A Resilience Training Web App for NHS Keyworkers: A Pilot Usability and Feasibility Study (Preprint)
Authors: Burrell Joanna , Baker Felicity , Bennion Matthew 
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

It is well established that frontline healthcare staff are particularly at risk of stress. Resilience is important to help staff to manage daily challenges and to protect against burnout.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the current study was to develop and assess the usability and user perceptions of a digital learning package. The training aimed to support healthcare keyworkers to understand their own stress response, to put in place strategies to manage stress and to build resilience.

METHODS

Participants were NHS keyworkers working in critical care or the emergency department at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. Consenting participants completed a pre training questionnaire capturing basic demographic information. They accessed a web app and completed a resilience training programme based on the Skills-based Model of Personal Resilience. Finally, they completed a post training feedback questionnaire exploring the impact and usability of the training app.

RESULTS

A total of 8 participants completed the surveys and training, including 7 nurses and 1 other keyworker. Participants were aged 25 to 64 years and 100.0% were female. Grades ranged from 5 to 7, with a median of 6. Five of the participants had over 15 years of nursing experience. Many participants (6/8) rated their current role as “sometimes” stressful. Post training feedback indicated that all participants found the training easy to navigate and understand. The majority felt that the training increased their understanding of stress and resilience and was relevant to them. For the breathing and positive tips exercises, 75% or more of participants agreed they were likely to try the exercises again in the future and half agreed they were likely to try the mindfulness exercise again. The majority participants agreed that they were likely to take action to develop their resilience following completion of the training. Participants felt the package should be made available across all platforms to allow the training to be completed where and when was most convenient to them.

CONCLUSIONS

A total of 8 participants completed the surveys and training, including 7 nurses and 1 other keyworker. Participants were aged 25 to 64 years and 100.0% were female. Grades ranged from 5 to 7, with a median of 6. Five of the participants had over 15 years of nursing experience. Many participants (6/8) rated their current role as “sometimes” stressful. Post training feedback indicated that all participants found the training easy to navigate and understand. The majority felt that the training increased their understanding of stress and resilience and was relevant to them. For the breathing and positive tips exercises, 75% or more of participants agreed they were likely to try the exercises again in the future and half agreed they were likely to try the mindfulness exercise again. The majority participants agreed that they were likely to take action to develop their resilience following completion of the training. Participants felt the package should be made available across all platforms to allow the training to be completed where and when was most convenient to them.