About

Welcome to NextGen WellBeing!

NextGen WellBeing is an application specially designed for healthcare professionals. The app aims to empower you with information, tools, and supportive resources to help you speak out about your needs! The app can be accessed on a smartphone and has simple navigation between sections.

Although healthcare professionals try to provide excellent patient care, they may only sometimes feel comfortable expressing themselves due to potential consequences. This app is designed to help you improve your communication capabilities and the challenges of speaking out in the workplace. Preserving privacy is a priority.

The main idea behind this application is based on a human-centered design approach. Community members identify the problems and develop solutions, and designers follow their guidance. The content provided in the app is directly from the end-users, and it is intended for their use. However, technological components by experts in the field have been designed.

Why Now?

In 2020, the world experienced an unprecedented pandemic and social change in many areas, including how we work and what we value. 4.1 Americans left their jobs, 238,000 of whom were healthcare professionals. They cited the pandemic as having taken a toll on their mental health, feeling unprotected from COVID, undervalued,  and underpaid, and that they couldn't speak up for what they needed without fear of retribution. The mass departure of providers during the pandemic has intensified existing problems in the healthcare system. This has led to a shortage of healthcare providers, making it difficult to provide medical care solutions, especially to vulnerable populations. Many organizations have recognized this issue and have implemented wellness protocols to address the problem after the pandemic. However, healthcare professionals still face challenges in speaking out due to fear. They worry that speaking out could make them appear weak and incompetent, that their ideas might be rejected, or worse, they could lose their license.

Hence, the impetus for the app is based on scientific research and community voices.  If our healthcare professionals are not protected, public health risks another exodus of healthcare providers, leaving vulnerable employees undeserved. In 2015, the Grand Challenges of Social Work introduced 12 global issues requiring immediate attention to improve and transform communities.  Close the Health Gap is among the 12 and is an initiative that aims to create equitable solutions and improve health in our communities. However, achieving patient equity can only happen when healthcare professionals experience equity in their workplace.

How Does the App Work

We understand that asking for your needs to be met can be challenging, especially if you have had negative experiences. Our app provides essential information and links to the relevant industry. The app has two main sections - a central section for information that includes a blog section and links to industry news and a section for accessing a section for guides and resources. The blog section offers insights into the problems healthcare professionals might encounter. In the support section, the app gives lessons reinforced by interactive quizzes and suggestions for addressing communication, self-advocacy, difficult conversations at work, goal setting, and more. 

The support section also has links to labor protection and advocacy offices, including recommendations on how and when to access these offices if needed. Lastly, mental health resources are under the app's support section because we know that change can be hard when speaking out. These resources are available as needed because change can be daunting and can be triggered. Even with the best efforts, some form of support might be required.

This application is not meant to provide mental health treatment. It is a platform where you can obtain self-advocacy support, discover helpful resources, and utilize wellness tools as required. If you need more help, please use the mental health resources provided within the app. 

Our privacy policy explains what personal information we collect from you when you use our app and how we use and share it. We take reasonable measures to protect your information but cannot guarantee absolute security. We do not sell your personal information to third parties without your consent, but we may share it with trusted service providers. Our app is not intended for use by individuals under 18. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.