The COVID chronicles: An Employee Assistance Program’s observations and responses to the pandemic

Abstract

This article discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of a large academic health system’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP). It builds on a growing literature documenting the psychological effects experienced by Health Care Workers (HCW) during extreme and adverse circumstances. Although it is an observational study based on recent events in the United States, it reviews survey data collected in Wuhan China and New York City. The article discusses the operational responses of an EAP as it responded to the pandemic by adopting virtual communication platforms and developing innovative engagement strategies. It discusses the differential impacts experienced by front line and remote health care workers. A pre and post COVID-19 comparison of EAP activities will be offered. Lastly, the article explores practice implications for other EAPs.