Addressing Health Care Workers' Mental Health: A Systematic Review of Evidence-Based Interventions and Current Resources.

Background. Mental health is declining in health care workers. Objectives. To provide a comprehensive assessment of intervention literature focused on the support and treatment of mental health within the health care workforce. Search Methods. We searched online databases (e.g., Medline, PsycINFO). Selection Criteria. We selected manuscripts published before March 2022 that evaluated the target population (e.g., nurses), mental health outcomes (e.g., burnout, depression), and intervention category (e.g., mindfulness). Data Collection and Analysis. Of 5158 publications screened, 118 interventions were included. We extracted relevant statistics and information. Main Results. Twenty (17%) earned study quality ratings indicating design, analysis, and implementation strengths. Randomized controlled trials were used by 52 studies (44%). Thirty-eight percent were conducted in the United States (n = 45). Ninety (76%) reported significant changes, and 46 (39%) reported measurable effect sizes. Multiple interventions significantly reduced stress (n = 29; 24%), anxiety (n = 20; 17%), emotional exhaustion or compassion fatigue (n = 16; 14%), burnout (n = 15; 13%), and depression (n = 15; 13%). Authors' Conclusions. Targeted, well-designed mental health interventions can improve outcomes among health care workers. Public Health Implications. Targeted health care‒focused interventions to address workers' mental health could improve outcomes within this important and vulnerable workforce. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(S2):S213-S226. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307556).

Safety Responsiveness and Psychological Distress Among Health Care Workers During COVID-19 (2020-2022) in the Pacific Northwest.

Objectives. The COVID-19 pandemic imposed unprecedented safety challenges on health care facilities. This study examined whether health care workers who deemed a better safety response to the pandemic by their units or employers experienced lower psychological distress. Methods. Patient care workers at a health care system in the Pacific Northwest were surveyed every 6 to 8 months from May 2020 to May 2022 (n = 3468). Psychological distress was measured with the Well-being Index (range: -2 to 7 points). Safety response was scored on the basis of participants' ratings (on a 1-5 scale) of equipment sufficiency and responsiveness to safety concerns by their health care system and unit. Results. Adjusted multilevel regressions showed an inverse association between safety responsiveness and psychological distress at the individual level (b = -0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.67, -0.41) and the unit level (b = -0.73; 95% CI = -1.46, -0.01). The cross-level interaction was also statistically significant (b = -0.46; 95% CI = -0.87, -0.05). Conclusions. Health care workers who deemed a better response to safety challenges reported lower psychological distress. This study highlights the need for continued efforts to ensure adequate safety resources. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(S2):S204-S212. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307582).

COMMunity of Practice And Safety Support for Navigating Pain (COMPASS-NP): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial with home care workers.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is a prevalent and costly problem that often has occupational origins. Home care workers (HCWs) are at high risk for work-related injuries, pain, and disability. Current treatments for chronic pain emphasize medications, which are an inadequate stand-alone treatment and can produce significant adverse effects. METHODS: In this translational study, we will adapt an established work-based injury prevention and health promotion program (COMmunity of Practice And Safety Support: COMPASS) to address the needs of HCWs experiencing chronic pain. COMPASS employs peer-led, scripted group meetings that include educational content, activities, goal setting, and structured social support. The translated intervention, named COMPASS for Navigating Pain (COMPASS-NP), will be delivered in an online group format. Safety protections will be strengthened through an ergonomic self-assessment and vouchers for purchasing ergonomic tools. Educational content will integrate a self-management approach to chronic pain using proven cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) principles. We will use a mixed-methods hybrid type 2 evaluation approach to assess effectiveness and implementation. A cluster-randomized waitlist control design will involve 14 groups of 10 HCWs (n = 140) recruited from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Half of the groups will be randomly selected to complete the intervention during the first 10 weeks, while the waitlist groups serve as controls. During weeks 10-20, the waitlist groups will complete the intervention while the original intervention groups complete a follow-up period without further intervention. Our primary hypothesis is that COMPASS-NP will reduce pain interference with work and life. Secondary outcomes include injury and pain prevention behaviors, pain severity, changes in medication use, risk for opioid misuse, well-being, physical activity, and sleep. Qualitative data, including phone interviews with group facilitators and organizational partners, will evaluate the implementation and guide dissemination. DISCUSSION: The results will advance the use and knowledge of secondary prevention interventions such as ergonomic tools and cognitive behavior therapy, to reduce injury, pain, and disability and to encourage appropriate uses of analgesic medications among HCWs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05492903. Registered on 08 August 2022.

A Comparison of Safety, Health, and Well-Being Risk Factors Across Five Occupational Samples.

Objective: The aim of this study was to present safety, health and well-being profiles of workers within five occupations: call center work (N = 139), corrections (N = 85), construction (N = 348), homecare (N = 149), and parks and recreation (N = 178). Methods: Baseline data from the Data Repository of Oregon's Healthy Workforce Center were used. Measures were compared with clinical healthcare guidelines and national norms. Results: The prevalence of health and safety risks for adults was as follows: overweight (83.2%), high blood pressure (16.4%), injury causing lost work (9.9%), and reported pain (47.0%). Young workers were least likely to report adequate sleep (46.6%). Construction workers reported the highest rate of smoking (20.7%). All of the adult workers reported significantly lower general health than the general population. Conclusion: The number of workers experiencing poor safety, health and well-being outcomes suggest the need for improved working conditions.

Exploring biopsychosocial correlates of pain, pain management strategies, and risk for opioid misuse among home care workers in Washington State.

Home care workers (HCWs) are at high risk for musculoskeletal pain and injury, and they are an important population for pain management research and intervention. The purpose of this study was to gather novel data on HCWs' work characteristics, pain experiences, pain management strategies, and risk for opioid misuse. A survey invitation was e-mailed to a random sub-sample of HCWs in Washington State, and 421 responded. Over half (54.2%) reported chronic or currently elevated pain. Pharmacological pain management strategies were used by 67.3% of all respondents with 4.8% reporting prescription opioid use. Biopsychosocial factors like injuries, interpersonal conflict, financial strain, and anxiety were associated with increased opioid misuse risk. Multimodal primary and secondary interventions are recommended to improve HCWs' pain management.

Developmental timing of initial racial discrimination exposure is associated with cardiovascular health conditions in adulthood.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between developmental timing of initial exposure to racial discrimination and cardiovascular health conditions. DESIGN: Using data from the 1995 Detroit Area Study, logistic and negative binomial regression models were used to assess the association between timing of initial exposure to racial/ethnic discrimination, classified as early childhood (0-7), childhood (8-12), adolescence (13-19), and adulthood (>19), on physician-diagnosed cardiovascular health conditions during adulthood. Each analysis adjusted for age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, education, marital status, health-related behaviors, and pre-existing health conditions. RESULTS: Of the 1,106 participants in the final sample, 520 identified as White and 586 identified as Black. Over half (64%) of the sample experienced at least one major cardiovascular health event at the time of the study, with 39% reporting two or more events. Results from logistic regression models showed that initial exposure to racial discrimination during early childhood was associated with a 2.96 (95%CI:1.15, 7.83) times greater odds of having any cardiovascular-related health condition later in life compared to individuals who reported no discrimination. Results from negative binomial regression models demonstrated that individuals who reported initial exposure to racial discrimination during early childhood and adolescence had a CVD incidence rate that was 1.63 (95%CI:1.11, 2.38) and 1.37 (95%CI:1.10, 1.69) times higher than individuals who reported no discrimination. CONCLUSION: Initial exposure to racial discrimination in early childhood and adolescence may increase the risk of cardiovascular conditions later in life. Clinicians and researchers should consider racial discrimination during childhood as a possible risk factor for illness and disease.

Impact of the RESPOND Toolkit on community pharmacists' opioid safety attitudes, self-efficacy, and knowledge.

OBJECTIVE: Pharmacists are well positioned to reduce risks from opioid-prescribing but often lack resources and training to effectively support these activities. The Resources Encouraging Safe Prescription Opioid and Naloxone Dispensing (RESPOND) Toolkit is an educational package developed to provide community pharmacists with a comprehensive education program and practice resources on prescription drug misuse, prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), and naloxone dispensing. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of the RESPOND Toolkit to improve pharmacists' knowledge and assess changes in pharmacists' attitudes and beliefs toward opioid use disorder (OUD) and PDMPs across a diverse pool of Oregon community pharmacists. METHODS: Pharmacists were recruited using an electronic mailing list of Oregon-licensed pharmacists. Pharmacists were asked to complete a preintervention survey, 3 online educational modules with pre- and post-module quizzes (optional), and a postintervention survey. Data were analyzed using paired t tests, chi-square analyses, and effect size calculations (Cohen's d). RESULTS: A total of 131 pharmacists completed the 3 educational modules and postintervention survey. Respondents were aged 37.6 ± 11.0 (mean ± SD) years and mostly frontline pharmacy staff (n = 86; 65.6%) with 10.5 ± 11.6 years of pharmacy experience. Pharmacists' knowledge and attitudes toward OUD, perceived behavioral control to address OUD, resources to address OUD, and perceptions regarding PDMP-associated difficulties improved significantly as a result of the intervention (all P < 0.001). In addition, 120 pharmacists completed the optional module quizzes, and aggregate knowledge assessment scores improved significantly (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The RESPOND Toolkit is an effective and scalable training resource for community pharmacists, with the potential to promote behavioral shifts that support opioid safety among patients. The results demonstrated improved attitudes, knowledge, and perceived behavioral control. Future work on the RESPOND Toolkit should evaluate the effect of implementation on pharmacist clinical activities and dispensing outcomes.

Development and pilot of a prescription drug monitoring program and communication intervention for pharmacists.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacists' role in addressing the opioid crisis continues to expand, but lack of training specifically related to standardized prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) use and communication strategies for provider and patient interactions remains a significant issue. We developed the Resources Encouraging Safe Prescription Opioid and Naloxone Dispensing (RESPOND) Toolkit to enhance community pharmacists' understanding of their role in addressing opioid safety; improve integration of PDMP into daily workflow; and enhance communication between pharmacists, prescribers, and patients. OBJECTIVE: To describe the development of RESPOND Toolkit and summarize findings from initial pilot testing. METHODS: RESPOND development was informed by focus groups with patients, prescribers, and pharmacists and an external advisory committee. Materials developed include a patient screening & communication algorithm, a provider communication checklist and an online continuing education course with three distinct modules. The RESPOND Toolkit was pilot tested in six community pharmacies in Oregon across two 6-month intervention phases. Pilot data collection included a pre-post intervention survey, pre-post knowledge assessment quizzes within the online course, and post-intervention semi-structured interviews. Interview feedback informed revisions after each phase to shape the final content, flow, and delivery of RESPOND. RESULTS: Sixteen of 21 pharmacists completed the online training, revealing a large, significant effect on knowledge gain across the three training modules (pre-score 57, post-score 84; p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 1.85). Of these participants, 10 also completed the baseline and post intervention survey and showed non-significant moderate improvements in knowledge, perceived behavioral control, and self-efficacy to address opioid safety issues. CONCLUSION: The RESPOND Toolkit has promise as an effective and scalable approach to providing community pharmacist-tailored training, especially in the areas of effective communication and workflow integration, to promote behavioral shifts supporting opioid safety for patients. Further development and testing in a larger sample is warranted.

Qualitative study on the price of drugs for multiple sclerosis: Gaming the system.

OBJECTIVE: To describe pricing decisions, justifications, and attitudes among current and former biotech industry executives for companies that manufacture multiple sclerosis disease-modifying therapies. METHODS: Four leaders in biotech who have been directly involved in multiple sclerosis disease-modifying therapy pricing or marketing volunteered to participate in 30-minute semistructured interviews conducted via telephone. An expert in qualitative methods moderated and analyzed the interviews alongside the principal investigator. Brief, preinterview online surveys were also administered to provide additional context and insight for discussion. Interviews were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed. RESULTS: Participants consistently stated that initial price decisions were dictated by the price of existing competitors in the market. Revenue maximization and corporate growth were drivers of price escalations in the absence of continued market penetration. Lower revenue predictions outside the United States also informed pricing strategies. The growing complexity and clout of drug distribution and supply channels were also cited as contributing factors. Although decisions to raise prices were motivated by the need to attract investment for future innovation, recouping drug-specific research and development costs as a justification was not strongly endorsed as having a significant influence on pricing decisions. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to prevailing narratives that underscore drug development costs, findings from our interviews suggest that the existing price ecosystem, overall corporate growth, international pricing disparities, and supply chain-related distortions may play a more central role in drug pricing decision.

Physician Responses to Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Profiles.

OBJECTIVE: Many states have begun implementing enhancements to PDMP patient profiles such as summaries or graphics to highlight issues of concern and enhance comprehension. The purpose of this study was to examine how physicians respond to sample enhanced PDMP profiles based on patient vignettes. DESIGN: Brief semistructured interviews with physicians. SETTING: Three national medical conferences for targeted specialties. SUBJECTS: Ninety-three physicians practicing in primary care, emergency medicine, or pain management. METHODS: We presented participants with one of three patient vignettes with corresponding standard and enhanced PDMP profiles and conducted brief interviews. RESULTS: Findings indicated that enhanced profiles could increase ease of comprehension, reduce time burden, and aid in communicating with patients about opioid risks. Physicians also expressed concern about liability for prescribing when the enhanced profile indicates risk and cautioned against any implication that risk warnings should override clinical judgment based on the patient's complete medical history or presenting condition. Physicians emphasized the need for transparency of measures and evidence of validation of risk scores. We found little indication that enhanced profiles would change opioid prescribing decisions, though decisions varied by physician. CONCLUSIONS: Our study underscores the importance of involving prescribers in developing and testing PDMP profile enhancements, as well as providing guidance in the interpretation and clinical use of enhanced profiles. Reduced time burden is an important benefit to consider as the number of states mandating PDMP use increases.