Hang 10: Wellbeing to master the COVID wave

Hang 10: Wellbeing to master the COVID wave

By MaryBeth Kurland, CAE, CEO of CCMC

As we enter the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent Omicron wave, the world is weary of the whiplash-inducing ride, ricocheting us between fear and hope. Our physical and emotional endurance feels like it is reaching its breaking point.
 
We have established protocols to protect ourselves and others from the virus, but protecting our psychological wellbeing is perhaps the greatest test we still face. To effectively serve the needs of clients, it’s imperative that case managers attend to their own needs and emotional wellbeing. A well, no matter how deep, cannot refresh and revive when it is dry.
 
According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey on the pulse of Americans’ mental health initiated at the onset of the pandemic, more than one in four adults report experiencing anxiety and depression symptoms in the past seven days. The rolling survey shows that among those of working age, more than 30% reported symptoms related to anxiety and depression. [1] That percentage is more than double the rate from the same survey conducted before the pandemic began (10.8%).[2]
 
Case managers are facing the same challenges related to psychological distress and are simultaneously working each day with their clients who are also struggling to achieve health improvement goals in the midst of a pandemic. Throughout the pandemic, the Commission has asked to hear from our more than 50,000 board-certified case managers. We want to better understand how our certificants are doing as they wrestle with pandemic-driven barriers they face—including isolation from clients and co-workers, hurdles that impede emotional connection and upheaval in staffing structures in health care organizations. We’ve kept a finger on the pulse of the increased burden through a series of surveys that ask some of the hard questions about case managers’ work, health and personal challenges. A similar survey checking in on our certified disability management specialists is in the field now.
 
More than 3,400 board-certified case managers responded to our latest poll in January related to their experiences and anticipated challenges in the coming months. Tellingly, overwork and long hours are the most commonly cited challenge among CCM respondents (44%). Digging deeper, a strong majority (66%) cite staff shortages as a factor impacting their practice or organization. Survey respondents also noted workload exacerbating issues such as workers in self-quarantine (48%) and staff resignations (44%).
 
Crowded schedules, heavy caseloads and a loss of teammates to help carry the burden should raise red flags for case management leaders. These indicators may be precursors or have already led to both physical and mental health effects that often lead to burnout. Experts say that the “great resignation” has hit the health care field disproportionately, and it’s estimated that one out of five health care workers has exited their role since the pandemic began.[3]
 
However, there are also encouraging signs in the data. Respondents indicated that employers are offering more flexibility in work hours; providing case managers with a greater ability to juggle personal challenges such as child care disruptions, school closures and fewer resources to care for aging and sick loved ones. Survey respondents also indicated they expect increases in compensation in the coming months rather than decreases. Additionally, the greater availability of virtual meetings, conferences and professional development opportunities plays into increased flexibility and choice that case managers may enjoy for the foreseeable future.
 
Recognizing the need for more resources to build resilience and decrease stress, the Commission continues to produce webinars and virtual learning opportunities that provide practical tools and techniques to deal with current challenges. Our latest issue brief, Long COVID and the workplace: Case managers and disability management specialists must prepare to support clients and educate employers, offers expert insight about the ongoing effects of long COVID for client health and their ability to return to work and productivity. The discussion about long COVID is expanded in a CCMC webinar, “COVID-19 and the Effect on the Workplace: Return-To-Work Strategies and COVID Long-Haulers” and the role of professionals as educators and advocates for long COVID clients is the focus of a related blog by the Commission’s chief industry relations officer, Vivian Campagna, DNP, RN-C, CCM, “Coming to Terms with long COVID in the workplace: Disability management specialists can lead the way.”
 
These leading-edge resources are essential for board-certified case managers and certified disability management specialists to understand and proactively address client needs. From tips for establishing emotional connections with clients during virtual visits, to building wellbeing to overcome stress and thrive, we’re showcasing leading voices to help case managers succeed and thrive.
 
The Commission’s Push Pause video series consists of brief recordings offering moments of mindfulness, peace and tranquility in an easy-to-access format. Each features an inspirational speaker sharing wisdom that inspires hope, restoration, resilience and rejuvenation. These words of encouragement are a resource for our certificants to take a moment, pause, breathe and reflect. They are a great way to tame the wave of stress that can overwhelm when adversity strikes.
 
Until the COVID-19 waves ebb, endurance demands resilience, intentional optimism and frequent breaks from stressful circumstances to refresh and rejuvenate. The Commission is steadfastly committed to support case managers in your daily quest to handle every wave.
 
 
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, January 19). Mental health - household pulse survey - covid-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved January 22, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/pulse/mental-health.htm
 
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhis/mental-health-monthly-508.pdf
 
[3] Yong, E. (2021, November 18). Why health-care workers are quitting in droves. The Atlantic. Retrieved January 22, 2022, from https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/11/the-mass-exodus-of-americas-health-care-workers/620713/