Strategies to Address Workforce Burnout During a Public Health Emergency

Investigators: Lisa de Saxe Zerden, PhD, Brianna M. Lombardi, PhD, MSW, Erica L. Richman, PhD, Alexandria B. Forte, PhD Student, MSW, Meriel McCollum, PhD.

Objective: This study sought to identify the strategies and interventions that U.S. health systems implemented to reduce burnout and increase employee well-being during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Pairing a scoping review of published literature and expert interviews with healthcare administrators, the study identified burnout prevention and reduction patterns at the individual, organizational, and community system levels.

Findings: The scoping review identified eight types of interventions; spanning individual, organizational, and community systems. Qualitative data supported scoping review findings and uncovered themes related to communication, role shifting, and wellness initiatives as forms of burnout prevention and reduction.

Policy Implications: The results support the need for multi-pronged strategies that target multiple systems to address the healthcare workforce’s diverse needs at the individual, organizational, and community level. The eight intervention types identified to address burnout included: enhanced communication, wellness initiatives, individual counseling or support, group or unit counseling and support, provision of goods and services, peer support, access to adequate PPE and supplies, and expanded workplace flexibility. Importantly, the data also affirmed the presence and toll systemic racism takes on healthcare workers as well as the pressure healthcare workers feel as personal caregivers within their lives and balancing those needs. Finally, the study emphasized the shifting role of the behavioral health workforce in not only supporting patients but also colleagues.

 

Project Products: 

Manuscript
  • Zerden L, Lombardi BM, Richman EL, Forte AB, McCollum MM. Addressing Burnout among the Frontline Healthcare Workforce during COVID-19: A Scoping Review & Expert Interviews. Journal of Health and Human Services Administration. 2022 Mar 22;44(4):302-34.
View the manuscript

 

Presentations, webinars, and refereed conference papers and posters
  • Zerden, L.D., Lombardi, B.M., Richman, E. L., Forte, A., McCollum, M. (2022). Addressing and Preventing Burnout for the Health Workforce during COVID-19. Poster Presentation, Academy Health, Washington D.C.
  • Zerden, L.D., Lombardi, BM., Richman, E. L., Forte, A., McCollum, M. (2022, October). Addressing and preventing burnout for the health workforce. [Paper Presentation]. Collaborative Family Health Association, Boise, I.D.
  • Zerden, L.D., Lombardi, B.M., Richman, E. L., Forte, A.B; McCullom; M. Burnout Prevention and Intervention Strategies for the Health Workforce during COVID-19. Oral Presentation, Society for Social Work and Research 26th Annual Conference, Washington D.C. January 2022.