Without effective strategies to foster their own well-being, the psychological impact of working in hospice could cause staff to leave the field in greater numbers.
Self-preservation is “paramount” to working in serious illness and end-of-life care, according to new research published in the Journal of Death and Dying.
Hospice workers from England and Wales indicated a need for employers to provide greater transparency around the nature of hospice work and more opportunities for activities that promote well-being.
“These findings have future implications at an organizational level, identifying areas for adjustment for employee well-being,” the study authors wrote. “Furthermore, this may also educate aspiring end-of-life care staff in preparation for the reality of hospice environments.”
All of the study participants indicated a need to implement well-being activities into their work schedules rather than sacrificing their personal time. Choosing to leave work to manage their well-being was identified as a “prominent dilemma,” among all respondents, researchers said.
While the study took place in the United Kingdom, the findings have significance for U.S. hospice providers who are faced with workforce shortages in which rising incidence of burnout is a contributing factor.
Labor pressures have caused many hospice leaders sleepless nights for several years running and are anticipated to worsen in the next two decades.
Encouraging a model of self-care can help employees feel more valued and develop stronger relationships between employers and staff, according to Christy Taylor, a social worker at Florida-based Hospice of Health First. The company in 2019 developed an employee wellness program designed to give staff uninterrupted time to focus on themselves, time with peers, and opportunities for self-reflection.
“The nature of working in hospice can be physically and emotionally stressful. It is important that we take care of ourselves, and most of us know how to physically but miss the emotional part,” Taylor previously told Hospice News. “The opportunity provides us with time to emotionally recharge, by processing our feelings and connecting with our colleagues.”
Hospices have adopted a number of strategies to help staff cope with the emotional toll of their work. Hospice of Health First is one of many providers that are investing more heavily in employee wellness programs. Some hospices are also using regular staff surveys to gauge employee satisfaction.
But hospices may also need to be more upfront with prospective employees about the nature of the work they will be doing, the recent U.K. research found.
Study respondents indicated a need for employers to provide insight to workers who are new to hospice into the potential personal impact of working in the field.
“Furthermore, these themes may act to educate aspiring end-of-life/palliative care nurses on the reality and impact of working within a hospice environment,” the authors wrote. “As previously mentioned by some participants, this insight would be invaluable to newcomers before thoroughly committing themselves to the potentially challenging career pathway.”
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