Co-Director of Research & Evaluation Mighty Crow Media, LLC Columbus, Ohio, United States
Ohio Professionals’ Health Program (OPHP)—a nonprofit organization that provides a compassionate, supportive, and safe environment for healthcare professionals to receive confidential services to improve their health and well-being—commissioned a mixed methods evaluation to understand Ohio healthcare professionals’ wellbeing during the pandemic. A one-time online survey of Ohio healthcare professionals (n = 13,532) who belonged to the 13 OPHP Licensing Boards was conducted in July – August 2021. For the purposes of this study, outcomes of interest included whether respondents sought support via employee assistance or professional health programs (EAP/PHP) to manage pandemic-related stressors, and open-ended responses regarding what might be improved or needed for respondents to choose to access these programs. Less than 1 in 4 sought mental health support. Of those who said their workplace or professional organization offered a mental health support program, 37% (EAP) and 40% (PHP) said they would be very unlikely to use it. Qualitative responses explaining what might be improved for respondents to access these EAP or PHP programs fell under the primary themes of accessibility and confidentiality. The quantitative and qualitative data validated each other regarding participants apprehension to seek help via EAPs or PHPs for mental health support. OPHP will use this knowledge about barriers to improve its PHP and marketing messages. Additionally, results are being discussed with each individual board so each can develop relevant approaches to reduce barriers and facilitate access to confidential and accessible mental health support services.
