Authors: Cherie C. Hill, MD (1), Paula G. Gomes, PsyD (2), Alayna H. Feng (1), Cricket C. Gullickson (1), Carla I. Haack, MD (1) and Sheryl L. Heron, MD, MPH (1)
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Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the well-being of healthcare professionals in unprecedented ways. Emory University School of Medicine (SOM) established a Wellness Working Group (WWG) in 2017, which has increased transparency, engagement and coordination of wellness programming across a diverse and complex academic medical center. Using its existing infrastructure, the WWG provided an institution-wide coordination and rapid response to well-being challenges posed by COVID-19.
Methods: Emory’s WWG recognized the need for increased connection and support across the SOM. This need was addressed using a five basic request model: hear me, protect me, prepare me, support me, and care for me.
Hear me: WWG members hosted the “Wellness Forum” to present existing support resources, and inquire about acute needs of staff and faculty. From April 2 to April 17, 2020, students completed an online survey to assess learner needs and opportunities for increased support from the SOM. Wellness Ambassadors served as liaisons between SOM departments, trainees and the WWG. The Wellness Ambassador functioned as intermediaries to interpret the unique needs of their respective departments while ensuring system-wide collaboration.
Protect, prepare, support and care for me: In collaboration with the Department of Psychiatry, Spiritual Health, and Nursing Services, efforts were made to increase access and awareness of existing behavioral mental health services. Additionally, a COVID-19 response website was created to centralize discussions, academic and mental health resources, and community engagement opportunities. The website provided daily livestream yoga and meditation, reflective writing activities, and links to online wellness resources.
Results: The WWG was able to immediately mobilize an effective, multidisciplinary approach. The collection of targeted wellness programs provided by each branch of the WWG saw robust participation from all stakeholder groups, with 1,629 participants. Broad engagement—from learners to senior faculty and staff—highlights the increased demand for these services across the Emory community, as well as the comprehensiveness of the approach.
Conclusions: The Emory University School of Medicine WWG provides an approach to systemic wellness that academic medical centers can model, especially in times plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Affiliation:
1 Emory University School of Medicine
2 Emory University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences