Companions in the Abyss: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study of an Online Therapy Group for Healthcare Providers Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Introduction:In the context of the global pandemic of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19), healthcare providers (HCPs) have experienced difficult moral and ethical dilemmas. Research is highlighting the importance of moral injury (MI)–a trauma syndrome related to transgressing personal morals and...
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| Format: | Article |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.801680/full |
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| author | Lorraine Smith-MacDonald Jaimie Lusk Dayna Lee-Baggley Katherine Bright Alexa Laidlaw Melissa Voth Shaylee Spencer Emily Mack Ashley Pike Chelsea Jones Chelsea Jones Suzette Bremault-Phillips |
| author_facet | Lorraine Smith-MacDonald Jaimie Lusk Dayna Lee-Baggley Katherine Bright Alexa Laidlaw Melissa Voth Shaylee Spencer Emily Mack Ashley Pike Chelsea Jones Chelsea Jones Suzette Bremault-Phillips |
| author_sort | Lorraine Smith-MacDonald |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction:In the context of the global pandemic of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19), healthcare providers (HCPs) have experienced difficult moral and ethical dilemmas. Research is highlighting the importance of moral injury (MI)–a trauma syndrome related to transgressing personal morals and values–in understanding the psychological harm and occupational impairment experienced by HCPs. To date, MI treatments have largely been developed for military personnel and veterans and rely on in-person one-on-one psychotherapy.Purpose:This project aims to explore the feasibility and acceptability of an evidence-informed online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based group therapy for MI in HCPs called “Accepting Moral Pain and Suffering for Healthcare Providers” (AMPS-HCP).Method:This feasibility and acceptability study included three separate phases with the first two phases focused on the development of the psychotherapeutic intervention and the third phase focused on the evaluation of the psychotherapeutic intervention. Eight participants (including registered nurses, practical nurses and respiratory therapists) completed seven 90-min sessions in an online group format. The focus of these sessions included ACT and MI psychoeducation and experientials. Qualitative semi-structured interview data was thematically analyzed while demographic and quantitative self-reported outcome data underwent descriptive analysis and non-parametric testing.Results:Results show that the intervention was highly feasible and acceptable to healthcare providers who worked on the frontline during COVID-19. Feasibility (referrals, eligibility, retention, participation engagement) was strong (8 out of 10 participants; 80% vs. desired >70% eligibility) and overall, 80% of participants completed 71% of the intervention. Data further supported the applicability and acceptability of the intervention. Preliminary data suggests that AMPS-HCP may supports HCPs to address MI.Discussion:This study is the first to report on the development and evaluation of an online MI group intervention for registered nurses, registered practical nurses, and respiratory therapists working during COVID-19. Results showed the use of both the online and group components of the intervention were acceptable and feasible during the third wave of COVID-19. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9b9d9a3dd64a48c4ae732d35d3b265a3 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-9b9d9a3dd64a48c4ae732d35d3b265a32025-08-20T02:12:06ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402022-01-011210.3389/fpsyt.2021.801680801680Companions in the Abyss: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study of an Online Therapy Group for Healthcare Providers Working During the COVID-19 PandemicLorraine Smith-MacDonald0Jaimie Lusk1Dayna Lee-Baggley2Katherine Bright3Alexa Laidlaw4Melissa Voth5Shaylee Spencer6Emily Mack7Ashley Pike8Chelsea Jones9Chelsea Jones10Suzette Bremault-Phillips11Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CanadaDepartment of Veterans Affairs, Portland Medical Center, Portland, OR, United StatesDepartment of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, CanadaDepartment of Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CanadaDepartment of Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CanadaDepartment of Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CanadaDepartment of Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CanadaDepartment of Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CanadaDepartment of Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CanadaDepartment of Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CanadaMedical Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University, Leiden, NetherlandsDepartment of Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CanadaIntroduction:In the context of the global pandemic of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19), healthcare providers (HCPs) have experienced difficult moral and ethical dilemmas. Research is highlighting the importance of moral injury (MI)–a trauma syndrome related to transgressing personal morals and values–in understanding the psychological harm and occupational impairment experienced by HCPs. To date, MI treatments have largely been developed for military personnel and veterans and rely on in-person one-on-one psychotherapy.Purpose:This project aims to explore the feasibility and acceptability of an evidence-informed online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based group therapy for MI in HCPs called “Accepting Moral Pain and Suffering for Healthcare Providers” (AMPS-HCP).Method:This feasibility and acceptability study included three separate phases with the first two phases focused on the development of the psychotherapeutic intervention and the third phase focused on the evaluation of the psychotherapeutic intervention. Eight participants (including registered nurses, practical nurses and respiratory therapists) completed seven 90-min sessions in an online group format. The focus of these sessions included ACT and MI psychoeducation and experientials. Qualitative semi-structured interview data was thematically analyzed while demographic and quantitative self-reported outcome data underwent descriptive analysis and non-parametric testing.Results:Results show that the intervention was highly feasible and acceptable to healthcare providers who worked on the frontline during COVID-19. Feasibility (referrals, eligibility, retention, participation engagement) was strong (8 out of 10 participants; 80% vs. desired >70% eligibility) and overall, 80% of participants completed 71% of the intervention. Data further supported the applicability and acceptability of the intervention. Preliminary data suggests that AMPS-HCP may supports HCPs to address MI.Discussion:This study is the first to report on the development and evaluation of an online MI group intervention for registered nurses, registered practical nurses, and respiratory therapists working during COVID-19. Results showed the use of both the online and group components of the intervention were acceptable and feasible during the third wave of COVID-19.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.801680/fullmoral injuryhealthcare provider (HCP)COVID-19acceptance and commitment therapymoral distress |
| spellingShingle | Lorraine Smith-MacDonald Jaimie Lusk Dayna Lee-Baggley Katherine Bright Alexa Laidlaw Melissa Voth Shaylee Spencer Emily Mack Ashley Pike Chelsea Jones Chelsea Jones Suzette Bremault-Phillips Companions in the Abyss: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study of an Online Therapy Group for Healthcare Providers Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic Frontiers in Psychiatry moral injury healthcare provider (HCP) COVID-19 acceptance and commitment therapy moral distress |
| title | Companions in the Abyss: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study of an Online Therapy Group for Healthcare Providers Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_full | Companions in the Abyss: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study of an Online Therapy Group for Healthcare Providers Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_fullStr | Companions in the Abyss: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study of an Online Therapy Group for Healthcare Providers Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Companions in the Abyss: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study of an Online Therapy Group for Healthcare Providers Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_short | Companions in the Abyss: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study of an Online Therapy Group for Healthcare Providers Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_sort | companions in the abyss a feasibility and acceptability study of an online therapy group for healthcare providers working during the covid 19 pandemic |
| topic | moral injury healthcare provider (HCP) COVID-19 acceptance and commitment therapy moral distress |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.801680/full |
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