MEETING NEEDS OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE AND HUMAN SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Compared to other health care settings, BHC organizations were more likely to report staffing issues (55%), specifically related to retention and working from home. BHC organizations also were more likely to report issues with implementing telehealth and virtual services, as well as with travel restrictions and the reallocation of staff to different locations.
The past year has been challenging for health care professionals across all settings, include BHC organizations identified specific needs those in behavioral health care and human related to: services (BHC). We recognize the incredible challenge that you are facing to provide Upgrading technology/equipment for telequality care, treatment and services to behavioral health activities individuals served – particularly as concerns Implementing virtual patient/client intake about mental health and substance use grow Suspending communal dining activities as the COVID-19 pandemic lingers on. A BHC Quality Experience Director who To better learn about the needs of health participated in the study reported, “Few staff care and human services organizations in the had ever worked from home, so managers current and evolving pandemic, The Joint needed to spend more time with staff in the Commission, Joint Commission Resources, beginning to not only help acclimate, but to Inc. and the Joint Commission Center for also offer support because shelter-in-place Transforming Healthcare conducted an had such a huge emotional/mental impact.” online questionnaire in September 2020. Your Health Care Worker Wellbeing The questionnaire, administered by C+R Research, had a total of 735 respondents The continued onslaught of COVID-19 has representing a variety of health care settings, pushed health care and human services including BHC, hospital, home care and organizations to their limits and workers ambulatory. It identified needs for beyond physical exhaustion. The majority of enhancements, changes and improvements BHC organizations (91%) agreed that tools to to patient safety and quality of care amid help manage employee morale are important COVID-19. resources during COVID-19. Key Findings from Behavioral Health Care and Human Services Organizations A total of 119 BHC organizations participated in the questionnaire, including those that provide: Substance use disorder treatment Community-based mental health Family and/or children’s services Methadone/opioid treatment Services for individuals with intellectual disabilities Eating disorders
“Mental health is an important part of our function as an agency. The agency has always offered free counseling to staff who need it and has been encouraging since the beginning of this pandemic to use the services, if needed,” explained one BHC study participant. “For example, my Executive Supervisor checks with us to see how we are doing emotionally before talking about work. Sometimes we simply meet as a staff to share how we are feeling and our anxieties. Emails are constantly sent by the CEO with suggestions on how to take care of ourselves and what to do.” 8 INSESSION APRIL 2021
