Choose Well, your caregiver well-being program, is here to help create a positive culture at work and support you in your daily well-being. Choose Well provides you with programs, tools and resources to become the best version of yourself, mind, body, spirit and financial.

Visit the Choose Well website

To highlight our caregivers’ extraordinary care during the COVID-19 crisis and to encourage the public to stay at home to slow the spread of the virus, we are spearheading a national public service announcement campaign. We created a series of Providence-branded videos, photos and other content showing the reality of life on the frontlines of the pandemic to use in digital and social media.

We invite you to submit your photos and videos of yourself and other caregivers that capture the gravity of this crisis and the dedication of our caregivers. Ideas include a selfie after a long shift or a group photo with your colleagues.

We want to thank all the frontline health care workers that have been actively helping in this crisis. We, and our patients, want you to know that we are grateful for all our heroes, the medical and support teams working around the clock to help in this time of need. We asked people to send thank you messages and this is where you can see them:

• Watch the videos
• Read Rod Hochman MD’s Blog Post
• Watch Rod Hochman MD’s Video Message
• A Message from Archbishop Etienne for Health Care Workers

During this unprecedented health care crisis, we’re shoring up donations from individuals, corporations and foundations to expand COVID-19 testing and clinical trials, help provide necessary supplies such as personal protective equipment, and build up a financial safety net for our caregivers. Learn how to help.

We launched a new centralized website that lists all of our testing collection sites across Providence. This online resource features a map-based interface where consumers can enter their zip code to find the closest testing centers. Information is updated every 10 minutes and includes custom messaging from the clinic providing the testing service, such as capacity, and if an appointment is required or walk-ins are available. Available in English and Spanish, the site is being shared with patients after getting triaged by a provider or via our online virtual assessment tool. See Providence COVID-19 Testing Centers.

Providence Laboratory Services, our Oregon regional lab, is increasing its COVID-19 test capacity to 750 tests a day with a 24-hour turnaround time for results after specimens arrive at the lab. Other facilities commercially available to provide lab testing include LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics (orders are available in Epic and Meditech), and the University of Washington virology lab. In addition to these facilities, we have compiled a complete list of lab testing facilities across our ministries, including requirements and turnaround times. See Lab Testing Resource Page.

To help with lab testing capacity constraints, we are recommending lab testing for three broad categories listed in order of priority: 1) inpatients and symptomatic health care workers, 2) residents of skilled nursing facilities and large senior living communities, and 3) outpatients that are high risk or participating in a study protocol. It is also recommended that providers test only persons with symptoms compatible with COVID-19 where a diagnostic result will change clinical management or inform the public health response. Read Testing Guidelines.

We know you may have questions and are looking for information about how best to do your job and keep current with any clinical changes, innovations or policy updates. We will continue to update this page with clinical resource information on COVID-19 response as it becomes available.

It’s normal to not feel okay during highly stressful and emotional times like these. As health care professionals, our focus is usually on the health and wellbeing of others. Yet we know to provide the best care to others, we must first care for ourselves.

If you are concerned about a colleague, or have concerns about your own wellbeing, resources are available. Common signs that extra support may be useful include excessive worrying, insomnia, becoming withdrawn, chronic fatigue, feeling  hopeless, and drug or alcohol misuse, among others. If you’re seeing these signs in others, or feeling them yourself, resources are available. If issues such as depression, substance abuse or thoughts of self-harm gain strength, it’s important to seek support.

Accessing resources available through Providence is an easy first-step for providers and caregivers to find meaningful support so they can be at their best and give their best to those they serve. Many of these resources are available to providers who practice at Providence, but are not employed directly by our organization. Those resources are noted with an asterisk (*).

• Physician Support Line* (for physicians only) - This is a hotline specifically for MDs coping with stress during this stressful time. Staffed by hundreds of volunteer psychiatrists. Two Providence providers recently shared their personal thoughts on suicide, and their recovery journey. Watch “Breaking the Silence” below.
  Note: this resource is not a part of the Providence health system.
• Nursing World: Well-Being Tools and Resources* (for nurses only) - Sponsored by ANA Enterprise (an association of American Nurses Association, American Nurses Credentialing Center and American Nurses Foundation)
  Note: this resource is not a part of the Providence health system.
• Behavioral Health Concierge Service* - Caring for caregivers is a priority for our organization as we tackle burnout and other challenges head-on. Free, compassionate, and confidential behavioral health services are available to caregivers and their dependents, often same-day or next-day through this unique telehealth service.
• Stress Meter* - The toll of stress can be profound, and support may be needed now more than ever. Selecting the right program for you has never been easier. The Stress Meter rates the level of stress you’re feeling and connects you with the corresponding resources. That way you get the right level of support for what you may be experiencing now.
• Caregiver Assistance Program - Need someone to talk about what keeps you up at night? Optum offers a large mental health provider network, and industry-leading digital tools and resources. Free, confidential resources and support are available for you and your family. (Alaska caregivers: look for the Lyra program instead.) Click “Caregiver Assistance Resources” on Choose Well
• No One Cares Alone (Caregiver Support Program) - We need your help to make sure none of our caregivers feel like they are caring alone.  Connect with your fellow caregivers to find common ground and support.
• TeleSpiritual Health - When you need a prayer for strength or a listening ear, our spiritual care team is here for you. Email telespiritualhealth@providence.org to request an appointment. 

Good mental health is essential to provide compassionate care to everyone we serve. Providence is committed to improve the mental health and wellbeing of our caregivers, and to deliver on our promise of health for a better world.