for the first time Human Resources Excellence Awards, Philippines in 2022leading hospital in Metro Manila, Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC)Won Gold for Excellence in Workplace Wellness and Silver for Excellence in Business Transformation
we catch up with Sharon C. Hernandez, Chief Strategy Officer, Asian Hospital and Medical Center on the reason for launching the team’s ELITe programs, proactively reaching out to departmental leaders, and the value of holding a series of group briefings to support employee wellness.
what Congratulations on the achievement! Could you explain us the ups and downs of your winning strategy?
We recognized that our healthcare workers were vulnerable to stress even before the pandemic due to their direct involvement in unexpected adverse events for patients. With this, the challenge for us was to make sure that they were still able to maintain patient safety and quality of care.
These factors become our basis for forming our psychosocial support team, ‘Extreme Life Incident Team or ELITe’. The human resources team is at the forefront of our mental health advocacy.
We intensify our human resource competencies by equipping them to be certified debriefers. Our doctors from the Department of Psychiatry supported the initiative as our ELITe Advisors. We expand on this advocacy and then invite other employees to join ELITe. Now we already have a total of around 50+ ELITe members, who are working together to educate and start our mental health programs.
what How did the HR team identify and align company and employee needs, and craft this perfect solution?
Early in the pandemic, we strengthened our ELITe programs, proactively reaching out to department leaders and holding a series of group briefings. Additionally, in addition to monitoring the physical condition and symptoms of our employees through our ‘Daily Health Statement’ upon admission to the hospital, we incorporated a mental health screening survey to identify employees who need a report. Through this effort, we were able to immediately capture the current mental health needs of employees.
We amplify this advocacy by increasing awareness, education, and training interventions for the entire community. This mental health awareness campaign strengthened the psychological resilience of our healthcare staff, allowing them to function normally and at their best to provide quality services to our patients.
whatCould you share the results your strategy has delivered, whether on the business, HR, or people side?
Based on our ‘Employee Health Services’ data, the number of employee referrals to a psychologist or psychiatrist decreased by approximately 67% from 2020 to 2021, respectively. The numbers can be attributed to the effect of the pandemic on the mental health of employees. The continued development of ELITe programs may also have helped decrease numbers given their activities and interventions.
The stigma around mental health has faded somewhat due to increased awareness. In total, we have increased the number of briefings by 92% compared to pre-pandemic sessions, and received a 90% above-average rating on the effectiveness of briefings based on informed staff responses. members
The numbers are a testament to the effectiveness of the ELITe programs, which are now more accepted and valuable to the community.
whatWhat is your message to all the stakeholders who have supported you on this journey?
Our goal as the mental health promotion arm of Asia Hospital is to build an army of ‘interrogators’ within and outside the community.
We are grateful for the support of our MANCOM, the mentorship of the Department of Psychiatry, most especially Dr. Ben Vista, our ELITe Advisor, and everyone who joined our ELITe programs.
We would also like to thank organizations outside of Asian Hospital, who allowed us to share and inspire them with our mental health advocacy in creating their own mental health programs in their respective organizations through interviews and discussions, such as Maynilad and Toyota. Tsusho Philippines Corporation. The program was also highlighted in forums such as HPMA (Hospital Personnel Management Association) meetings.
Finally, with the greatest thanks to the members of ELITe who shared their time, effort, kindness as volunteers and remained faithful to their mission of “quick to care and slow to judge”.
whatWhat excites you most when you think about the future of human resources?
The ELITe will embark on the creation of support groups, for example, for employees diagnosed with mental health problems and for those who have experienced trauma during their time of service as health workers.
We believe in the power of groups and this will be an additional platform and safe space for our employees.
The ELITe will continue to draw on experts from different disciplines to further spread mental health awareness and build structured resiliency programs for our healthcare team. Furthermore, ELITe aspires to ensure that Asian Hospital staff members are mentally sound so that they can perform effectively.
Future recruiting, employee engagement, training and organizational development initiatives will encompass this campaign. We encourage human resource professionals to be at the forefront of mental health programs. As advocates, we believe that the mission of all HR professionals is on a par with the ELITe mission of ‘a human reaching out to another human being’.
Image / Provided (with the AHMC team)
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