Whole team training to reduce burn-out amongst staff on an in-patient alcohol ward

In 2005 the alcohol in-patient ward at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust participated in a 2-day training programme designed to reduce levels of burn-out amongst staff. The training intervention was derived from a large-scale project that focused on in-patient and community mental health staff in five European countries. A research component was built into the work, with levels of staff burn-out being measured prior to the training intervention and 1 month afterwards, using the Maslach Burn-out Inventory (MBI). The team were able to identify four sources of stress at work. A 1-month follow-up using the MBI showed that levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization had been reduced and feelings of personal accomplishment at work risen. Staff identified four main sources of stress at work. These were: (i) group-work; (ii) dealing with complex clients; (iii) effectively evaluating the shift; and (iv) client aggression. The implications of whole team training is discussed in the context of staff working with high turnover clients.