Supervisor Check-ins for Burnout

Overseen By David A Hurtado, ScD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Oregon Health and Science University

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Pilot study, Non-clinic

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

500 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether regular check-ins between supervisors and healthcare workers can reduce burnout in primary care clinics. Burnout significantly impacts healthcare workers' well-being and the quality of patient care. The trial includes brief, frequent meetings to address work stress and provide support. Employees at OHSU primary care clinics who regularly interact with patients or work in clinic support roles are well-suited for this study.

As an unphased trial, this study allows participants to contribute to innovative strategies that could improve workplace well-being.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on workplace interventions rather than medical treatments.

What prior data suggests that this check-in process is safe for reducing burnout?

Research has shown that regular meetings between supervisors and employees are generally safe and well-received. These meetings aim to lower work stress and prevent burnout without causing physical side effects. The goal is to improve work-life balance through conversation and support. No reports of negative effects from these interactions have emerged. Therefore, participating in these meetings is unlikely to pose any safety risks. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Supervisor Check-ins for Burnout trial because it explores a novel way to tackle burnout among healthcare workers through regular, structured conversations. Unlike traditional approaches that may focus on individual stress management techniques or periodic workshops, this method emphasizes frequent, direct communication between supervisors and staff every eight weeks. This proactive approach aims to identify and address work stressors in real-time, potentially offering more immediate relief and fostering a supportive work environment. If successful, it could reshape how organizations manage employee burnout, leading to healthier, more resilient teams.

What evidence suggests that supervisor-employee check-ins are effective for reducing burnout?

Research shows that regular check-ins between supervisors and employees can help reduce burnout in healthcare workers. In this trial, some clinics will implement brief and frequent work-life check-ins between supervisors and staff every 8 weeks. One study found that when clinic supervisors held short, regular meetings with their staff, employees felt less stressed. These check-ins allow employees to discuss work challenges and feel heard, which can improve job satisfaction. By focusing on reducing work-related stress and increasing supervisor support, these meetings have shown promise in lowering burnout rates. Previous evidence suggests that such efforts can significantly help maintain a healthy work-life balance. Meanwhile, other clinics in this trial will continue with usual practice as waitlist controls, with the potential for supervisor-level training to be offered after the study if the check-ins prove effective. ^{2 3 4 5 6}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthcare workers at least 18 years old, including Patient Access Specialists, Medical Assistants, MDs, RNs, and NPs working in OHSU primary care clinics not involved in the pilot study. Both supervisors and patient-facing employees can join. Those under 18 or from clinics that participated in the pilot are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

Employees (patient-facing; back and front of the clinic)

Employed at one of the 12 OHSU primary care clinics that weren't involved in the pilot study

Supervisors (medical director, practice manager, supervisors, leads)

Exclusion Criteria

I am under 18 years old.

Non-clinic employees

Employed at an OHSU primary care clinic that participated in the pilot study

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Frequent supervisor-employee check-ins every 8 weeks to address work stressors

12 months

6 visits (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in burnout and secondary outcomes

12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Supervisor-employee frequent check-ins to identify and address work stressors
• Usual practice waitlist controls

Trial Overview The study tests if frequent check-ins between supervisors and employees can reduce burnout among primary care clinic staff. Participants will either receive these regular support-focused check-ins or be part of a control group continuing usual practices without additional interventions.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Usual practice, waitlist controls Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Primary care clinics randomly assigned to the control condition will continue as usual practice. If the check-is are effective in reducing burnout, then supervisor-level training will become available to supervisors at the end of the study

Group II: Brief and frequent Work-life check-ins between clinic supervisors and each staff member Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Primary care clinics assigned to the intervention will conduct frequent (every 8 weeks) supervisor-employee brief (30 min) check-ins to identify work stressors. Supervisors at such clinics will complete training on how to use the check-ins to address work stressors.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Oregon Health and Science University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,024

Recruited

7,420,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

An 8-month intervention in the Medical Oncology Department significantly reduced Emotional Exhaustion (EE) scores among health professionals, particularly in Day Hospital operators, indicating the effectiveness of structured support and reflection in combating burnout.

The study highlights that oncology healthcare workers are at high risk for burnout, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and personal health strategies to be integrated into routine care to prevent and manage this syndrome.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Burnout and Oncology: an irreparable paradigm or a manageable condition? Prevention strategies to reduce Burnout in Oncology Health Care Professionals. Bui, S., Pelosi, A., Mazzaschi, G., et al.[2021]

Residents experience both positive and negative work-organizational stressors that significantly impact their well-being, with positive factors including professional development and social support, while negative factors include high workloads and lack of feedback.

To effectively reduce burnout among residents, interventions should not only aim to decrease workload but also enhance supervisors' skills in providing support and recognition, as well as better align internship responsibilities with residents' educational needs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exploring the relative importance of work-organizational burnout risk factors in Belgian residents. Willems, R., Monten, C., Portzky, G.[2019]

Work-related stress is a significant contributor to employee burnout, affecting both mental and physical health.

Employers can play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of stress by implementing supportive measures and creating a healthier work environment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stressed to kill. Walker, CK.[2004]

In a study involving 148 nursing professionals and 390 patients in emergency services, no significant link was found between nurses' stress and burnout levels and patients' satisfaction with care, suggesting that patient satisfaction may not be directly influenced by nurses' emotional states.

The research indicated a positive correlation between nurses' stress perception and dimensions of burnout, such as emotional exhaustion and cynicism, but highlighted that the length of patient stay in the emergency department negatively affected nurses' perceived stress and cynicism.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patient satisfaction, stress and burnout in nursing personnel in emergency departments: A cross-sectional study. Ríos-Risquez, MI., García-Izquierdo, M.[2022]

Professional burnout negatively impacts healthcare workers, leading to decreased job commitment and poor patient outcomes, highlighting the need for effective interventions.

Implementing evidence-based, multidisciplinary strategies, including digital tools like mood tracking and meditation apps, can enhance resilience and well-being among healthcare providers, ultimately improving patient care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

On-the-Go Strategies to Enhance Resilience and Self-Care: Using Technology to Create Healthy Work Cultures. Roussel, LA.[2022]

In a study of 1425 physicians and nurses in intensive care, clinician burnout was linked to lower ratings of patient safety and higher standardized mortality ratios, indicating that burnout can negatively impact patient care.

While high workload and low predictability did not directly affect patient safety outcomes like mortality rates, the emotional exhaustion associated with burnout was a significant predictor of increased mortality, highlighting the need for addressing clinician psychological health to ensure patient safety.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Emotional exhaustion and workload predict clinician-rated and objective patient safety. Welp, A., Meier, LL., Manser, T.[2022]

The BOSS II-short, a 15-item version of the Burnout Screening Scales II, was developed and validated using a representative sample of 2429 individuals, demonstrating excellent reliability and validity for assessing symptoms of exhaustion.

This shortened scale effectively correlates with measures of depression, anxiety, and quality of life, making it a useful tool for early detection of burnout symptoms in the general population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Measuring physical, cognitive, and emotional aspects of exhaustion with the BOSS II-short version - results from a representative population-based study in Germany. Werner, AM., Schmalbach, B., Zenger, M., et al.[2022]

A systematic review of 21 studies found a significant association between high levels of burnout among healthcare professionals and a decline in patient safety, indicating that burnout can negatively impact the quality of care.

Burnout is particularly prevalent among physicians and nurses, often linked to factors like heavy workloads and poor interpersonal relationships, suggesting that improving work conditions could enhance patient safety outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Influence of Burnout on Patient Safety: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Garcia, CL., Abreu, LC., Ramos, JLS., et al.[2020]

The newly developed Psychological Safety (PS) scale demonstrated strong reliability and validity, making it a useful tool for assessing psychological safety among healthcare workers, with a high response rate of 81% from 10,627 participants.

Healthcare workers who participated in initiatives like Safety WalkRounds and Positive Leadership WalkRounds reported significantly higher PS scores, indicating that these programs effectively enhance psychological safety in the workplace.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Psychological Safety Scale of the Safety, Communication, Operational, Reliability, and Engagement (SCORE) Survey: A Brief, Diagnostic, and Actionable Metric for the Ability to Speak Up in Healthcare Settings. Adair, KC., Heath, A., Frye, MA., et al.[2023]

A study involving 23 young nurses across 19 hospitals in Switzerland found that chronic job stressors and low job control significantly predicted the frequency and recurrence of patient safety-related incidents, with 62 out of 314 documented stressful events linked to patient safety.

The most common safety-related issues included documentation errors and medication near misses, indicating that improving job design to enhance control and reduce stressors could be crucial for increasing patient safety in hospital settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Work stress and patient safety: observer-rated work stressors as predictors of characteristics of safety-related events reported by young nurses. Elfering, A., Semmer, NK., Grebner, S.[2022]

The study identified three subtypes of burnout—frenetic, underchallenged, and worn-out—using a sample of 409 employees, demonstrating good reliability and validity of the assessment scales.

Temporary employees showed higher levels of the frenetic burnout profile, while permanent employees exhibited more underchallenged and worn-out profiles, indicating that job security may influence burnout experiences.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A newer and broader definition of burnout: validation of the "Burnout Clinical Subtype Questionnaire (BCSQ-36)". Montero-Marín, J., García-Campayo, J.[2021]

Burnout from work-related stress can have serious consequences, but it is preventable and manageable if detected early.

Organizations should proactively identify executives at risk of burnout and provide them with various support resources to maintain their well-being and productivity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Managerial burnout. Al-Assaf, AF., Taylor, TL.[2004]

Over half of clinical providers in the US experience burnout, which negatively affects the quality of care and the clinical relationship, but the extent of burnout among patients is less understood.

The 2019 Stanford University MedicineX Burnout Workgroup developed an inclusive model called The Burnout Dyad, which incorporates both patient and provider experiences of burnout, aiming to improve patient-provider communication and overall care quality.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Burnout Dyad: A Collaborative Approach for Including Patients in a Model of Provider Burnout. Martinez-Hollingsworth, A., Hicks, M., Dobrota, S., et al.[2023]

The proposed model for assessing work-related stress is designed specifically for Small and Medium Enterprises, focusing on identifying and weighing organizational stressors to improve workplace safety and employee wellbeing.

By integrating this model with existing safety assessment protocols, organizations can better prevent workplace accidents caused by stress-related misbehavior and distractions among workers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[The preliminary assessment in the B-BS protocol as a tool for the discovery of job stress symptoms and contingencies: a method under experimentation by INAIL]. Clerici, P., Guercio, A.[2010]

In a study of 249 residents and practicing physicians, it was found that supportive leadership and physician engagement significantly reduced the rate of adverse events related to patient safety, while high workload increased these events.

Burnout, particularly emotional exhaustion and interpersonal disengagement, was identified as a mediator that influences how work conditions affect the rate of adverse events, highlighting the importance of addressing burnout to improve patient safety.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hospital Work Conditions and the Mediation Role of Burnout: Residents and Practicing Physicians Reporting Adverse Events. Jarrar, M., Al-Bsheish, M., Albaker, W., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05436548

The Work-life Check-ins: a Supervisor-driven Intervention ... The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and process of frequent supervisor-employee check-ins in reducing burnout among employees of ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12087975/

The Work-life Check-ins randomized controlled trial The primary objective is to test if employees at primary care clinics assigned to the check-ins intervention would have reduced burnout 12 months post- ...

3. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38878996/

The Work-life Check-ins randomized controlled trial Formative evidence suggests that burnout might be reduced if clinic leaders hold quarterly and brief (∼30 min) one-on-one check-ins with team members to ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1551714424001927

The Work-life Check-ins randomized controlled trial By focusing on modifiable work-life factors such as stressors and supervisor support, the check-ins intervention aims to reduce burnout rates among primary care ...

5. stacks.cdc.gov stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/231504/cdc_231504_DS1.pdf

Quasi-Experimental and Interviews revealed that the check-ins help employees bring stressful issues to the attention of their supervisors, to feel listened to and ...

6. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/369788058_Promise_and_Perils_of_Leader-Employee_Check-ins_in_Reducing_Emotional_Exhaustion_in_Primary_Care_Clinics_Quasi-Experimental_and_Qualitative_Evidence

(PDF) Promise and Perils of Leader-Employee Check-ins ... Periodic check-ins wherein leaders acknowledge and address work-life stressors might be a practical tactic to reduce emotional exhaustion in primary care ...