Saving Lives in Wales S2

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Shared Experiences in Healthcare

I feel that way too...

Many of us only experience the healthcare system from a patient's point of view. However, challenges in the healthcare system that cause patients anxiety, pain and distress often have a flip-side that creates similar experiences for the Health care Professionals involved.

Click on GO to explore how both parties experience the same challenges in the healthcare system in our interactive card-game, from the experts at The Open University.

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Managing Stress

In 2023, data from the Office of National Statistics found that 70% of adults who were waiting for NHS treatment reported that the wait had a negative effect on their lives. 59% reported that it affected their wellbeing, causing stress, anxiety, loneliness and boredom. and 38% said waiting had worsened their condition.

However, these delays in treatment not only negatively impact the patient and those close to them, but also the health care professionals who are responsible for their health care. Lack of time, workload pressures, deadlines, high expectations, worry and guilt are factors which are known to cause occupational stress amongst healthcare professionals and can, if unresolved, cause ‘burn out’ .

Stress can impact our health and wellbeing, affecting different parts of the body . It is paramount for good health and wellbeing that people have access to resources to help them manage stress.

Click to view some helpful tips for managing stress

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Disturbed Sleeping Patterns

Lack of sleep can affect our ability to learn, focus and react and, perhaps even more concerning, can have a negative effect on our health. Research shows that sleep deprivation has been linked to many chronic health problems including heart disease, diabetes, strokes, obesity and depression. The leading causes of poor sleep include stress, anxiety, depression, noise, alcohol, caffeine or nicotine and shift work. Disturbed and poor sleeping patterns can affect patients and healthcare professionals alike. It is important to understand how poor sleep can affect our bodies and health and consider steps that may help improve our sleep.

Click to view some helpful tips for consistent sleep

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Understanding Moral Distress

As humans, we have a strong moral compass based on our personal and professional values which inform our sense of right and wrong.

People can face constraints to doing what they believe is right in given situations, these could include a lack of knowledge and skill, a sense of powerlessness, relationship dynamics, fear in speaking up and not having access to the necessary resources. Usually, these constraints take place in the context of a person having a strong sense of moral duty and responsibility to another person(s).

In a healthcare setting, a healthcare professional might experience distress if they feel they have not been able to advocate strongly enough for their patients, whereas a

patient may experience similar feelings about choosing the right treatment path for them and their family.

Moral distress is different from moral dilemmas , click on the terms to learn more.

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Impact on Relationships

The burden of ill health can impact many aspects of a patient's life, including a person’s ability to work, take part in hobbies and relationships. Health issues can also change roles within relationships; instead of feeling like equal partners, you might start to feel you have become 'the person needing care' and 'the carer', or that you are unable to be a ‘mum or dad’ as you once were.

Similarly, health professionals may find that their relationships become strained or under pressure as they try to deal with the lack of time, workload pressures, deadlines, high expectations and worry about delays. This can impact both their personal and professional relationships. It is important that these changes and pressures are acknowledged, and steps are taken to manage this change.

Key to this is good communication. Listen and share concerns and worries. If you are not sure what to say, then just say that! Get informed, as having correct up to date information can often help and may relieve the uncertainty. Finally, and importantly, accept help.

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This interactive has explored some of the challenges in the healthcare system that can be stressful and distressing for patients, families and healthcare professionals. It is important to recognise the triggers for stress and distress and the impact on our health and well-being. Reach out to ask for help from your GP, occupational health, family and friends. Below are several websites that can offer further help and guidance Live Well - NHS Every Mind Matters - NHS

Interested in a career or courses in health and social care?

Visit the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care

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Start Over

Burn-out is defined as the state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion which may occur when someone is exposed to long-term stress and feeling under pressure. This can be related to work pressures but also living with a chronic illness and caring responsibilities.

What is a moral dilemma?

In a moral dilemma, a person is faced with making a hard choice between two or more equally favourable or unfavourable courses of action and, no matter which action is chosen, only one person or group of people will win, and the other person(s) loses out on a particular health care resource.

This can be upsetting for the person responsible for making the decision and can lead to moral distress. For example, two patients may require the last remaining intensive care bed and clinicians must decide which patient will be allocated the limited resource, knowing that the patient not receiving it may be negatively impacted.

Minimising Stress

Try some of these self-help tips, as they can make a difference:

• Talking can help. Try to talk to someone about how you are feeling
• Split up larger tasks into smaller ones so that everything doesn’t feel so overwhelming
• Plan ahead if you can
• Try self-help techniques to help you relax, such as a mindfulness app
• Try to eat healthily and keep as active as you can
• For more tips, see Stress - Every Mind Matters - from the NHS

What is moral distress?

The term moral distress describes an intense feeling of visceral physical unwellness, acute emotional upset (crying, anger, frustration) and a sense of having breached one’s own integrity, as the person has acted against their values.

If unresolved, and morally distressing conditions continue, people can experience guilt, shame, regret, remorse, anxiety and depression, and this can have long term consequences impacting on a person’s physical, emotional and mental health, and well-being. It can also cause conflict in personal relationships, and between healthcare professionals and patients/families. Conflicts within healthcare teams may even lead to some staff quitting their jobs.On the links below, you will find moral distress and well-being resources that can be applied to various healthcare settings. They've been developed to support healthcare professionals, and to help minimise and manage moral distress.

Learn more about moral distress | The Intensive Care Society

‘This isn’t about lack of resilience’ | Royal College of Nursing

Stress resource for managers | Royal College of Nursing

Tips on improving our sleeping patterns:

• Create a nighttime routine
• Avoid caffeine 4 to 6 hours before bedtime
• Sleep at the same time every night when you can
• Don’t eat or drink too much before bedtime
• Avoid blue light (e.g. smart phones and computers) 30 minutes before bedtime
• Try to ensure that you have regular exercise as you are able
• Create a sleep environment that is cool, dark and quiet
• If you can’t control your sleep environment, try using a face mask and ear plugs to reduce light and sound.
• Try to relax before bed
• Explore pain management techniques that may help you.

Poor sleep can lead to vulnerability to some diseases such as diabetes and cancer.

Lack of sleep can lead to mood changes and other mental health issues.

Effects of Sleep Deprivation on the Body

A weakened immune system can lead to greater vulnerability to germs and viruses.

Sleep deprivation can lead to appetite changes and weight gain.

Cognitive impairments such as poor memory, balance and issues with concentration

Effects of Stress on the Body

Headaches

Dry Mouth

Weakened Immunity

Skin Rashes

GI Issues

Heart Palpitations

Heart Rate and Blood Pressure

Sweating