Promise and Perils of Leader-Employee Check-Ins in Reducing Emotional Exhaustion in Primary Care Clinics: Quasi-Experimental and Qualitative Evidence

Details

• Personal Author:
  Everson T ; Greenspan SA ; Hurtado DA ; Lenhart A ; McGinnis W ; Valenzuela S
• Description:
  Objective: To analyze the role of short (<30 minutes) and frequent (quarterly) check-ins between clinic leaders and employees in reducing emotional exhaustion. Methods: Three interrelated studies were conducted: a 3-year repeated cross-sectional survey at 10 primary care clinics (n=505; we compared emotional exhaustion, perceived stress, and values alignment among employees of a clinic where check-ins were conducted vs 9 control clinics); interviews with leaders and employees (n=10) regarding the check-ins process and experiences; and interviews with leaders and employees (n=10) after replicating the check-ins at a new clinic. Results: Outcomes were similar at baseline. After a year, emotional exhaustion was lower at the check-ins compared with control clinics (standardized mean difference, d, -0.71 [P<.05]). After 2 years, emotional exhaustion remained lower at the check-ins clinic, but this difference was not significant. The check-ins were associated with an increment in values alignment (2018 vs 2017, d=0.59 [P<.05]; 2019 vs 2017, d=0.76 [P<.05]). There were no differences for perceived job stress. Interviews indicated that work-life challenges were discussed in the check-ins. However, employees need confidentiality and to feel safe to do so. The replication suggested that the check-ins are feasible to implement even amid turbulent times. Conclusion: Periodic check-ins wherein leaders acknowledge and address work-life stressors might be a practical tactic to reduce emotional exhaustion in primary care clinics. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Health Personnel Mental Health Nervous System Occupational Health Safety Stress, Psychological
• Keywords:
  Cross Sectional Studies Health Care Workers Job Stress Mental Health Qualitative Analysis Work-life Balance Work Organization
• ISSN:
  0025-6196
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Oregon ; OSHA Region 10
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  98
• Issue:
  6
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20067579
• Citation:
  Mayo Clin Proc 2023 Jun; 98(6):856-867
• Contact Point Address:
  David A. Hurtado, ScD, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, 3222 SW Research Dr, L606, Portland, OR 97239
• Email:
  hurtadod@ohsu.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2023
• NORA Priority Area:
  Healthcare and Social Assistance ; Public Safety
• Performing Organization:
  Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20110901
• Source Full Name:
  Mayo Clinic Proceedings
• End Date:
  20260831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:6494b3f5bb95defb7a71f82e8a85b30fa82a52fb27dcae5a5d86074330645ff187bc6287a11e296343c11ba5beac3b10739a89caafe90146dbffa3b18b5bc4ba
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/231504/cdc_231504_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 382.19 KB ]