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Elbasheir A, Fulton TM, Choucair KC, Lathan EC, Spivey BN, Guelfo A, Carter SE, Powers A, Fani N. Moral injury, race-related stress and post-traumatic stress disorder in a trauma-exposed Black population. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 173:326-332. [PMID: 38574596 PMCID: PMC11140589 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Race-related stress (RRS) is an unrecognized source of moral injury (MI)-or the emotional and/or spiritual suffering that may emerge after exposure to events that violate deeply held beliefs. Additionally, MI has not been explored as a mechanism of risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in trauma-exposed civilians. We examined relations among exposure to potentially morally injurious events (moral injury exposure, MIE), related distress (moral injury distress, MID), and RRS in Black Americans. Potential indirect associations between RRS and PTSD symptoms via MID were also examined. METHODS Black Americans (n = 228; 90.4% female; Mage = 31.6 years. SDage = 12.8 years) recruited from an ongoing study of trauma completed measures assessing civilian MIE and MID, RRS, and PTSD. Bivariate correlations were conducted with MIE and MID, and mediation analysis with MID, to examine the role of MI in the relationship between RRS and PTSD symptom severity. RESULTS MIE was significantly correlated with cultural (r = 0.27), individual (r = 0.29), and institutional (r = 0.25) RRS; MID also correlated with cultural (r = 0.31), individual (r = 0.31), and institutional (r = 0.26) RRS (ps < 0.001). We found an indirect effect of RRS on PTSD symptoms via MID (β = 0.10, p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS All types of RRS were associated with facets of MI, which mediated the relationship between RRS and current PTSD symptoms. MI may be a potential mechanism through which RRS increases the risk for PTSD in Black individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aziz Elbasheir
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, USA; Neuroscience PhD Program, Emory University, USA
| | - Travis M Fulton
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, USA; Molecular and Systems Pharmacology PhD Program, Emory University, USA
| | - Khaled C Choucair
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, USA
| | - Emma C Lathan
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, USA
| | | | - Alfonsina Guelfo
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, USA
| | | | - Abigail Powers
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, USA
| | - Negar Fani
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, USA.
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Bourassa KA, Rohr JC, Bartek N, Miller SM, Jones Wood S, Vasquez NN, Head J, Robert-Ibarra S, Moore K, Marder K, Freeland D, Matthews L, Weinstein BL, Madan A. A Comprehensive Approach to Addressing the Burnout Crisis Among US Health Care Workers: The Houston Methodist Experience. J Psychiatr Pract 2024; 30:192-199. [PMID: 38819243 DOI: 10.1097/pra.0000000000000782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Health care workers experience high rates of burnout and psychiatric distress. A large health care system in the southwest United States developed a comprehensive mental health service model for employees. Services offered range from traditional benefits (eg, Employee Assistance Program), resiliency and well-being initiatives, and innovative technology solutions, to access to peer support services for professional practice issues. The latest innovation in services is a free, self-insured outpatient mental health clinic designed exclusively for health care workers and their dependents. In this article, the authors describe the development of expanded mental health programming for health care workers and discuss how this unique service model proactively reduces common barriers to the receipt of high-quality care. This approach to caring for the workforce may serve as a model for other health care organizations across the United States. By providing mental health support to employees, health care organizations are mitigating the risk of burnout and related consequences to the system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelynn A Bourassa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Houston Methodist, Houston, TX
| | - Jessica C Rohr
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Houston Methodist, Houston, TX
| | - Nicole Bartek
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Houston Methodist, Houston, TX
| | - Susan M Miller
- Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist, Houston, TX
| | | | - Namrata N Vasquez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Houston Methodist, Houston, TX
| | - John Head
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health and Center for Performing Arts Medicine, Houston Methodist, Houston, TX
| | | | - Kula Moore
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Houston Methodist, Houston, TX
| | - Kate Marder
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Houston Methodist, Houston, TX
| | - Diana Freeland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Houston Methodist, Houston, TX
| | - Laura Matthews
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health and Houston Methodist Physician Organization, Houston Methodist, Houston, TX
| | | | - Alok Madan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Houston Methodist, Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
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Ahmadi MH, Heidarzadeh M, Fathiazar A, Ajri-Khameslou M. Investigating the relationship between compassion fatigue and moral injury in nurses. Nurs Ethics 2024:9697330241247323. [PMID: 38676567 DOI: 10.1177/09697330241247323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Background: Compassion fatigue and professional quality of life are important in health and professional ethics. Aim: This study aimed to determine the relationship between compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and moral injury in nurses. Research design: This research is a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study. The research community of this research was all the nurses of the teaching hospitals of Ardabil city. Three questionnaires on demographic characteristics, the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL), and the Moral Injury Events Scale were used to collect data. SPSS (version 22) software was used for data analysis. Participants and research context: The study recruited 297 nurses randomly selected from five teaching hospitals in Ardabil city. Ethical considerations: Ethical approval was obtained from the Ardabil University of Medical Sciences ethics committee (with the code of ethics IR.ARUMS.REC.1401.198). Informed consent was obtained from the participants. Results: The results showed that the mean compassion satisfaction score of this study's participants was 37.61 ± 8.86, the mean compassion fatigue score of this study's participants was 28.73 ± 7.04, and the mean secondary traumatic stress score of this study's participants was 29.95 ± 7.84. The mean score of moral injury among nurses was 31.19 ± 8.54. The results showed a negative significant relationship between compassion satisfaction and moral injury (p < 0.001). Also, there is a positive significant relationship between compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress with moral injury (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study show a negative relationship between compassion satisfaction and moral injury. According to the results of the present study, nurse managers should implement educational interventions, create ethical processes, and clear ethical guidelines to reduce moral injury and increase compassion satisfaction.
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Wilson MA, Shay A, Harris JI, Faller N, Usset TJ, Simmons A. Moral Distress and Moral Injury in Military Healthcare Clinicians: A Scoping Review. AJPM FOCUS 2024; 3:100173. [PMID: 38304024 PMCID: PMC10832382 DOI: 10.1016/j.focus.2023.100173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Healthcare clinicians are often at risk of psychological distress due to the nature of their occupation. Military healthcare providers are at risk for additional psychological suffering related to unique moral and ethical situations encountered in military service. This scoping review identifies key characteristics of moral distress and moral injury and how these concepts relate to the military healthcare clinician who is both a care provider and service member. Methods A scoping review of moral distress and moral injury literature as relates to the military healthcare clinician was conducted on the basis of the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review framework. Databases searched included CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), PsycInfo, 2 U.S. Defense Department sources, conference papers index, and dissertation abstracts. Reference lists of all identified reports and articles were searched for additional studies. Results A total of 573 articles, published between the years 2009 and 2021, were retrieved to include a portion of the COVID-19 pandemic period. One hundred articles met the inclusion criteria for the final full-text review and analysis. Discussion This scoping review identified moral distress and moral injury literature to examine similarities, differences, and overlaps in the defining characteristics of the concepts and the associated implications for patients, healthcare clinicians, and organizations. This review included the unfolding influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on moral experiences in health care and the blurring of those lines between civilian and military healthcare clinicians. Future directions of moral injury and moral distress research, practice, and care are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A. Wilson
- U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Dayton, Ohio
- College of Health, Education and Human Services Department of Nursing, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio
| | - Amy Shay
- School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | | | - Timothy J. Usset
- Division of Health Policy & Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Angela Simmons
- Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
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Woerner AJ, Greenberg CH, Chick JFB, Monroe EJ, Abad-Santos M, Kim H, Lee E, Makary MS, Hage AN, Covello B, Shin DS. Moral Injury Among Interventional Radiologists. Acad Radiol 2024; 31:1122-1129. [PMID: 37926643 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2023.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To evaluate moral injury (MI) among interventional radiologists using validated assessment tools. MATERIALS AND METHODS An anonymous 29-question online survey was distributed to interventional radiologists using the Society of Interventional Radiology Connect Open Forum website, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and electronic mail. The survey consisted of demographic and practice environment questions, a global quality of life (QoL) scale (scored 1-100), the MI Symptom Scale‑Healthcare Professional (MISS-HP) (scored 1-100), and two open-ended questions. A MISS-HP score ≥ 36 was indicative of experiencing MI. P < .05 was considered statistically significant for all two-sided tests. RESULTS Beginning on March 30, 2023, 365 surveys were completed over 5 days. Of the respondents, 299 (81.9%) were male, 65 (17.8%) were female, and one preferred not to disclose gender. The respondents included practicing interventional radiologists (299; 81.9%) and interventional radiologists-in-training (66; 18.1%). Practice settings included academic (146; 40.0%), community (121; 33.2%), hybrid (84; 23.0%), or other (14; 3.8%) centers. Mean QoL was 71.1 ± 17.0 (range: 0-100) suggestive of "good" QoL. Mean QoL in the MI subgroup was significantly different from that for the rest of the group (67.6 ± 17.0 vs. 76.6 ± 16.0; P < 0.05). 223 (61.1%) respondents scored ≥ 36 on the MISS-HP, and thus were categorized as having profession-related MI. Mean MISS-HP was 39.9 ± 12.6 (range: 10-83). Mean MISS-HP in the MI subgroup was significantly different from that for the rest of the group (47.4 ± 9.6 vs. 28.0 ± 5.7; P < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between MI and QoL (r = -0.4; P < 0.001). Most common themes for greatest contribution to MI were ineffective leadership, barriers to patient care, corporatization of medicine, non-physician administration, performing futile procedures, turf battles, and reduced resources. Most common themes for ways to reduce MI were more autonomy, less bureaucracy, more administrative support, physician-directed leadership, adequate staffing, changes to the medical system, physician unionization, transparency with insurance companies, more time off, and leaving medicine/retirement. CONCLUSION MI is prevalent among interventional radiologists, and it negatively correlates with QoL. Future work should investigate causative factors and mitigating solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Woerner
- Section of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, University of Washington, 1959 Northeast Pacific Street, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA (A.J.W., C.H.G., J.F.B.C., M.A.S., D.S.S.)
| | - Colvin H Greenberg
- Section of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, University of Washington, 1959 Northeast Pacific Street, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA (A.J.W., C.H.G., J.F.B.C., M.A.S., D.S.S.)
| | - Jeffrey Forris Beecham Chick
- Section of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, University of Washington, 1959 Northeast Pacific Street, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA (A.J.W., C.H.G., J.F.B.C., M.A.S., D.S.S.)
| | - Eric J Monroe
- Section of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA (E.J.M.)
| | - Matthew Abad-Santos
- Section of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, University of Washington, 1959 Northeast Pacific Street, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA (A.J.W., C.H.G., J.F.B.C., M.A.S., D.S.S.)
| | - HeeJin Kim
- Department of Information and Statistics, Chungnam National University, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea (H.K., E.L.)
| | - Eunjee Lee
- Department of Information and Statistics, Chungnam National University, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea (H.K., E.L.)
| | - Mina S Makary
- Department of Radiology, Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA (M.S.M.)
| | - Anthony N Hage
- Department of Radiology, Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Thomas Jefferson Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA (A.N.H.)
| | - Brian Covello
- Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Aventura Hospital & Medical Center, Aventura, Florida, USA (B. C.)
| | - David S Shin
- Section of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, University of Washington, 1959 Northeast Pacific Street, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA (A.J.W., C.H.G., J.F.B.C., M.A.S., D.S.S.).
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Jackson GL, Fix GM, White BS, Cutrona SL, Reardon CM, Damschroder LJ, Burns M, DeLaughter K, Opra Widerquist MA, Arasim M, Lindquist J, Gifford AL, King HA, Kaitz J, Jasuja GK, Hogan TP, Lopez JCF, Henderson B, Fitzgerald BA, Goetschius A, Hagan D, McCoy C, Seelig A, Nevedal A. Diffusion of excellence: evaluating a system to identify, replicate, and spread promising innovative practices across the Veterans health administration. FRONTIERS IN HEALTH SERVICES 2024; 3:1223277. [PMID: 38420338 PMCID: PMC10900518 DOI: 10.3389/frhs.2023.1223277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Introduction The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Diffusion of Excellence (DoE) program provides a system to identify, replicate, and spread promising practices across the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States. DoE identifies innovations that have been successfully implemented in the VHA through a Shark Tank style competition. VHA facility and regional directors bid resources needed to replicate promising practices. Winning facilities/regions receive external facilitation to aid in replication/implementation over the course of a year. DoE staff then support diffusion of successful practices across the nationwide VHA. Methods Organized around the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) Framework, we summarize results of an ongoing long-term mixed-methods implementation evaluation of DoE. Data sources include: Shark Tank application and bid details, tracking practice adoptions through a Diffusion Marketplace, characteristics of VHA facilities, focus groups with Shark Tank bidders, structured observations of DoE events, surveys of DoE program participants, and semi-structured interviews of national VHA program office leaders, VHA healthcare system/facility executives, practice developers, implementation teams and facilitators. Results In the first eight Shark Tanks (2016-2022), 3,280 Shark Tank applications were submitted; 88 were designated DoE Promising Practices (i.e., practices receive facilitated replication). DoE has effectively spread practices across the VHA, with 1,440 documented instances of adoption/replication of practices across the VHA. This includes 180 adoptions/replications in facilities located in rural areas. Leadership decisions to adopt innovations are often based on big picture considerations such as constituency support and linkage to organizational goals. DoE Promising Practices that have the greatest national spread have been successfully replicated at new sites during the facilitated replication process, have close partnerships with VHA national program offices, and tend to be less expensive to implement. Two indicators of sustainment indicate that 56 of the 88 Promising Practices are still being diffused across the VHA; 56% of facilities originally replicating the practices have sustained them, even up to 6 years after the first Shark Tank. Conclusion DoE has developed a sustainable process for the identification, replication, and spread of promising practices as part of a learning health system committed to providing equitable access to high quality care.
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Affiliation(s)
- George L. Jackson
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Durham Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System, Durham, NC, United States
- Advancing Implementation and Improvement Science Program, Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Gemmae M. Fix
- Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation Research, Bedford & Boston VA Medical Centers, Bedford and Boston, MA, United States
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Health Law, Policy & Management, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Brandolyn S. White
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Durham Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Sarah L. Cutrona
- Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation Research, Bedford & Boston VA Medical Centers, Bedford and Boston, MA, United States
- Division of Health Informatics and Implementation Science, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Caitlin M. Reardon
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Laura J. Damschroder
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Madison Burns
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Durham Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Kathryn DeLaughter
- Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation Research, Bedford & Boston VA Medical Centers, Bedford and Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Maria Arasim
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Jennifer Lindquist
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Durham Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Allen L. Gifford
- Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation Research, Bedford & Boston VA Medical Centers, Bedford and Boston, MA, United States
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Health Law, Policy & Management, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Heather A. King
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Durham Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Jenesse Kaitz
- Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation Research, Bedford & Boston VA Medical Centers, Bedford and Boston, MA, United States
| | - Guneet K. Jasuja
- Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation Research, Bedford & Boston VA Medical Centers, Bedford and Boston, MA, United States
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Health Law, Policy & Management, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Timothy P. Hogan
- Advancing Implementation and Improvement Science Program, Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
- Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation Research, Bedford & Boston VA Medical Centers, Bedford and Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jaifred Christian F. Lopez
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Durham Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Blake Henderson
- VHA Innovation Ecosystem, Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning, United States Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Blaine A. Fitzgerald
- VHA Innovation Ecosystem, Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning, United States Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Amber Goetschius
- VHA Innovation Ecosystem, Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning, United States Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Danielle Hagan
- VHA Innovation Ecosystem, Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning, United States Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Carl McCoy
- VHA Innovation Ecosystem, Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning, United States Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Alex Seelig
- Agile Six Applications, Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Andrea Nevedal
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Coimbra BM, Zylberstajn C, van Zuiden M, Hoeboer CM, Mello AF, Mello MF, Olff M. Moral injury and mental health among health-care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: meta-analysis. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2024; 15:2299659. [PMID: 38189775 PMCID: PMC10776063 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2299659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, health-care workers (HCWs) may have been confronted with situations that may culminate in moral injury (MI). MI is the psychological distress that may result from perpetrating or witnessing actions that violate one's moral codes. Literature suggests that MI can be associated with mental health problems.Objective: We aimed to meta-analytically review the literature to investigate whether MI is associated with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, burnout, and suicidal ideation among active HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic.Method: We searched eight databases for studies conducted after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic up to 18 July 2023, and performed random-effects meta-analyses to examine the relationship between MI and various mental health outcomes.Results: We retrieved 33 studies from 13 countries, representing 31,849 individuals, and pooled 79 effect sizes. We found a positive association between MI and all investigated mental health problems (rs = .30-.41, all ps < .0001). Between-studies heterogeneity was significant. A higher percentage of nurses in the samples was associated with a stronger relationship between MI and depressive and anxiety symptoms. Samples with a higher percentage of HCWs providing direct care to patients with COVID-19 exhibited a smaller effect between MI and depressive and anxiety symptoms. We observed a stronger effect between MI and PTSD symptoms in US samples compared to non-US samples.Conclusion: We found that higher MI is moderately associated with symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression, burnout, and suicidal ideation among HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings carry limitations due to the array of MI scales employed, several of which were not specifically designed for HCWs, but underscore the need to mitigate the effect of potentially morally injurious events on the mental health of HCWs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Messina Coimbra
- Programme for Research and Care on Violence and PTSD (PROVE), Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Methodology and Statistics, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and Amsterdam Neuroscience Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cecilia Zylberstajn
- Programme for Research and Care on Violence and PTSD (PROVE), Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mirjam van Zuiden
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Chris Maria Hoeboer
- Amsterdam UMC, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and Amsterdam Neuroscience Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Feijo Mello
- Programme for Research and Care on Violence and PTSD (PROVE), Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Feijo Mello
- Programme for Research and Care on Violence and PTSD (PROVE), Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein, Hospital Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Miranda Olff
- Amsterdam UMC, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and Amsterdam Neuroscience Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Diemen, The Netherlands
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Chen R, Gordon M, Chervenak F, Coverdale J. Addressing Moral Distress After Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization : A Professional Virtues-Based Approach. ACADEMIC MEDICINE : JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGES 2024; 99:12-15. [PMID: 37816216 DOI: 10.1097/acm.0000000000005476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The June 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization abolished federal protections for reproductive choice. In states where subsequent legislation has restricted or banned access to abortion services, physicians and trainees are prevented from providing ethically justified evidence-based care when patients with previable pregnancies are seeking an abortion. Pregnant patients' vulnerabilities, stress, and the undue burden that they experience when prevented from acting in accordance with their reproductive decision-making can evoke negative emotional consequences, including moral distress in clinicians. Moral distress occurs when clinicians feel a moral compulsion to act a certain way but cannot do so because of external constraints, including being hindered by state laws that curtail practicing in line with professional standards on reproductive health care. Moral distress has the potential to subvert prudent clinical judgment. The authors provide recommendations for managing moral distress in these circumstances based on the professional virtues. The fundamental professional virtues of integrity, compassion, self-effacement, self-sacrifice, and humility inform the management of moral distress and how to respond thoughtfully and compassionately, without over-identification or indifference to the plight of patients denied abortions. The authors also discuss the role of academic leaders and medical educators in cultivating a virtue-based professional culture at the forefront of clinical and educational processes in a post- Dobbs world.
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Liu G, Tong Y, Li J, Sun X, Chen L, Zheng X, Zhang X, Lv J, Wang J, Wei B, Wei J, Cheng R, Wang Z. Burnout, moral injury, and suicidal/self-harm ideation among healthcare professionals in Mainland China: Insights from an online survey during the COVID-19 pandemic. Int J Psychiatry Med 2023:912174231219041. [PMID: 38047438 DOI: 10.1177/00912174231219041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This survey aimed to explore the relationships between burnout, moral injury, and suicidal/self-harm ideation among Chinese health professionals to provide a reference for protecting their mental health. METHOD Health professionals were surveyed online using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Moral Injury Symptoms Scale-Health Professional. RESULTS In the analysis, 6146 eligible respondents were included in the study. The average participant age was 34.9 ± 8.5 years, and suicidal/self-harm ideation was detected in 2338 participants (38.0%). The prevalence of suicidal/self-harm ideation among those with severe burnout in the dimensions of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and decreased personal accomplishment was significantly higher than those with mild burnout. The prevalence of suicidal/self-harm ideation among those with significant moral injury symptoms was higher than those without moral injury. Unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that those with moderate or severe emotional exhaustion, moderate or severe reduced sense of professional accomplishment and moderate or severe depersonalisation had increased risks of suicidal/self-harm ideation. CONCLUSIONS Structural equation modelling demonstrated that burnout significantly mediated the relationship between moral injury and suicidal/self-harm ideation. The proportion of mediation (PM) by burnout was 43.0%. Burnout and moral injury were potential predictors of suicidal/self-harm ideation among health professionals. Both moral injury and burnout had positive and direct effects on suicidal/self-harm ideation, and burnout was a mediator in this relationship among Chinese health professionals. Therefore, to alleviate the moral injury and subsequent burnout of healthcare workers and enhance their mental qualities, active interventions should be developed in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangtian Liu
- Department of Infectious Disease, The No.4 Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yan Tong
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jinghong Li
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiaoya Sun
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Futian Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, China
| | - Linlin Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xiwei Zheng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xinhui Zhang
- Department of Infectious Disease, The No.4 Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jufen Lv
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jinyan Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation and Nursing, Ningxia Vocational and Technical College for Minorities, Wuzhong, China
| | - Bingfen Wei
- Department of Rehabilitation and Nursing, Ningxia Vocational and Technical College for Minorities, Wuzhong, China
| | - Jianhua Wei
- Department of Infectious Disease, The No.4 Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, China
| | - Ruixia Cheng
- Department of Infectious Disease, The No.4 Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, China
| | - Zhizhong Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
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10
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Rice EN, Xu H, Wang Z, Webb L, Thomas L, Kadhim EF, Nunes JC, Adair KC, O’Brien EC. Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: Analysis of the HERO Registry. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293392. [PMID: 37943749 PMCID: PMC10635468 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in healthcare workers (HCWs). Past literature has shown that chronic strain caused by pandemics can adversely impact a variety of mental health outcomes in HCWs. There is growing recognition of the risk of stress and loss of resilience to HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic, although the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic remains poorly understood. We wanted to understand the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk of PTDS symptoms in HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic. We surveyed 2038 health care workers enrolled in the Healthcare Worker Exposure Response & Outcomes (HERO) study, which is a large standardized national registry of health care workers. Participants answered questions about demographics, COVID-19 exposure, job burnout, and PTSD symptoms. We characterize the burden of PTSD symptoms among HCWs, and determined the association between high PTSD symptoms and race, gender, professional role, work setting, and geographic region using multivariable regression. In a fully adjusted model, we found that older HCWs were less likely to report high PTSD symptoms compared with younger HCWs. Additionally, we found that physicians were less likely to report high PTSD symptoms compared with nurses. These data add to the growing literature on increased risks of mental health challenges to healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli N. Rice
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Haolin Xu
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Ziyi Wang
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Laura Webb
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Laine Thomas
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Emilie F. Kadhim
- Social & Behavioural Health Sciences Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Julio C. Nunes
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Kathryn C. Adair
- Duke Center for Healthcare Safety and Quality, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Emily C. O’Brien
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States of America
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11
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Whitehead PB, Haisch CE, Hankey MS, Mutcheson RB, Dewitt SA, Stewart CA, Stewart JD, Bath JL, Boone SM, Jileaeva I, Faulks ER, Musick DW. Studying moral distress (MD) and moral injury (MI) among inpatient and outpatient healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Int J Psychiatry Med 2023:912174231205660. [PMID: 37807925 DOI: 10.1177/00912174231205660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 increased moral distress (MD) and moral injury (MI) among healthcare professionals (HCPs). MD and MI were studied among inpatient and outpatient HCPs during March 2022. OBJECTIVES We sought to examine (1) the relationship between MD and MI; (2) the relationship between MD/MI and pandemic-related burnout and resilience; and (3) the degree to which HCPs experienced pandemic-related MD and MI based on their background. METHODS A survey was conducted to measure MD, MI, burnout, resilience, and intent to leave healthcare at 2 academic medical centers during a 4-week period. A convenience sample of 184 participants (physicians, nurses, residents, respiratory therapists, advanced practice providers) completed the survey. In this mixed-methods approach, researchers analyzed both quantitative and qualitative survey data and triangulated the findings. RESULTS There was a moderate association between MD and MI (r = .47, P < .001). Regression results indicated that burnout was significantly associated with both MD and MI (P = .02 and P < .001, respectively), while intent to leave was associated only with MD (P < .001). Qualitative results yielded 8 sources of MD and MI: workload, distrust, lack of teamwork/collaboration, loss of connection, lack of leadership, futile care, outside stressors, and vulnerability. CONCLUSIONS While interrelated conceptually, MD and MI should be viewed as distinct constructs. HCPs were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with MD and MI being experienced by all HCP categories. Understanding the sources of MD and MI among HCPs could help to improve well-being and work satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ryan B Mutcheson
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ilona Jileaeva
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | | | - David W Musick
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
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12
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Borges LM, Holliman BD, Farnsworth JK, Barnes SM. Perceptions of Military Experience Among Veterans Reporting Lifetime Warzone Moral Injury. J Nerv Ment Dis 2023; 211:796-801. [PMID: 37782522 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Exposures to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) and possible moral injury are risk factors for a range of difficulties impacting individual functioning. Although exposure to PMIEs is a somewhat common product of war, qualitative methods to understand Veterans' experiences of moral injury and Veterans Affairs treatment are limited. To better characterize Veterans' experiences, 14 male warzone Veterans who reported moral injury post-warzone deployment and completed posttraumatic stress disorder treatment in the past year were asked to describe their military service as part of a qualitative study. Through thematic analysis, we found two moral injury-consistent themes and four subthemes. The first theme was "military experiences were associated with morally questioning one's self" with subthemes of "moral shift" and "depersonalization." The second theme was "military experiences were associated with morally questioning others" with subthemes of "disillusionment" and "resignation." Based on these findings, we conclude with a discussion of treatment implications for moral injury.
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13
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Wirpsa MJ, Galchutt P, Price CS, Schaefer B, Szilagyi C, Palmer PK. Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare workers: The experience of chaplains evaluating religious accommodation requests from coworkers. Soc Sci Med 2023; 332:116103. [PMID: 37506485 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements for healthcare workers in the United States, instituted at the height of the pandemic to protect vulnerable patients and preserve the infrastructure of healthcare, nonetheless met with resistance by some members of the work force. As unprecedented numbers of employees sought religious accommodations, chaplain leaders were recruited by institutional leadership to adjudicate these requests, either alone or as part of a committee. This study reports results of a survey conducted from 6/1/2022 to 7/15/2022 with U.S. healthcare chaplains (n = 76) who were involved in the evaluation of coworker requests for religious exemption to the COVID-19 vaccine anytime during the pandemic until they accessed the survey. Chaplains were recruited online through national chaplaincy and ethics organizations. A mixed methods design facilitates integration of statistically significant associations with chaplains' in-depth reflections on their experience. Surveying the religious experts on the review committee affords a rare look into how the tension between the free exercise of religion in the workplace and the obligation to protect the public played out during the pandemic. The study further addresses a gap in research literature on the experience of chaplains during the pandemic and identifies unique features of moral injury experienced by a subset of healthcare providers. Chaplains largely perceived their involvement as promoting an ethical, informed process of review. Although all chaplains found this role stressful, high levels of meaning were protective against distress. Sources of distress identified included: ethical concern that granting exemptions would lead to the spread of the virus; inconsistencies in the review process; and, repeated exposure to coworkers' misunderstanding and political use of religious teachings. Featuring prominently in comments from chaplains was the difficulty navigating requests in the context of anti-science, anti-vaccine, and politically charged public discourse.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - P Galchutt
- M Health Fairview, University of Minnesota Medical Center, USA
| | - C S Price
- University of Texas Medical Branch, USA
| | | | | | - P K Palmer
- Woodruff Health Sciences Center, Emory University, USA
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14
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Washburn C, Kantsiper ME, Esteve R, Gupta I, Memon G, Michtalik HJ. Comparison of hospitalist morale in a COVID-19 alternate care site (ACS) to hospitalist morale in conventional hospitals in Maryland. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288981. [PMID: 37531371 PMCID: PMC10395830 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Morale and burnout were concerns for hospitalists prior to the COVID-19 pandemic; these concerns were amplified as COVID-19 spread and hospitals experienced unprecedented stress. In contrast to prior literature, our study assesses both satisfaction and the importance of various factors. This study examines morale of hospitalists early in the COVID-19 pandemic in two settings: conventional hospitals and a COVID-19 Alternate Care site (ACS) in the same geographic region in Maryland. Multiple studies published early in the pandemic show low morale in COVID-19 hospitals. METHODS In a cross-sectional survey study, we analyze data from the Hospitalist Morale Index (HMI) administered between September 2020 and March 2021 to determine the pandemic's impact on hospitalist morale. RESULTS Surprisingly, our study found morale in the ACS was better than morale at the conventional hospitals. ACS hospitalists and conventional hospitalists were demographically similar. Our results show that a significantly higher proportion of conventional hospitalists reported burnout compared to the ACS hospitalists. General quality of life was rated significantly higher in the ACS group than the conventional group. Significantly more ACS hospitalists were invested in making their group outstanding. Five main HMI domains were examined with questions on a 5-point rating scale: Clinical Factors, Workload, Material Rewards, Leadership, and Appreciation/Acknowledgement. ACS hospitalists rated most measures higher than conventional hospitalists; largest differences were observed in Clinical Factors and Appreciation/Acknowledgement domains. Narrative comments from ACS hospitalists revealed strong identification with the mission of the ACS and pride in contributing during a crisis. One key difference between the two groups explains these findings: provider autonomy. The ACS staff chose the position and the assignment, while conventional hospitalists caring for COVID-19 patients could not readily opt out of this work. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that autonomy in assignments with risk has implications for morale and burnout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Washburn
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Melinda E Kantsiper
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Rogette Esteve
- Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ishaan Gupta
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Gulzeb Memon
- Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Henry J Michtalik
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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15
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Herodes M, Le N, Anderson LJ, Migula D, Miranda G, Paulsen L, Garcia JM. Metabolic and quality of life effects of growth hormone replacement in patients with TBI and AGHD: A pilot study. Growth Horm IGF Res 2023; 71:101544. [PMID: 37295336 PMCID: PMC10527000 DOI: 10.1016/j.ghir.2023.101544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Traumatic brain injury (TBI), a common cause of adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD), affects 20% of Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan (OEF/OIF/OND). Growth hormone replacement therapy (GHRT) improves quality of life (QoL) in AGHD but remains unexplored in this population. This pilot, observational study investigates the feasibility and efficacy of GHRT in AGHD following TBI. DESIGN In this 6-month study of combat Veterans with AGHD and TBI starting GHRT (N = 7), feasibility (completion rate and rhGH adherence) and efficacy (improvements in self-reported QoL) of GHRT were measured (primary outcomes). Secondary outcomes included body composition, physical and cognitive function, psychological and somatic symptoms, physical activity, IGF-1 levels and safety parameters. It was hypothesized that participants would adhere to GHRT and that QoL would significantly improve after six months. RESULTS Five subjects (71%) completed all study visits. All patients administered daily rhGH injections, 6 (86%) of whom consistently administered the clinically-prescribed dose. While QoL demonstrated numeric improvement, this change did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.17). Significant improvements were observed in total lean mass (p = 0.02), latissimus dorsi strength (p = 0.05), verbal learning (Trial 1, p = 0.02; Trial 5, p = 0.03), attention (p = 0.02), short-term memory (p = 0.04), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (p = 0.03). Body weight (p = 0.02) and total fat mass (p = 0.03) increased significantly. CONCLUSION GHRT is a feasible and well-tolerated intervention for U.S. Veterans with TBI-related AGHD. It improved key areas impacted by AGHD and symptoms of PTSD. Larger, placebo-controlled studies testing the efficacy and safety of this intervention in this population are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Herodes
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA; Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nancy Le
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lindsey J Anderson
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dorota Migula
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gary Miranda
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA; Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lauren Paulsen
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jose M Garcia
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA; Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
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16
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Rushton CH. Transforming Moral Suffering by Cultivating Moral Resilience and Ethical Practice. Am J Crit Care 2023; 32:238-248. [PMID: 37391375 DOI: 10.4037/ajcc2023207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Ethical challenges are inherent in nursing practice. They affect patients, families, teams, organizations, and nurses themselves. These challenges arise when there are competing core values or commitments and diverse views on how to balance or reconcile them. When ethical conflict, confusion, or uncertainty cannot be resolved, moral suffering ensues. The consequences of moral suffering in its many forms undermine safe, high-quality patient care, erode teamwork, and undermine well-being and integrity. My experience as a nurse in the pediatric intensive care unit and later as a clinical nurse specialist in confronting these moral and ethical challenges has been the foundation of my program of research. Together we will explore the evolution of our understanding of moral suffering-its expressions, meanings, and consequences and attempts to measure it. Moral distress, the most described form of moral suffering, took hold within nursing and slowly within other disciplines. After 3 decades of research documenting the existence of moral distress, there were few solutions. It was at this juncture that my work pivoted toward exploring the concept of moral resilience as a means for transforming but not eliminating moral suffering. The evolution of the concept, its components, a scale to measure it, and research findings will be explored. Throughout this journey, the interplay of moral resilience and a culture of ethical practice were highlighted and examined. Moral resilience is continuing to evolve in its application and relevance. Many vital lessons have been learned that can inform future research and guide interventions to harness the inherent capabilities of clinicians to restore or preserve their integrity and to engage in large-scale system transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynda Hylton Rushton
- Cynda Hylton Rushton is the Anne and George L. Bunting Professor of Clinical Ethics, Berman Institute of Bioethics, and a professor of nursing and pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland
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17
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Buchbinder M, Browne A, Berlinger N, Jenkins T, Buchbinder L. Moral Stress and Moral Distress: Confronting Challenges in Healthcare Systems under Pressure. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOETHICS : AJOB 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37347222 PMCID: PMC10758677 DOI: 10.1080/15265161.2023.2224270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Stresses on healthcare systems and moral distress among clinicians are urgent, intertwined bioethical problems in contemporary healthcare. Yet conceptualizations of moral distress in bioethical inquiry often overlook a range of routine threats to professional integrity in healthcare work. Using examples from our research on frontline physicians working during the COVID-19 pandemic, this article clarifies conceptual distinctions between moral distress, moral injury, and moral stress and illustrates how these concepts operate together in healthcare work. Drawing from the philosophy of healthcare, we explain how moral stress results from the normal operations of overstressed systems; unlike moral distress and moral injury, it may not involve a sense of powerlessness concerning patient care. The analysis of moral stress directs attention beyond the individual, to stress-generating systemic factors. We conclude by reflecting on how and why this conceptual clarity matters for improving clinicians' professional wellbeing, and offer preliminary pathways for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Liza Buchbinder
- Center for Social Medicine and Humanities and Semel Institute, UCLA
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18
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Cahill JM, Kinghorn W, Dugdale L. Repairing moral injury takes a team: what clinicians can learn from combat veterans. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2023; 49:361-366. [PMID: 35705446 DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2022-108163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Moral injury results from the violation of deeply held moral commitments leading to emotional and existential distress. The phenomenon was initially described by psychologists and psychiatrists associated with the US Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs but has since been applied more broadly. Although its application to healthcare preceded COVID-19, healthcare professionals have taken greater interest in moral injury since the pandemic's advent. They have much to learn from combat veterans, who have substantial experience in identifying and addressing moral injury-particularly its social dimensions. Veterans recognise that complex social factors lead to moral injury, and therefore a community approach is necessary for healing. We argue that similar attention must be given in healthcare, where a team-oriented and multidimensional approach is essential both for ameliorating the suffering faced by health professionals and for addressing the underlying causes that give rise to moral injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M Cahill
- Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | - Warren Kinghorn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke Divinity School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lydia Dugdale
- Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
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19
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Raposa ME, Mullin G, Murray RM, Shepler LJ, Castro KC, Fisher AB, Gallogly VH, Davis AL, Resick CJ, Lee J, Allen JA, Taylor JA. Assessing the Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on US Fire-Based Emergency Medical Services Responders: A Tale of Two Samples (The RAPID Study I). J Occup Environ Med 2023; 65:e184-e194. [PMID: 36730580 PMCID: PMC10090321 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on fire service safety culture, behavior and morale, levers of well-being, and well-being outcomes. METHODS Two samples (Stress and Violence against fire-based EMS Responders [SAVER], consisting of 3 metropolitan departments, and Fire service Organizational Culture of Safety [FOCUS], a geographically stratified random sample of 17 departments) were assessed monthly from May to October 2020. Fire department-specific and pooled scores were calculated. Linear regression was used to model trends. RESULTS We observed concerningly low and decreasing scores on management commitment to safety, leadership communication, supervisor sensegiving, and decision-making. We observed increasing and concerning scores for burnout, intent to leave the profession, and percentage at high risk for anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that organizational attributes remained generally stable but low during the pandemic and impacted well-being outcomes, job satisfaction, and engagement. Improving safety culture can address the mental health burden of this work.
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20
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Siddique S, Rice S, Bhardwaj M, Gore R, Coupal H, Punnett L. Health Care Organization Policies for Employee Safety and COVID-19 Pandemic Response: A Mixed-Methods Study. J Occup Environ Med 2023; 65:1-9. [PMID: 36317257 PMCID: PMC9835239 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic impacted the well-being of health care workers. We examined the association between prepandemic perceptions of perceived organizational support for safety (using NOSACQ-50), safety hazards and the pandemic's impact on individual workers and institutions. METHODS Questionnaires from health care staff of five public health care facilities were collected in 2018 ( n = 1059) and 2021 ( n = 1553). In 2021, 17 workers were interviewed from the same facilities. RESULTS Interviewees reported that their organizations struggled to communicate due to changing guidelines, inadequate personal protective equipment, training, and infection control, early in the pandemic. Questionnaire reports of decreased staffing and increased workload during the pandemic were associated with lower baseline NOSACQ scores. CONCLUSION Survey findings predicted some variation in organizational response to the pandemic. Better organizational policies for employee safety and pandemic planning could improve health care institutions' preparedness.
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21
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Gum AM, Goldsworthy M, Guerra L, Salloum A, Grau M, Gottstein S, Horvath C, Fields A, Crowder J, Holley R, Ruth LJ, Hanna K. Trauma-informed patient and public-engaged research: Development and evaluation of an online training programme. Health Expect 2022; 26:388-398. [PMID: 36345789 PMCID: PMC9854293 DOI: 10.1111/hex.13668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As patients, members of the public, and professional stakeholders engage in co-producing health-related research, an important issue to consider is trauma. Trauma is very common and associated with a wide range of physical and behavioural health conditions. Thus, it may benefit research partnerships to consider its impact on their stakeholders as well as its relevance to the health condition under study. The aims of this article are to describe the development and evaluation of a training programme that applied principles of trauma-informed care (TIC) to patient- and public-engaged research. METHODS A research partnership focused on addressing trauma in primary care patients ('myPATH') explicitly incorporated TIC into its formation, governance document and collaborative processes, and developed and evaluated a free 3-credit continuing education online training. The training was presented by 11 partners (5 professionals, 6 patients) and included academic content and lived experiences. RESULTS Training participants (N = 46) positively rated achievement of learning objectives and speakers' performance (ranging from 4.39 to 4.74 on a 5-point scale). The most salient themes from open-ended comments were that training was informative (n = 12) and that lived experiences shared by patient partners were impactful (n = 10). Suggestions were primarily technical or logistical. CONCLUSION This preliminary evaluation indicates that it is possible to incorporate TIC principles into a research partnership's collaborative processes and training about these topics is well-received. Learning about trauma and TIC may benefit research partnerships that involve patients and public stakeholders studying a wide range of health conditions, potentially improving how stakeholders engage in co-producing research as well as producing research that addresses how trauma relates to their health condition under study. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION The myPATH Partnership includes 22 individuals with professional and lived experiences related to trauma (https://www.usf.edu/cbcs/mhlp/centers/mypath/); nine partners were engaged due to personal experiences with trauma; other partners are community-based providers and researchers. All partners contributed ideas that led to trauma-informed research strategies and training. Eleven partners (5 professionals, 6 patients) presented the training, and 12 partners (8 professionals, 4 patients) contributed to this article and chose to be named as authors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber M. Gum
- myPATH PartnershipUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA,Department of Mental Health Law & PolicyUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA,Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Mary Goldsworthy
- myPATH PartnershipUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA,Department of Mental Health Law & PolicyUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Lucy Guerra
- myPATH PartnershipUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA,Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Alison Salloum
- myPATH PartnershipUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA,School of Social WorkUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Meredith Grau
- myPATH PartnershipUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA,Crisis Center of Tampa BayTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Sheri Gottstein
- myPATH PartnershipUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Carol Horvath
- myPATH PartnershipUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Annanora Fields
- myPATH PartnershipUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Johnny Crowder
- myPATH PartnershipUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Robb Holley
- myPATH PartnershipUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA,Department of Mental Health Law & PolicyUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Leigh J. Ruth
- myPATH PartnershipUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral NeurosciencesUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Karim Hanna
- myPATH PartnershipUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA,Department of Family MedicineUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
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22
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Gherman MA, Arhiri L, Holman AC, Soponaru C. Protective Factors against Morally Injurious Memories from the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nurses' Occupational Wellbeing: A Cross-Sectional Experimental Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11817. [PMID: 36142089 PMCID: PMC9517277 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic was a fertile ground for nurses' exposure to self- and other-Potentially Morally Injurious Events (PMIEs). Our study explored the effects of nurses' memories of self- and other-PMIEs on occupational wellbeing and turnover intentions. Using an experimental design on a convenience sample of 634 Romanian nurses, we tested a conceptual model with PLS-SEM, finding adequate explanatory and predictive power. Memories of self- and other-PMIEs were uniquely associated with work engagement, burnout, and turnover intentions, compared to a control group. These relationships were mediated by the three basic psychological needs. Relatedness was more thwarted for memories of other-PMIEs, while competence and autonomy were more thwarted for memories of self-PMIEs. Perceived supervisor support weakened the indirect effect between type of PMIE and turnover intentions, through autonomy satisfaction, but not through burnout. Self-disclosure weakened the indirect effect between type of PMIE and turnover intentions, through autonomy satisfaction, and both burnout and work engagement. Our findings emphasize the need for different strategies in addressing the negative long-term effects of nurses' exposure to self- and other-PMIEs, according to the basic psychological need satisfaction and type of wellbeing indicator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Alexandra Gherman
- Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Str. Toma Cozma 3, 700554 Iasi, Romania
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23
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Sexton JB, Adair KC, Proulx J, Profit J, Cui X, Bae J, Frankel A. Emotional Exhaustion Among US Health Care Workers Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2019-2021. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2232748. [PMID: 36129705 PMCID: PMC9494188 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.32748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Extraordinary strain from COVID-19 has negatively impacted health care worker (HCW) well-being. OBJECTIVE To determine whether HCW emotional exhaustion has increased during the pandemic, for which roles, and at what point. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This survey study was conducted in 3 waves, with an electronic survey administered in September 2019, September 2020, and September 2021 through January 2022. Participants included hospital-based HCWs in clinical and nonclinical (eg, administrative support) roles at 76 community hospitals within 2 large health care systems in the US. EXPOSURES Safety, Communication, Organizational Reliability, Physician, and Employee Burnout and Engagement (SCORE) survey domains of emotional exhaustion and emotional exhaustion climate. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The percentage of respondents reporting emotional exhaustion (%EE) in themselves and a climate of emotional exhaustion (%EEclim) in their colleagues. Survey items were answered on a 5-point scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree); neutral or higher scores were counted as "percent concerning" for exhaustion. RESULTS Electronic surveys were returned by 37 187 (of 49 936) HCWs in 2019, 38 460 (of 45 268) in 2020, and 31 475 (of 41 224) in 2021 to 2022 for overall response rates of 74.5%, 85.0%, and 76.4%, respectively. The overall sample comprised 107 122 completed surveys. Nursing was the most frequently reported role (n = 43 918 [40.9%]). A total of 17 786 respondents (16.9%) reported less than 1 year at their facility, 59 226 (56.2%) reported 1 to 10 years, and 28 337 (26.9%) reported 11 years or more. From September 2019 to September 2021 through January 2022, overall %EE increased from 31.8% (95% CI, 30.0%-33.7%) to 40.4% (95% CI, 38.1%-42.8%), with a proportional increase in %EE of 26.9% (95% CI, 22.2%-31.8%). Physicians had a decrease in %EE from 31.8% (95% CI, 29.3%-34.5%) in 2019 to 28.3% (95% CI, 25.9%-31.0%) in 2020 but an increase during the second year of the pandemic to 37.8% (95% CI, 34.7%-41.3%). Nurses had an increase in %EE during the pandemic's first year, from 40.6% (95% CI, 38.4%-42.9%) in 2019 to 46.5% (95% CI, 44.0%-49.1%) in 2020 and increasing again during the second year of the pandemic to 49.2% (95% CI, 46.5%-51.9%). All other roles showed a similar pattern to nurses but at lower levels. Intraclass correlation coefficients revealed clustering of exhaustion within work settings across the 3 years, with coefficients of 0.15 to 0.17 for emotional exhaustion and 0.22 to 0.24 for emotional exhaustion climate, higher than the .10 coefficient typical of organizational climate (a medium effect for shared variance), suggestive of a social contagion effect of HCW exhaustion. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This large-scale survey study of HCWs spanning 3 years offers substantial evidence that emotional exhaustion trajectories varied by role but have increased overall and among most HCW roles since the onset of the pandemic. These results suggest that current HCW well-being resources and programs may be inadequate and even more difficult to use owing to lower workforce capacity and motivation to initiate and complete well-being interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Bryan Sexton
- Department of Psychiatry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
- Duke Center for Healthcare Safety and Quality, Duke University Health System, Durham, North Carolina
- Duke University Health System, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Kathryn C. Adair
- Duke Center for Healthcare Safety and Quality, Duke University Health System, Durham, North Carolina
- Duke University Health System, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Joshua Proulx
- Safe & Reliable Healthcare, LLC, Evergreen, Colorado
| | - Jochen Profit
- Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Palo Alto, California
- California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative, Palo Alto, California
| | - Xin Cui
- Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Palo Alto, California
- California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative, Palo Alto, California
| | - Jon Bae
- Duke Center for Healthcare Safety and Quality, Duke University Health System, Durham, North Carolina
- Duke University Health System, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Allan Frankel
- Safe & Reliable Healthcare, LLC, Evergreen, Colorado
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24
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Joshi SP, Wong AKI, Brucker A, Ardito TA, Chow SC, Vaishnavi S, Lee PJ. Efficacy of Transcendental Meditation to Reduce Stress Among Health Care Workers: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2231917. [PMID: 36121655 PMCID: PMC9486450 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.31917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Health care workers (HCWs) have been experiencing substantial stress and burnout, and evidence-based mitigation strategies are needed. Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a mantra meditation practice with potential efficacy in reducing stress. OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of TM practice in reducing stress among HCWs over a 3-month period. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This single-center open-label randomized clinical trial was conducted among HCWs at an academic medical center from November 19, 2020, to August 31, 2021. Inclusion criteria comprised a score of 6 points or greater on the Subjective Units of Distress Scale and an increase of 5% or greater in baseline heart rate or an increase of 33% or greater in galvanic skin response after exposure to a stressful script. Exclusion criteria included the use of antipsychotic or β blocker medications, current suicidal ideation, or previous TM training. Of 213 HCWs who participated in prescreening, 95 attended in-person visits, resulting in 80 eligible participants who were randomized to receive a TM intervention (TM group) or usual treatment (control group). INTERVENTIONS The TM group practiced TM for 20 minutes twice daily over a 3-month period. The control group received usual treatment, which consisted of access to wellness resources. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was change in acute psychological distress measured by the Global Severity Index. Secondary outcomes included changes in burnout (measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory), insomnia (measured by the Insomnia Severity Index), and anxiety (measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale). RESULTS Among 80 participants, 66 (82.5%) were women, with a mean (SD) age of 40 (11) years. One participant (1.3%) was American Indian or Alaska Native, 5 (6.3%) were Asian, 12 (15.0%) were Black, 59 (73.8%) were White, and 3 (3.8%) were of unknown or unreported race; 4 participants (5.0%) were Hispanic, and 76 (95.0%) were non-Hispanic. A total of 41 participants were randomized to the TM group, and 39 were randomized to the control group. Participants in the TM group did not show a statistically significant decrease in psychological distress on the Global Severity Index compared with those in the control group (-5.6 points vs -3.8 points; between-group difference, -1.8 points; 95% CI, -4.2 to 0.6 points; P = .13). Compared with the control group, the TM group had significantly greater reductions in the secondary end points of emotional exhaustion (Maslach Burnout Inventory subscore: -8.0 points vs -2.6 points; between-group difference, -5.4 points; 95% CI, -9.2 to -1.6 points; P = .006), insomnia (Insomnia Severity Scale score: -4.1 points vs -1.9 points; between-group difference, -2.2 points; 95% CI, -4.4 to 0 points; P = .05), and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 score: -3.1 points vs -0.9 points; between-group difference, -2.2 points; 95% CI, -3.8 to -0.5; P = .01) at 3 months. A total of 38 participants (92.7%) in the TM group adhered to home practice. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this randomized clinical trial, TM practice among HCWs over a 3-month period did not result in a statistically significant reduction in the primary outcome of acute psychological distress compared with usual treatment but significantly improved the secondary outcomes of burnout, anxiety, and insomnia. These findings suggest that TM may be a safe and effective strategy to alleviate chronic stress among HCWs. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04632368.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangeeta P. Joshi
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - An-Kwok Ian Wong
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Amanda Brucker
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Durham Veterans Administration Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Taylor A. Ardito
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Shein-Chung Chow
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Sandeep Vaishnavi
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
- Mindpath Health, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Patty J. Lee
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Durham Veterans Administration Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
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25
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Gherman MA, Arhiri L, Holman AC, Soponaru C. Injurious Memories from the COVID-19 Frontline: The Impact of Episodic Memories of Self- and Other-Potentially Morally Injurious Events on Romanian Nurses' Burnout, Turnover Intentions and Basic Need Satisfaction. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:9604. [PMID: 35954961 PMCID: PMC9368272 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Nurses have been frequently exposed to Potentially Morally Injurious Events (PMIEs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to resource scarcity, they both perpetrated (self-PMIEs) and passively witnessed (other-PMIEs) moral transgressions toward the patients, severely violating their moral values. Our study investigated the impact of self- and other-PMIEs on work outcomes by exploring nurses' episodic memories of these events and the basic psychological need thwarting associated with them. Using a quasi-experimental design, on a convenience sample of 463 Romanian nurses, we found that PMIEs memories were uniquely associated with burnout and turnover intentions, after controlling for socio-demographic characteristics, general basic psychological need satisfaction at work and other phenomenological characteristics. Both self- and other-PMIEs memories were need thwarting, with autonomy and competence mediating their differential impact on burnout, and with relatedness-on turnover intentions. Our findings emphasize the need for organizational moral repair practices, which should include enhancing nurses' feelings of autonomy, relatedness and competence. Psychological counseling and psychotherapy should be provided to nurses to prevent their episodic memories of PMIEs to be (fully) integrated in autobiographical knowledge, because this integration could have severe consequences on their psycho-social function and occupational health, as well as on the organizational climate in healthcare institutions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andrei Corneliu Holman
- Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Str. Toma Cozma 3, 700554 Iasi, Romania
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26
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Borges LM, Desai A, Barnes SM, Johnson JPS. The Role of Social Determinants of Health in Moral Injury: Implications and Future Directions. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN PSYCHIATRY 2022; 9:202-214. [PMID: 35756696 PMCID: PMC9208749 DOI: 10.1007/s40501-022-00272-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) and the development of moral injury have yet to be conceptualized as they relate to social determinants of health (SDoH).Recent Findings.In this paper, the extant literature on moral injury and SDoH is reviewed. Specific individual-level SDoH, including gender, sex, sexual orientation, race, and ethnicity, are explored relative to PMIEs and moral injury. The relationship among environmental SDoH, including childhood environment, justice involvement, and homelessness, is described. Summary Assessment and treatment implications are discussed, and future research directions highlighting the need for additional work addressing health inequities in moral injury are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M. Borges
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center for Veteran Suicide Prevention, 1700 N Wheeling St., Aurora, CO 80045 USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Alisha Desai
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center for Veteran Suicide Prevention, 1700 N Wheeling St., Aurora, CO 80045 USA
| | - Sean M. Barnes
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center for Veteran Suicide Prevention, 1700 N Wheeling St., Aurora, CO 80045 USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Jacob P. S. Johnson
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center for Veteran Suicide Prevention, 1700 N Wheeling St., Aurora, CO 80045 USA
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