ALS Health care provider wellness

Interest in health care provider (HCP) wellness and burnout is increasing; however, minimal literature explores HCP wellness in the context of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) care.

We sought to determine rates of burnout and resiliency, as well as challenges and rewards in the provision of ALS care.

A survey link was sent to physicians at all Canadian ALS centers for distribution to ALS HCPs in their network. The survey included demographics questions, and validated measures for resiliency and burnout; the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) and the Single Item Burnout Score (SIBS). Participants were asked to describe challenges and rewards of ALS care, impact of COVID-19 pandemic, and how their workplace could better support them.

There were 85 respondents across multiple disciplines. The rate of burnout was 47%. Burnout for female respondents was significantly higher (p = 0.007), but not for age, role, or years in ALS clinic. Most participants were medium resilient copers n = 48 (56.5%), but resiliency was not related to burnout. Challenges included feeling helpless while patients relentlessly progressed to death, and emotionally charged interactions. Participants found fulfillment in providing care, and through relationships with patients and colleagues. There was a strongly expressed desire for increased resources, team building/debriefing, and formal training in emotional exhaustion and burnout.

The high rate of burnout and challenges of ALS care highlight the need for additional resources, team-building, and formal education around wellness.