Outcomes of a stress management group course for community learning disability staff

Research has demonstrated that work-related stress can have significant negative effects on healthcare professionals’ well-being and clinical practice. This article reports on a service evaluation that explored the outcomes of a self-guided stress management course for staff in an NHS community learning disability service and considered whether such courses are effective when delivered in a group setting. A mixed-method approach was used to evaluate two eight-week group courses developed using resources provided by the local trust’s health and well-being hub. Questionnaires were administered to gather quantitative and qualitative data as well as feedback from staff members who had attended the course. All participants reported an improvement in their perceived ability to manage their stress. Several benefits to holding in-person group sessions for supporting staff well-being were also highlighted.