MDT leaders can enhance the resilience of their team members by sharing information about STS and healthy coping strategies and providing opportunities for team members to engage in mutual support. Some specific strategies include:
- Offer in-service training on STS and adaptive coping, which are behaviors that improve function when dealing with stress by addressing the root, not only the symptoms. Examples include active problem solving, mindfulness, seeking support, and cognitive reframing.
- Practice mindfulness activities in team meetings.
- Enhance compassion satisfaction by sharing successes and practicing meaning-making (“Why do you do this work?” What does your work mean to you?” “How does your work help others?”).
- Offer individual support to team members as needed.
- Offer opportunities for MDT members and CAC staff to build relationships outside of MDT meetings. Retreats, lunches, and other similar events provide professionals the opportunity to develop peer support networks.
- Provide information to MDT supervisors and leaders about the importance of supporting these types of MDT events, allowing and encouraging their front-line MDT members to participate in these events.