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

150 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Several studies have shown that self-valuation (also known as self-compassion) strongly predicts burnout in physicians. Although effective, existing self-compassion cultivation programs designed for physicians have significant time commitments and, historically, have had low physician participation rates. With occupational burnout among US physicians at an all-time high, there is a compelling and urgent need to identify pragmatic approaches to address low levels of self-valuation in physicians. This study aims to test the impact of a brief mindset intervention that frames daily food choices as an opportunity to demonstrate self-kindness on self-valuation and burnout in physicians over 6 weeks. Instilling a mindset shift that enables physicians to practice self-valuation as part of their existing, daily routine amidst extreme time pressures is a pragmatic and potentially powerful vehicle to promote self-valuation for physicians.

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.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Health-focused, Kindness-focused for physician well-being?

Research suggests that successful emotion regulation and empathy-related processes are linked to improved well-being and resilience in physicians, which may support the effectiveness of treatments focusing on health and kindness. Additionally, mindfulness-based interventions have shown to reduce stress and improve well-being among physicians, indicating that similar approaches could be beneficial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the treatment 'Health-focused, Kindness-focused' differ from other treatments for physician well-being?

This treatment is unique because it focuses on nutrition-based interventions, such as scheduled nutrition breaks during the workday, to improve physician well-being and cognition. Unlike other treatments that may not address nutrition, this approach emphasizes the importance of regular, healthy eating habits to support mental and physical health. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Research Team

Maryam Makowski, PhD

Principal Investigator

Stanford University

Eligibility Criteria

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

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

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Selecting physician well-being measures to assess health system performance and screen for distress: Conceptual and methodological considerations. [2020]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Beyond burnout: looking deeply into physician distress. [2020]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A novel modality for real-time measurement of provider happiness. [2022]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Emotion Transfer, Emotion Regulation, and Empathy-Related Processes in Physician-Patient Interactions and Their Association With Physician Well-Being: A Theoretical Model. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Brief Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Primary Care Physicians: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. [2020]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physician nutrition and cognition during work hours: effect of a nutrition based intervention. [2021]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nutritional Wellness for the Busy Health Care Provider: Small Everyday Wins. [2022]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Food for thought: an exploratory study of how physicians experience poor workplace nutrition. [2021]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Running on empty: a review of nutrition and physicians' well-being. [2017]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exploration of Individual and System-Level Well-being Initiatives at an Academic Surgical Residency Program: A Mixed-Methods Study. [2021]