Examination of a Self-Compassion Course for Healthcare Providers Working With People With Multiple Sclerosis

NCT07097402 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2072
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Clinical staff working with people with multiple sclerosis often face emotional fatigue and high levels of burnout. The Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities course is an evidence-based intervention that teaches participants how to meet distress with kindness and care. This study will recruit up to 40 staff from the Barlo MS Clinic at St. Michael's Hospital to take part in a 6-week, 6-session Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities course. Participants will be asked to complete surveys before and after the course to understand the effects of the course on a range of outcomes. Participants will be invited to take part in one qualitative interview on their perspectives on the course.

Conditions

Burnout; Compassion

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Recruitment

  The investigators will measure the number of participants eligible for and recruited to the study.

  6 months

• Retention

  The investigators will measure the percentage of participants who complete outcome data.

  6 months

• Adherence

  The investigators will measure the number of participants who completed the Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities course.

  6 months

• Follow-up rates

  The investigators will measure the percentage of participants who complete outcome measures pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 3 months post-intervention.

  6 months

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) Version 5

  Baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks after baseline), and 3 months post-intervention

• Self-Compassion Scale - Short Form

  Baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks after baseline), and 3 months post-intervention

• Relational Compassion Scale

  Baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks after baseline), and 3 months post-intervention

• Perceived Stress Scale-10

  Baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks after baseline), and 3 months post-intervention

• Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale - Short Form

  Baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks after baseline), and 3 months post-intervention

Study Arms (1)

Self-compassion course

EXPERIMENTAL

6-week manualized online Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities course

Behavioral: Self-compassion intervention (Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities course)

Interventions

Self-compassion intervention (Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities course) BEHAVIORAL

An online 6-week mindful self-compassion course with weekly sessions.

Self-compassion course

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Aged 18 years or older
• Able to understand spoken and written English
• Current professional affiliation with the Barlo MS clinic

You may not qualify if:

• \) Severe active mental health impairment (psychosis, suicidality)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Robert Simpson: lead

Study Sites (1)

Unity Health Toronto

Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1W8, Canada

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Burnout, Psychological

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress, Psychological; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Robert Simpson, PhD

CONTACT

416-360-4000; robert.simpson@uhn.ca

Jillian Scandiffio, MSc

CONTACT

jillian.scandiffio@unityhealth.to

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 24, 2025
• First Posted: July 31, 2025
• Study Start: September 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: February 28, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 31, 2026
• Last Updated: July 31, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)