Case Study No:116 Through the Looking Glass: How to Thrive in the Remote Workplace by Cultivating Resilience (ID 161-6)

Organisation/s CRANAplus Bush Support Services RHCE2 Funding: $55,520.00 (ex GST) Round 6 Duration: 2.7.15 to 30.10.15

Project status: Project completed and final report submitted Project type: Continuing Professional Development, Inter-professional Learning, Knowledge Translation/Transfer.

Location: Exmouth, Kalgoolie and Carnarvon Western Australia, RA 3-5

Target Groups: Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Workers, Allied Health Professionals, General Practitioners, Overseas Trained Doctors, Nurses & Midwives

Purpose: Funding to provide resilience-based workshops in remote locations in Western Australia for GPs, nurses and midwives, Aboriginal Health Workers and Allied Health Professionals. Through the Looking Glass- How to thrive in the Remote Workplace by Cultivating Resilience –two-day experiential workshops in Flexibility, Adaptability and Reflective Practice.’ The 2-day workshops introduced participants to the principles of psychological flexibility, creativity, mindfulness, reflective practice and self-care. Project Highlights

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This Project enabled funding for: CRANAplus Bush Support Services to conduct 3 two-day evidence-based best practice workshops to build resilience in remote area health workers through the principles of positive psychology, reflective practice and creativity. Activities included: creative art & philosophical conversation about reflective practice, art therapy & maintaining wellbeing, group scenarios & creative exercises, art therapy & tips for managing stress, creativity & self-care management.

Three successful workshops conducted in: • Exmouth, Western Australia - July 9 & 10, 2015 • Kalgoorlie, Western Australia - July 29 & 30, 2015 • Carnarvon, Western Australia - October 14, 2015

As a pilot, this project successfully achieved its objectives The overarching aim of the project was to cultivate resilience in the remote health workforce. The stressors and challenges of remote work are well documented and current research is highlighting the individual resilience of the practitioner as being the factor that determines the long-term viability and satisfaction overall with remote work. A secondary aim was to bring stakeholders in health together in their communities and to encourage the formation of strong bonds between practitioners, thereby improving the health outcomes of their clients.

Participant professions: Youth Workers, Counsellors, Social Workers, General Practitioners, Team Leaders, Clinical Nurse Managers, Psychologists, Early Intervention Workers, Clinical Nurses, Residential Care Workers, Ambulance Officers, Manager of Clinical Services, Child Protection Workers, Family Dispute Resolution Workers, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Educators, Mental Health Nurses.

Key outcomes The evaluation of the workshops, indicates that the workshops met participant’s needs for support and education. For rural and remote health workers the core workshop themes of self-care (understanding stress, building resilience and practices and strategies to support them), understanding the experience of rural and remote practice, reflective practice and staying safe in the workplace appear central to building and maintaining a sustainable and resilient workforce. • Feedback from participants indicates that the cornerstone of the success of the workshops is the inclusion of mindfulness and creativity as a method of self-awareness, self-care and a practical extension of the “taught” concepts. • The uptake of the workshop themes and skills was enhanced because of these creative activities. For many, this is what made the workshop so valuable. • Another factor in the success of the workshops was the opportunity to build connectedness with other workers in their area. This reduces professional isolation, leads to a reduction in stress and builds opportunities for collaborative practice. The overall objectives set for the project by RHCE2 and CRANAplus Bush Support Services were met, as were the identified and desired workshop outcomes.

Overall impressions Participant Feedback: Participant feedback was very positive. 91% of participants stated that their expectations were met and that they would utilise the skills learnt. The components that people liked the most were: Mindfulness, Creativity & Reflective practice.

Ratings: • Presenters: 70% Excellent, 25% Very Good, and 5% Good • Workshops Overall: 40% Excellent, 40% Very Good and 20% Good.

Further Comments: There were many positive comments from all the workshops: • The presenters were very knowledgeable and their abilities to get the group to open up about experiences, good and bad, made the workshop more interactive and valuable. • Presenters very approachable. • Inclusive and informative. • Very enjoyable – made you look at yourself and understand why you feel certain ways. • Good strategies offered. • A timely intervention which will prevent further deterioration. • Interesting & Interactive. • Loved the workshop. • It feels good to trust and believe in yourself. • Topics were great fun.

Contact: Colleen Niedermeyer Director of Support Services, CRANAplus Phone: 074047 6404, Mobile: 0448011956 Email : [email protected] Website: www.crana.org.au

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