An Exploratory Pilot Study of the Experience of Vicarious Trauma and Burnout in the Workforce of Indiana Health Centers

Abstract

Study Question: Does the unique population and experiences (such as adverse social determinants of health and trauma) of the patients served contribute to the burnout of the workforce in Indiana health centers? Methods: A quantitative exploratory study conducted via a survey sent to 241 participants of an Indiana Department of Health quality collaborative cohort. The questionnaire used the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) with questions (similar to) 5 &6 from the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS). Two open ended questions were also included to gather potential interventions to reduce burnout. Results: Survey was available March to April 2023 with IRB approval 18567. A total of 146 surveys were completed (60.6%). Respondents represented a geographically diverse cross section of health center types and locations in Indiana. Many types of exhaustion were experienced, including: emotional exhaustion being reported by 59% of the respondents, and work-related emotional effect by 68% of the sample. Work related burnout was present in 64.7% of respondents. Collecting information from the patient’s about lack of housing, lack of adequate income, food insecurity, and other SDOH factors exposed 42.7% of respondents to patient trauma experiences. Participants reported worksite resources that could decrease stress such as more paid time off, team building activities during work time, and more time to document care activities. Plan for Change: The Kotter Change model was applied. Some actions would include forming a collaborative with Indiana State Department of Health, Indiana Primary Care Association, and others to implement the reported worksite changes that would benefit health center staff and decrease burnout. A co-production of healthcare model is suggested to provide insight from both health center workers and administration to create collaborative solutions in an attempt to reduce burnout with the long-term goal of reducing turnover. Any successful solutions to be shared with state and national health center leaders and a proposal for a scale up of the study project to gain new or additional potential solutions. Conclusion: Emotional and physical exhaustion in the health center workforce is evident with study results. Collecting and addressing social determinants of health factors (like food and housing insecurity and others) is an important part of caring for vulnerable patient populations. Exposure to patient trauma may be a partial contributor to the levels of burnout experienced for providers, and additional studies would be useful to determine the degree of influence or other contributing demographics (like age, gender, etc.) However, the gathering of SDOH is critical to understand patient trauma to assist staff in improving their quality of life. Additional support for the providers and support staff can decrease the impact of their exposure to vicarious trauma.