70% of US healthcare workers report experiencing ‘high’ stress levels. That fact isn’t altogether surprising considering that a bad day in the healthcare office can lead to loss of life. Yet, many healthcare providers still don’t take this risk seriously enough, resulting in what you could call an industry-wide mental health pandemic.
This is true even after the COVID-19 pandemic, which left healthcare workers under the most intense mental burden imaginable. Just a few of the mental struggles reported by professionals at that time and since have included anxiety, burnout, and depression.
This issue has undeniably worsened America’s escalating healthcare shortage, but what exactly can providers do about it? We’ve got some top tips in this article.
# 1 – Address Workforce Stressors
It’s impossible to eliminate stress in a healthcare industry with the highest stakes imaginable. Your workers will face life and death whatever you do, but you can reduce that burden by addressing controllable workforce stressors.
Widespread staffing shortages are by far the most notable of these, adding undue pressure to already overloaded workers, and also meaning employees are less able to take adequate time out after distressing patient losses. Equally, inefficient systems increase the risks of potentially
Retaining and attracting the best healthcare workforce with benefits and a reliable reputation can make a huge difference here. Equally, investing in cutting-edge healthcare technologies like telehealth can ensure a significant reduction in unnecessary errors and mental burdens for staff.
# 2 – Provide Accessible Support
While most healthcare providers now implement some level of mental health support, these implementations aren’t always realistic for overworked teams. For example, while having a counselor onsite can help, how do you expect teams who are already working double shifts and skipping breaks to find the time?
Instead, you should make support as accessible as possible. This could include anything from pre-scheduled consultations in the day to the reassurance of backing like medical malpractice insurance that can serve to reduce stress and pressure as your teams continue to do their jobs.
Scheduled mental health training is also key, and should be field-specific to ensure that all of your team can recognize worrying symptoms in themselves and their colleagues. This will also serve to dispel lingering stigmas, which can increase the number of people seeking support in turn.
# 3 – Promote Work-Life Balance
Healthcare work hours are increasing, with some physicians working as much as 80 hours a week. This is a leading cause of burnout and other issues, and providers should address the issue by promoting the importance of work-life balance.
Crucial steps towards this goal could include placing a ban on skipped breaks and providing the staff necessary to cover those gaps. Equally, limiting excessive overtime could prove invaluable. It’s also important to support employee health outside of the workplace, with tips like these healthcare self-care suggestions or memberships to online counseling platforms and support groups.
You don’t need weights to strengthen your healthcare workforce. You simply need these top tips and the will to implement them across the board.
