Summary
The need
Based on this need, confirmed by the current literature (see Lai, Ma, Wang, et al., 2020; Holmes, O’Connor, Perry, et al., 2020) and the call of 24 world-leading experts to develop innovative intervention models, we propose an intervention model based on EmotionAid® for medical professionals that can be applied during the crisis itself.
Goals and Objectives
Our goal at this stage is to create a proof of concept, whereby EmotionAid® intervention will be evaluated to show whether it can significantly assist medical professionals with their mental health during an ongoing crisis. Specific outcomes we are looking for include:
- A boost in physical and emotion regulation
- Decreased feelings of guilt and shame
- Decreased symptoms of burnout
- Decreased symptoms of compassion fatigue
WHAT IS EmotionAid®
EmotionAid® is a toolkit of five simple steps for self-regulation and emotional first aid.
Based on cutting-edge tools from Somatic Experiencing® and the latest developments in brain research, EmotionAid® shows patients how to both handle and prevent anxiety, burnout, stress and trauma.
Just as we can strengthen our physical muscles with exercise, we can strengthen our nervous system (our emotional muscle) and restore its resilience by practicing healthy responses to threat and trauma.
Specially designed for the public at large and professionals who work in situations of stress, EmotionAid® can be used on the spot, anywhere and anytime.
EmotionAid® FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
The EmotionAid® intervention, provides medical professionals with first-aid tool for enhancing emotional self- regulation. These tools can be applied by anyone, anytime, and anywhere and help its practitioners lower stress levels and develop long term resiliency.
As of this writing, ITI and Metiv are in the midst of an EmotionAid® feasibility study with a few dozen medical professionals. Results are still pending, but this early stage study will allow ITI and Metiv staff to gather early feedback, finesse intervention techniques, and prepare for the second stage study.
108 doctors and nurses from Rabin Medical center will participate in the second stage study. Half of them will receive instructions based on EmotionAid® methodology, and the other half in the control group will receive counseling based on other mental health standards of care currently available.
ITI and Metiv staff will begin the intervention with a psycho-educational group session, which will take place either virtually or in person. Participants will be introduced to the program, the research, theory and practice of the EmotionAid intervention which they will be part of.
Each doctor or nurse will hold six meetings, taking place over a week and a half, with a ITI/Metiv mental health professional. Each session will last between 15 and 20 minutes in length. The sessions are designed to work around the intense schedule of the medical staff and will be held online.
During the sessions the mental health counselor will take the nurse/doctor through a number of techniques that help to release tensions and stress. Based on the latest brain research, methods include touch (tapping techniques), body awareness, grounding, orienting, accessing resources and more. The doctors and nurses will practice these techniques during and in between sessions.
ITI and Metiv staff will convene the group once again in order to process and discuss the meaning of the work, define common group resources, and to conduct evaluation.
Indicators and Evaluation
Partnerships
EmotionAid for Medical Professionals brings together three partners:
The International Trauma Healing Institute – Israel (ITI Israel) is a nonprofit educational & research organization managed by Dr. Cathy Lawi since 2009 . ITI provides emotional first aid (EmotionAid) training to hospitals, municipalities, schools, social services, first responder organizations, mental health professionals, regional councils and resiliency centers, as well as to the Israeli Ministries of Health, Defense and Education personnel. ITI is the sole educational arm of Somatic Experiencing® in the Middle East.
Dr. Danny Brom founded the Metiv Israel Psychotrauma Center in 1989 in order to promote healthy coping and post-traumatic growth within Israeli society and throughout the world. Today, Metiv promotes healthy coping and post-traumatic growth within Israeli society through innovative evidence based interventions, training and research.
Rabin Medical Center (RMC), comprised of both Beilinson and Hasharon Hospitals, is one of the most prominent and largest medical facilities in Israel.
In addition to first-rate medical care, RMC’s centers, institutes and departments are renowned for their scientific research, technological development and medical achievements.
Affiliated with Tel-Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine, RMC collaborates with some of the largest and most esteemed medical centers world-wide.
Budget
ITEM | COST IN NIS | COST IN USD | personal |
|---|---|---|
Project Directors | 150,000 | 44,776 |
Clinical Director and Supervisor | 83,000 | 24,776 |
Senior Researcher | 48,000 | 14,330 |
Coordinator and Quality Assurance | 48,000 | 14,330 |
Research Assistant | 80,000 | 23,880 |
Hospital Liaison | 60,000 | 17,910 |
Logistical assistance | 36,000 | 10,750 |
Data Manager | 31,000 | 9,250 |
Project Costs | ||
Training for project facilitators | 48,000 | 14,330 |
Project facilitators for group and individual Intervention | 81,000 | 24,180 |
Intervention for control group* | 0 | 0 |
Production of instructional video EmotionAid 5 Steps Techniques | 50,000 | 14,925 |
Materials | 3,000 | 900 |
Ethics Committee Submission | 5,000 | 1,495 |
Administration | 72,000 | 21,490 |
Total | 795,000 | 237,322 |
* Rabin Medical Center will cover the cost of the intervention for the control group |