Provider Perceptions of a Humanizing Intervention for Health Care Workers-A Survey Study of PPE Portraits

Jennifer Reidy; Cati Brown-Johnson; Nancy McCool; Shawna Steadman; Mary B Heffernan; Vandana Nagpal

doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.08.038

Provider Perceptions of a Humanizing Intervention for Health Care Workers-A Survey Study of PPE Portraits

J Pain Symptom Manage. 2020 Nov;60(5):e7-e10. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.08.038. Epub 2020 Sep 7.

Authors

Jennifer Reidy¹, Cati Brown-Johnson², Nancy McCool³, Shawna Steadman⁴, Mary B Heffernan⁵, Vandana Nagpal⁶

Affiliations

¹ Division of Palliative Care, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA; University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. Electronic address: jennifer.reidy@umassmemorial.org.
² Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Stanford School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA.
³ Division of Palliative Care, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
⁴ Division of Palliative Care, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA; University of Massachusetts Graduate School of Nursing, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
⁵ Department of Art and Art History, Occidental College, Los Angeles, California, USA.
⁶ Division of Palliative Care, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA; University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.

Abstract

Context: Reports from patients and health care workers dealing with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) underscore experiences of isolation and fear. Some of this experience results from the distancing effect of masks, gloves, and gowns known as personal protective equipment (PPE). One approach to bridging the divide created by PPE is the use of PPE portraits, postcard-sized pictures affixed to PPE.

Objectives: Our confidential electronic mail-based survey aimed to quantify provider attitudes toward PPE portraits.

Methods: PPE portraits were piloted at an academic safety-net health system experiencing a COVID-19 patient surge during April-May 2020, necessitating use of full PPE for COVID-positive patients and surgical masks in all hospital settings. Our survey assessed staff exposure to PPE portraits, attitudes toward PPE portraits, and potential program expansion. For staff wearing PPE portraits, we also assessed perceptions of interactions with other staff and patients/families and impact on personal well-being. The University of Massachusetts Medical School's Institutional Review Board designated this as a quality improvement project (#H00020279).

Results: More than half of survey respondents (n = 111 of 173; 64%) reported exposure to PPE portraits. Attitudes toward PPE portraits were positive overall, with agreement that PPE portraits were a good idea (89%), improved provider mood (79%), enhanced perception of team connection (72%), and more positive among those who reported exposure. Open-ended responses (n = 41) reinforced positive survey data and also raised concerns about infection control (n = 6), cost/logistics (n = 5), and provider vulnerability (n = 3).

Conclusion: Providers report that PPE portraits may represent a positive patient-centered idea that helps reassure patients, is well received by interdisciplinary staff, and may enhance patient and team interactions. Potential adaptations to address concerns include photo pins and donor/patient and family experience department support for costs.

Keywords: COVID-19; PPE; PPE portraits; patient-provider connection; personal protective equipment.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19
Coronavirus Infections*
Health Personnel*
Humans
Pandemics*
Personal Protective Equipment*
Pneumonia, Viral*
Professional-Patient Relations*