Treatment of Sleep Difficulties Associated with Atypical and Disorganized Work Schedules in Healthcare Workers

Healthcare workers and especially those working on shifts, are at risk of developing sleep disturbances, anxiety and depression. This is especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis since they are required on the frontlines and are consistently working under duress. As a result, many are quitting their positions or are on sick leave even though Canadians still need them to be alert and productive at work. Our project proposes to test the efficacy of a new psychological and behavioural intervention to improve sleep and fight anxiety and depression in healthcare workers on shifts. The intervention proposed in the project is scientifically based. It will be delivered via psychologists with an adapted digital platform to facilitate treatment access and overcome challenges of lack of time in this population. The intervention will be tested in the CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal and the CIUSSS de la Capitale Nationale. The scientific work will be sustained through a concerted approach of two local knowledge appropriation committees associated with each CIUSSS. Each committee will include up to 10 local experts (management and human resources, union representatives, workers on atypical schedules/knowledge users, and others) who will facilitate local deployment of the study. Dynamic interactions between the researchers and the local knowledge appropriation committees will allow scientific efforts to be focused on the development of solutions rapidly applicable to the healthcare workplace. Importantly, our study will also identify the individual and environmental factors to target in order to prevent sleep and mental health difficulties in healthcare workers on atypical schedules. The context of the COVID-19 pandemic we are facing today gives Canada the opportunity to provide efficient solutions to improve sleep and mental health in healthcare workers and increase their resilience in this time of crisis.