12 Ways to Manage Workplace Fatigue: Strategies for Healthcare Workers
Among the beeping monitors and hurried consultations, stand the unsung heroes of our community: our healthcare workers. They ensure that the elderly are cared for with tenderness, that people living with disabilities receive the respect and assistance they deserve, and that every individual under their watch gets the best possible care.
Yet, amid the long hours, challenging decisions, and the weight of responsibility, fatigue lurks; threatening not just the well-being of healthcare workers, but also the quality of care they provide. According to the Annual Healthcare Professionals Survey, 93% of healthcare professionals who participated grapple with mounting pressures that lead to fatigue. Recognising and addressing workplace fatigue isn't just a professional obligation; it's our commitment to those who care for us when we're most vulnerable. So, how might these healthcare heroes fend off the creeping tiredness and maintain their commendable dedication? Let’s delve into the heart of the matter.
In this blog:
12 Ways to Manage Fatigue: Strategies and Solutions for Healthcare Workers
What is Fatigue?
Fatigue is more than just feeling tired after a long day. For healthcare workers, it's an all-encompassing exhaustion, affecting their physical stamina, emotional resilience, and cognitive sharpness. This can manifest in various ways: aching muscles, a foggy mind struggling to make decisions, irritability, or even an overwhelming sense of despair. Imagine trying to offer optimal care, make critical decisions, or console a concerned family member while battling such profound tiredness. For our healthcare professionals, this isn't just a hypothetical scenario; it's a recurrent challenge.
Fatigue Symptoms
Understanding fatigue involves recognising its symptoms. They can manifest in various ways, often starting subtly before intensifying. Here's what healthcare professionals and their managers should look out for.
Physical Symptoms
Persistent tiredness
Despite getting what should be adequate sleep, one still feels continually drained.
Headaches
Regular occurrences, especially after long shifts.
Muscle weakness or pain
Tasks that were once easy might start feeling laborious or painful.
Slowed reflexes
A lag in physical responses, especially noticeable in high-precision tasks.
Mental and Cognitive Symptoms
Reduced decision-making ability
Finding it challenging to make choices or second-guessing decisions more frequently.
Difficulty concentrating
Tasks that require focus, like reading patient reports, become harder to complete.
Memory problems
Forgetting crucial details or misplacing items more frequently.
Increased errors
Mistakes in areas that one is usually proficient in.
Emotional Symptoms
Mood swings
Rapid shifts in mood, from irritability to sadness, often without a clear trigger.
Reduced motivation
A decreased interest in tasks, even those that were once enjoyable or rewarding.
Feelings of overwhelm
A sense that everything is "too much", even routine tasks.
Recognising these symptoms early is crucial. By addressing fatigue at the onset, healthcare professionals can prevent its escalation, ensuring they remain at their optimum, both for their well-being and for the clients they serve.
Prevalence of Employee Fatigue in Australian Healthcare Workers
The relentless demands of the healthcare sector, compounded by the challenges of the pandemic, have significantly impacted the well-being of healthcare workers. Mental Health Australia's annual survey, offers an eye-opening look into the profound effects the past few years have had on healthcare professionals.
Pandemic-Driven Burnout
Throughout the years of the pandemic, burnout rates among healthcare workers have been alarmingly high. In 2022, 84% reported feelings of burnout, a slight decrease from 86% in 2021 but still considerably higher than the 80% in 2020. This consistent trend underscores the persistent strain faced by those in the healthcare profession.
Stress and Pressure
A staggering 84% of respondents in 2022 stated that working in healthcare during the pandemic intensified workplace stress and pressure.
Seeking Support
45% sought mental health support, with a majority turning to their personal networks of family and friends, emphasising the crucial role of personal connections during these challenging times.
Employment Impacts
The pandemic has also influenced workforce stability. Half of the surveyed health professionals indicated they left their job due to COVID-19-related challenges in the workplace. Furthermore, 78% felt the strain of staff shortages where they worked.
Underlying Causes of Staff Shortages
Several factors contributed to these shortages:
68% identified burnout, stress, and other mental health conditions as reasons for colleagues taking sick leave.
66% pointed to recoveries from COVID-19 and other illnesses.
53% felt an increasing number of professionals were exiting the healthcare field altogether.
Symptoms of Burnout
Among healthcare workers experiencing burnout:
An overwhelming 93% reported fatigue and tiredness.
74% grappled with feelings of being overwhelmed, anxious, or fearful.
68% faced sleep disturbances and lacked the energy for social activities.
The numbers paint a stark picture of the toll the pandemic has taken on our healthcare professionals. As we navigate the challenges ahead, understanding and addressing the sources and symptoms of fatigue and burnout become even more paramount.
What are the Risks of Fatigue?
Fatigue, while often brushed off as just another part of a demanding job, holds grave implications for healthcare workers. Its consequences span across various dimensions, from cognitive abilities to physical health. Let’s unpack the fatigue-related risks.
Cognitive Impairments
Unchecked fatigue can seriously hinder cognitive functions. Memory recall, decision-making ability, and concentration can all take a hit when healthcare workers are exhausted. This is especially critical in high-pressure scenarios where accurate recall of medical information or swift decision-making can be the difference between effective and suboptimal care.
Slowed Reaction Times
Fatigue doesn't just dull the mind; it slows the body. Reaction times might be delayed, which poses tangible risks, especially in emergency scenarios where every second is crucial.
Emotional Exhaustion
Healthcare isn’t just about medical procedures and prescriptions. It's about compassion, understanding, and emotional support. Fatigued healthcare workers might find it challenging to offer the compassionate care that's a hallmark of their profession, potentially affecting patient-client relationships and care outcomes.
Physical Health Risks
Prolonged fatigue isn't just an immediate concern; it has long-term physical repercussions. Healthcare professionals might face weakened immune systems, a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, and other health challenges that come with persistent exhaustion.
Mental Health Concerns
The demands of healthcare, combined with unmanaged fatigue, can be a potent mix for mental health challenges. Burnout, depression, and anxiety can become real concerns, emphasising the need for proactive fatigue management.
What
Tiredness can translate into tangible errors in the healthcare setting. Whether it's a misread chart, a missed medication dose, or a lapse in surgical precision, fatigue-related incidents can have serious and sometimes irreversible consequences for clients.
Suggested reading: How to Improve Communication with Those in Care
Causes of Fatigue in the Workplace
While fatigue can creep into any profession, healthcare workers face unique challenges that can amplify its onset. Let's uncover some of the primary culprits behind workplace fatigue in the healthcare sector:
Extended Shifts
Many healthcare professionals, especially those in hospitals or 24/7 care facilities like those offered by Tunstall’s Connected Care services, work long hours. These extended shifts, sometimes stretching beyond the typical 8-hour workday, can quickly lead to exhaustion.
Emotional Stress
Healthcare often involves life-changing decisions and emotional interactions. From delivering difficult diagnoses to supporting families through challenging times, the emotional toll can be heavy, contributing to fatigue.
Physical Demands
The healthcare sector isn’t just mentally taxing; it’s physically demanding too. Whether it’s lifting clients, being on their feet for extended periods, or performing intricate procedures, the physical demands add up over time.
Irregular Schedules
Many healthcare workers, especially those in hospitals, work on rotational shifts, meaning their work hours might change from week to week. This constant change disrupts the body's natural circadian rhythm, making it harder to get restorative sleep.
High-Stakes Environment
The pressure of working in a high-stakes environment, where every decision can have significant consequences, adds a layer of stress that can be draining.
Administrative Burdens
While not often highlighted, the administrative aspects of healthcare – paperwork, data entry, and coordinating with other departments – can be time-consuming and contribute to feelings of burnout and fatigue.
Recognising these causes is the first step in addressing and mitigating workplace fatigue. The next section offers practical solutions and strategies for managing this pervasive challenge.
Fatigue Management
Successfully managing fatigue requires a multi-faceted approach. As we’ve learned, the causes of fatigue in healthcare are diverse, so our strategies must be varied and comprehensive. Let's explore some evidence-backed methods healthcare workers can adopt:
1. Minimise Sleep Loss
It might sound straightforward, but ensuring you get enough sleep is paramount. Quality sleep helps repair and restore the brain and body. Establish a sleep schedule, even on days off, to regulate your body's internal clock. Consider darkening curtains, noise machines, or earplugs to create an environment conducive to uninterrupted sleep.
2. Naps during Night Shifts
For those working night shifts, short, strategic naps can be a lifesaver. A 20 to 30-minute power nap during a break can rejuvenate the mind and body, helping to maintain alertness for the remainder of the shift. While the emergency room is bustling with activity, even a brief 20-minute nap during a break can recharge the mind, enabling healthcare professionals to maintain their alertness and provide top-notch care.
3. Good Sleeping Habits
Cultivating a bedtime routine can signal to your body that it's time to wind down. Avoid screens, caffeine, and heavy meals before bedtime. Activities like reading, deep breathing exercises, or gentle stretches can ease the transition into a peaceful slumber.
4. Circadian Adaptation
Our body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm, is influenced by external cues like light. For those on rotating shifts, consider light therapy, using bright lights during waking hours and minimising light exposure before sleep, to help realign your rhythm.
5. Stimulators
While it's essential to be cautious, moderated use of stimulants like caffeine can provide short-term alertness boosts. The key is timing: avoid consumption too close to bedtime to ensure it doesn't interfere with sleep.
6. Ongoing Employee Health Checks
Regular health checks can help in early detection of any signs of chronic fatigue or related health issues.
7. Educate Employees About the Importance of Sleep
Knowledge is power. Conducting workshops or training sessions on the science and importance of sleep can be an eye-opener for many, prompting them to prioritise rest. Understanding the cognitive and physical benefits of sound sleep can lead to better personal choices, from opting for earlier bedtimes to creating a bedroom environment conducive to relaxation.
8. Promote Work-life Balance
All work and no play make for a fatigued healthcare professional. Encouraging regular breaks, vacations, and time spent on hobbies can rejuvenate the spirit and provide a necessary escape from workplace pressures. A weekend spent exploring local sights or engaging in a cherished hobby can offer a much-needed break from the demands of healthcare.
9. Implement Employee Wellness Programs
Holistic wellness programs can cater to physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Activities like yoga, mindfulness sessions, or group therapy can offer outlets for stress and enhance overall resilience.
10. Optimise Work Schedules
Predictable, consistent work schedules, when possible, can aid in sleep regulation. Where rotating shifts are necessary, ensuring ample time between shifts can help in recovery.
11. Stay Hydrated
Hydration plays a vital role in combating fatigue. Keeping a water bottle handy and setting reminders to drink can ensure that healthcare professionals remain hydrated, maintaining energy levels throughout their shifts.
12. Healthy Diet
A balanced diet fuels the body. Consuming meals rich in protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats can provide sustained energy. The occasional treats and comfort foods are fine, but leaning towards nutrition-packed choices for daily meals can work wonders.
Addressing fatigue isn't just the responsibility of individual healthcare workers. Institutions, organisations, and the broader community must recognise the importance of well-rested healthcare professionals. After all, when they thrive, we all benefit from the elevated care they provide.
Suggested reading: A National Nursing Workforce Strategy Is Being Developed in Australia
How Tunstall Promotes Workplace Health and Safety
At the heart of Tunstall Healthcare's mission is a commitment to safeguarding not only vulnerable people but also our dedicated healthcare workers. The challenges and hazards that healthcare workers face cannot be understated. Recognising this, Tunstall has leveraged its technological prowess and industry expertise to develop a comprehensive suite of safety solutions tailored for such workers.
Explore our lone worker safety solutions.
Working in healthcare during the pandemic has undeniably magnified workplace stress and pressures, as evidenced by Mental Health Australia's survey. Against this backdrop, the importance of ensuring the safety of employees, particularly those working in isolation or hazardous environments, becomes paramount. Tunstall's approach to this challenge is holistic, encompassing technologically advanced products, continuous monitoring, and collaborative partnerships.
Tunstall's Dedicated Products for Lone Worker Safety
Tunstall offers a range of products, such as the Tunstall Gem4, Personal Alarm Watch, GPS Watch, a wearable lone worker alarm equipped with an SOS button and GPS tracking. This device ensures lone workers can promptly access help during emergencies, bolstered by Tunstall’s 24/7 Customer Care Centre. The Tunstall Gem4, with its range of features including automatic fall detection and open voice communication, is designed with the worker's safety and peace of mind as a priority.
For those seeking a more mobile solution, Tunstall, in collaboration with Guardian, introduces the Lifestream mobile app, a personal safety application tailored for lone workers. This app, available on major platforms, incorporates features like GPS location, 24/7 monitoring, and SOS functionalities. It streamlines the check-in and check-out processes, ensuring employers remain updated on the whereabouts of their employees. The proactive monitoring by Tunstall’s Care Consultants ensures timely interventions, whether it's a missed check-out or an SOS distress call.
Collaborative Partnerships for Enhanced Safety
Tunstall's commitment extends to fostering partnerships with healthcare and community care organisations, such as Ozcare. By integrating Tunstall's Lone Worker Safety Solutions, these organisations ensure the safety and peace of mind of their lone workers and care staff. The synergy between Tunstall and its partners ensures that while care staff remain protected, they can concentrate on delivering high-quality care to their clients.
Tunstall Healthcare's unwavering focus on workplace health and safety, especially for those working in isolation, exemplifies its dedication to its mission. For those keen on exploring these safety solutions, contact Tunstall Healthcare today.
Keep reading: What's the Best Personal Alarm for Your Workforce?