Resiliency & Burnout Interventions for Behavioral Health Staff

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

Disqualifiers: Temp staff, per diem workers, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine whether Integrated Resiliency Training and Task Sharing (IRTTS) or the Workplace Improvement Learning Collaborative (WILC) better boosts resilience and well-being among staff at group homes for adults with serious mental illness or intellectual and developmental disabilities. The research will assess which approach more effectively reduces stress, burnout, and absenteeism among residential care workers. It also seeks to identify the barriers and supports necessary for these programs to succeed. Staff with permanent salaries at selected group homes are suitable candidates for this trial. Participants may engage in training sessions, meetings, surveys, and focus groups. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to pioneering research that could enhance workplace well-being.

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

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on training and workplace interventions, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.

What prior data suggests that these interventions are safe for behavioral health staff?

Research shows that resiliency training, such as Integrated Resiliency Training and Task Sharing (IRTTS), can enhance mental well-being and reduce stress. For example, participants in a similar program felt mentally healthier and less stressed after a 3-hour session. These programs are generally easy to manage and aim to build mental and emotional strength.

Similarly, the Workplace Improvement Learning Collaborative (WILC) is widely used in behavioral health. It often involves teams collaborating to enhance safety and mental health at work. Studies have shown this method effectively teaches safety skills and reduces workplace injuries.

Both approaches have been used in various settings with positive results, and no major safety issues have been reported. Each aims to support mental health and improve work conditions, making them safe options for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these interventions for addressing burnout among behavioral health staff because they introduce innovative, system-level strategies rather than just focusing on individual resilience. The Integrated Resiliency Training and Task Sharing combines personal skill-building with shared responsibilities, aiming to enhance staff well-being and reduce burnout at the team level. Meanwhile, the Workplace Improvement Learning Collaborative targets organizational change, fostering an environment that supports staff through systemic improvements. Unlike typical approaches that might focus solely on personal coping strategies, these interventions aim for broader impact by reshaping the work environment and team dynamics.

What evidence suggests that this trial's interventions could be effective for improving resiliency and reducing burnout in behavioral health staff?

In this trial, participants will join one of two treatment arms. Research has shown that the Integrated Resiliency Training and Task Sharing (IRTTS) arm can improve mental health for healthcare workers. Studies have found that programs focused on building resilience can lower stress, burnout, depression, and anxiety, while also boosting overall well-being. Participants in these programs often feel better and experience fewer stress symptoms.

Meanwhile, the Workplace Improvement Learning Collaborative (WILC) arm has enhanced worker well-being and resilience, while also reducing burnout. Reviews indicate that improving the work environment can lead to significant benefits in these areas. Both methods aim to help behavioral health staff by creating a healthier and more supportive workplace. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for permanent-salary staff at certain group homes for adults with serious mental illness or intellectual and developmental disabilities. It's not open to temporary or per diem workers, nor staff at non-participating group homes.

Inclusion Criteria

Permanent-salary staff working in participating group homes

Exclusion Criteria

Temp staff and per diem workers

Staff working in group homes not included in this study

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Phase 1 Implementation

Implementation of IRTTS or WILC in 60 group homes, with training and collaborative activities

18 months

Regular training sessions and collaborative meetings

Phase 2 Implementation

Continuation of IRTTS or WILC in the next set of 60 group homes

18 months

Regular training sessions and collaborative meetings

Phase 3 Implementation

Final phase of IRTTS or WILC implementation in the last set of 60 group homes

18 months

Regular training sessions and collaborative meetings

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for outcomes such as resiliency and burnout reduction

12 months

3-month and 12-month follow-up assessments

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Resiliency Training
• Task Sharing
• Workplace Improvement Learning Collaborative

Trial Overview

The study compares two programs: Integrated Resiliency Training and Task Sharing (IRTTS) versus Workplace Improvement Learning Collaborative (WILC). It looks at which is better for improving staff resiliency, stress management, health behaviors, job retention, safety in the home, and reducing burnout.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Workplace Improvement Learning Collaborative Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A workplace improvement learning collaborative implemented at the organization level (mesosystem).

Group II: Integrated Resiliency Training and Task Sharing Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

A multi-component intervention combining resiliency training and task sharing implemented at the site-level (microsystem).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Massachusetts General Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,066

Recruited

13,430,000+

Vinfen

Industry Sponsor

Trials

5

Recruited

2,800+

Bay Cove Human Services

Collaborator

Trials

3

Recruited

2,500+

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

Collaborator

Trials

592

Recruited

27,110,000+

Vinfen

Collaborator

Trials

3

Recruited

2,100+

Bay Cove Human Services

Collaborator

Trials

3

Recruited

2,500+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A resilience curriculum for medical trainees, consisting of skill-building workshops, has been developed to help reduce burnout and improve wellness, focusing on skills like goal-setting and managing expectations.

Feedback from interns indicates that the sessions were effective, as most participants reported feeling more comfortable discussing burnout and medical errors, suggesting that resilience training can be a valuable tool in medical education.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Curriculum to Foster Resident Resilience. Bird, A., Pincavage, A.[2022]

The BREATHE workshop, aimed at reducing burnout among behavioral health providers, showed small but significant improvements in cynicism, emotional exhaustion, and positive expectations for clients over a six-month period, despite no significant differences compared to a control group.

While BREATHE did not outperform the control condition overall, it suggests potential benefits for participants and indicates a need for further refinement to better support distressed providers and their organizations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparative Effectiveness of a Burnout Reduction Intervention for Behavioral Health Providers. Rollins, AL., Kukla, M., Morse, G., et al.[2019]

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center implemented a comprehensive, multiyear program starting in 2010 to reduce provider burnout and improve resilience, which included cultural change, mindfulness training, and wellness programs, resulting in improved patient satisfaction and reduced safety events.

Mindfulness training, particularly through the Mindfulness in Motion program and 'flipped classroom' approaches, significantly enhanced provider well-being, reduced emotional exhaustion, and increased resilience among staff, faculty, and residents.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Interventions to Reduce Burnout and Improve Resilience: Impact on a Health System's Outcomes. Moffatt-Bruce, SD., Nguyen, MC., Steinberg, B., et al.[2020]

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