Self-care Strategies Research Articles

Effectiveness of Self-Care Education for Chronic Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Self-care programs for chronic neck pain are relevant to everyday life and can lead to long- term improvement. More studies on their effectiveness, key components and appropriate duration are needed. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of self-care programs for patients with chronic neck pain. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. After searching in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and ScienceDirect, eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Self-care education interventions typically consisted of education (i.e., pain neuro-science education or general educational concepts) accompanied by exercise or manual therapy. The most frequent components were addressing physical and psychological symptoms and engaging in self-care strategies. The least frequent ones were monitoring and recording symptoms and discussing with providers of medical care. The duration of the interventions ranged from three sessions to six months. Finally, individual and supervised modalities were the most frequent. After pooling the data, a meta-analysis was carried out according to four variables (i.e., pain, disability, kinesiophobia and catastrophization) and showed significant results (p < 0.05) in favor of self-care interventions. This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that self-education interventions improve pain, psychological pain-related variables and disability in patients with chronic neck pain. The most frequently used components were addressing physical and psychological symptoms and engaging in self-care strategies. Future trials should focus on including other components, such as discussing symptoms with providers of medical care or self-monitoring symptoms. Additional areas of focus include more homogeneous doses and comparator treatments, as well as studies with better evidence to reach more solid conclusions.

Combating Burnout among Family Practitioners: The Role of Self-Care and Organizational Support

Despite the waning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of burnout among healthcare professionals, particularly family practitioners, is a pressing concern that has far-reaching implications for the well-being of both caregivers and patients. Burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of personal accomplishment [1], has been linked to a range of negative outcomes, including increased medical errors, reduced patient satisfaction, and a decline in overall healthcare quality [2]. The demanding nature of healthcare, especially in primary care settings, necessitates a proactive approach to self-care to mitigate these risks. Family practitioners often find themselves at the front lines of healthcare, dealing with a spectrum of challenges that span from the clinical to the bureaucratic. The chronic stress associated with these demands can lead to the symptoms of burnout. It is therefore crucial that self-care strategies be viewed not as luxuries, but as essential components of professional practice [3].

Experiences with misoprostol-only used for self-managed abortion and acquired from an online or retail pharmacy in the United States

ObjectivesThis study aimed to understand individual experiences with medication abortion using misoprostol-only among people living in the United States. Study designWe conducted 31 semistructured anonymous in-depth interviews with individuals who used misoprostol-only for self-managed medication abortion. Participants were recruited from Aid Access, an online telemedicine organization that provided prescriptions for misoprostol to eligible people in all 50 states in May and June 2020 when a combined mifepristone and misoprostol regimen was unavailable. We coded transcripts with a flexible coding approach and focused on perceptions and experiences with use. ResultsParticipants were knowledgeable about misoprostol. Previous abortion experiences shaped perceptions of misoprostol-only by allowing comparison to the mifepristone and misoprostol regimen. Most participants expressed an unwavering desire for an effective abortion method, regardless of the medications or regimen. Individual physical experiences with misoprostol, including bleeding, cramping, nausea, and diarrhea, varied in intensity and duration. Participants proactively managed symptoms with self-care strategies and drew extensively from their prior experiences with menstruation, miscarriage, abortion, and childbirth. Clear instructions and information on potential complications and what to expect throughout the abortion fostered a sense of preparedness, and personalized interactions with an online help desk brought comfort. ConclusionsMisoprostol offered an essential abortion method for study participants. This regimen was physically challenging for some, and there is potentially a greater need for communication and support for individuals using misoprostol-only regimens. Prior reproductive experiences informed participant’s knowledge, preparedness, pain management, and ability to both recognize and manage potential complications. ImplicationsAs restrictions on mifepristone continue, more people may use misoprostol-only regimens. All regimens can be supported with detailed instructions, clear expectations, information on signs of potential complications, and personalized support. To achieve reproductive autonomy, people must have access to a range of abortion care options that meet their needs.

The quest for wellness: How to optimise self-care strategies for diabetic foot management?

Diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) is common and highly recurrent, negatively impacting the individuals' quality of life. The 2023 guidelines of the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot emphasise that adherence to foot self-care recommendations is one of the most important factors in DFU prevention. These guidelines also briefly mention that depression and other psychosocial problems can hamper treatment and ulcer healing. Moreover, a new clinical question was added on psychological interventions for ulcer prevention, although the evidence regarding the role of psychological and social factors is still limited. To help the field progress, this narrative overview discusses how a stronger focus on psychological factors by both researchers and clinicians could improve the care for people at high DFU risk. The review starts with a testimony of a person living with DFU, explaining that for him, the absence of shared decision-making has been a key barrier to successful foot self-care implementation. Intervention studies that address patient-reported barriers are still scarce, and are therefore urgently needed. Furthermore, the key elements of psychological interventions found to be successful in managing diabetes are yet to be implemented in DFU risk management. Importantly, research evidence indicates that commonly advocated foot self-care recommendations may be insufficient in preventing DFU recurrence, whereas digital technology appears to effectively reduce recurrent DFU. More research is therefore needed to identify determinants of patient acceptance of digital technology.

Egyptian community pharmacies and self-care: Context, challenges and opportunities

Community pharmacists are ideally positioned to play a key role in promoting self-care behaviors through judicious use of self-care interventions. As highlighted by the International Pharmaceutical Federation, supporting effective self-care is a key strategy for pharmacists to contribute to the sustainability of healthcare systems. Despite recent positive developments in national health policies, Egypt does not have a clear self-care strategy and policy. It also has no national programs focusing on community pharmacists and self-care, important components that future health policy initiatives should tackle. This commentary explores self-care policies, strategies, and developments in the Egyptian community pharmacy practice context. It describes national research, roles, and challenges within the current model of community pharmacy practice and education concerning self-care. It addresses opportunities that Egyptian community pharmacy has to support self-care in light of the anticipated changes in the Egyptian healthcare system. Noting that success in the delivery of self-care interventions within community pharmacies is associated with key factors, recommendations are suggested for community pharmacy stakeholders to address such factors guided by the World Health Organization's implementation considerations for individuals' health needs and self-care-related health system challenges (agency, availability, quality, cost, information, accessibility, utilization, social support, acceptability, and efficiency).

Multivitamin use and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in cancer survivors.

Despite no sufficient evidence on benefits and harms of multivitamin use, cancer survivors use multivitamins as a self-care strategy to improve or maintain health. We examined if multivitamin use was associated with mortality in cancer survivors. 15,936 male and 7026 female cancer survivors in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study were included in the analysis. Types and frequency of multivitamin use at on average 4.6 years after cancer diagnosis were assessed. Multivariable-adjusted relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Multivitamin use was not associated with lower all-cause mortality risk in all female (RR = 0.94, 95% CI:0.87-1.01 daily vs. no use) or male cancer survivors (RR = 0.96, 95% CI:0.91-1.00); however, a modest inverse association for CVD mortality was observed in female survivors of reproductive cancers (RR = 0.75, 95% CI:0.61-0.92) and male survivors of non-reproductive cancers (RR = 0.81, 95% CI:0.70-0.94). Multivitamin use was also associated with a lower risk of cancer-specific mortality in survivors of skin (RR = 0.65, 95% CI:0.48-0.88) and breast (RR = 0.79, 95% CI:0.65-0.95) cancer. Multivitamin use may provide a modest survival benefit to some cancer survivors. Cancer care providers should talk with cancer survivors about potential benefits and harms of multivitamin use.

Supporting nursing roles in medical assistance in dying: Development and evaluation of an evidence-based reflective guide

ObjectiveTo develop and evaluate an evidence-based online Reflective Guide to prepare Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners for important professional, personal, and relational roles in MAID in Canada. MethodsThe Reflective Guide was developed inductively from qualitative interviews with 120 Canadian nurses. The online Guide contains a 15 min documentary video and five areas of content: nurses' experiences, making moral sense of MAID, best practices, common dilemmas, and self-care strategies. Online visitors to the Guide were asked to participate in a mixed-method evaluation of the Guide. ResultsParticipants rated their experiences with the Guide highly, indicating that it helped them develop further insights about MAID and strengthened their practice. Qualitative responses revealed an array of emotions that resulted from the philosophic, moral, and professional wrestling that is characteristic of this new practice. ConclusionThe positive responses to the Guide, and the complexity of the responses submitted by respondents, attest to the effectiveness of the Guide and the importance of preparing nurses for the personal and professional aspects of MAID-related practice. InnovationThe MAID Reflective Guide is an effective innovation for nurses as evidenced by its uptake. In the first year the Guide received 2300 unique learners from 30 countries.

The different areas of chronic stress and food addiction: Results from the LIFE-Adult-Study.

There is an empirical association between stress and symptoms of food addiction (FA), but it is still not clear which domains of stress are the most relevant when it comes to FA, limiting the ability of researchers and practitioners to address problematic eating-related health outcomes. In order to address this gap in the literature, we analysed how different domains of chronic stress are related to FA. We used data from a subsample of the LIFE-Adult-Study (N=1172), a German cohort study. We conducted a linear regression analysis with stress domains (Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress, TICS) as predictors of FA (Yale Food Addiction Scale, YFAS). In the second regression analysis we included sociodemographic variables, personality, and smoking as control variables. There was a significant and positive association between Social Overload, Work Discontent, Excessive Demands from Work, and Chronic Worrying and FA. After adding control variables, only Social Overload, Excessive Demands from Work, and Chronic Worrying remained significant predictors. Connections between stress domains and FA can serve as starting points for the development of meaningful interventions that support individuals self-care strategies (Social Overload), complexity management (Excessive Demands from Work), and coping with negative emotions (Chronic Worrying).

Self-care Problems and Management Strategies Experienced by Rural Patient/Caregiver Dyads Living With Heart Failure: A Qualitative Study.

Rural patients with heart failure (HF) have higher mortality and hospitalization rates compared with their urban counterparts. Although research supports the inclusion of informal caregivers in daily self-care activities, data are limited regarding the problems encountered by rural patient/caregiver dyads living with HF in managing HF in the home and how these problems are managed. The aim of this study was to identify and describe HF self-care problems experienced by rural dyads in the home and how these problems are managed. Using a descriptive qualitative design, data were collected from rural patient/caregiver dyads living with HF via individual, semistructured, telephone interviews and analyzed using schematic content analysis. Interviews and data analysis occurred concurrently until data saturation was reached. Thematic data saturation was obtained with 11 dyads. On average, patients were 65.3 (±13.9) years old, and caregivers were 62 (±12.37) years old. Four themes illustrating dyadic HF self-care problems and management strategies emerged: (1) HF self-care components, namely, maintenance, symptom monitoring, and management (diet, exercise, activities, strategies); (2) environment (rural barriers, COVID-19); (3) caregiver contributors (confidence, role); and (4) dyadic contributors (dyadic relationship). Dyads described various self-care problems, with the type of relationship and presence of mutuality influencing the problem-solving process and development of management strategies. The identified themes emphasize the self-care problems experienced by rural dyads living with HF and the contributions of both dyad members to effectively manage these challenges. Findings support the need for culturally sensitive, tailored interventions targeting self-care in rural dyads living with HF.

“I Don’t Want my Job to Take over my Life”: Psychological Self-Care Perspectives of Early-Career Social Workers in the Field of Migration in Turkey

The aim of the study was to examine the experiences of early career social workers in the field of migration regarding psychological self-care. Three focus groups were conducted with nine social workers who were registered with the Migration Study Commission of the Turkish Association of Social Workers. The data were analyzed using MAXQDA. The analysis is presented through four themes: the motivations for working in the field of migration, the experiences of working in this field, the strategies for psychological self-care, and the recommendations for psychological self-care. The findings show that the caseload of early career social workers is high, they face the language barrier, and there is no effective supervision system. Individual and institutional strategies are used to provide psychological self-care. It can be recommended to reduce the workload, improve the supervision system, implement mindfulness activities, and provide access to mental health services in promoting psychological self-care of early career social workers in the field of migration.

Nursing student stress, role-modeling self-care

Normalize self-care and coping strategies by incorporating them into nursing school curriculum (web exclusive).

Abstract 15394: Caregivers’ Growing Contributions to Heart Failure Self-Care: An Updated Systematic Review

Introduction: In 2015, a seminal systematic review captured the body of literature surrounding the contributions of family caregivers to heart failure (HF) self-care. Since then, the body of HF caregiving research has expanded, necessitating an updated systematic review to inform research, practice, and policy. Goals: To provide an updated systematic review of the empiric literature on informal, unpaid caregivers contributions to HF patients’ self-care. Research Questions: 1) What specific activities do caregivers of people with HF take part in related to HF self-care?; 2) Have these caregiving activities changed over time?; 3) What are the gaps in the science? Methods: The review followed PRISMA guidelines; the protocol was pre-registered in PROSPERO. Comprehensive database search strategies were developed (PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL). The team independently screened and abstracted data; quality was assessed using CASP checklists. Meta-synthesis techniques using critical realist approaches were used to interpret activities, then relationships were analyzed. During data synthesis, activities were benchmarked against the Theory of Self-care in Chronic Illness (TSCI). Results: In total, 2154 research reports were identified, 64 of which were eligible for inclusion (2013-2022). Caregiver contributions to HF self-care activities occurred in TCSI domains of self-care maintenance (91%), monitoring (54%), and management (46%). Activities performed directly on or to the patient were reported more frequently than those performed for the patient. Frequently reported activities like transportation and activity of daily living are not included by the TCSI. Gaps due to ambiguous activity descriptions, inadequate caregiving time quantification, and underrepresented monitoring, supportive, and communication activities were elucidated. Conclusions: Findings support updating the TSCI to include activities antecedent to HF self-care. Identified gaps highlight the need to define specific caregiving activities, determine caregiver task difficulty and burden, and identify caregiver self-care strategy and education needs. The critical need to expose the hidden work of caregiving is essential to inform policy and practice.

Talking about dying and death: Essentials of communicating about approaching death from the perspective of major stakeholders.

Although caring for dying patients and their family caregivers (FC) is integral to patient care, training in communication about approaching death is almost inexistent in medical and nursing curricula. Consequently, many health professionals have insufficient knowledge about conducting these conversations. In order to gain a broader insight into essential aspects of this communication from different perspectives, we conducted focus groups with key stakeholders. Medical specialists, nurses, medical students, bereaved FC and patient representatives participated in five focus groups (n=30). Following a focus group schedule, we elicited relevant aspects of communication about approaching death, associated emotions, and appropriate communication frameworks. We analyzed data thematically. Four main themes were central to conversations about approaching death: (1) embracing care within medical expertise, (2) preparing the conversation while remaining open to the unexpected, (3) recognizing and reflecting on own emotions and reactions, and (4) establishing a meaningful connection with others. Communicating about approaching death with dying patients and their FC can be complex and challenging at a professional and personal level. With the recognition of the dying phase, a process is initiated for which health professionals need solid clinical knowledge about but also effective communication skills, constant self-reflection and self-care strategies. Comprehensive training and supervision while dealing with the challenges of communicating approaching death to dying patients and their FC are key, particularly for trainees, less experienced physicians and nurses. The essential components identified in this study can help health professionals to master these conversations.

Self-care strategies for medical students: an uncontrolled mixed-methods evaluation of a mind-body-medicine group course

BackgroundHigh stress during medical education and its detrimental effects on student health is well documented. This exploratory evaluation study assesses a 10-week Mind-Body-Medicine student course, created to promote student self-care at Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.MethodsDuring 2012–2019, uncontrolled quantitative and qualitative data were gathered from 112 student participants. Outcomes including changes in perceived stress (PSS), mindfulness (FMI/MAAS), self-reflection (GRAS), self-efficacy (GSE), empathy (SPF), and health-related quality of life (SF-12) were measured between the first (T0) and last sessions (T1). Qualitative data were obtained in focus groups at course completion and triangulated with quantitative data.ResultsQuantitative outcomes showed decreases in perceived stress and increased self-efficacy, mindfulness, self-reflection, and empathy. In focus groups, students reported greater abilities to self-regulate stressful experiences, personal growth and new insights into integrative medicine. Triangulation grounded these effects of MBM practice in its social context, creating an interdependent dynamic between experiences of self and others.ConclusionAfter completing an MBM course, students reported reduced perceived stress, increased self-efficacy, mindfulness, empathy and positive engagement with integrative concepts of doctor–patient relationships. Further research with larger randomized confirmatory studies is needed to validate these benefits.

Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) Methods using Web-Based and Application

Introduction: Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) is a process of providing knowledge to people with diabetes about self-care strategies to optimize metabolic control, prevent complications, and improve the quality of life of people with diabetes. Web-based and application interventions would be very helpful in addressing the significant burden of diabetes mellitus and are tools to assist healthcare professionals in controlling diabetes mellitus issues. The purpose of this literature review is to identify the use of Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) methods based on web and applications for people with diabetes mellitus.Methods: The research design for this study were a literature review. Article searches were conducted using five journal databases, namely Pubmed, Proquest, Science Direct, Research Gate, and Google Scholar. The inclusion criteria used for data collection were full-text availability, journal publications from 2018 to 2023, in English and Indonesian. A total of 10 articles that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. Results: The results of the literature review showed that the use of applications and web-based interventions from the nine journals reviewed can affect the quality of life, self-efficacy, self-management, knowledge, weight, and clinical conditions of patients such as HbA1c level and lipid profiles. Conclusion: The use of applications and the web are very effective as people with diabetes do not require a lot of money and time compared to direct control at health facilities. Applications can also be accessed at any time, thus helping to improve self-management in people with diabetes mellitus.

Self-Care and Mutual Care in the Context of Person Centred Medicine

Introduction: The Geneva Declaration emerging from the 13th Geneva Conference on Person-Centred Medicine dealt with self-care, inter-care, and well-being during COVID-19 pandemic times. For the first time since the inception of the Geneva Conferences, the main theme involved self-care and inter-care. Not only these important healthcare strategies were innovative but also their specific relevance to person-centred care was implicitly assumed but had not been pointedly articulated. There has been significant literature available on self-care and only recently on inter-care, a concept sometimes referred to as mutual care. Objectives: The main objective of this paper is to examine systematically the place of self-care and mutual care within the framework of person-centred medicine (PCM) and thus help substantiate academically the main theme of the 2021 Geneva Declaration from the International College of Person-Centred Medicine. Methodology: The main approach involved an exploratory review of the literature aimed at clarifying the extent to which self-care and mutual care are related to the core concepts and to the key principles of PCM. Results: The relationship of the self-care and mutual care health strategies to the core concepts and key principles of PCM is tabularly appraised. It was found that both health strategies were related to the three core concepts of PCM and to virtually all key principles of PCM, except the holistic framework. Conclusions: Self-care and mutual care are related to and substantiated by the core concepts and key principles of PCM. The value of these findings could be extended through the identification and analyses of best practices and the performance of systematic research studies.

Perceptions of mothers of children with autism about a support network and self-care strategies

Objetivo: Analisar as percepções das mães de crianças com autismo quanto à rede de apoio existente e as estratégias de cuidado para si que poderiam ser oferecidas pelos serviços terapêuticos em sala de espera. Métodos: Estudo qualitativo, exploratório e descritivo, realizado em outubro de 2021, aprovado pelo comitê de ética, parecer 4.767.339. Empregou-se a entrevista semiestruturada com 29 mães de crianças diagnosticadas com Transtorno do Espectro Autista, através da análise temática de conteúdo. Resultados: Perante a necessidade terapêutica dos filhos, cabe às mães toda a logística de acompanhamento da família, em uma representação patriarcal que ainda não rompeu com o romantismo da maternidade. As mães apontam a necessidade de momentos que pudessem proporcionar a realização de atividade física, alongamento, meditação e de cuidados estéticos, pois devido à sobrecarga a qual são submetidas e à carência da rede de apoio a elas ofertadas, os locais terapêuticos poderiam também vir a ser ambientes de autocuidado. Conclusão: Ressalta-se que os serviços precisam reconhecer as marcas do patriarcalismo e, ao mesmo tempo, ofertar acolhimento, escuta e atendimento a outras necessidades que permeiam a maternagem de uma criança com autismo.

Effect of Self-Care Strategies on Health Outcomes of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Context: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the prevailing form of primary liver cancer among adults and currently ranks as the primary cause of mortality in cirrhosis individuals. Globally, hepatocellular carcinoma holds the sixth position in terms of cancer-related fatalities. Efforts are underway to leverage self-care approaches, combining local and regional treatments with systemic therapeutic protocols to enhance patient outcomes throughout various disease stages.&#x0D; Aim: Evaluate the effect of self-care strategies on patients with hepatocellular carcinoma health outcomes.&#x0D; Methods: A quasi-experimental research, specifically a one-group pre/post-test design, was employed in this study. The research was conducted in the internal medicine units of Tanta Cancer Center, Tanta, Egypt. The study included a purposive sample of 60 patients of both genders over nine months. Three assessment tools were utilized: A structured interview questionnaire for gathering personal information, medical history, and patient knowledge, a self-care practice assessment scale, and a health outcomes assessment scale.&#x0D; Results: Patients' knowledge scores regarding all the knowledge elements improved significantly post-implementation of self-care strategies compared with their pre-intervention levels. Total knowledge score improved post-self-care strategies implementation from 20% to 81.7% with a statistically significant difference between pre and post-implementation of the self-care strategies (X2=5.496, p=0.019). Also, the total self-care practice score increased from 16.7% to 68.3%, with a statistically significant difference between pre and post-implementation of the self-care strategies (X2=5.561, p=0.018). Regarding patients' health outcomes improved from experiencing severe symptoms among 53.4% to 6.7% post one month, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between pre and post-implementation of the self-care strategies regarding all assessed health outcomes (p&lt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: Self-care strategies have effectively enhanced patients' knowledge, self-care practice, and overall health outcomes. The study results recommend providing ongoing patient education regarding self-care management for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma to effectively address symptoms and enhance their quality of life.

Serial mediation roles of empowerment and self-care activities connecting health literacy, quality of life, and glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes.

Health literacy, empowerment, and self-care activities are likely the crucial concepts affecting the quality of life and glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, evidence demonstrating the mechanisms underlying these concepts is scarce. The aim of this study was to test the serial mediation roles of empowerment and self-care activities on the relationships between health literacy and quality of life and between health literacy and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in people with T2D. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 319 people with T2D in Guangzhou, China, from July 2019 to January 2020. Data were collected using the Health Literacy Scale, the Diabetes Empowerment Scale-Short Form, the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Measure, and the Adjusted Diabetes-Specific Quality of Life Scale. RStudio 4.2.1 was used for serial mediation analysis. The dimension of communicative health literacy accounted for the most total variance (β = 0.810, p < .001) in the construct of health literacy. The serial multiple mediation of empowerment and self-care activities in the associations between health literacy and quality of life (β = -.046, p = .019) and between health literacy and HbA1c (β = -.045, p = .005) were statistically significant. This study emphasized the vital role of communicative health literacy when improving health literacy in people with T2D. Diabetes care and education specialists could implement empowerment approaches and flexible self-care strategies to improve the quality of life and glycemic control in people with T2D. Enhancing health literacy was suggested as a favorable strategy for promoting empowerment and self-care activities in people with T2D.

Give until It Hurts: An Exploratory Analysis of Mental Health Workers' Wellness.

The well-being of mental health professionals has been of growing concern due to the increasing rates of reported stress and burnout. Previous research suggests that the quality of life for mental health workers (MHWs) is at an increased risk due to clinical load, salary concerns, and lack of time for self-care activities outside of work. There is a lack of research regarding the wellness of MHWs (i.e., psychology graduate students, academic faculty, psychiatrists, and mental health counselors) and its relation to the workplace environment. This study examined job-related factors that impacted participants' social, emotional, and professional well-being. Participants were recruited via professional organization listservs and answered questions about their psychological health (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9), support systems (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support), and three qualitative questions about what they enjoy or find challenging about their work and any barriers to engaging in self-care activities. An inductive qualitative analysis of the qualitative questions and descriptive statistics are presented to provide context for their qualitative responses. Institutions can better support their workers by creating outlets to teach their staff self-care strategies and practice these strategies at work.