Empowering the Health and Well-Being of the Palliative Care Workforce: Evaluation of a Weekly Self Care Checklist.

ABSTRACT Background Workplace interventions are needed to prevent burnout and support the well-being of the palliative care workforce. Intervention We implemented a 13-item self care checklist, included in a handbook on palliative care carried in the lab coat of all clinical personnel, to remind them to care for their own well-being. Measures We conducted a survey of all palliative care clinical staff to evaluate the usefulness and feasibility of checklist items and the checklist itself. We collected demographics, perceptions of professional satisfaction and burnout, and qualitative feedback aimed at improving the checklist. Outcomes Of 39 personnel contacted, 32 (82%) responded. Most (20; 62%) found the checklist useful. Exercise was the most highly ranked item, while Watching Visual Arts was the lowest ranked item. Conclusions and Lessons Learned: Numerous opportunities were identified to improve the checklist and facilitate achievement of checklist items. Survey data will be used in the next checklist version.