Perspective: Responding to the Well-Being of Health Care Workers and Learners in Academic Medicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Authors: Cherie Hill, Emory University; Paula G. Gomes, Emory University; Alayna H. Feng, Emory University; Cricket C. Gullickson, Emory University; Carla Haack, Emory University; Sheryl L Heron, Emory University
• Journal Title: Journal of Wellness
• Volume: Volume 2, Number 1
• Publisher: University of Louisiana | 2020-07-20, Pages 1-2
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.18297/jwellness/vol2/iss1/8
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Health Care Management; Psychology, Industrial
• Keywords: COVID-19; pandemic; healthcare professionals; risk; depression; burnout

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the well-being of healthcare professionals in unprecedented ways, including increasing risks of depression, anxi- ety, insomnia, and distress [1]. The faculty, trainees and learners at Emory University School of Medicine (SOM) provide care to patients in more than twenty hospitals and clinics across metropolitan Atlanta. They all may experience negative impacts on well-being in the wake of COVID-19. The SOM’s Wellness Working Group (WWG), established in 2017, has increased transparency, engagement and coordination of wellness programming across the diverse, 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.