Digital Well-Being Program for Healthcare Workers' Mental Health

(Thrive Trial)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

For this project the broad research objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of an enhanced digital wellbeing program in improving well-being, depression, anxiety, stress, resilience, and job satisfaction of physicians. The intent of the investigators is that this will enable a proactive culture of well-being and mental health support for the broader healthcare workforce during the multiple phases of the pandemic. The investigator's approach evaluates existing digital models which can be executed in a timely fashion and rapidly scaled for use across other health systems. Aim 1: Conduct interviews of URM and women physicians to identify barriers and facilitators to accessing and receiving digital well-being, mental health, and culturally sensitive support resources. Aim 2: Through a randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigate the immediate and long-term effect of a comprehensive well-being focused intervention (push text messaging, resource support, semi-facilitated peer groups hosted by Cobalt) vs. usual care on well-being, depression, anxiety, stress, resilience, and job satisfaction of physicians practicing in the era of COVID.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for physicians at Penn Medicine who are over 18, willing to join an 18-month study with regular surveys, and have daily access to a phone capable of texting. It's not open to those under 18 or anyone unwilling to consent or without the necessary phone access.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 18 years old or older.

Identify as a Physician at Penn Medicine

I am willing to participate in an 18-month study and complete surveys regularly.

Exclusion Criteria

No access to a phone with texting capabilities

Not a Physician at Penn Medicine

I am younger than 18 years old.

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Comprehensive Well-Being Intervention (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial Overview The trial tests a digital well-being program aimed at improving mental health and job satisfaction among doctors during COVID. It involves interviews, text messages, resource support, and peer groups compared against usual care in a randomized controlled setup.

Participant Groups

Group I: Comprehensive Well-Being Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be asked to complete an ICF and baseline survey at enrollment. Participants will complete a full assessment using validated instruments at enrollment, 18 months and 30 months (depression, anxiety, stress, resilience, and job satisfaction). Participants will also complete the brief well-being index (WBI, nine questions) every 3 months over 30 months. The primary endpoint is assessed at 18 months. A secondary endpoint of persistence of effect is measured at 30 months. The intervention group will receive an 18-month comprehensive suite of services including: 1) monthly automated text messaging reminders about wellbeing resources focused on a range of topics (e.g. mindfulness, stress management, childcare support, racial trauma, diversity and inclusion) and assignment to a one-hour quarterly peer support group with an expectation of regular attendance. Half of these sessions will be self-directed discussion topics and half will be facilitated discussions.

Group II: Usual Care Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will be asked to complete an ICF and baseline survey at enrollment. They will be given survey assessments at 0, 18 and 30 months. Survey assessments will include validated measures on well-being, depression, anxiety, stress, resilience, and job satisfaction of physicians. The control group will have access to usual care well-being resources at Penn Medicine. These include links, classes, groups, social media sites such as Penn Cobalt which require self-awareness to find the resources and access them. In this context, the individual has to "pull" the resources they need and there may be several barriers to completing each step

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Pennsylvania

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,118

Recruited

45,270,000+

Pennsylvania Department of Health

Collaborator

Trials

42

Recruited

999,000+