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Psychological Impacts of COVID-19 on Healthcare Trainees and Perceptions towards a Digital Wellbeing Support Package

Author

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  • Holly Blake

    (School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NH7 2HA, UK
    NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK)

  • Ikra Mahmood

    (School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK)

  • Gonxhe Dushi

    (School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK)

  • Mehmet Yildirim

    (School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NH7 2HA, UK)

  • Elizabeth Gay

    (School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK)

Abstract

We explore the impact of COVID-19 on the psychological wellbeing of healthcare trainees, and the perceived value of a digital support package to mitigate the psychological impacts of the pandemic (PoWerS Study). This mixed–methods study includes (i) exposure to a digital support package; (ii) participant survey to assess wellbeing, perceptions of work and intervention fidelity; (iii) semi–structured qualitative interviews. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed, data were handled and analysed using principles of thematic framework analysis. Participants are 42 health and medical trainees (9M, 33F) from 13 higher education institutions in the UK, studying during the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey findings showed high satisfaction with healthcare training (92.8%), but low wellbeing (61.9%), moderate to high perceived stressfulness of training (83.3%), and high presenteeism (50%). Qualitative interviews generated 3 over–arching themes, and 11 sub–themes. The pandemic has impacted negatively on emotional wellbeing of trainees, yet mental health is not well promoted in some disciplines, and provision of pastoral support is variable. Disruption to academic studies and placements has reduced perceived preparedness for future clinical practice. Regular check–ins, and wellbeing interventions will be essential to support the next generation health and care workforce, both in higher education and clinical settings. The digital support package was perceived to be accessible, comprehensive, and relevant to healthcare trainees, with high intervention fidelity. It is a useful tool to augment longer–term provision of psychological support for healthcare trainees, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Holly Blake & Ikra Mahmood & Gonxhe Dushi & Mehmet Yildirim & Elizabeth Gay, 2021. "Psychological Impacts of COVID-19 on Healthcare Trainees and Perceptions towards a Digital Wellbeing Support Package," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-25, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:20:p:10647-:d:653788
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Holly Blake & Holly Knight & Ru Jia & Jessica Corner & Joanne R. Morling & Chris Denning & Jonathan K. Ball & Kirsty Bolton & Grazziela Figueredo & David E. Morris & Patrick Tighe & Armando Mendez Vil, 2021. "Students’ Views towards Sars-Cov-2 Mass Asymptomatic Testing, Social Distancing and Self-Isolation in a University Setting during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-19, April.
    2. Hong Yan Li & Hui Cao & Doris Y. P. Leung & Yim Wah Mak, 2020. "The Psychological Impacts of a COVID-19 Outbreak on College Students in China: A Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-11, June.
    3. Jonathan Houdmont & Liza Jachens & Raymond Randall & Sadie Hopson & Sean Nuttall & Stamatia Pamia, 2019. "What Does a Single-Item Measure of Job Stressfulness Assess?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-15, April.
    4. Holly Blake & Fiona Bermingham & Graham Johnson & Andrew Tabner, 2020. "Mitigating the Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers: A Digital Learning Package," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-15, April.
    5. Andrew Denovan & Ann Macaskill, 2017. "Stress and Subjective Well-Being Among First Year UK Undergraduate Students," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 505-525, April.
    6. Kobau, R. & Seligman, M.E.P. & Peterson, C. & Diener, E. & Zack, M.M. & Chapman, D. & Thompson, W., 2011. "Mental health promotion in public health: Perspectives and strategies from positive psychology," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(8), pages 1-9.
    7. Holly Blake & Sarah Somerset & Catrin Evans, 2020. "Development and Fidelity Testing of the Test@Work Digital Toolkit for Employers on Workplace Health Checks and Opt-In HIV Testing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-15, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Holly Blake & Kathryn Watkins & Matthew Middleton & Natalia Stanulewicz, 2021. "Obesity and Diet Predict Attitudes towards Health Promotion in Pre-Registered Nurses and Midwives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-20, December.
    2. Holly Blake & Sarah Somerset & Ikra Mahmood & Neelam Mahmood & Jessica Corner & Jonathan K. Ball & Chris Denning, 2022. "A Qualitative Evaluation of the Barriers and Enablers for Implementation of an Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Testing Service at the University of Nottingham: A Multi-Site Higher Education Setting in England," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-17, October.

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