NURS-09. INTRODUCTION OF A WELLNESS PROGRAM FOR PEDIATRIC NEURO-ONCOLOGY PROVIDERS

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric oncology providers have unique and rewarding careers. The medical and psychosocial complexity of caring for pediatric oncology patients and their family units is simultaneously inspiring and challenging. In addition, the complex demands of the healthcare system can lead to chronic stress, burnout, and disruption to the healthcare professional’s individual well-being. Time constraints, lack of resources, and limited access to wellness interventions serve as barriers for providers to address adaptive coping within themselves. Identifying gaps to achieving wellness and implementing interventions may lead to improved equanimity for pediatric oncology providers in their personal lives as well as their medical practice. METHODS: An interdisciplinary team of nurse practitioners and physicians in a large pediatric neuro-oncology program at an academic institution completed anonymized wellness self-assessments regarding the areas of emotional, environmental, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, spiritual, coping, and professional role wellness. The results were analyzed and barriers to provider health and well-being were identified. Tailored and regularly scheduled wellness interventions were implemented for the study participants addressing the identified wellness barriers. Participants will each complete post-intervention wellness self-assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. CONCLUSION: The introduction of a provider wellness program exemplifies a feasible approach to identify barriers and evaluate efficacy of wellness interventions in achieving multi-factorial provider wellness. Secondary aims include dissemination of findings, with the intention of cultivating improvement in provider quality of life throughout the healthcare profession, and the ultimate goal of improving care to patients and families.