Other Titles
PechaKucha Presentation
Abstract
Burnout is an increasingly pressing issue in healthcare, especially for oncology caregiver teams who face immense emotional and physical demands. While wellness programs are often introduced to address burnout, the lack of clear definitions for both burnout and wellness makes it difficult to design effective solutions. Many wellness initiatives, though well-intended, fail to address the daily stresses caregivers face, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
From a leadership perspective, the issue becomes even more complex. As healthcare costs rise and take up a larger share of the economy, organizations are pressured to increase productivity and maximize staff efficiency. Unfortunately, this often comes at the expense of employee well-being, weakening the resilience that these programs aim to foster. Combined with ongoing staff shortages, the pressure on healthcare teams can be overwhelming.Instead of offering temporary fixes, this project introduces a monthly wellness series designed to integrate support for oncology caregiver teams into the organization’s daily operations. The goal is to make wellness as routine as training or performance reviews. By embedding resilience-building into staff development, the program seeks to create lasting changes that help teams thrive, not just survive.
Based on research by Vercio et al. (2021), this wellness series goes beyond burnout prevention, focusing on nurturing resilience. Research by Unsal et al. (2021) shows that such programs benefit staff while also providing a positive return on investment (ROI) for healthcare organizations. A baseline survey conducted in November 2023 will be followed by another in November 2024 to assess the program’s impact.
The series includes monthly Zoom sessions covering topics like mental health, physical activity, mindfulness, and work-life balance. Additionally, wellness breakfasts promote team bonding. Leadership plays a crucial role in encouraging participation through clear and empathetic communication (Kelly & Hearld, 2020). The program runs on a modest monthly budget of $500–$1,000, with the potential for expansion through grants and partnerships.
By proactively addressing caregiver burnout, this project aligns with the American Nurses Association (ANA) standards (2016) for creating safe, healthy, and supportive work environments. This model could be adapted to other high-stress healthcare settings, supporting the well-being of healthcare workers globally.
Notes
References: American Nurses Association. (2016). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (3rd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: ANA.
Kelly, A., & Hearld, L. R. (2020). Communication and collaboration in healthcare organizations: Leadership and participation strategies. Journal of Healthcare Leadership, 12, 23–34. https://doi.org/10.2147/JHL.S234820
Sigma Theta Tau International. (n.d.). Sustainable Development Goals. Sigma Nursing. https://www.sigmanursing.org/connect-engage/our-global-impact/sigma-and-the-united-nations/sustainable-development-goals
Unsal, E., Vercio, C., & McGregor, K. (2021). Economic evaluation of workplace wellness programs: The ROI on investing in resilience. Healthcare Economics Review, 13(2), 101–118. https://doi.org/10.1097/HER.000000000003
Vercio, C., Unsal, E., & Mitchell, T. (2021). Shifting the focus: Building resilience in healthcare settings to combat burnout. Journal of Medical Practice Management, 36(4), 210–218. https://doi.org/10.1177/011877230002004
Sigma Membership
Alpha Alpha Lambda at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Stress and Coping, Virtual Learning, Health Equity, Social Determinants of Health
Recommended Citation
Ali, Pakeeza and Kotchevar, Miles, "Oncology Caregiver Wellness Series: Boosting Resilience and Combating Burnout" (2025). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 71.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2025/presentations_2025/71
Conference Name
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Oncology Caregiver Wellness Series: Boosting Resilience and Combating Burnout
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Burnout is an increasingly pressing issue in healthcare, especially for oncology caregiver teams who face immense emotional and physical demands. While wellness programs are often introduced to address burnout, the lack of clear definitions for both burnout and wellness makes it difficult to design effective solutions. Many wellness initiatives, though well-intended, fail to address the daily stresses caregivers face, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
From a leadership perspective, the issue becomes even more complex. As healthcare costs rise and take up a larger share of the economy, organizations are pressured to increase productivity and maximize staff efficiency. Unfortunately, this often comes at the expense of employee well-being, weakening the resilience that these programs aim to foster. Combined with ongoing staff shortages, the pressure on healthcare teams can be overwhelming.Instead of offering temporary fixes, this project introduces a monthly wellness series designed to integrate support for oncology caregiver teams into the organization’s daily operations. The goal is to make wellness as routine as training or performance reviews. By embedding resilience-building into staff development, the program seeks to create lasting changes that help teams thrive, not just survive.
Based on research by Vercio et al. (2021), this wellness series goes beyond burnout prevention, focusing on nurturing resilience. Research by Unsal et al. (2021) shows that such programs benefit staff while also providing a positive return on investment (ROI) for healthcare organizations. A baseline survey conducted in November 2023 will be followed by another in November 2024 to assess the program’s impact.
The series includes monthly Zoom sessions covering topics like mental health, physical activity, mindfulness, and work-life balance. Additionally, wellness breakfasts promote team bonding. Leadership plays a crucial role in encouraging participation through clear and empathetic communication (Kelly & Hearld, 2020). The program runs on a modest monthly budget of $500–$1,000, with the potential for expansion through grants and partnerships.
By proactively addressing caregiver burnout, this project aligns with the American Nurses Association (ANA) standards (2016) for creating safe, healthy, and supportive work environments. This model could be adapted to other high-stress healthcare settings, supporting the well-being of healthcare workers globally.
Description
This project introduces a monthly wellness series for oncology caregiver teams, focusing on building resilience and improving mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), it aims to reduce burnout and enhance team satisfaction, work-life balance, and patient care. The program integrates mindfulness and leadership communication, with impact evaluations and a one-year data review in November 2024.