Effectiveness of a multi-modal hospital-wide doctor mental health and wellness intervention

Abstract

Background Doctors report high rates of workplace stress and are at increased risk of mental health disorders. However, there are few real-world studies evaluating the effectiveness of interventions aimed at addressing workplace risk factors and improving doctors’ mental health in a hospital setting. This study was conducted over two years (2017–2019) to assess the effects of a multi-modal intervention on working conditions doctors’ mental health and help-seeking for mental health problems in two Australian teaching hospitals. Methods The multimodal intervention consisted of organisational changes, such as reducing unrostered overtime, as well as strategies for individual doctors, such as mental health training programs. Hospital-based doctors at all career stages were eligible to participate in two cross-sectional surveys. 279 doctors completed the baseline survey (19.2% response rate) and 344 doctors completed the follow-up survey (31.3% response rate). A range of workplace risk and protective factors, mental health (psychological distress and suicidal ideation) and help-seeking outcomes were assessed. Results There were significant improvements in key workplace protective factors, with small effects found for doctors’ job satisfaction, stress, work-life balance and perceived workplace support and a significant reduction in workplace risk factors including a moderate reduction in reported bullying behaviour between baseline to follow-up (job satisfaction p < 0.05, all other outcomes p < 0.01). However, no significant changes in doctors’ mental health or help-seeking outcomes were found over the intervention period. Conclusion Following the implementation of individual and organisational-level strategies in two Australian tertiary hospitals, doctors reported a reduction in some key workplace stressors, but no significant changes to their mental health or help-seeking for mental health problems. Further research is warranted, particularly to determine if these workplace changes will lead to improved mental health outcomes for doctors once maintained for a longer period.

The Role of Human Resource Management in Employee Well-Being and Mental Health: A Systematic Literature Review

“…Furthermore, workplace mental health interventions have been found effective in improving mental health literacy, promoting mental health behaviors, and enhancing attitudes towards mental health (Gayed et al, 2018). A supportive workplace environment has been highlighted as a protective factor against mental ill-health, with supervisor behavior playing a crucial role in employees' mental health (Petrie et al, 2022). Strategies such as educating business students on managing workplace mental health concerns have been identified as valuable in enhancing knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards mental health conditions (Simola, 2019).…”