Lessons learned from the Health Resources and Services Administration health workforce well-being grantees.

Abstract

Introduction: Burnout and moral injury are among the most pressing issues facing healthcare and public safety today. In 2021, Congress provided $120 million through the American Rescue Plan Act for 44 Health Resources and Services Administration grants to implement evidence-informed strategies to address burnout and improve mental health among the health workforce. This article examines facilitators and barriers to implementation and reported impact of grantees' interventions.

Method: Key informant interviews (n = 39) and surveys (n = 36) with grantees were conducted between May and August 2023 and qualitatively analyzed using inductive and deductive approaches.

Results: This study found grantees were adapting their program modality, timing, and content to meet the needs of their workforce. Many grantees were increasingly focused on training/engaging leadership, establishing structures for worker engagement, and allowing worker voice and priorities to guide operational changes. Though many grantees could not yet report program impact, those who could provide early data documented decreases in staff turnover, burnout, and moral distress. A common challenge was ongoing resource constraints, including staff and leadership turnover.

Discussion: Findings suggest health and public safety organizations continued to struggle with staffing post-COVID, increasing the challenges of implementing their programs to improve burnout and well-being. However, just 18 months into their activities, grantees reported their efforts were leading to changes in organizations, culture, and the experiences of individuals. Key lessons include the importance of engaging workers, building trust, and developing intentional communication, evaluation, and feedback strategies to advance organizational-level efforts to improve worker and learner well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).