Employee Well-Being Program Implemented in Cancer Center

Margaret Rubino, a patient care coordinator in the UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center, often feels stressed and emotionally drained after dealing with cancer patients day in and day out. "Sometimes you want to cry, because the stories are so heartbreaking," said Rubino. "Much of our job is to be strong and to comfort others. We certainly have our own issues too and, combined with the high call volume at work, sometimes the pressure really gets to you." Recognizing the need to provide some "me time" for staff to express what it feels like to do this work, Cynthia Perlis, director of the UCSF Art for Recovery program, brought an idea to Gerrie Shields, administrative director of the Cancer Center. "I wanted to do something for many of the frontline people - the receptionists, administrative assistants and medical staff - who are confronted with intense situations and dealing with loss on a daily basis," said Perlis. What sprang from this notion was the Employee Well-Being Project, which was created in 2005 to build a community who felt cared for and would be given the opportunity to attend a variety of workshops held throughout the year. The program has thus far helped to increase morale while improving the employees' ability to cope with the ongoing stress of their daily routine. Perlis worked with departmental managers to explain the importance of the project and inspire them to invite their employees to attend the one-hour sessions. "Without the enthusiasm of the practice managers, this project would not have gotten off the ground," Perlis remarked. "Employees are spending an hour away from their desks to participate in sessions that are relaxing and nurturing in nature. They return to their workstations feeling relaxed and heard." Four different, themed workshops are held quarterly, with each themed one-hour workshop repeated six times on different days of the week, to accommodate everyone's schedule. In the beginning, Rubino had to be convinced to attend a workshop. "I was forced to go, since I usually don't even take a lunch," she exclaimed. Rubino had an opportunity to create her own journal during a workshop that included all the materials necessary to create a handmade paper journal. The journals could be used for the individual employee or by the department to sign and send to the family of a loved one who has died. "I'm not artistic, and it was a little intimidating to see all kinds of paper, buttons and feathers in front of me," she said. "But I left with a beautiful journal that I gave to one of my patients." Workshop themes include yoga that can be practiced at individual workstations, along with relaxing breathing techniques. In another, Hawaiian chants and songs led by a teacher of traditional Hawaiian music are centered around an altar that is created by staff and honors patients and loved ones who have passed away. A favorite workshop expressed by many - finding humor on the job - features a comedian who does improvisation with the staff. "We brought a comedian in to show that there is humor and laughter in everyday experiences," said Perlis. Art for Recovery teamed up with a Bay Area Theatresports professional, who enticed his audience to play word games, do improvisation, sing and otherwise loosen up. Questionnaires filled out by participants after each workshop showed an overwhelmingly positive response. Many individuals said that the opportunity to get a little respite from the stress of their work was a welcome benefit. Others mentioned that the opportunity to bond with others and express themselves was beneficial. "They not only derived benefits from the workshops themselves, but also succeeded in building a greater sense of teamwork as a consequence of their interaction," said Perlis. For people like Rubino, the program has been a nice perk in her ongoing routine. "My protective shield is up when I work," said Rubino. "As far as patients go, I'm here to help them with their journey. The goal is to help them and let them go through the process. So it's really nice that there is support for what we do." The next Employee Well-Being Workshop will be held on Tuesday, June 27, and Thursday, June 29, when staff will have the opportunity to express their vision of health and healing and connection to their work on a 4" x 4" canvas. This project will be permanently installed in the Cancer Center. For more information, contact Cynthia Perlis.