This infographic, illustrating findings from Phase 3, is available to download, as are infographics from Phases 1 and 5 (see under Outputs, below).

Introduction

This study focuses on mental well-being, quality of working life, burnout and coping strategies in nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, social care workers and social workers from across the UK, with the aim of providing evidence-based recommendations for supporting the workforce not just during COVID-19, but also during business-as-usual times.

Prof Jill Manthorpe, Director of the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce at King's, is a co-investigator on this collaborative research project.

The project is led by Ulster University (Dr Paula McFadden is Principal Investigator) and, in addition to Prof Manthorpe, is supported by researchers from Queen's University Belfast and Bath Spa University (see below).

Methods

The study has conducted six online surveys (May-July 2020; November 2020-January 2021; May-July 2021; November 2021-February 2022; May-July 2022; November 2022-January 2023).

These surveys have been supplemented by a series of focus groups with two groups: 1. Managers, employers and regulators of nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, social care workers and social workers; 2. Frontline workers – nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, social care workers and social workers.

Funding

The study has received funding from the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, and the NIHR Policy Research Programme grant to the NIHR PRU in Health and Social Care Workforce (King's College London), and the Public Health Agency HSC R&D Division.

The research has also received support from Community Care, Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council for Nursing and Midwifery, Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of Occupational Therapists, British Dietetic Association and others.

Publications 

The study has published reports (and executive summaries) from each of the six online surveys and several articles in peer-reviewed journals (all open access) as well as a book chapter. See below, under Outputs.