Thread by @WePublicHealth

We are spoilt for choice in this afternoon's breakout sessions! Follow Jennifer Doggett @CroakeyNews for discussions in Breakout Session 3- 'preparing for change: protecting the person & the planet.' #GIANTSTEPS22

I'll be reporting on Breakout Session 4- discussions about supporting healthcare workers & staying connected during #COVID19 visitor restrictions #GIANTSTEPS22

Let us know what session you're jumping into using #GIANTSTEPS22 - we'd love to catch up with the discussions later.

The first presenter in this session is Dr @joanne_wrench Manager of Psychology, Austin Health, talking about ‘Running on empty: practical ways to support a depleted healthcare workforce’ #GiantSteps22

Simple definition for 'wellbeing' = to feel good most of the time, to be able to function well & the big one, to have strong social connections - @joanne_wrench #GiantSteps22

When implementing wellbeing programs, it is helpful to think about theoretical models and frameworks. Positive psychology one theory = "scientific study of what goes right in life" (Peterson) - @joanne_wrench #GiantSteps22

Framework - integrated approach to workplace mental health - look for strengths of the workforce - @joanne_wrench #GiantSteps22

They drew on the work of 5 ways to wellbeing - @joanne_wrench #GiantSteps22
5waystowellbeing.org.au

Program 1 - psychology and creative therapy sessions (in March, April 2021 when state of Victoria mostly covid-free and groups were allowed to meet) - @joanne_wrench #GiantSteps22

This worked well until Delta outbreak took off and face to face sessions were no longer suitable - @joanne_wrench #GiantSteps22

Standing at the crossroads, psychology virtual wellbeing sessions were implemented - @joanne_wrench #GiantSteps22

The importance of social connection was highlighted in evaluations of the program - @joanne_wrench #GiantSteps22

Tip 3: be realistic and compassionate - "we cannot make anymore lemonade". Reality will always have its way & you have to acknowledge that each person's reality is different to someone else's - @joanne_wrench #GiantSteps22

Burnout is a system issue, while you can build resilience & support staff, fixing burnout should not become the responsibility of staff - @joanne_wrench #GiantSteps22

Compassionate leadership = what can you do when you can't fix the situation? Compassion comes from action - @joanne_wrench #GiantSteps22

Program 3: Targeted wellbeing sessions, incl sessions emailed to staff, mentoring training, express group wellbeing - @joanne_wrench #GiantSteps22

Tip 4: understand context and need - not just organisational context - @joanne_wrench #GiantSteps22

One of the biggest challenges is sustainability - wellbeing is often assigned to one or two people in the team, which is not sustainable. - @joanne_wrench #GiantSteps22

Wellbeing is a system or organisational issue - need to build up leadership in team and staff so they can take ownership - @joanne_wrench #GiantSteps22

Tip 5: evaluate and change, shift and change as situations change - @joanne_wrench #GiantSteps22

Opportunities - healthcare worker wellbeing is high on agenda of government, organisations & community - right time to leverage this to maintain momentum #auspol - @joanne_wrench #GiantSteps22

Sally, one of the psychologists in the Austin Health program has joined the stage for a brief mindfulness moment - time to pause and have a break from tweeting! #GiantSteps22

We are back after a quick mindfulness break, with Jenny Barr from The Royal Melbourne Hospital to talk about staying connected during COVID19 visitor restrictions @TheRMH #GiantSteps22

Jenny recounts one family's experience with their mum in hospital for 11 weeks - they could see the pressures on hospital staff but were not always aware what was happening with their mum - @TheRMH #GiantSteps22

Without family visits, usual conversations to gain information about the patient and how they behaved outside of hospital were missing, also impacting on the patient and care - @TheRMH #GiantSteps22

Family Liaison Service was created @TheRMH to connect patients with families via phone calls #GiantSteps22

Team of patient experience staff and re-deployed social workers/RNs made phone calls. Jenny says it is important to note they were non-clinical calls - to "check in, acknowledge" families. - @TheRMH #GiantSteps22

There is a gap between the intent of regular, clear communication and the reality of what some teams can manage - @TheRMH #GiantSteps22

It can be very challenging for staff from both a practical and emotional perspective, when the need to connect extends beyond the bedside, such as virtual visits at end of life - @TheRMH #GiantSteps22

Core part of care is communication - How do we embed communication?
Expectations - hardware and software aren't necessarily enough (ie language, technology barriers)
Structures - improving engagement by including carers by bedside decisions & information - @TheRMH #GiantSteps22

Staff need to be supported to create connections, for sustainable virtual visits moving forward - @TheRMH #GiantSteps22

If you start at Compassionate Leadership, staff will feel heard & acknowledged - @joanne_wrench #GiantSteps22

Incorporating wellbeing portfolios in teams, similar to safety portfolios, will be beneficial - @joanne_wrench #GiantSteps22

A comment was made in Q&A about Intentional vs incidental communication - "perhaps medical teams need more training & support with this?" - Jenny Barr agrees, and says different teams need things at different times #GiantSteps22

Another question from audience - Should we be measuring the wellbeing of healthcare workforce? - @joanne_wrench says yes, but depends what aspect of wellbeing & system issues provide challenges in measuring wellbeing #GiantSteps22

@joanne_wrench asks Do you want to measure the system issues? and/or the impact of the system issues on healthcare? Important to do both #GiantSteps22