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| The Monthly Pulse |
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| The Shadow Pandemic: COVID-19’s Impact on Healthcare Workers’ Mental Health
Target Group(s): Recruiters
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| The Story |
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| Healthcare workers experienced a host of mental health challenges following the pandemic, including anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, and mood changes. Psychologists are referring to this effect as “the shadow pandemic” and predicting that it will continue to affect providers for years to come, especially if left unaddressed. |
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| What You Should Know |
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| Symptoms similar to PTSD have been reported among many healthcare providers across the globe following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. From intense working conditions to restrictions on seeing loved ones, these professionals have endured a burden that has prompted nearly 1 in 5 to quit their jobs. Experts predict absenteeism, reduced productivity, and staffing shortages will persist. Yet, they also say that healthcare leaders can play a role in fostering mental health among their workforce with strategies to combat burnout, anxiety, and depression, such as incorporating structural moments of self-care into shifts.
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| Recruitment and Retention in Health Care |
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| The Story |
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| Burnout among physicians isn’t new, but it is a problem healthcare organizations must be equipped to address. Understanding why healthcare workers leave — and what could compel them to stay — can help to address the impacts of high turnover, including the tremendous costs of physician replacements, inferior quality of care, and declining morale. |
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| What You Should Know |
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| According to research, healthcare workers quit for a number of reasons, including scheduling problems, retirement, strained relationships with managers, staffing ratios, and a search for better compensation. On top of these factors, physician fatigue also contributes to medical workforce turnover, and can have serious consequences such as decreased reaction times or concentration loss. To increase employee retention, healthcare organizations can use strategies such as surveys and one-on-one conversations to identify what workers need, develop a strong organizational culture, and refine the onboarding process to promote comfort and confidence.
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| Safe and Effective Protocol for Discharge 3 Days After Cardiac Surgery |
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| The Story |
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| Despite advancements in technology, the length of hospital stays has remained the same following cardiac surgery—especially in underdeveloped countries. To reduce risks of complications, increased bed turnover, and decrease consumption of hospital resources, researchers tested an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol to determine the safety and effectiveness of a shorter, three-day stay following cardiac surgeries in Brazil. |
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| What You Should Know |
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| The typical length of postoperative hospital stays after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is 8.5 days in the region studied. The ERAS protocol aimed for a discharge that was nearly three times faster. Several processes were implemented, including the abbreviation of fasting, elimination of preoperative sedatives, and a decreased reliance on postoperative opioids. Ultimately, the protocol was shown to be safe and effective for a three-day discharge.
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| Leadership Reflections |
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Connection
These past two years have been brutal. Throughout the pandemic and increased political and social unrest, we’ve had to navigate completely new ways of living, both personally and professionally. |
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| Brené Brown writes in her book, Atlas of the Heart: “Over and over, participants talked about their concern that the only thing that binds us together now is shared fear and disdain, not common humanity, shared trust, respect, or love.” She also writes: “Current neuroscience research shows that the pain and feelings of disconnection are often as real as physical pain.” |
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I have felt a palpable sense of loss around what Brené describes above. One of my goals for 2022 is to work at rebuilding connections among our team. Some of my strategies include:
- More frequent individual and group communication
- Going beyond, “How are you?”
- Recognizing and celebrating contributions
- Making time to be more present
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| Have you considered strategies for rebuilding connection? If so, I’d love to hear them!
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| 2022 STS Coding Workshop |
| Fri., Feb. 18 - Sat., Feb. 19 |
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| 2022 OR Management Summit |
| Fri., Feb. 24 to Sat., Feb. 25 |
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| AATS Surgical Treatment for Arrhythmias and Rhythm Disorders |
| Sun., March 20 to Mon., March 21 |
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| 2022 Congress on Healthcare Leadership |
| Mon., March 28 to Thurs., March 31 |
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