Nutrition-Based Interventions for Physician Well-Being

(COMPASSION Trial)

Overseen By Tait Shanafelt, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Stanford University

Disqualifiers: Not licensed, Less than 8 hours

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to explore how altering physicians' perspectives on daily food choices can reduce burnout by promoting self-kindness. Participants will be divided into two groups: one focusing on using food choices to practice self-kindness (kindness-focused), and the other viewing food choices as part of a healthy lifestyle (health-focused). Each group will participate in a short virtual session and access online activities over six weeks. Physicians in the US who work at least 8 hours a week in clinical settings are eligible to join. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research on physician well-being.

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

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

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that programs focused on kindness can positively affect healthcare workers. A kind environment benefits both staff and patients. Programs promoting kindness, like the one under testing, are usually safe and well-received.

The health-focused program offers a simple lesson on choosing healthy foods. Such programs are common and safe. Both parts of this study involve short online sessions, which are easy to join and low-risk.

Overall, these programs are designed to fit into daily life and have not been linked to any major side effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these interventions because they focus on enhancing physician well-being through mindset shifts around food choices, rather than just promoting traditional healthy eating. The kindness-focused intervention is unique in framing food choices as acts of self-kindness, which could lead to more positive and sustainable lifestyle changes. Meanwhile, the health-focused intervention emphasizes food as a key part of a healthy lifestyle, which aligns with but expands on current nutritional guidelines. Both interventions are delivered through engaging virtual sessions with flexible access, potentially increasing their appeal and accessibility for busy physicians.

What evidence suggests that this trial's interventions could be effective for reducing burnout in physicians?

This trial will compare two interventions designed to improve physician well-being. The kindness-focused intervention involves a mindset shift, framing food choices as opportunities to practice self-kindness. Research has shown that self-kindness can significantly reduce burnout among doctors, and programs promoting kindness in healthcare settings positively affect staff well-being. The health-focused intervention frames food choices as part of a healthy lifestyle. Studies have shown that focusing on health, such as making mindful food choices, enhances doctors' wellness. Both approaches in this trial aim to improve doctors' work-life balance and mental health. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Maryam Makowski, PhD

Principal Investigator

Stanford University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for physicians experiencing burnout, aiming to improve their well-being through self-compassion. Participants should be interested in using daily food choices as a form of self-kindness. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided, but typically would include being a practicing physician and consenting to the study's terms.

Inclusion Criteria

Physicians who spend at least 8 hours per week doing clinical work (based on self-report)

I am a licensed physician in the US.

Exclusion Criteria

Physicians who spend less than 8 hours per week doing clinical work.

Physicians who are not licensed to practice medicine in the US

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants engage in a mindset or nutrition education intervention with initial live virtual sessions and optional web-based activities

6 weeks

1 live virtual session, optional web-based activities in weeks 2 and 5

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in self-valuation, self-kindness, burnout, and diet quality

6 weeks

Surveys at baseline, week 3, and week 6

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Health-focused
• Kindness-focused

Trial Overview The trial compares two brief interventions over six weeks: one that encourages kindness towards oneself when making food choices and another focused on health benefits. The goal is to see if these can boost self-esteem and reduce burnout without demanding much time.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Kindness-focused intervention arm Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Mindset intervention framing food choices as an opportunity to practice self-kindness. Individuals randomized to this arm will participate in a 15-20-minute live virtual educational session delivered via the Stanford Zoom platform. The recording of the session will be available for 7 days on a private and secure educational platform for those who cannot attend the live session and for future review. After participating in the initial educational session, participants can engage in brief (less than 10 minutes) web-based activities on their own time during weeks 2 and 5.

Group II: Health-focused intervention arm Active Control 1 Intervention

Brief education intervention framing food choices as a component of a healthy lifestyle. Individuals randomized to this arm will participate in a 15-20-minute live virtual educational session. The recording of the session will be available for 7 days on a private and secure educational platform for those who cannot attend the live session and for future review. After participating in the initial educational session, participants will have the option to engage in brief (less than 10-minute) web-based activities on their own time during weeks 2 and 5.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Stanford University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,527

Recruited

17,430,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12572811/

Effectiveness of organization-directed interventions on ... We identified 54 studies detailing organizational-directed interventions targeting healthcare professionals, including nurses, doctors, and ...

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

Effectiveness of wellness program interventions to improve ... Physician wellness programs are being implemented to offset rises in physician burnout. Insight into the effectiveness of these programs and ...

3. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2807049

Physician and Nurse Well-Being and Preferred ... This cross-sectional multicenter survey study of 15 738 nurses and 5312 physicians found high and widespread burnout among clinicians in hospital practice.

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537025004298

Effectiveness of organization-directed interventions on ... We identified 54 studies detailing organizational-directed interventions targeting healthcare professionals, including nurses, doctors, and other staff, ...

5. mayoclinicproceedings.org mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(21)00480-8/fulltext

Physician Well-being 2.0: Where Are We and Where Are ... Wellness-centered leadership: equipping healthcare leaders to cultivate physician well-being and professional fulfillment. Acad Med. 2021; 96:641-651.

6. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2823752

Well-Being Outcomes of Health Care Workers After a 5 ... The findings of this trial suggest that WELL-B is a brief, evidence-based continuing education intervention that may improve health care worker-well-being.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11796266/

What's the role of kindness in the healthcare context? A ... International research shows that a culture of kindness has a positive impact on healthcare organizations, healthcare staff members, and patients.

8. healthpolicyohio.org healthpolicyohio.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CallToAction_Brief.pdf

Improving clinician wellbeing and patient care and safety Monitor and track data on health professional student and clinician wellness. • Utilize reliable measurement tools to measure burnout and ...