A Virtual Wellness Program to Enhance Well-being for Pediatric Oncology Staff during the COVID-19 Pandemic

In response to the COVID-19 global health crisis and mandated social isolation, Pediatric leadership at MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital was concerned for the psychological impact on its workforce and encouraged wellness programming. A grassroots wellness taskforce was assembled for the Division of Pediatrics. The task force's primary mission was to promote the well-being of clinicians and non-clinical staff members through a broadly accessible, sustainable, and effective virtual wellness program. Guided by the Stanford Model for Professional Fulfillment, a virtual program entitled, "Weekly Wellness Webex" for Pediatrics staff was launched. Weekly Wellness Webex is a 1-hour live-streamed program with varied thematic content promoting personal resilience through healthy behaviors and self-care such as mindfulness, nutrition and exercise, and a culture of wellness through games, group art projects, and activities that highlighted diversity and inclusion. The program was evaluated and modified based on data collected from a confidential electronic evaluation program sent to the staff at three separate timepoints over 18 months. We performed descriptive statistical analyses and used manual coding to analyze the free-text qualitative data received from the evaluations. Sixty-nine program sessions and 3 participant evaluations were conducted between March 2020 and September 2021. Of 300 total staff, 114 participated in the wellness program representing 38% of the Division of Pediatrics. In addition, 125 (41.6%) completed a survey. Most participants found the program helpful (84% on the first evaluation and 100% on the 2nd and 3rd evaluations) and 69.4% (95% CI 62.9-75.9%) experienced decreased COVID-19-related distress after attending the program. The mean decrease in distress after participation in the wellness program was 1.67 (SD 2.2) on a 10-point scale. On the quantitative and qualitative analysis, improved personal well-being and increased social connections emerged as the main program benefits. This virtual wellness program successfully decreased COVID-19 related distress and was perceived as helpful to pediatric oncology healthcare staff. Participants of the program endorsed increased social connectivity, improved well-being, and decreased distress. This program was successfully implemented during the pandemic and has been sustained.