Feasibility of a video-delivered mental health course for primary care patients: a single-group prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In many health care systems, primary care is tasked with offering psychological treatment for common mental disorders. Resources are often limited, which complicates widespread dissemination of traditional psychological treatments. Stepped care models where the less resource-intensive interventions are delivered first, can be employed, but often do not eliminate the need for a thorough diagnostic assessment, which can be time-consuming, has the potential to bottleneck patient intake, and can add to waiting times. Novel low-threshold formats are needed to improve access to mental health care in the primary care setting. METHODS: This was a single-group prospective cohort study (N = 91). We assessed the feasibility of a video-delivered course as a first-line intervention for patients seeking help for mental health problems at a primary care center. The course had a transdiagnostic approach, suitable for both depression and anxiety disorders, and was based on cognitive behavioral techniques. Patients in need of psychosocial assessment, which usually entailed a four- to six-week wait, were referred by physicians or triage nurses. Study participants could start within a week, without the need for conventional diagnostic assessment, and were informed that they would be offered assessment after the course if needed. Key feasibility outcomes included participant satisfaction, attendance rates, the proportion of participants in need of additional clinical intervention after the course, and the rate of clinically significant improvement in anxiety and depression symptoms. RESULTS: Participants scored a mean of 21.8 (SD = 4.0, 9-32, n = 86) on the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8; just below our target of 22. The mean attendance rate was 5.0/6 lectures (SD = 1.6, range: 0-6, n = 91). Forty-six percent (37/81) reported experiencing no need of further clinical intervention after the course. The rate of clinically significant improvement was 59% (27/46) for anxiety and 48% (22/46) for depression. No serious adverse event was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Delivering a low-threshold online video-delivered mental health course in primary care appears to be feasible. Adjustments to further improve patient satisfaction are warranted, such as offering the choice of participating online or face-to-face. TRIAL REGISTRATION: (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04522713) August 21, 2020.

Randomised control trial of a proactive intervention supporting recovery in relation to stress and irregular work hours: effects on sleep, burn-out, fatigue and somatic symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: To examine if a proactive recovery intervention for newly graduated registered nurses (RNs) could prevent the development of sleep problems, burn-out, fatigue or somatic symptoms. METHODS: The study was a randomised control trial with parallel design. Newly graduated RNs with less than 12 months' work experience were eligible to participate. 461 RNs from 8 hospitals in Sweden were invited, of which 207 signed up. These were randomised to either intervention or control groups. After adjustments, 99 RNs were included in the intervention group (mean age 27.5 years, 84.7% women) and 108 in the control group (mean age 27.0 years, 90.7% women). 82 RNs in the intervention group attended a group-administered recovery programme, involving three group sessions with 2 weeks between each session, focusing on proactive strategies for sleep and recovery in relation to work stress and shift work. Effects on sleep, burn-out, fatigue and somatic symptoms were measured by questionnaires at baseline, postintervention and at 6 months follow-up. RESULTS: Preventive effect was seen on somatic symptoms for the intervention group. Also, the intervention group showed less burn-out and fatigue symptoms at postintervention. However, these latter effects did not persist at follow-up. Participants used many of the strategies from the programme. CONCLUSIONS: A proactive, group-administered recovery programme could be helpful in strengthening recovery and preventing negative health consequences for newly graduated RNs. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04246736.

Sleep and fatigue in newly graduated nurses-Experiences and strategies for handling shiftwork.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore newly graduated nurses' strategies for, and experiences of, sleep problems and fatigue when starting shiftwork. A more comprehensive insight into nurses' strategies, sleep problems, fatigue experiences and contributing factors is needed to understand what support should be provided. BACKGROUND: For graduate nurses, the first years of practice are often stressful, with many reporting high levels of burnout symptoms. Usually, starting working as a nurse also means an introduction to shiftwork, which is related to sleep problems. Sleep problems may impair stress management and, at the same time, stress may cause sleep problems. Previously, sleep problems and fatigue have been associated with burnout, poor health and increased accident risk. DESIGN AND METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nurses (N = 11) from four different Swedish hospitals, and qualitative inductive content analysis was used. The study was approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board in Stockholm. The COREQ checklist was followed. RESULTS: Many nurses lacked effective strategies for managing sleep and fatigue in relation to shiftwork. Various strategies were used, of which some might interfere with factors regulating and promoting sleep such as the homeostatic drive. Sleep problems were common during quick returns, often due to difficulties unwinding before sleep, and high workloads exacerbated the problems. The described consequences of fatigue in a clinical work context indicated impaired executive and nonexecutive cognitive function. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that supporting strategies and behaviours for sleep and fatigue in an intervention for newly graduated nurses starting shiftwork may be of importance to improve well-being among nurses and increase patient safety. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study highlights the importance of addressing sleep and fatigue issues in nursing education and work introduction programmes to increase patient safety and improve well-being among nurses.