A Virtual Wellness Program to Enhance Well-Being for Pediatric Oncology Staff during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

• Karen Moody, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Maria Swartz, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Zachary Gresham, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Martha Askins, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Laura Cahalan, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Pavilia Francis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Christine Geistkemper, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Amy Heaton, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Ruitao Lin, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Melissa Melo, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Alakh Rajan, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Madeline Smith, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Priti Tewari, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Keyana R. Williams, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Cheng-Han Yang, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Rhonda Robert, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow

Document Type

Article

Abstract

In response to the COVID-19 global health crisis and mandated social isolation, Pediatric leadership at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital was concerned for the psychological impact on its workforce and encouraged wellness programming. A grassroots wellness taskforce was assembled for the Division of Pediatrics. The task force’s primary mission was to promote the well-being of clinicians and non-clinical staff members through a broadly accessible, sustainable, and effective virtual wellness program. Guided by the Stanford Model for Professional Fulfillment, a virtual program entitled, “Weekly Wellness Webex” for Pediatrics staff was launched. Weekly Wellness Webex is a 1-hour live-streamed program with varied thematic content promoting personal resilience through healthy behaviors and self-care such as mindfulness, nutrition and exercise, and a culture of wellness through games, group art projects, and activities that highlighted diversity and inclusion. The program was evaluated and modified based on data collected from a confidential electronic evaluation program sent to the staff at three separate timepoints over 18 months. We performed descriptive statistical analyses and used manual coding to analyze the free-text qualitative data received from the evaluations.

Sixty-nine program sessions and 3 participant evaluations were conducted between March 2020 and September 2021. Of 300 total staff, 114 participated in the wellness program representing 38% of the Division of Pediatrics. In addition, 125 (41.6%) completed a survey. Most participants found the program helpful (84% on the first evaluation and 100% on the 2nd and 3rd evaluations) and 69.4% (95% CI 62.9-75.9%) experienced decreased COVID-19-related distress after attending the program. The mean decrease in distress after participation in the wellness program was 1.67 (SD 2.2) on a 10-point scale. On the quantitative and qualitative analysis, improved personal well-being and increased social connections emerged as the main program benefits.

This virtual wellness program successfully decreased COVID-19 related distress and was perceived as helpful to pediatric oncology healthcare staff. Participants of the program endorsed increased social connectivity, improved well-being, and decreased distress. This program was successfully implemented during the pandemic and has been sustained.

PMCID

PMC12490267

DOI

https://doi.org/10.52519/ACEQI.25.1.1.a18

Grants and Funding

P30 CA016672/CA/NCI NIH HHS
R01 AG06409/AG/NIA NIH HHS
R01 CA261978/CA/NCI NIH HHS
Faris Foundation/Non-U.S. Gov't
Rachal Foundation/Non-U.S. Gov't

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Moody K, Swartz M, Gresham Z, Askins M, Cahalan L, Francis P, Geistkemper C, Heaton A, Lin R, Melo M, Rajan A, Smith M, Tewari P, Williams KR, Yang C, Robert R. A Virtual Wellness Program to Enhance Well-Being for Pediatric Oncology Staff during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement. 2025; 1(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.52519/ACEQI.25.1.1.a18.