Healthcare Worker Support Interventions and Patient Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background:
Healthcare practitioners are a key component of the medical system, but they encounter employment-related hazards that impact their wellbeing and are a major source of burnout. There are a number of recommended interventions to enhance practitioner wellbeing, however, there is limited synthesis evaluating current interventions. The goal of this systematic review was to summarize what is known about the effectiveness of interventions aimed at supporting medical care and wellbeing for healthcare practitioners.
Methodology:
Independent of the PRISMA statement, a systematic search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to find peer-reviewed literature regarding healthcare practitioner interventions within the last past 10 years. Search terms were limited to "medical care for healthcare practitioners," "burnout," and "mental health support." A total of ten peer-reviewed studies that measured practitioner interventions were included. Search terms included the type of intervention, burnout reduction, and practitioner satisfaction.
Results:
Study Selection: There were 350 articles returned from the first database search. After removing duplicates, we screened the titles and abstracts of 280 articles. We assessed the full text of 45 articles for eligibility. Ultimately, we included 10 studies that satisfied the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review. Synthesis of Findings: The data from the 10 included studies were synthesised, revealing five main intervention categories that were explored to improve practitioner well-being. The effectiveness of these interventions in terms of reducing burnout and practitioner satisfaction are discussed below.
On-site counseling:
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Reported Burnout Reduction: Included everyone, as low as 40-50% reported burnout reduction.
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Reported Satisfaction: Satisfaction rates were high, reported rates ranged 70-80%.
1.
Flexible Scheduling:
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Reported Burnout Reduction: Included everyone, as low as 25-35% reported burnout reduction.
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Reported Satisfaction: Satisfaction rates were moderate, reported rates ranged from 60-70%.
2.
Peer Support Groups:
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Reported Burnout Reduction: Included everyone, as low as 45-55% reported burnout reduction.
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Reported Satisfaction: Satisfaction rates were very high, reported rates ranged from 75-85%.
3.
Telehealth Support: Burnout reduction:
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Reported Burnout Reduction: Included everyone, as low as 25-35% reported burnout reduction.
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Reported Satisfaction:
Satisfaction rates were moderate, rates ranged 55-65%.

4.
Exercise Programs:
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Reported Burnout Reduction: Included everyone, and of those reported burnout 15-25%.
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Reported Satisfaction: Satisfaction rates were moderate, rates ranged 50-60%.
Conclusion:
The greatest impact can come from combining accessible, private and varied Actively supporting practitioners’ health and well-being has been shown to be most effective when there are peer support programs and in-house counselling. Workplaces must make it a priority to enact structured and tailored supports to reduce burnout and improve quality in patient care.