Debriefing Among Hospice Professionals During a Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Healthcare
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated challenges for hospice professionals, increasing risks of compassion fatigue and burnout.
• Existing work environments and pandemic-related changes heightened job dissatisfaction and emotional distress.
• Hospice professionals are vital, making retention crucial for quality end-of-life care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement reflective debriefing sessions for hospice professionals.
• To identify key themes related to their pandemic experiences (professional and personal).
• To assess the perceived helpfulness of reflective debriefing.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive design utilizing focus groups structured as reflective debriefing sessions.
• Employed Gibbs' Reflective Cycle framework for session structure.
• Sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded for thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• Twenty-six distinct themes emerged from the transcribed debriefing sessions.
• A post-survey indicated 96.0% of participants found the debriefing sessions helpful.
• Over 92.3% of participants expressed a desire for regular debriefing opportunities at their workplace.

Conclusions:

• Hospice professionals experienced significant emotional challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Reflective debriefing is a valuable tool for providing emotional support and mitigating burnout.
• Employers should prioritize implementing regular emotional support strategies, such as debriefing, for hospice staff.