By April Miller, Senior Writer, ReHack.com
LinkedIn: April Miller
X: @rehackmagazine
Health care workers endure some of the most intense strains on the body, both physically and mentally. These issues can also affect each other. For example, musculoskeletal conditions can lead to exhaustion, and poor work-life balance can lead to dizziness from fatigue. Everything could culminate in an entire workforce experiencing burnout, impacting their ability to give patients the care they deserve. Digital tools are becoming a valuable resource for helping these employees by alleviating the industry’s mental burdens.
The Effect of Burnout on Health Care Workers
Burnout rates are increasing globally among medical workers. In 2022, 46% of health care employees felt this, with nearly half looking to work in other industries that are less taxing. Some of the most likely reasons for this include labor shortages, increases in workplace harassment and the residual effects of COVID-19, to name a few.
These trends signify more than a shift in staff mental health. Medical systems are becoming potentially more toxic, exploiting workers’ time and energy because of systemic dysfunction. It also leads to a monumental reduction in employee morale and loyalty, with 72% of stressed staff having low connections and commitment to their jobs.
As burnout has become the norm, it could discourage more people from entering the sector, when patient-focused care is more important than ever. Additionally, tenured staff who are working through these mental struggles without seeking help set an unsustainable precedent. Instead, medical stakeholders must encourage restorative care measures, like taking time off, to preserve energy and passion for the work.
Why Finding Solutions Is Important
Redesigning the medical sector to prioritize mental health is essential. A resilient workforce is less likely to make mistakes and better able to foster positive connections with patients, leading to better results, than those who feel stressed. Doctors’ offices, hospitals and pharmaceutical organizations alike have a responsibility to help their teams feel cared for and encouraged to be transparent about mental health.
However, an unexpected double shift or bout of compassion fatigue could prevent any worker from attending an in-person therapy session or otherwise leveraging mental health resources. This is why embracing digital alternatives is vital, as they are more widely available due to their low barrier to entry. Unaddressed burnout risk factors lead to worse side effects, including:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Risk of personal harm
- Heightened anxiety
- Fatigue
- Fear of discussing mental health
- Apprehension in seeking help
Proven Ways to Preserve Mental Health With Digital Tools
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has many resources and suggestions for transforming the sector from within, including advocating for policy change and expanding insurance coverage. These large-scale shifts could take a long time to implement. Meanwhile, health care workers can use these virtual resources to find a balance between their work and life.
Online Media Communities
Sometimes, working in the medical sector can feel lonely or defeating because of the inevitability of things going wrong. Hearing thoughts and feelings from the community, outside the workplace bubble, could help employees become more aware that there are others who empathize with their struggles. The groups that form around online media like podcasts are great places to hear experts discuss these issues, while conversing with like-minded professionals to find solutions.
Meditation Apps
Research shows that a simple mindfulness app on a phone can reduce burnout and increase feelings of sympathy among even acute nurses. Regular use can lead to greater job satisfaction and resistance to secondary stressors. Eventually, these outcomes could reduce turnover and deepen an employee’s dedication to their work.
Virtual Mental Health Initiatives
Experts have begun developing more comprehensive platforms that health care workers can access to provide customized mental health support. Some options offer clinical assessments for employees to help them understand whether they are at risk for burnout and its side effects. Then, the program can offer customized learning tools and coping mechanisms that workers can engage in at their own pace. This freedom promotes agency and a growth mindset regarding mental health care.
How Digital Resources Make Real Impacts
Virtual mental health tools can be just as valuable as conventional methods. Making these assets more accessible in digital spaces only makes mental wellness easier to obtain. Because these resources can take many forms, whether a guided online course or an article, they can target learners of all types and personalities. This adaptability has the potential to make an even greater impact on a variety of medical workers until systemic shifts occur.