The INSPIRE Study: INvestigation of Swiss Physicians Inner-life, Resilience, and Emotions
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: INSPIRE Life Reflection, INSPIRE Work Reflection.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Burnout, Professional, Emotional Exhaustion, Emotions, Wellness, Psychological. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Switzerland
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Overview
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
Detailed description
Burnout, emotional exhaustion, and moral distress are widespread among physicians, negatively impacting patient care, job satisfaction, and physician retention in the workforce. While interventions targeting burnout exist, many require significant time commitments or institutional support, limiting accessibility.
Positive psychology interventions, which emphasize strengths-based approaches such as self-reflection, gratitude, and self-compassion, have shown promise in enhancing resilience and well-being.
The INSPIRE study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) nested within an observational cohort using a Trial within Cohort (TwiC) design. It evaluates two web-based positive psychology interventions aimed at reducing emotional exhaustion and improving physician well-being.
A subset of cohort participants is randomized into one of three arms: a control group, a general life reflection intervention, or a work-focused reflection intervention. The interventions consist of an 8-day structured self-reflection program delivered online.
The study employs automated randomization, triple masking (participants, investigators, and outcome assessors), and longitudinal assessments over one year. Findings will inform the scalability of low-burden interventions for physician burnout prevention.
Interventions
- Behavioral INSPIRE Life Reflection
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. - Behavioral INSPIRE Work Reflection
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.
Primary outcome measures
- Change from baseline in Emotional Exhaustion [Time frame: 3 months post-intervention]
Secondary outcome measures (12)
- Change in Emotional Exhaustion [Time frame: Baseline to 2 weeks, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year]
- Change in Depersonalization [Time frame: Baseline to 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year]
- Change in Personal Accomplishment [Time frame: Baseline to 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year]
- Change in Physician wellbeing [Time frame: Baseline to 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year]
- Change in Job Satisfaction [Time frame: Baseline to 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year]
- Change in comfort with End-of-Life Communication [Time frame: Baseline to 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year]
- Change in Mindfulness [Time frame: Baseline to 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year]
- Change in Compassionate Care [Time frame: Baseline to 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year]
- Change in Emotion Regulation [Time frame: Baseline to 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year]
- Change in Positive and Negative Affect [Time frame: Baseline to 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year]
- Change in Authenticity [Time frame: Baseline to 3 months, 6 months, 1 year]
- Resilience [Time frame: Baseline to 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- 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
Exclusion criteria
- 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
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
Study locations
Switzerland · 1 center
- University of Bern — Bern
Identifiers
NCT: NCT06806150 · 2023-00963