How the Un Disaster Risk Equation Can Inform Frontline Workforce Psychosocial Risk Management
Tracks
Ballroom 1 and Virtual via OnAIR
| Tuesday, March 5, 2024 |
| 10:15 AM - 10:35 AM |
| Ballroom 1 |
Overview
Dr Elisabeth Mclinton, Australian National University
Speaker
Dr Elisabeth Mclinton
ACRRM Academic Registrar
Australian National University
How the Un Disaster Risk Equation Can Inform Frontline Workforce Psychosocial Risk Management
Abstract
Background
The Australian health system is under considerable pressure from workforce shortages, contributing to and exacerbated by staff burnout and attrition. Wellbeing of front-line health staff is critical to workforce retention and performance, particularly within front-line settings at high risk of psychosocial harm.
Health worker wellbeing is often framed as an issue of individual resilience. This approach overlooks structural and occupational factors affecting psycho-social workplace health and safety.
Methods
This work presents data from a qualitative auto-ethnographic study investigating individual and systemic factors shaping risk of burnout. Data was collected from experience and observation of the presenter as medical officer working in acute and emergency medicine in the Australian public hospital system from 2019 – 2023. Thematic analysis was performed using the United Nations Disaster Risk Equation (risk = hazard x exposure x (vulnerability/capacity)) as a conceptual framework to identify components of workplace risk and sites of potential intervention.
Findings
Risk of front-line psychosocial harm is shaped by both individual and structural workplace factors, such as the nature and regularity of exposure to hazards and vulnerability and capacity to manage specific hazards. Responsibility for addressing staff exposure, vulnerability and capacity extends beyond the level of the individual to the domain of workplace management and organisational structure.
Arising from this occupational risk management approach is a recommendation for dedicated onsite Staff Support and Wellbeing Offices, overseen by a Chief Wellbeing Officer and staffed by trained support officers.
Applying a risk management approach to workplace psyschosocial risk in healthcare settings aids in identifying system-level interventions to improve frontline worker wellbeing and retention. The proposed model for dedicated Staff Support and Wellbeing Offices provides an institutional framework to manage multiple occupational risks contributing to health workforce burnout and attrition, many of which are inadequately addressed through current staff wellbeing approaches.
The Australian health system is under considerable pressure from workforce shortages, contributing to and exacerbated by staff burnout and attrition. Wellbeing of front-line health staff is critical to workforce retention and performance, particularly within front-line settings at high risk of psychosocial harm.
Health worker wellbeing is often framed as an issue of individual resilience. This approach overlooks structural and occupational factors affecting psycho-social workplace health and safety.
Methods
This work presents data from a qualitative auto-ethnographic study investigating individual and systemic factors shaping risk of burnout. Data was collected from experience and observation of the presenter as medical officer working in acute and emergency medicine in the Australian public hospital system from 2019 – 2023. Thematic analysis was performed using the United Nations Disaster Risk Equation (risk = hazard x exposure x (vulnerability/capacity)) as a conceptual framework to identify components of workplace risk and sites of potential intervention.
Findings
Risk of front-line psychosocial harm is shaped by both individual and structural workplace factors, such as the nature and regularity of exposure to hazards and vulnerability and capacity to manage specific hazards. Responsibility for addressing staff exposure, vulnerability and capacity extends beyond the level of the individual to the domain of workplace management and organisational structure.
Arising from this occupational risk management approach is a recommendation for dedicated onsite Staff Support and Wellbeing Offices, overseen by a Chief Wellbeing Officer and staffed by trained support officers.
Applying a risk management approach to workplace psyschosocial risk in healthcare settings aids in identifying system-level interventions to improve frontline worker wellbeing and retention. The proposed model for dedicated Staff Support and Wellbeing Offices provides an institutional framework to manage multiple occupational risks contributing to health workforce burnout and attrition, many of which are inadequately addressed through current staff wellbeing approaches.
Biography
Dr Elisabeth McLinton is an ACRRM Rural Generalist trainee currently employed at Australian National University School of Medicine and Psychology an Academic Registrar. Prior to this position she worked as clinical in rural and remote regions of Northern Territory, NSW and ACT. Elisabeth completed a Masters of Public Health at UNSW and is currently a PhD candidate at the ANU School of Medicine in Global Health systems.
Host
Mel Stewart
Director
AST Management
Moderator
Shinade Hartman
AST Management
Justine White
Event Manager
AST Management
Session Chair
Gary Fahey
Founder
Strong Men'd
