Effect of resilience training for HCWs during COVID-19

Editor's Note

This study from the University of Washington, Seattle, finds that a group coaching program designed to reduce stress and teach resilience was associated with improved mental health outcomes in healthcare workers (HCWs) during COVID-19.

A total of 153 participants provided informed consent for the study with a mean age of 40.6 years; 81 participants were in patient facing roles, and 72 were in nonpatient facing roles. The HCWs participated in a Promoting Resilience in Stress Management program that included six weekly 1-hour group sessions delivered via video conferencing.

Among the findings:

• Resilience increased by a mean of 1.74 points
• Stress decreased by a mean of 2.40 points
• Anxiety decreased by a mean of 2.04 points
• Burnout-exhaustion decreased by a mean of 0.37 points
• Hope increased by a mean of 1.85 points
• Benefit finding increased by 5.42 points.

Results were similar for patient facing and nonpatient facing roles.

The findings of this study suggest that resilience building programs may support improved mental health outcomes in HCWs, the researchers say.