursing Professionals: A Shield Against Burnout, Kyle Gamache, Sarah Gamache, Joseph Robillard

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Burnout is a major risk in healthcare professions and is a significant contributor to the current nursing shortage. Strategies to combat burnout of healthcare professionals are in desperate need. The purpose of this project is to introduce the clinical peer supervision model as a method to alleviate burnout in nursing professionals.

Approach: Eight nurses from in-patient settings participated in a peer-supervision support group, modeled after existing European nursing and mental health provider-support protocols. To assess the effect of this intervention, qualitative data analysis was conducted on the transcripts of session and the results described. All participants reported statistically high …

Associations Between Faculty Vitality And Burnout In The Covid-19 Era: The Experience Of One Institution, Megan Ferriby Ferber, Tina H. Chen, Patrice L. Vallot, Jane Mchowat, Cindy C. Bitter

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Faculty vitality is the ideal synergy between engaged faculty and mission-driven institutions that generates a fruitful environment for academic productivity, career satisfaction, and fulfillment of shared goals. The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced unprecedented disruptions to faculty vitality, with profound perturbations to individual and institutional support networks. However, the extent of this impact is unclear, as are strategies to mitigate loss of faculty vitality and prevent burnout.

Methods: We developed a survey instrument to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on faculty vitality and burnout at a mid-sized, Midwestern academic institution affiliated with a university hospital. Survey items focused on individual …

Wellness Review 2022, Part 1, Martin Huecker, Brian A. Ferguson, Jacob Shreffler

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: This article represents the first of a two-part assessment of 2022 literature addressing wellness in healthcare professionals published from January 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022.

Methods: Three editors conducted a similar keyword search in Pubmed, also adding manually curated articles. Focusing chiefly on clinical trials and other prospective research, we settled on a final 25 significant papers focusing on wellness in medical professionals to include in this review.

Literature Review: Recent literature into HCW wellness continues to describe burnout factors and COVID-19 impact, but includes more resilience-targeting interventions and systematic reviews of trials seeking bolstering of well-being. Subsections …

Evaluating Burnout, Secondary Traumatic Stress, And Sleep Disturbances In Healthcare Professionals During A Global Pandemic, Laura K. Miller, Sarah Pehlke

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: For healthcare workers, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in increased workload, work related stress and patient acuity potentially leading to burnout, secondary traumatic stress (STS), and sleep disruptions. This study aims to assess the prevalence of burnout and STS symptoms, as well as sleep disturbances among healthcare personnel working in the United States during the pandemic.

Methods: Healthcare workers from all disciplines and settings in the United States completed a cross-sectional survey about work and personal characteristics from January 20-March 1, 2021. Participants reported on symptoms of burnout, STS, and sleep disruptions.

Results: A total of 360 participants in the …

On Job Resiliency Training, Tailored For Hospital Nurses: A Feasibility Study, Zach Gerber, Sigal Shafran-Tikva, David Anaki

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Burnout is a primary threat to professional wellness and performance. It reflects work-related emotional stress and is commonly manifested among professional caregivers. This study explores whether self-compassion training can alleviate hospital nurses' work-related emotional stress and burnout.

Methods: In the present study, we conducted a weekly, 7-session, self-compassion training program among 15 hospital nurses, primarily working in critical care units, between January 22, 2020, and March 4, 2020. A group of nine other nurses, comprising a waiting list for the following training workshop, served as a control group. Beyond feasibility assessment, we also measured outcome effects according to previous …

A Resident Retreat With Emergency Medicine Specific Mindfulness Training Significantly Reduces Burnout And Perceived Stress, James O'Shea, Mark Dannenfelser, Melissa White, Anwar Osborne, Timothy P. Moran, Michelle D. Lall

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: We hypothesize that a resident retreat with mindfulness training tailored for Emergency Medicine (EM) physicians can significantly reduce levels of burnout and perceived stress in EM residents.

Methods: We conducted an intervention study of 60 EM residents undergoing an annual resident retreat with a 2.5-hour mindfulness training. The retreat was a department-funded 2-day off-site experience with a wellness theme. The training was developed and delivered by an EM physician (JO'S) who is a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher trainee, and a certified MBSR teacher (MD). The training focused on techniques that can be used on shift, such as mindful …

Wellness Review 2021, Part 2, Brian A. Ferguson, Martin Huecker

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: This article presents Part 2 of the biannual JWellness Review of literature from 2021 (July – December). We emphasize new science and resilience initiatives published outside of JWellness that seek understanding of burnout and thriving among healthcare professionals (HCPs).

Methods: For the interval of July 1 to December 30, 2021, PubMed was queried for empirical and observational research studies, review articles, guideline summaries, letters, and editorials. Of 93 results, we reviewed methods and salient points to arrive at a final list of 48 articles for inclusion.

Literature in Review: Common themes that emerged included teamwork, EMR optimization, group decompression, …

Women Just Wanna Have Time: Wellness Innovation Research, Jessica Long, Julia Simon, Victoria Demartelly, Candice Norcott, Adrianne Dade

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Studies show that the stress that resident physicians endure, particularly female residents, can have a negative impact on one’s overall well-being. Many interventional studies have explored the impact that mindfulness, meditation, and exercise have on stress, a negative influencer of well-being. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate how short, self-led mindfulness, meditation, and movement exercises impacted OB/GYN residents at a university-based program.

Methods: Participants voluntarily enrolled in a self-led program (fall 2019 – spring 2020) encompassing movement, mindfulness, and meditative activities, for which they received instructions by email detailing six 21-day cycles (requiring 15 minutes of daily …

Resident-Led Physical Wellness Initiative Linked To Less Burnout For Emergency Physicians During Covid-19 Pandemic, Camila A. Calderón, Adeola A. Kosoko, Salil K. Bhandari, Jason A. Lesnick, Derek R. Herkes, Ryan M. Huebinger

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a significant toll on societal, physical, and psychological health. Emergency physicians (EPs) are susceptible to burnout under ordinary circumstances and may be particularly vulnerable during the pandemic. To reduce pandemic-related burnout, we implemented a residency-led physical wellness initiative and evaluated the effect on burnout among EPs.

Methods: In the spring of 2020, we invited all resident and attending EPs in our department to participate in a four-week physical wellness initiative as part of a prospective study. After completing or opting out of this wellness initiative, EPs responded to an online survey comprised …

Emergency Medicine Shift Factors Causing The Most Stress Among Emergency Medicine Residents, Mohamad Moussa, Kristen Hayden, Chia-Hao Shih, Sadik Khuder, Zayd Safadi, Connor Parsell

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Past studies demonstrate that stress and anxiety affect emergency medicine physicians, but the causal factors identified are usually from sources outside the work shift. We attempt to show the relationship between intrinsic factors of a work shift and anxiety perceived by residents, while also examining differing gender responses.

Methods: In 2018, a cross-sectional survey of emergency medicine residents in the United States was distributed anonymously through the Emergency Medicine Residents Association. The survey consisted of demographic questions, novel questions identifying intrinsic factors, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale. Spearman correlation, independent t-test, and multivariate analysis of variance …

Wellness Review 2021, Part 1, Martin Huecker, Brian A. Ferguson, Jacob Shreffler

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: This article presents a curated selection of the wellness literature from January to June of 2021. JWellness editors offer a summary of recent publications within the wellness domain to seek an understanding of both burnout prevention and, more importantly, thriving in the medical profession.

Methods: For the interval of Jan 1 to June 30, 2021, a UofL librarian queried PubMed for empirical research studies, review articles, and editorials related to healthcare professional wellness. Excluding papers related to COVID-19 (due to extensive prior coverage) and editorials/commentaries, the editors narrowed to 43 articles (systematic reviews, meta-analyses, general reviews, and clinical trials) …

Medical Schools Ignore The Nature Of Consciousness At Great Cost, Anoop Kumar

Journal of Wellness

The essential question of the relationship between consciousness and matter is ignored in medical school curricula, leading to a machine-like view of the human being that contributes to physician burnout and intellectual dissatisfaction. The evidence suggesting that the brain may not be the seat of consciousness is generally ignored to preserve the worldview of the primacy of matter. By investigating new frameworks detailing the nature of consciousness at different levels of hierarchy, we can bring intellectual rigor to a once opaque subject that supports a fundamental reality about our experience: We are human beings, not only human bodies.

Demographics, Activities, And Environmental Factors Impact Burnout In A National Survey Of Emergency Medicine Residents, Nicole Battaglioli, Tim P. Moran, Simiao Li-Sauerwine

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Burnout in emergency medicine and in residency training has been well-described. The impact of demographic, individual, and programmatic factors on burnout have not previously been determined in a national survey of emergency medicine residents. This study aimed to identify personal and environmental factors impacting resident burnout in a national sample of emergency medicine residents.

Methods: A prospective Emergency Medicine Resident Wellness Survey was administered in 2017. We surveyed respondents on demographic, personal, and environmental factors; each respondent also completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey. Linear regressions were used to identify variables associated with the Maslach Burnout …

Physician Wellness Interventions And Distress Assessment During The Coronavirus Pandemic, Kimberly M. Robertello, Karen M. Dahl, Raed Khoury, David Christensen

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Physician burnout and interventions to decrease physician burnout on organizational and individual levels have been theorized and implemented. The Coronavirus pandemic has increased the need to continue physician burnout assessment and increase wellness programming. Few studies have had the opportunity to address physician wellness amidst the Coronavirus pandemic using the strategy of multi-dimensional interventions. The purpose of this study is to document interventions to reduce burnout and stress among physicians during the Coronavirus pandemic while assessing overall physician distress and well-being.

Methods: A cohort study of 304 pediatric physicians at a large healthcare organization in the United …

The Complicated Path To Wellness, Jennifer Reese, Martin Huecker

Journal of Wellness

No abstract provided.

Wellness Review 2020, Part 2, Brian Ferguson, Martin Huecker

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: This article comprises Part 2 of the Journal of Wellness review of 2020 wellness literature (July – December). In this review, JWellness editors continue the goal of offering a cohesive summary of recent publications within the wellness domain. We summarize new science and resilience initiatives published outside of JWellness that seek understanding of either burnout and its prevention or thriving in the medical community.

Methods: From the interval of 01 July – 31 Dec 2020, PubMed was queried for empirical research studies, review articles, and editorials in accordance with the following algorithm: an article was required to …

Optimizing Wellness In Academic Emergency Medicine, Kristen E. Nordenholz, Al'ai Alvarez, Michelle D. Lall, Christine Stehman, Cindy C. Bitter, Emily L. Hirsh, Rita Manfredi, Rosanna D. Sikora, Dave W. Lu, Leon D. Sanchez, Matthew L. Wong, Steven Bird, Andra L. Blomkalns

Journal of Wellness

Introduction

Academic Emergency Physicians (EPs) face additional unique challenges in optimizing wellness compared to community EPs.

Objective

Our objective was to explore specific individual and systems challenges that academic EPs encounter that affect their wellbeing and professional fulfillment in emergency medicine (EM).

Methods

An expert group of academic EPs convened in 2019 at the annual meeting of the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine to investigate the overall causes of burnout in healthcare providers, the effects of burnout on the healthcare system, specific causes of burnout in EM, and the distinct challenges facing academic emergency physicians.

Results

We outline specific causes …

Factor Structure And Measurement Invariance Of The Maslach Burnout Inventory In Emergency Medicine Residents, Tim P. Moran, Nicole Battaglioli, Simiao Li-Sauerwine

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Emergency medicine residents suffer from high rates of occupational burnout. Recent research has focused on identifying risk and protective factors for burnout as well as targets for intervention. This research has primarily employed the Maslach Burnout Inventory to evaluate burnout in this population. Factor analytic work has identified three underlying factors measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory: Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Accomplishment. However, this three-factor structure has not been evaluated in emergency medicine residents. Furthermore, its structural equivalence has not been demonstrated across commonly-studied risk factors, such as gender and year of post-graduate training. In the present study, …

Wellness Review 2020, Part 1, Jacob Shreffler, Brian A. Ferguson, Martin Huecker

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Welcome to Part 1 of the bi-annual Journal of Wellness review of 2020 wellness literature (January – June). In this review, JWellness editors continue the goal of bringing a cohesive awareness of recent publications within the wellness domain, encompassing wellness leaders from all disciplines in healthcare. We provide insight into unique perspectives and new science published outside of JWellness, dealing with burnout prevention and wellness initiative implementation.

Methods: PubMed was searched for empirical research studies, review articles, and editorials using keywords such as “wellness,” “well-being,” “burnout” and “healthcare professionals.” We have included 26 articles in this review.

Literature in …

Burnout Among Emergency Physicians Working At A Large Tertiary Centre In Ontario, Rushika Perera, Kristine Van Aarsen, Laura Foxcroft, Rodrick Lim

Journal of Wellness

BACKGROUND: Emergency medicine (EM) is a high-stress specialty. Work related stress and burnout have been reported to negatively impact physician-patient interactions, overall physician mental and physical health, and most importantly, patient outcomes. We assessed the rates of burnout among emergency physicians (EPs) at our centre.

METHODS: A local cross-sectional study to assess burnout among adult and pediatric EPs, fellows and residents was conducted at three Emergency Departments (EDs) at a single institution in Canada. The anonymous online survey encompassed demographics, the validated MBI tool (Maslach Burnout Inventory) and additional questions aimed at identifying determinants of EP burnout. Each respondent’s three …

Wellness Domains For Residency Training Programs, Danielle Hart, Glenn Paetow, Ramin Tabatabai, Rochelle Zarzar, Arlene S. Chung

Journal of Wellness

In this editorial, we describe a residency-specific wellness framework that residency leadership can utilize in developing their local wellness programs.