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Executive summary

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Organizational recommendations for supporting and enhancing healthcare provider mental health Executive summary

Our recommendations can be grouped under four broad themes: leadership, formal organizational supports, communication, and team. 

  • Leadership: encompasses the roles of all levels of leadership. HCPs expressed that they do not feel adequately supported and acknowledged by their leadership for the work that they do. 
  • Formal organizational supports: addresses HCP concerns regarding higher level decision-making surrounding topics like benefits, policies, and procedures. 
  • Communication: refers to processes through which changes in policies and procedures are communicated to staff, as well as how staff communicate feedback on such policies and procedures. 
  • Team: describes the importance of social support and encouragement received from colleagues, which the organization can promote by developing strong teams.

* Recommendations are listed from highest to lowest frequency based on our data.

African american young woman chief physician making presentation in front of male and female international colleagues while team-building, pointing at presentation board, copy space

Leadership

  • Explain the rationale for decisions and demonstrate your understanding of the impacts of decisions on your teams
  • Professional autonomy and respect are important values to demonstrate at all levels of the organization
  • Be a visible and accessible presence to demonstrate support of and interest in your employees’ work
  • Create ongoing and regular opportunities for staff collaboration and feedback regarding leadership decisions, and integrate that feedback where possible
  • Value your teams by regularly demonstrating your gratitude in ways that resonate with them
Doctors preparing for an operation

Formal organization supports

  • Acknowledge adverse mental health outcomes are an occupational hazard for healthcare work  and prioritize employee mental health as an organizational responsibility
  • Commit to building a trauma-informed organization
  • Take visible action to protect employees’ physical safety
  • Promote mental health through education and acknowledging the stressors involved in providing healthcare
Experienced chief physician signing documents at his desk

Communication

  • Be clear, transparent, and consistent in communications with employees
  • Develop and maintain a centralized place for HCPs to access the most up-to-date information on policies and procedures
Team of Surgeons Operating in the Hospital

Team

  • Build team trust and support to foster a team-focused sense of identity and belonging
  • Provide organizational support and resources to foster strong teams
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