COVID-19: Peer Support and Crisis Communication Strategies to Promote Institutional Resilience

Novel coronavirus disease is posing an extraordinary challenge to the health and well-being of persons across the globe. Prof. Albert Wo and co-authors of the article COVID-19: Peer Support and Crisis Communication Strategies to Promote Institutional Resilience recommend 3 strategic principles that may be of value for other health care institutions responding to the COVID-19 pandemic:

 

STRATEGIC PRINCIPLES

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1) Leadership focused on resilience:

a) Offers clear, optimistic vision and realistic plan; 

b) Takes decisive action;

c)  Facilitates open, honest, and frequent communication;

d) Thanks workers and express gratitude for the extra burden being imposed on them.

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2) Crisis communication - clear, informative and empowering information about:

a) COVID-19;

b) What is being done to protect health care workers (HCW);

c)  What should HCW do in case they are exposed;

d) What HCW can do to help themselves

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3) Continuous staff support within the organisation:

a) Communicate about staff concerns and fears;

b)  Advocate personal wellness; 

c)  Establishment of a peer support team for psychological emergency assistance (use of local resources such as social and consulting services, pastoral care, fitness offers)

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The article also explains how Johns Hopkins University implemented staff support measures byactivation of unified COVID command center and establishment of psychological and emotional support for the staff (personnel, direct, confidential and available 24/7).

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Read the complete article here

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