Key Messages

Frontline workers that provide healthcare to the homeless are at risk of experiencing compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma and burnout. Beyond the inherent challenges of working in this sector, these risks had already been increasing prior to the pandemic, as a result of the lack of affordable housing and a worsening opioid epidemic; COVID-19 has exacerbated these risks. In partnership with OICH, this project aims to mitigate these risks by providing a range of holistic mental health supports to frontline workers, so they can continue to provide quality care and lifesaving supports to the homeless in Ottawa.

Lay Summary

Early and ongoing engagement with project partners from Ottawa Inner City Health have helped to better understand current and ongoing issues facing frontline workers, starting in late fall 2020. Research ethics clearance for the project was received early in 2021 and planning for focus groups and interviews with frontline staff are underway to discuss what mental health supports they prefer and would like to receive during the second phase (implementation) of the project. Frontline workers will also be invited to complete an online survey about their workplace quality of life during the month of March. We anticipate developing and implementing holistic mental health supports for frontline workers beginning late spring 2021.

Author(s)

• Nominated Principal Applicant: Dr. Wendy Gifford, University of Ottawa, Faculty of Health Sciences School of Nursing

Population

Healthcare, Front-line Workers and Public Safety Personnel, Vulnerable or At-Risk Populations

Language

To ensure the rapid dissemination of this critical information, information is published in the language in which it was submitted. Please contact us for French or English translations.