Stress First Aid for Healthcare Workers: A Longitudinal Evaluation Across a Healthcare System

J Occup Environ Med. 2026 Jul 7. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003817. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the impact of Stress First Aid (SFA) on healthcare workers’ stress and well-being.

METHODS: After SFA training, 2,891 employees from 11 hospitals completed baseline and three-month surveys over 12 months. Outcomes included SFA self-efficacy, stress, burnout, organizational support, resilience, and resource awareness/utilization. Models adjusted for role, setting, patient care, remote status, integration phase, and training percentage estimated odds ratios and CIs.

RESULTS: SFA self-efficacy increased (OR=1.08, p<.001), with lower stress (OR=1.03, p<.001), higher support (OR=1.02, p=.03), and greater resource awareness (p<.001). Burnout decreased (p=.005) but remained high among clinical, inpatient, and direct-care staff, and resilience remained unchanged. Patient-facing and inpatient roles had the highest burnout and resource use. Neither the integration phase nor the training percentage was associated with outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: SFA improved self-efficacy, resource awareness, and perceived support, aiding stress management.

PMID:42400939 | DOI:10.1097/JOM.0000000000003817