Abstract
Introduction
Paediatric Critical Care (PCC) staff experience high levels of stress, distress and burnout. The objective was to test feasibility of delivering staff wellbeing interventions in UK PCC units.
Materials and Methods
The method was a feasibility study of Staff Wellbeing interventions using standardized psychological measures.
Study Design and Participants
We conducted a multi-centre feasibility (non-randomised) study at 14 UK PCC units during 2023. Interdisciplinary PCC staff were recruited through principal investigators (PIs) at each site.
Data Collection Instruments
The primary outcome measure tested was the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. Secondary outcome measures tested were: Brief Resilience Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale with acceptability and feasibility surveys. All were completed online using Qualtrics.
Procedures
Two ‘SWell’ Staff Wellbeing interventions were tested: Mad-Sad-Glad and Wellbeing Images with Appreciative Inquiry. They were low-intensity, group-based, structured reflective discussions delivered by PIs. Baseline measures (t0) were completed by 596 staff, 264 (43%) completed immediate post-intervention (t1), with 6% and 5% at 3 (t2) and 6 (t3) months post-intervention, respectively.
Results
50% (n = 14) of UK PCC units delivered 104 interventions to 573 staff demonstrating delivery feasibility.
Wilcoxon signed-rank tests found that wellbeing scores and depression scores were significantly improved in matched pairs (t0, t1; n = 130). Staff ratings indicated high acceptability and feasibility for incorporating interventions into everyday practice.
Discussion
‘SWell’ interventions are feasible to deliver. Pre/post data collection is possible but significant attrition prohibited long-term follow-up. Significant improvements in wellbeing demonstrated appropriateness of outcome measures to detect changes in psychological wellbeing. Further evaluation work is required to determine whether positive changes are sustainable longer-term.
Paediatric Critical Care (PCC) staff experience high levels of stress, distress and burnout. The objective was to test feasibility of delivering staff wellbeing interventions in UK PCC units.
Materials and Methods
The method was a feasibility study of Staff Wellbeing interventions using standardized psychological measures.
Study Design and Participants
We conducted a multi-centre feasibility (non-randomised) study at 14 UK PCC units during 2023. Interdisciplinary PCC staff were recruited through principal investigators (PIs) at each site.
Data Collection Instruments
The primary outcome measure tested was the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. Secondary outcome measures tested were: Brief Resilience Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale with acceptability and feasibility surveys. All were completed online using Qualtrics.
Procedures
Two ‘SWell’ Staff Wellbeing interventions were tested: Mad-Sad-Glad and Wellbeing Images with Appreciative Inquiry. They were low-intensity, group-based, structured reflective discussions delivered by PIs. Baseline measures (t0) were completed by 596 staff, 264 (43%) completed immediate post-intervention (t1), with 6% and 5% at 3 (t2) and 6 (t3) months post-intervention, respectively.
Results
50% (n = 14) of UK PCC units delivered 104 interventions to 573 staff demonstrating delivery feasibility.
Wilcoxon signed-rank tests found that wellbeing scores and depression scores were significantly improved in matched pairs (t0, t1; n = 130). Staff ratings indicated high acceptability and feasibility for incorporating interventions into everyday practice.
Discussion
‘SWell’ interventions are feasible to deliver. Pre/post data collection is possible but significant attrition prohibited long-term follow-up. Significant improvements in wellbeing demonstrated appropriateness of outcome measures to detect changes in psychological wellbeing. Further evaluation work is required to determine whether positive changes are sustainable longer-term.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e70092 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Early online date | 6 Apr 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2025 |
Bibliographical note
Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properlycited.
Funding
This work was supported by Aston University's Proof of Concept Fund and NHS England Children's & Young People's Nursing Directorate(C192968).
Keywords
- critical care
- feasibility studies
- health personnel
- paediatrics
- psychological well-being