Psychosocial Peer Support to Address Mental Health and Burnout of Health Care Workers Affected by COVID-19: A Qualitative Evaluation

Authors

Lea Simms, Center for Global Mental Health Equity, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
Katherine E. Ottman, Center for Global Mental Health Equity, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
James L. Griffith, Center for Global Mental Health Equity, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
Michael G. Knight, Medical Faculty Associates, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
Lorenzo Norris, GW Resiliency & Well-Being Center, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
Viktoriya Karakcheyeva, GW Resiliency & Well-Being Center, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
Brandon A. Kohrt, Center for Global Mental Health Equity, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

3-3-2023

Journal

International journal of environmental research and public health

Volume

20

Issue

5

DOI

10.3390/ijerph20054536

Keywords

COVID-19; burnout; health care system; health care workers; mental health; peer support; qualitative evaluation; staff wellness

Abstract

Health care workers in the U.S. are experiencing alarming rates of burnout. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened this issue. Psychosocial peer-support programs that address general distress and are tailored to health care systems are needed. A Care for Caregivers (CFC) Program was developed at an American metropolitan university hospital and outpatient health care system. The CFC program trains "Peer Caregivers" and managers and has four components: the identification of colleagues in need of support; psychological first aid; linkage to resources; and the promotion of hope among colleagues experiencing demoralization. Qualitative interviews ( = 18) were conducted with Peer Caregivers and Managers participating in the initial piloting of the program. Results suggest that the CFC program shifts the organizational culture, teaches staff skills for recognizing and supporting others in distress, and supports those staff who are already providing these services informally. Findings suggest that staff distress resulted primarily from external factors and secondarily from internal organizational stressors. External stressors were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the program has promise for addressing staff burnout, other organizational efforts are needed to simultaneously promote staff wellness. Ultimately, psychosocial peer support programs for health care workers are feasible and potentially impactful, but also require other systemic changes within a health care system to improve and sustain staff well-being.

APA Citation

Simms, Lea; Ottman, Katherine E.; Griffith, James L.; Knight, Michael G.; Norris, Lorenzo; Karakcheyeva, Viktoriya; and Kohrt, Brandon A., "Psychosocial Peer Support to Address Mental Health and Burnout of Health Care Workers Affected by COVID-19: A Qualitative Evaluation" (2023). GW Authored Works. Paper 2619.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/2619

Department

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences