Digital health interventions for occupational burnout in healthcare professionals: a multi-site randomised non-inferiority trial

Background

Occupational burnout affects between 11% and 30% of healthcare professionals and is associated with staff sickness, job turnover, increased costs and poorer quality of care. This study aimed to compare the effects of two theoretically distinctive interventions for burnout in healthcare professionals.

Methods

This multi-site randomised non-inferiority trial recruited 465 healthcare professionals working across 20 National Health Service (NHS) providers in England. Recruitment took place between 1 October 2020 and 30 June 2021. Participants were randomly assigned to digital health interventions based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT; n=227) or job crafting (JC; n=238), each of which lasted 6-weeks and involved participation in weekly webinars (1hr) supplemented by online coping skills modules. The primary outcome (Oldenburg Burnout Inventory) was measured at baseline, after 6 weeks, and after 6 months. Between-group differences were compared using analysis of covariance adjusting for baseline measures, testing a non-inferiority hypothesis.

Results

At 6 weeks, the adjusted mean difference of 0.47 (95% CI: -0.25 to 1.20; p = 0.197) in the OLBI favoured CBT. Although this difference was not statistically significant, the non-inferiority hypothesis was not supported based on a pre-specified minimum clinically important difference. At 6 months, the adjusted mean difference favoured CBT indicating superiority; 0.80 (95% CI: 0.05 to 1.54; p = 0.036).

Conclusions

Brief digital health interventions can help to improve occupational burnout and well-being in healthcare professionals. CBT was more effective than JC.