Introduction
The relevance of analyzing red flags (alarm signals) in healthcare providers and exploring options for interventions is underscored by the importance of ensuring medical workers’ mental, psychological, and emotional well-being, as well as the delivery of high-quality medicine. Although many studies have focused on specific cognitive and behavioral disorders in healthcare specialists, few researchers have examined these symptoms in aggregate. A lack of knowledge and understanding of mental health problems can undermine patient outcomes, affecting the well-being of individuals and the community (Azoulay et al., 2020). This research aims to fill these knowledge gaps by identifying red flags in medical personnel and ways to help and support them.
Definition of Red Flags
Several scholarly and professional sources have focused on investigating red flags and options for intervention. Finucane et al. (2020) defined red flags broadly, described their nature and essence, and specified their purpose and use. Akova et al. (2022) described the most common alarm signals in healthcare professionals: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, low personal accomplishment, depression, anxiety, stress, and hopelessness.
Low grit, lack of focus, and motivation can also be red flags, directly leading to burnout and job dissatisfaction among employees (Dam et al., 2019). About half of physicians have symptoms of burnout and anxiety, and 30% have symptoms of depression. (Azoulay et al., 2020). Such ailments are prevalent among doctors and nurses and are often caused by excessive workloads and demanding working conditions that strain their bodies.
Other researchers have highlighted these problems in their studies. Søvold et al. (2021) systematize, summarize, and expand on the above comments, drawing attention to the importance of influencing healthcare workers’ mental health and well-being. Appealing to the COVID-19 example crisis, medics are more likely to experience stress, anxiety, and depression, and are more at risk of professional burnout (Søvold et al., 2021). Behavioral ailments can be detected in medics even during the hiring process. Cascella (2021) draws particular attention to these red indicators and warns about them, using examples of inappropriate employee behavior. Understanding these “dangers” makes it possible to take explicit steps to address them.
Addressing Red Flags
Some studies are devoted to methods and strategies for eradicating such red signs. Buselli et al. (2021) confirmed the findings of earlier researchers, highlighting the importance of special staff support in helping health workers cope with psychosocial problems during times of crisis. Albott et al. (2020) considered the potential risks of developing mental health symptoms and occupational burnout in medical staff and described interventions based on the Battle Buddy system. The system brings colleagues together for mutual help and support, reducing stress and improving employee safety (Albott et al., 2020).
Mendelsohn et al. (2019) suggest examining activity trackers to measure healthcare workers’ sleep and physical activity, which can impact employee burnout. Refining these parameters can help managers adjust work schedules to enable employees to get more rest and energy. According to Sultana et al. (2020), appropriate actions should be taken to address red flags that build on the analysis of unique situations. Promoting measures to create a healthy work environment, utilizing technology effectively, adjusting work schedules, reducing workload, encouraging autonomy and initiative, and more is essential.
Conclusion
Numerous studies examine red flags and interventions. They describe the most common ones and offer interventions to support staff during difficult times for healthcare organizations. The mentioned studies are sufficient to recognize the relevance and significance of the topic; they highlight potential red flags and provide guidance on how to address them. The research will address existing knowledge gaps and make a significant contribution to modern medicine.
References
Akova, İ., Kiliç, E., & Özdemir, M. E. (2022). Prevalence of burnout, depression, anxiety, stress, and hopelessness among healthcare workers in COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 59, 1-11. Web.
Albott, C. S., Wozniak, J. R., McGlinch, B. P., Wall, M. H., Gold, B. S., & Vinogradov, S. (2020). Battle buddies: Rapid deployment of a psychological resilience intervention for health care workers during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Anesth Analg, 43-54. Web.
Azoulay, E., De Waele, J., Ferrer, R., Staudinger, T., Borkowska, M., Povoa, P.,… & Cecconi, M. (2020). Symptoms of burnout in intensive care unit specialists facing the COVID-19 outbreak. Annals of Intensive Care, 10(1), 1-8. Web.
Buselli, R., Corsi, M., Veltri, A., Baldanzi, S., Chiumiento, M., Del Lupo, E., Marino, R., Necciari, G., Caldi, F., Foddis, R., Guglielmi, G., & Cristaudo, A. (2021). Mental health of Health Care Workers (HCWs): A review of organizational interventions put in place by local institutions to cope with new psychosocial challenges resulting from COVID-19. Psychiatry Research, 299, 1-8. Web.
Cascella, L.M. (2021). Red flags for disruptive behavior in healthcare professionals. MedPro. Web.
Dam, A., Perera, T., Jones, M., Haughy, M., & Gaeta, T. (2019). The relationship between grit, burnout, and well‐being in emergency medicine residents. AEM Education and Training, 3(1), 14-19. Web.
Finucane, L. M., Downie, A., Mercer, C., Greenhalgh, S. M., Boissonnault, W. G., Pool-Goudzwaard, A. L., Beneciuk, J.M., Leech, R.L., & Selfe, J. (2020). International framework for red flags for potential serious spinal pathologies. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 50(7), 350-372. Web.
Mendelsohn, D., Despot, I., Gooderham, P. A., Singhal, A., Redekop, G. J., & Toyota, B. D. (2019). Impact of work hours and sleep on well‐being and burnout for physicians‐in‐training: The Resident Activity Tracker Evaluation Study. Medical Education, 53(3), 306-315. Web.
Søvold, L. E., Naslund, J. A., Kousoulis, A. A., Saxena, S., Qoronfleh, M. W., Grobler, C., & Münter, L. (2021). Prioritizing the mental health and well-being of healthcare workers: An urgent global public health priority. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 1-12. Web.
Sultana, A., Sharma, R., Hossain, M. M., Bhattacharya, S., & Purohit, N. (2020). Burnout among healthcare providers during COVID-19: Challenges and evidence-based interventions. Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, 5(4), 308-311. Web.