Testing the effectiveness of an intervention designed to reduce burn-out and improve wellbeing in healthcare professionals

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims
Occupational burnout refers to a state of job-related emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and reduced personal accomplishment. Burnout has a negative impact on well-being and physical health. Burnout is also associated with poorer job performance and increased time off work. Burnout in the UK National Health Service (NHS) is a system-wide problem with Public Health England estimating the cost of staff absence due to poor health at £2.4 billion per year. The NHS depends on having a healthy and productive workforce to deliver high-quality patient care and the NHS Long Term Plan acknowledges the need to “support improved health and wellbeing of staff and management of sickness absence”. Interventions that help to remediate occupational burnout and to improve healthcare workers’ wellbeing are greatly needed.
This study aims to assess if access to a group-based intervention based on the Chimp Paradox Model (CPM) may lead to changes in occupational burnout and well-being in healthcare professionals. This will be the first experimental test of this intervention in the NHS. The Chimp Paradox model (CPM) is a “mind management” approach developed by Prof. Steve Peters, a Consultant Psychiatrist. The model is based on developments in neuroscience. It offers practical strategies and skills for the individual to learn how to, gain insight into how their mind is working; understand and recognise their thoughts, behaviours and emotions; and better manage themselves to become the person they would like to be.

Who can participate?
Registered Nurses aged 18 and over, working in the community, who are employed by Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust.

What does the study involve?
Consenting participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: 1 and 2. If participants are randomly assigned to group 1, they will access an 8-week series of workshops based upon the Chimp Paradox model starting in March. If they are randomly assigned to group 2, they will wait 8 weeks and then access the workshops after group 1 finish their sessions. The workshops completed by both groups will be the same, so everybody will receive the same intervention. Participants will be asked to complete a series of outcome measures (questionnaires) to assess burnout and wellbeing at different time points throughout the study to assess whether the intervention makes any difference to staff well-being and sickness absence levels. The first questionnaire on occupational and personal wellbeing will be completed at the start of the study. This will then be repeated at three further timepoints (8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 40 weeks later). They will also be asked to report the number of sickness and absence days for the 6 month period before the study and for the period of time enrolled in the study.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Although benefit for individuals cannot be guaranteed, it is hypothesised that taking part in the psychological intervention will reduce occupational burnout levels in a group of nurses. Given the psychoeducational nature of the CPM intervention, the researchers do not envisage any potential for significant distress or adverse events. In the event that a participant is distressed for any reason, they will be provided information about usual sources of psychological and or occupational health support available to employees in RDASH NHS Trust.

Where is the study run from?
1. Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (UK)
2. University of Sheffield (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2019 to January 2021

Who is funding the study?
1. Chimp Management Ltd (UK)
2. Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Prof. Michael Barkham
m.barkham@sheffield.ac.uk

Study website

Contact information

Study information

Eligibility

Locations

Countries of recruitment

• England
• United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Sponsor information

Funders

Funder type

Industry

Results and Publications

Study outputs

Additional files

ISRCTN34503872_PROTOCOL_v6_18Mar20 (2).pdf

Uploaded 16/04/2020

Editorial Notes

30/01/2024: Publication reference added.
05/07/2023: The intention to publish date was changed from 30/06/2023 to 31/07/2023.
19/12/2022: The intention to publish date was changed from 31/12/2022 to 30/06/2023.
05/10/2022: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The overall end date was changed from 31/07/2022 to 21/01/2021.
2. The total final enrolment was changed from 436 to 198.
07/06/2022: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The overall end date was changed from 30/05/2022 to 31/07/2022.
2. The intention to publish date was changed from 31/07/2022 to 31/12/2022.
3. The plain English summary was updated to reflect these changes.
23/08/2021: The total final enrolment was changed from 296 to 436 following a second round of enrolment in 2021.
20/08/2021: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The overall end date was changed from 29/12/2020 to 30/05/2022.
2. The intention to publish date was changed from 31/07/2021 to 31/07/2022.
3. The plain English summary was updated to reflect these changes.
22/06/2021: The intention to publish date was changed from 01/06/2021 to 31/07/2021.
22/12/2020: Total final enrolment added.
16/04/2020: Internal review.
14/04/2020: Trial's existence confirmed by the NIHR. Uploaded protocol Version 6, 18 March 2020 (not peer reviewed).