The biopsychosocial–spiritual impact on non-clinical health professionals who interact with traumatic and/or sensitive health data: A scoping review

Abstract

Background: Existing research has long established that direct exposure to patient trauma, such as severe injuries, chronic illnesses and end-of-life care, places clinical healthcare workers at heightened risk of secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue and burnout. However, comparatively little attention has been paid to the impact on non-clinical healthcare personnel, such as health information managers (HIMs) who, despite being removed from direct patient care, regularly handle distressing and sensitive patient information. Objective: This scoping review explores the literature concerning non-clinical healthcare professionals and the potential impact upon their biopsychosocial–spiritual (BPSS) well-being given prolonged exposure to medical and/or patient records. Method: Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage scoping review strategy was utilised. An initial search of the literature yielded no results specific to HIMs and other non-clinical healthcare professionals. Therefore, the scope of the review was broadened, and a second search of the literature was conducted to explore comparable non-patient/client-facing populations such as transcriptionists. Results: In total 1226 articles were initially identified and 13 articles revealed either a biological, psychological, social and/or spiritual impact when professionals were exposed to traumatic and/or sensitive data. Conclusion: Exploring the roles of comparable non-patient/client-facing populations provides insight into the potential impact that exposure to traumatic and/or sensitive information may have on the health and well-being of HIMs and other non-clinical health professionals. Implications for health information management practice: Further research is recommended to explore the potential BPSS impact that HIMs and other non-clinical health professionals experience due to the exposure of traumatic and/or sensitive information.