NCT06806150

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial, nested within an observational cohort study, is to evaluate whether two positive psychology web-based interventions can reduce emotional exhaustion and improve overall well-being in practicing physicians in Switzerland. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does participation in positive psychology interventions reduce emotional exhaustion at three months post-intervention? How do these interventions impact physician wellness, job satisfaction, comfort with end-of-life communication and other aspects of physicians' emotional well-being? Researchers will compare the effects of two intervention arms (general reflection vs. work-specific reflection) to a control group to determine whether focusing on work-specific aspects leads to greater improvements in emotional exhaustion and job-related outcomes. Participants will:

  • Complete an 8-day intervention consisting of positive psychology activities delivered online.
  • Complete baseline and follow-up assessments over the study period

Trial Health

63
Monitor

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
450

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
15mo left

Started Apr 2026

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
not yet recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress5%
Apr 2026Aug 2027

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 31, 2025

Completed
3 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

February 3, 2025

Completed
1.2 years until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

April 15, 2026

Completed
9 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

January 15, 2027

Expected
7 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

August 15, 2027

Last Updated

February 13, 2026

Status Verified

February 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

9 months

First QC Date

January 31, 2025

Last Update Submit

February 11, 2026

Conditions

Wellness, PsychologicalEmotional ExhaustionEmotionsSatisfaction, PersonalBurnout, Professional

Keywords

Psychological resiliencePositive Psychology

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Change from baseline in Emotional Exhaustion

    Emotional Exhaustion subscale of the MBI-HSS

    3 months post-intervention

Secondary Outcomes (12)

  • Change in Emotional Exhaustion

    Baseline to 2 weeks, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year

  • Change in Depersonalization

    Baseline to 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year

  • Change in Personal Accomplishment

    Baseline to 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year

  • Change in Physician wellbeing

    Baseline to 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year

  • Change in Job Satisfaction

    Baseline to 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year

  • +7 more secondary outcomes

Other Outcomes (2)

  • Perceived impact of the INSPIRE Interventions

    Within 6 months post-intervention

  • Acceptability of the INSPIRE Interventions

    Within 6 months post-intervention

Study Arms (3)

Intervention 1 - General Positive Psychology Reflection

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants engage in an 8-day web-based intervention involving positive psychology exercises focused on general life situations.

Behavioral: INSPIRE Life Reflection

Intervention 2 - Work-Specific Positive Psychology Reflection

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants engage in the same 8-day web-based intervention, but the focus is specifically on positive reflections related to work and patient interactions.

Behavioral: INSPIRE Work Reflection

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants complete assessments but do not receive the intervention.

Interventions

INSPIRE Life ReflectionBEHAVIORAL

An 8-day web-based positive psychology intervention encouraging participants to reflect on positive aspects of their daily lives. Activities include gratitude exercises, self-compassion writing, and recognizing meaningful moments.

Intervention 1 - General Positive Psychology Reflection
INSPIRE Work ReflectionBEHAVIORAL

An 8-day web-based positive psychology intervention encouraging participants to reflect on positive aspects of their work experiences. Activities include gratitude exercises, self-compassion writing, and recognizing meaningful professional interactions.

Intervention 2 - Work-Specific Positive Psychology Reflection

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall(Gender-based eligibility)
Gender Eligibility DetailsThis study is open to all gender identities, including male, female, non-binary, and those who prefer not to disclose it.
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Be a practicing physician in Switzerland
  • Working at least 40% in a clinical capacity
  • Be willing and able to provide informed consent
  • Expecting to be professionally active until 2028

You may not qualify if:

  • Retired physician or physician seeking retirement within 3 years from first participation in the study
  • Physician unable to participate in one of the study languages: English, German, or French

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

University of Bern

Bern, 3012, Switzerland

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Burnout, ProfessionalEmotional ExhaustionPsychological Well-BeingPersonal Satisfaction

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Occupational StressOccupational DiseasesBurnout, PsychologicalStress, PsychologicalBehavioral SymptomsBehaviorFatigueSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

  • Sofia C Zambrano, PhD

    University of Bern

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Sofia C Zambrano, PhD

CONTACT

+41 31 684 57 76sofia.zambrano@unibe.ch

Robert Staeck, MSc

CONTACT

robert.staeck@unibe.ch

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
TRIPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Masking Details
Participants: Control participants are aware of the trial but do not know they are assigned to the control arm, as they are treated as part of the larger cohort and do not receive the intervention. Investigators: Investigators are masked because recruitment and assignment are automated, ensuring they do not know which participants are in the intervention or control arms. Outcome Assessors: Researchers analyzing the data remain blinded to group allocation to minimize bias in data interpretation.
Purpose
HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 31, 2025

First Posted

February 3, 2025

Study Start

April 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

January 15, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 15, 2027

Last Updated

February 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

De-identified individual participant data (IPD) will be made available for research purposes upon request. Data will include survey responses and outcome measures but will exclude any personally identifiable information

Time Frame
18 months after publication of primary results and will remain accessible for at least 5 years
Access Criteria
Researchers can request access by submitting a proposal to the study investigators. Access will be granted to qualified researchers for scientifically valid analyses, subject to data-sharing agreements and ethical considerations.

Locations

CH(1)