Due to the demanding nature of their work, healthcare educators are at a higher risk of burnout, depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. On today’s Osmosis blog, we’re discussing the state of mental health in healthcare, the long-term effects on patient care, and ways to support the mental well-being of health educators.
Mental health challenges are on the rise around the world following the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing stresses of a fast-paced modern-day life. Mental health and well-being are especially vital for healthcare educators who teach, guide and train new clinicians and caregivers. The mental state of a healthcare educator can be linked to the learning environment quality they provide to students.
The state of mental health in healthcare
The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has noted more than 20 million healthcare workers in the U.S. are at risk of mental health problems due to challenging work conditions, which includes doctors, nurses, healthcare educators, medical assistants, home health aides, and more.
NIOSH identifies burnout, stress, anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, and suicidal behavior as the top mental health challenges faced by healthcare professionals throughout time. Along with challenging work conditions are long work hours, intense physical and emotional labor, rotating or irregular shifts, increased risk of exposure to disease and violence, and exposure to human suffering and death.
Findings from recent research indicate that many healthcare workers are feeling the impact of these challenges. A survey conducted from June to September 2020 by Mental Health America (MHA) revealed that 93 percent of health personnel reported that they were stressed out and stretched too thin, 82 percent said they were emotionally and physically exhausted, and 45 percent of nurses disclosed that they were not receiving sufficient emotional support.
Another study conducted during the pandemic indicated that 22 percent of all healthcare employees experienced moderate depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (an analysis of 65 studies across 21 countries). Of the physicians in the study, 69 percent reported dealing with depression, and another 13 percent of doctors considered suicide. Additionally, 64 percent of physicians who had burnout were women, with the most severe psychological symptoms among younger workers, nurses, and other frontline employees.
NIOSH cautions that these challenges may increase the significant shortage of available health workers, citing a survey in which 32 percent of nurses stated that they have considered leaving their jobs. Their main considerations for quitting included the intensity of their workload, insufficient staffing, and the emotional toll of the work.
Why personal mental health is important
The mental well-being of healthcare educators deserves significant spotlight and attention due to the essential roles they play in society, training future doctors, nurses, and other healthcare roles.
Mental health supports the smooth and efficient functioning of the human body and emotional state. For healthcare educators, burnout and compassion fatigue can negatively impact staff retention, patient care, and teaching effectiveness.
Burnout
Burnout is a mental health condition that emerges as a response to chronic stressors on the job, causing feelings of exhaustion, negative feelings or cynicism about work, and physical or mental collapse leading to reduced efficacy on the job. It has been described as dangerous to medical staff, patients, and healthcare institutions. Unchecked, it can degenerate into long-term physical and/or mental illness, medical errors, poor patient care, increased turnover, and additional costs for organizations, making early identification and intervention crucial.
A 2021 study in Pakistan examined burnout in medical educators and the factors associated with it. The study utilized mixed research methods that included both quantitative and qualitative techniques. Results show “a very significant level of burnout among medical faculty working in different medical colleges and universities across Pakistan.”
Compassion fatigue
The term compassion fatigue (also known as secondary trauma or secondary traumatic stress) describes the physical and psychological impact of caregiving that results in feelings of reduced empathy and sensitivity.
Healthcare professionals who are often privy to the traumatic experiences of their patients are particularly susceptible to compassion fatigue. It can negatively impact patient care and workplace relationships and has been linked to more serious mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
Negative impacts on patient care
Faculty well-being is incredibly important in an educational setting, not only for the educators but for the students they teach. The National Academy of Medicine notes that “faculty well-being may influence teaching behaviors and the experience of learners.” Negative learning environments can affect medical student outcomes and subsequently, the quality of patient care delivered by trainees.
Signs of burnout
Signs and symptoms associated with burnout:
Emotional symptoms
- Loss of motivation
- A feeling of helplessness
- Sense of failure or self-doubt
- Cynicism
- Feeling detached or alone in the world
- Decreased satisfaction (job, personal life)
Physical symptoms
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Constant illness
- Stomach aches and intestinal problems
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in sleep patterns
Behavioral signs
- Withdrawal or isolation
- Declined performance
- Procrastination
- Substance abuse
- Outbursts
Coping strategies for health educators
Coping with mental health issues can be challenging, but reaching a positive mental health state can benefit an educator physically and emotionally, while subsequently boosting their student’s potential success.
- Acknowledge stress and recognize its impact
- Connect with others
- Take care of your body
- Eat healthy foods
- Take time to unwind
- Manage your sleep
- Focus on what you can control
Ways to help your health educator colleagues and peers
- Check-in on each other
- Keep each other accountable for self-care
- Express gratitude
- Pay attention to nonverbal cues
- Lend each other support
Conclusion
With the current shortage of healthcare professionals, prioritizing the mental health of healthcare educators is essential. Mental well-being is integral to the smooth and efficient functioning of the human body and crucial to personal, community, and socio-economic development. Health educators play an important role in shaping the healthcare industry’s future. Creating work environments that support mental health helps avoid long-term repercussions, such as increased turnover, continued staff shortages, and worsening patient outcomes. Interested in learning how Osmosis can support self-directed learning in your program?Schedule a call today.
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