Wellness Intervention for Burnout

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Nevada, Reno

Disqualifiers: Non-UNR residents, Unwilling participants

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a wellness program designed to help resident physicians manage burnout and improve work-life balance. Licensed counselors lead the program, which includes group support on topics like stress management, self-care, and dealing with feelings of imposter syndrome. Internal medicine residents at the University of Nevada, Reno, who are open to participating in a wellness intervention, will find this trial a good fit. Participants will have access to both the new wellness program and the university's standard mental health resources. As an unphased trial, this study offers residents a unique opportunity to enhance their well-being with innovative support methods.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this wellness intervention is safe for resident physicians?

Research shows that wellness programs, like the one in this study, are generally safe for participants. Studies have found that these programs improve well-being and reduce burnout among healthcare workers. No evidence indicates any harmful effects, and participants usually tolerate them well.

These programs often include activities such as peer support groups and mindfulness exercises, which help manage stress and enhance mental health. While the study does not test a new drug or medical procedure, it employs proven methods to support mental wellness. Overall, evidence suggests that wellness programs are safe and beneficial for improving mental health and resilience. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the wellness intervention for burnout because it offers a multifaceted approach that goes beyond traditional methods. Unlike standard treatments, which often focus on individual therapy sessions, this intervention emphasizes peer support and group processes, providing a community-based environment for participants. It integrates evidence-based techniques like Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), while also addressing unique topics such as work/life balance and imposter syndrome. This comprehensive approach aims to build resilience and support mental well-being in a more holistic way than current options.

What evidence suggests that this wellness intervention is effective for reducing burnout?

Research has shown that wellness programs can help healthcare workers feel better and reduce burnout. One study found that these programs boost job satisfaction, quality of life, and the ability to handle stress. Another study demonstrated that wellness programs help doctors by reducing stress, improving work-life balance, and encouraging self-care. Mindfulness activities, part of these programs, have successfully lowered stress and increased resilience. This trial will evaluate a counselor-led wellness intervention, which includes these elements, to determine its effectiveness in helping resident doctors feel better and perform their jobs more effectively. Participants in the intervention group will receive this specialized program, while the control group will have standard access to all mental health and wellness interventions at the university. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Sean Kandel, DO

Principal Investigator

University of Nevada, Reno

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for resident physicians experiencing stress, anxiety disorders, atypical depression, or burnout. It aims to support their wellness during the demanding period of residency. Participants must be currently in a residency program and willing to engage with a counselor-led wellness intervention.

Inclusion Criteria

All internal medicine residents at the University of Nevada, Reno whose continuity clinic site is the University Health (UNR Plumas) Clinic for the 2025-2026 academic year will be offered the opportunity to participate.

Exclusion Criteria

Must be a UNR internal medicine resident as described above

I am willing to participate in the study.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive counselor-led wellness support including psychoeducational peer support groups and therapeutic concepts like CBT and DBT

10 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in wellness, depression, and anxiety using standard metrics

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Wellness Intervention

Trial Overview The study tests a new wellness support model led by licensed counselors designed for residents. The goal is to see if this intervention helps improve residents' well-being and job performance compared to usual practices without this structured support.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Counselor Wellness Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Evidenced based, counselor lead wellness intervention that will provide psychoeducational peer support/peer process groups. Topics may include: work/life balance, resilience building, stress management, self- care practices, imposter syndrome, psychological effects, compassion fatigue, peer support, and mindfulness practices. Other evidence based therapeutic concepts, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), may also be introduced as appropriate. The intervention group will also receive standard access to all mental health and wellness interventions at the university.

Group II: Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Standard access to all mental health and wellness interventions at the university.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Nevada, Reno

Lead Sponsor

Trials

34

Recruited

20,200+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10314589/

Workplace interventions to improve well-being and reduce ... Effective outcomes were reported in 29 studies, with significant improvements in well-being, work engagement, quality of life and resilience, ...

2. bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-025-12934-z

Effectiveness of wellness program interventions to improve ... Our results suggest that wellness interventions have the potential to be effective in improving physician wellness and reducing burnout. However ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666142X24000699

Interventions to promote resilience and passion for work in ... Interventions included mindfulness-based programs, psychoeducation workshops, stress management techniques, and professional coaching.

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11999806/

A highly effective mindfulness intervention for burnout ... Our aim was to evaluate the effect of an evidence-based mindfulness intervention on perceived stress, burnout, resilience, and work engagement ...

5. researchprotocols.org researchprotocols.org/2023/1/e49020/

Wellness in Nursing Education to Promote Resilience and ... This study aims to understand how environmental changes may influence nursing students' resilience, stress, and well-being. Mindfulness-Based ...

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03167658

NCT03167658 | The Impact of Employee Wellness Programs A multi-prong workplace wellness program, including components such as nutrition counseling, fitness challenges, and stress management workshops.