Feasibility and Uptake of a Technology-Facilitated Pilot Program for Healthcare Workers: A Small-Scale Quality Improvement Evaluation

Healthcare workers (HCWs) report elevated distress. Accessible and personalized mental health intervention programs for HCWs are limited. Technology-based intervention support programs could mitigate adverse health outcomes in HCWs. Using a feasibility approach, we report engagement with a technology-based mental health screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment program designed for HCWs from a quality improvement project. 598 HCWs across seven hospital units were invited to participate. Participants were not recruited as a treatment-seeking sample. HCWs completed a baseline survey and could opt-in to brief, tailored text-based screenings with real-time feedback. HCWs completed a 90-day follow-up survey. Of the 598, 80 (13%) initiated/began the baseline assessment, with 48 (60%) of 80 baseline respondents completing only baseline, and the remaining 32 (40%) completing at least one weekly and/or 90-day follow-up survey. Most respondents were intensive care unit registered nurses ( n = 23; 29%), patient care techs ( n = 10; 13%), or ‘other’ ( n = 38; 48%). Most were aged 18–35 (68%) and female (88%). 17 (25%) of 69 with available referral data requested a referral to a well-being clinician. Average number of views for weekly coping strategy videos was 14 (median = 12). 5% ( n = 4) of the sample reported suicidal ideation. Descriptive statistics (i.e., non-inferential testing) of clinical outcomes on quantitative measures suggested variable symptoms at baseline, with elevated symptoms for some measures. While a small percentage of individuals participated in baseline screening and subsequent activities from the 598 identified, a quarter of 69 requested a referral to well-being services. Results provide insight into use of light-touch interventions for HCWs, informing wraparound services in healthcare systems.