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Shining a light on an additional clinical burden: work-related digital communication survey study – COVID-19 impact on NHS staff wellbeing

Author

Listed:
  • Ameet Bakhai

    (Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust)

  • Leah McCauley

    (Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust)

  • Liba Stones

    (Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust)

  • Saria Khalil

    (Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust)

  • Jay Mehta

    (Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust)

  • Nicola Price

    (Aberdeen Royal Infirmary)

  • Vinodh Krishnamurthy

    (Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust)

  • Lucy H. H. Parker

    (Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust)

  • Derralynn Hughes

    (Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust)

Abstract

Work-related communication volume within the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) has had little systematic research previously. The impact of communication volume on work-life balance of healthcare staff in the NHS is also not known and has not been an area of focus or governance. COVID-19 led to a shift to non-physical work, with greater reliance on digital communication for clinical decision making. We sought to elucidate the relationship between communication, work-life balance, and COVID-19. An online survey was conducted to assess the platforms used to communicate professionally, the volume of and time spent on work-related communications, how this has changed from before to during COVID-19, and the effect on work-life balance. A total of 3047 healthcare staff provided consent and evaluable data. Emails were reported as the most frequently used communication tool, and the majority of staff asked, reported increased work-related communications due to COVID-19. Staff estimated receiving 14 emails on an average day before COVID-19. During the pandemic, staff estimated getting approximately 17 emails on an average day and 29 emails on a busy day. Work communications reportedly took up increased amounts of family and home time during COVID-19. A large proportion (36%) of staff were unable to switch off from work-related communications already before COVID-19, worsening (57%) during the pandemic. Work-related digital communication is a vital component of working in the NHS. We provide the first detailed data on the types, volume, and impact of such communication on NHS staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to pre-pandemic levels. We found that 82% of staff support the need for NHS guidance on work-related communications to help manage overload, protect emotional wellbeing, and increase resilience. Further work is urgently needed in this area to tackle the negative impact of communication technologies (technostress) on work-life balance to reduce staff stress, burnout, and turnover or early retirement of some staff.

Suggested Citation

  • Ameet Bakhai & Leah McCauley & Liba Stones & Saria Khalil & Jay Mehta & Nicola Price & Vinodh Krishnamurthy & Lucy H. H. Parker & Derralynn Hughes, 2022. "Shining a light on an additional clinical burden: work-related digital communication survey study – COVID-19 impact on NHS staff wellbeing," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:9:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-022-01427-7
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-022-01427-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elisabeth Nöhammer & Stefan Stichlberger, 2019. "Digitalization, innovative work behavior and extended availability," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 89(8), pages 1191-1214, December.
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    4. Holly Blake & Alisha Gupta & Mahnoor Javed & Ben Wood & Steph Knowles & Emma Coyne & Joanne Cooper, 2021. "COVID-Well Study: Qualitative Evaluation of Supported Wellbeing Centres and Psychological First Aid for Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-27, March.
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