Healthcare workers’ perceptions of strategies supportive of their mental health

Abstract

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing stressors and created additional challenges for healthcare workers, such as increased workload, rapidly changing policies and procedures, resource and workforce shortages and work-life imbalance. This study examined what frontline healthcare workers consider to be the organisational strategies needed to support their mental health and wellbeing during crisis events. Methods: The Australian COVID-19 Frontline Health Workers Survey, a national, anonymous online survey of health care workers, was conducted between August-October 2020, during the second wave of the Australian COVID-19 outbreak. Drawing on participant responses collected as part of this survey, we analysed thematically the free-text question, ‘What strategies might be helpful to assist frontline healthcare workers during future crisis events like pandemics, disasters, etc.?’ Results: A total of 5527 healthcare workers responded to the free-text question asking about support strategies for future crises. Findings highlighted the challenges experienced by frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and outlined suggestions for organisational strategies to support the mental health of the health workforce long-term. Specifically, four key themes that linked organisational support strategies to organisational culture were identified. These were: Workplace structures to support a mentally healthy work environment; Supportive leadership and management; Strengthening a sense of community to support mental health; and Organisational culture normalising mental health support. Conclusions: The key message from this research is that organisational strategies that enact a supportive work culture, rather than a focus on individuals alone, are required to protect the mental health of healthcare workers in the future.