Wellness Warriors: a qualitative exploration of healthcare staff learning to support their colleagues in the aftermath of the Australian bushfires

Bolstering health systems to cope with the impacts of climate change events: A review of the evidence on workforce planning, upskilling, and capacity building

“…The discussions under the training and skill development theme 4,5,9,13,14,26,28,30,31,33‐38,42,44‐49,52‐55,58‐73 highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness training such as establishing clear actionable protocols, procedures, drills, and evacuation plans for climate‐related events, and developing clinical skills and knowledge related to climate‐specific health conditions such as wildfire smoke exposure, heat stroke management, treating water‐borne diseases. However, only nine studies 26,28,35,37,44,64,65,69,70 in this theme discussed a training programme that had been implemented, highlighting that existing climate training and education for the health workforce is limited. Under planning for staff surge capacity , 4,5,8,10,14,27,28,30,31,33‐36,38,39,41‐50,53‐57,59‐62,67,70,72,74‐76 discussions centred on rostering considerations and contingency plans to ensure workforce surge capacity, as well as swift and effective mobilisation strategies to quickly increase workforce capacity.…”

“…Almost all studies (n = 58) discussed responses to and preparations for the effects of climate change on the health workforce (Table 4) The discussions under the training and skill development theme 4,5,9,13,14,26,28,30,31,[33][34][35][36][37][38]42,[44][45][46][47][48][49][52][53][54][55][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73] highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness training such as establishing clear actionable protocols, procedures, drills, and evacuation plans for climate-related events, and developing clinical skills and knowledge related to climate-specific health conditions such as wildfire smoke exposure, heat stroke management, treating water-borne diseases. However, only nine studies 26,28,35,<...…”

“…Role flexibility or role substitution, in which staff took on tasks outside of their usual job description or scope of practice to cope with increased patient surges, was discussed in 16 studies. 14,28,30,31,33,36,37,39,41,44,51,53,54,59,66,74 The provision of psychological support for the workforce was another important theme, with 14 studies 4,8,9,39,41,44,48,[51][52][53][54]56,66,69 highlighting the importance of looking after workers' mental wellbeing; for example, through the provision of counselling during and after climate events or reshaping rosters to ensure staff had adequate time to rest. Twelve studies discussed additional role incentives.…”

“…39,51 Only one publication included in our review described a clear psychological support programme, 'Wellness Warriors', that was established as a peer-based initiative to support colleagues in times of crisis. 69 However, there were concerns about the sustainability of Wellness Warriors and the ongoing support from healthcare leadership was seen as crucial if it was to continue providing vital support. 69 Responding to climate crises, which are impacting health systems more frequently, brings a heavy psychological toll on the health workforce.…”

“…69 However, there were concerns about the sustainability of Wellness Warriors and the ongoing support from healthcare leadership was seen as crucial if it was to continue providing vital support. 69 Responding to climate crises, which are impacting health systems more frequently, brings a heavy psychological toll on the health workforce. Policymakers, decision-makers and health managers must recognise and respond to the psychological distress suffered by the workforce and must implement strategies to prevent psychological distress by supporting staff during a crisis in addition to supporting staff after they have experienced stress and trauma.…”