Jennifer Smiechowski1, Henry Stelfox2, Shane Sinclair3, Tasnim Sinuff4, Kathleen Grindrod-Millar5, Amanda Roze des Ordons6. 1. Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Foothills Medical Center, North Tower, Room 910, 1403 29th Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 2T9, Canada. 2. Department of Critical Care Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Foothills Medical Centre, McCaig Tower, 3260 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 426, Canada; Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Room 3D10, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada. 3. Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Professional Faculties 2259, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada. 4. Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, Room D1 08, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada. 5. Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Room 3D10, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada. 6. Department of Critical Care Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Foothills Medical Centre, McCaig Tower, 3260 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 426, Canada; Department of Anesthesiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Foothills Medical Center, North Tower, Room C222, 1403 29th Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 2T9, Canada; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Tom Baker Cancer Center, Education Office, 1331 29th Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N2, Canada. Electronic address: amanda.rozedesordons@ucalgary.ca.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To explore the impact of caring for family members experiencing spiritual distress on Intensive Care Unit healthcare providers. DESIGN: A qualitative study involving interviews and focus groups between May 2016 and April 2017. PARTICIPANTS: Intensive care healthcare providers from nine teaching and three non-teaching units across Alberta, Canada. MEASUREMENTS: Transcribed data were analysed using interpretive description. FINDINGS: Forty-two participants variably described experiences of vicarious spiritual distress, along with coping strategies and outcomes related to these experiences. Vicarious spiritual distress was experienced as sorrow/distress, helplessness and preoccupation/rumination. Coping strategies were both adaptive (self-awareness/reflection, reframing/resiliency, team support/debriefing, self-care, accepting limitations) and maladaptive (compartmentalising/distancing, substance use). Lastly, the emotional burden of these experiences resulted in both favourable (satisfaction, appreciation) and unfavourable (moral distress, burnout, hopelessness) outcomes. CONCLUSION: Our findings describe the novel concept of vicarious spiritual distress as experienced by intensive care healthcare providers and highlight the importance of identifying effective ways to support these professionals throughout their careers to prevent unfavorable outcomes and the perpetuation of maladaptive coping strategies. The adaptive coping strategies described in this study may help inform wellness initiatives and resiliency training tailored to intensive care healthcare providers.
OBJECTIVES: To explore the impact of caring for family members experiencing spiritual distress on Intensive Care Unit healthcare providers. DESIGN: A qualitative study involving interviews and focus groups between May 2016 and April 2017. PARTICIPANTS: Intensive care healthcare providers from nine teaching and three non-teaching units across Alberta, Canada. MEASUREMENTS: Transcribed data were analysed using interpretive description. FINDINGS: Forty-two participants variably described experiences of vicarious spiritual distress, along with coping strategies and outcomes related to these experiences. Vicarious spiritual distress was experienced as sorrow/distress, helplessness and preoccupation/rumination. Coping strategies were both adaptive (self-awareness/reflection, reframing/resiliency, team support/debriefing, self-care, accepting limitations) and maladaptive (compartmentalising/distancing, substance use). Lastly, the emotional burden of these experiences resulted in both favourable (satisfaction, appreciation) and unfavourable (moral distress, burnout, hopelessness) outcomes. CONCLUSION: Our findings describe the novel concept of vicarious spiritual distress as experienced by intensive care healthcare providers and highlight the importance of identifying effective ways to support these professionals throughout their careers to prevent unfavorable outcomes and the perpetuation of maladaptive coping strategies. The adaptive coping strategies described in this study may help inform wellness initiatives and resiliency training tailored to intensive care healthcare providers.