Building evidence-based interventions to improve staff well-being in paediatric critical care using the behaviour change wheel.

BACKGROUND

Research has demonstrated that staff working in Paediatric Critical Care (PCC) experience high levels of burnout, post-traumatic stress and moral distress. There is very little evidence of how this problem could be addressed.

AIM

To develop evidence-based, psychologically informed interventions designed to improve PCC staff well-being that can be feasibility tested on a large scale.

STUDY DESIGN

The Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) framework guided systematic development of the interventions. This process was informed by a review of existing well-being initiatives and a survey of PCC staff's awareness and uptake of initiatives identified.

RESULTS

Together with empirical evidence, the BCW process produced two bespoke 'SWell' (Staff Wellbeing) interventions tailored for delivery in UK PCC units. The two group-based interventions, Mad-Sad-Glad and Wellbeing Images involve the Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) of self-belief, social support, feedback and monitoring. These BCTs align closely with the psychological concepts of self-efficacy, self-regulation and the psychological theory of how to thrive.

CONCLUSIONS

Tailored, evidence-based, psychologically informed SWell (Staff Wellbeing) interventions are likely to be feasible and have the potential of making significant differences to individual staff members and the PCC workforce as a whole. Associated investments in the psychological health of the workforce and time to prioritize well-being interventions are required for change to occur and be maintained.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The SWell (Staff Wellbeing) interventions could impact directly on the well-being of PCC staff and their ability to thrive in the workplace. Indirectly, they could reduce staff attrition, sickness absence and improve patients' and families' experiences of care.