This project was developed by Metro North Hospital and Health Service (MNHHS) to document the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on all cancer care frontline healthcare workers, including ancillary workers such as hospital cleaners and food delivery services.
This body of research explored the impact of working in healthcare during the pandemic within the context of low infection rates. The study aims to evaluate the psychosocial impacts on all staff in the cancer care service.
It is believed to be one of the first projects of its kind worldwide.
COVID-19 and the Cancer Care Workforce
Initiative Type
Service Improvement
Status
Deliver
Added
11 August 2021
Last updated
18 August 2021
Summary
Key dates
Mar 2020
Oct 2020
Implementation sites
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Sunshine Coast University Hospital
Partnerships
Metro Noth HHS and Sunshine Coast HHS
Aim
- to explore and document the full psychosocial impact of COVID-19 prospectively
- to include all staff with patient facing roles (who were integral in service delivery) as a world's first research project
- to explore the humanistic aspect of all staff and their sacrifices paired with their coping skills of distress during the pandemic, not just as hospital workers, but as parents, daughters, sons, and as members of the broader society.
Benefits
We have been able to raise global awareness about the impact of COVID-19 in Australia in the context of low local infection rates and will use the research to develop inclusive policies for all frontline staff, and better prepare health services to maintain a positive culture and staff mental health in a time of crisis.
Background
The psychological impact of COVID-19 on all cancer care staff was unknown. As a result, Metro North HHS developed arguably the world's first quality and service initiative to document the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on all cancer care staff, including ancillary workers such as hospital cleaners.