The Mental Health and Well-Being Essentials Training for Healthcare Professionals teaches providers to recognize and manage common mental health issues in their field. They learn to assess their own stress levels, identify warning signs, and apply strategies to maintain well-being. By prioritizing mental health, providers can reduce burnout, improve job performance, and enhance patient care.
What You Will Learn:
- Common mental health issues among healthcare professionals
- How to assess personal stress levels
Details:
Course length: 1 hour & 15 minutes; CME: 1.25
Languages: American English
Key features: Audio narration, learning activity, and post-assessment.
American Medical Compliance is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education to physicians. Our Continuing Medical Education (CME) program is committed to enhancing the knowledge, skills, and professional performance of healthcare providers to improve patient care outcomes. Through high-quality educational activities, we aim to address the identified educational gaps and to support the continuous professional development of our medical community. American Medical Compliance designates this activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should only claim this credit for their complete participation in this activity.
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Understanding Mental Health and Well-Being in Healthcare Settings
Over the years, besides the focus on mental disorders, the focus has shifted to mental health and well-being.
In contrast to mental disorders, the concept of mental health and mental well-being is important for everyone in society.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease” (WHO, 2020).
Accordingly, it can be said that since the beginning the WHO has integrated the concept of well-being into its definition of health.
Three core concepts crucial to enhancing health emerge from the definition of health as per the WHO.
- Mental health is an intrinsic component of overall health,
- Mental health encompasses more than just the absence of illness, and
- Mental health is intricately intertwined with physical health and behavior.
This course teaches healthcare providers the importance of mental health and well-being as essential components of overall health. They learn that mental health is not just the absence of illness but a key factor influencing physical health and behavior. Providers explore strategies to enhance their well-being, manage stress, and maintain a balanced mindset. By prioritizing mental health, they improve their resilience, job performance, and ability to deliver high-quality patient care.
Common Mental Health Challenges in Healthcare Professions
During the COVID-19 pandemic, health professionals (HPs) have suffered from high levels of anxiety, insomnia, depressive and trauma-related symptoms.
Although most of the HPs will be able to recover from these stressful circumstances, the prevalence of mental disorders among them during similar epidemic outbreaks is known to increase in the short and mid-long term.
HPs usually have difficulties in caring for themselves and if they finally develop mental disorders they are reluctant to seek appropriate help.
Affective and anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders among HPs. But others, such as addictive disorders, not only worsen wellbeing but also pose risk to practice safety.
This new post–COVID-19 scenario becomes an opportunity to enhance a new culture of professionalism whereby caring for the caregivers becomes a priority both at a personal and institutional level.
This course teaches healthcare providers to recognize and address mental health challenges that impact their well-being and patient care. They learn about the effects of stress, burnout, anxiety, and affective disorders, which have increased post-COVID-19. Providers explore early warning signs, strategies for self-care, and the importance of seeking help when needed. By prioritizing mental health, they enhance resilience, maintain professional safety, and contribute to a culture that values caregiver well-being.
Identifying Risk Factors and Contributors to Burnout
Burnout results from workplace stress, especially in healthcare and education, due to constant interaction with others. Exhausted health professionals struggle to provide effective care, risking harm to patients and the healthcare system.
Burnout among human service professionals has been described as having three main components:
- Emotional exhaustion (i.e. exhaustion), efficacy)
- Depersonalization (i.e. cynicism), and
- Reduced feelings of personal accomplishment (i.e. lack of professional.
By definition, burnout inhibits an individual’s ability to perform optimally at work, hence likely sacrificing service quality.
Not surprisingly, negative impacts of burnout on client outcomes has been established, particularly where clients present with more severe symptoms.
This course helps healthcare providers recognize and manage burnout, which affects care quality and patient safety. They learn the three key components—emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment—and how these impact performance. Providers explore contributors to burnout, challenges in long-term care, and prevention strategies. By addressing burnout, they improve well-being, maintain effectiveness, and enhance patient care.
Strategies for Managing Stress and Building Resilience
Recognize and counter signs of stress.
Your body sends signals that it’s stressed, including difficulty concentrating, headaches, cold hands, tight muscles, a nervous stomach, clenched teeth, feeling on edge, fidgety, irritable or withdrawn. Knowing how your body communicates can help you deal with stressful moments.
Learn to not only recognize but also to name these feelings, either to oneself or to a friend. Then, take action to counter their effects. For example, deep breathing, stretching, going for a walk, writing down your thoughts and taking quiet time to focus can help induce relaxation and reduce tension.
Take time for yourself. Make taking care of yourself a daily routine.
It’s not selfish or self-indulgent — and it might require saying “no” to requests or prioritizing yourself along with your responsibilities. Start with small changes in your routine to help build resilience to stressful circumstances. Work in time to exercise, eat healthy foods, participate in relaxing activities and sleep.
In fact, including a regimen of exercise, which for some may include yoga or meditation, can be very important when feeling stressed. Also, take time to notice the “good minutes” in each day or to do something that you enjoy, such as reading a book or listening to music, which can be a way to shift your attention and focus on the positive rather than the negative.
This course teaches healthcare providers to recognize and manage stress through self-awareness and proactive strategies. They learn to identify physical and emotional signs of stress and use mindfulness to reduce tension. Providers also explore ways to build resilience, maintain work-life balance, and integrate healthy habits into daily routines. By managing stress effectively, they enhance their well-being and sustain high-quality patient care.
