BMC Digital Health (Aug 2023)

The Essential Network (TEN): engagement and mental health insights from a digital mental health assessment tool for Australian health professionals during COVID-19

  • M. J. Coleshill,
  • D. Alagirisamy,
  • S. Patki,
  • M. Ronksley,
  • M. J. Black,
  • S. Yu,
  • M. Phillips,
  • J. M. Newby,
  • N. Cockayne,
  • J. Tennant,
  • S. B. Harvey,
  • H. Christensen,
  • P. A. Baldwin

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s44247-023-00031-2
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 1, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Abstract Background Health professionals are at risk of poor mental health outcomes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Essential Network (TEN) is a blended care mental health support service for Australian health professionals, funded by the Australian Federal Department of Health. TEN comprises both digital and face-to-face components. We examined completed digital mental health assessments (Digital Mental Health Check-Up) to understand usage of TEN and the demographics and mental health of users. Methods A total of 9889 completed assessments from a community sample of help-seeking health professionals who engaged with the Digital Mental Health Check-Up between May 2020 and December 2021 were examined. Users had the option to complete the Distress Questionnaire (DQ-5), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI-16), Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5), as well as provide demographic information on their gender, age, and profession. Results Users were mostly women (85.7%) aged between 25 and 54 (73.7%). Nursing was the most reported profession (32.6%), followed by allied health (27.5%) and doctors (21.9%). Notably, 8.1% of users reported being in medical administration roles. Mental health measures were poor across all measures and professions and worse than would be expected from the general population. Disengagement (92.5%) from burnout and impaired social and occupational functioning (75%) were also notably high. Use of the DQ-5 as a screening tool in the Digital Mental Health Check-Up was confirmed through correlation with clinically significance scoring on all other measures and increased likelihood of opting to complete other optional measures following clinically significant scoring on the DQ-5. Conclusions The present study indicates good usage of the TEN digital components among Australian health professionals, with use across all professional categories. While self-selection bias is inherent in the sample, mental health measures were notably poor – particularly for burnout. Such findings highlight the continued need to provide mental health support to health professionals both during and after the eventual resolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to develop better support for health professionals experiencing burnout.

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