Mental Vitality @ Work: two strategies for a Workers’ Health Surveillance mental module for nurses and allied health professionals

Introduction
Employees in health care are at high risk for developing mental health complaints, which can have serious consequences for the quality of care provided by these workers. A Workers’ Health Surveillance (WHS) mental module may be an effective preventive strategy promoting good mental health and work functioning in health care workers. This study aims to evaluate two strategies for a WHS mental module for nurses and allied health professionals.

Methods
The Mental Vitality @ Work study is designed as a cluster randomized controlled trial consisting of three arms (two intervention groups, 1 no-intervention control group) with randomization at ward level. The study population consists of all 1731 nurses and allied health professionals in one Dutch academic medical center with 86 wards. Outcomes are assessed by online questionnaires at baseline (March 2011), and after three and six months of follow-up (June and September 2011).
In both intervention arms, participants complete an online screening to detect problems in mental health and work functioning and receive direct feedback on their screening results. In case of impairments in mental health or work functioning in the first intervention arm, a consultation with an occupational physician is offered. The second intervention arm offers a choice of five different self-help e-mental health interventions, following a predefined algorithm with the individual’s screening results as input.

Results
Primary outcomes are help-seeking behavior and work functioning. Secondary outcomes are mental health and wellbeing. Furthermore, cost-effectiveness in both intervention arms is assessed, and a process evaluation is performed regarding acceptance and feasibility of the WHS mental modules.

Discussion
The described WHS strategies are innovative as they use online screening with direct personal feedback. If proven effective, a WHS mental module for nurses and allied health professionals could be implemented to monitor and promote good mental health and work functioning.