Taking Care of Healthcare Workers

# Taking Care of Healthcare Workers

## The Hidden Crisis in Healthcare

Healthcare workers dedicate their lives to caring for others, yet their own wellbeing often gets overlooked in the workplace. The statistics paint a concerning picture: compared to other professions, healthcare workers experience disproportionate levels of exhaustion, dissatisfaction, depression, and burnout.

Recent years have added new layers of complexity. The shift to electronic medical records, evolving regulatory requirements, and the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19 have intensified workplace stress. What was already a demanding field has become even more taxing on those who work within it.

Steelcase Health researchers Jordan Smith and Seth Starner note that the pandemic has cast an impossible-to-ignore spotlight on these longstanding issues, creating momentum for meaningful change in healthcare organizations.

## Beyond the Triple Aim: Recognizing Worker Wellbeing

The healthcare industry's approach to organizational goals evolved significantly starting in 2014. The traditional Triple Aim framework focused on enhancing patient experience, reducing costs, and improving population health. However, leaders recognized these goals were unattainable without addressing a fourth crucial element: improving the work life of healthcare providers.

This shift to the Quadruple Aim acknowledged a fundamental truth—sustainable healthcare delivery requires healthy, supported staff.

## Moving Past Individual Solutions

Many organizations initially approached staff wellbeing by focusing on individual responsibility: more training, education, and resilience-building programs. While personal resilience matters, placing the entire burden on workers to "fix themselves" oversimplifies a complex issue.

**True clinician wellbeing is multifactorial.** It requires: - Personal resilience skills - Supportive work practices - Committed leadership - Proper infrastructure and resources - A culture that prioritizes staff health

Leading organizations understand that addressing burnout requires systemic change, not just individual effort.

## The Power of On-the-Job Respite

One breakthrough opportunity gaining traction is recognizing healthcare workers' need for meaningful breaks during their shifts. This goes beyond simply allowing time off—it means actively communicating that taking breaks is not only acceptable but essential and expected.

Transforming basic breakrooms into thoughtfully designed respite spaces makes this message tangible. As Smith emphasizes, "Space is a way to demonstrate respect. An inviting, accessible respite space that meets a range of clinicians' needs sends a message that we value you and want to make sure that you are able to function at your very best."

## Design Principles for Effective Respite Spaces

Whether adapting existing areas or creating new spaces, these design principles ensure respite areas truly serve healthcare workers:

### **Biophilia: Nature's Healing Power** Incorporate evidence-based biophilic elements to reduce stress and promote calm: - Living plants and nature-inspired artwork - Views to outdoor spaces when possible - Natural light exposure - Sound-dampening elements that create peaceful ambiance - Nature-inspired colors and patterns

### **Safety and Health Considerations** Post-COVID, safety has become paramount. Consider: - Advanced air filtration systems - Flexible occupancy limits - Easy-to-clean surfaces and materials - Separation screens when needed - Clear sightlines for security

### **Flexibility for Changing Needs** Breaks don't follow a single pattern. Spaces should accommodate: - Solitary reflection and decompression - Spontaneous collaboration and socializing - Various group sizes throughout the day - Different comfort preferences (recliners, ergonomic seating) - Easy reconfiguration with moveable furniture and screens

### **Strategic Proximity** Location determines usage. Effective respite spaces are: - Positioned near work areas but away from patient traffic - Accessible to each unit or department - Supplemented by micro-break opportunities within work settings - Clearly designated as staff-only areas

## The Business Case for Investment

Addressing healthcare worker burnout isn't just ethically important—it makes financial sense. Staff turnover carries substantial costs, with physician replacement alone costing 2-3 times their annual salary when factoring in recruitment, lost revenue, and onboarding time.

The current environment has intensified these challenges. Dissatisfaction and burnout, combined with an aging workforce, have created serious staffing shortages that threaten organizations' ability to deliver optimal patient care.

However, strategic investments in wellbeing initiatives offer substantial returns. Research suggests that interventions achieving just a 20% reduction in physician burnout risk could conservatively deliver a **12.5% return on investment**.

## Creating Lasting Change

Improving healthcare worker wellbeing requires comprehensive approaches, from short-term space improvements to longer-term organizational changes like adding chief wellbeing officers to leadership teams.

Thoughtfully designed respite spaces represent one tangible step organizations can take now. These investments demonstrate genuine commitment to staff wellbeing while providing measurable returns through improved retention, satisfaction, and ultimately, patient care quality.

For healthcare organizations ready to prioritize their most valuable asset—their people—creating supportive physical environments offers both immediate relief and long-term cultural transformation. In a field dedicated to healing others, it's time we focus on healing the work environment itself.