N19 Understanding the emotional impact of inflammatory bowel disease: looking after nurses looking after patients

Abstract

Abstract Background The emotional impact of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is well documented. Patients describe distress, anxiety, depression and relationship difficulties, (including with healthcare staff). Nurses working with IBD patients report being emotionally affected, with fears of ‘burnout’, feeling unable to respond helpfully to patients and feelings of guilt, frustration, sadness and anger. Understanding and managing the emotional impact of the work for IBD nurses is an area underrepresented in either research or nursing literature. Methods A collaborative project with IBD nurses and nursing and psychotherapy colleagues from the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust developed a one-day event for IBD nurses in the UK. Attendees were self-selecting and the event was supported by Pharma. The conference had three aims: To provide an opportunity to recognise and understand the emotional impact on nurses working with IBD patients, to provide a networking opportunity, and to use information gathered before, during and after the conference to develop a clearer understanding of nurses’ experiences and needs. A pre-conference questionnaire was sent to attendees, observations were made during the conference (noting themes and dilemmas) and an evaluation form was provided. Results 89% agreed/strongly agreed the event provided understanding of how IBD can have an emotional and psychological impact on patients. 89% agreed/strongly agreed the event provided understanding of the emotional impact on nurses working with IBD patients. Eighty-nine per cent agreed/strongly agreed the event provided understanding of ways in which the emotional impact can influence provision of care and decision making in patients with IBD. Ninety-three per cent agreed/strongly agreed the event provided them with ideas for establishing and managing reflective learning opportunities. Seventy-five per cent agreed/strongly agreed the event enabled them to identify different ways of responding to patients they work with. Conclusion Feedback from attendees identified a need and an expressed wish by IBD nurses to understand and explore how they are affected by their work, in relation to maintaining therapeutic and safe relationships with patients and maintaining their own well-being and job satisfaction. Learning needs relating to training in supervision, developing skills in responding to patients’ emotional states, tools for looking after one’s self and opportunities for group discussions and learning were identified. There is an opportunity to develop further learning and training events in relation to these identified needs. Further exploration of accessibility, funding and evaluation would be beneficial in identifying the impact, if any, of further training.