Feasibility and preliminary evaluation of internet-based compassion and cognitive-behavioral stress-management courses for health care professionals: A randomized controlled pilot trialShow others and affiliations
2022 (English)In: Internet Interventions, ISSN 2214-7829, Vol. 30, article id 100574Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Sustainable development
SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Abstract [en]
Health care professionals (HCPs) are exposed to excessive demands in their work environment. In Sweden, work -related stress is one of the most common reasons for sick leaves. Finding cost-effective and easily accessible interventions for HCPs is crucial to counteract stress-related problems and reduce the number of sick leaves. The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of two internet-based stress management courses and their preliminary effectiveness to reduce HCPs' stress of conscience and work-related stress, and act as a pilot for a larger ran-domized controlled trial (RCT). Thirty-two HCPs registered for the courses and were randomized to either an internet-based compassion course, ICOP (n = 18), or an internet-based cognitive-behavioral course, ICB (n = 14). Participants completed measures pre-(i.e., baseline, n = 32), post-intervention (at five weeks, n = 21), and at follow-up at 10 weeks (n = 17), 15 weeks (n = 13), and six months (n = 12). The study used the following scales: Stress of Conscience Questionnaires, Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, Self-Compassion Scale, and Professional Quality of Life Scale. Adherence of HCPs (n = 21) was measured using the number of logins, messages between course leaders and HCPs, and completed modules. Twelve interviews were conducted to explore participants' perceptions of the accessibility of the courses. Participants reported overall satisfaction with both the ICOP and ICB courses, stating that the courses contributed to new knowledge, individual insight, and behavior change. Both courses showed similar patterns of adherence. Quantitative analyses on pre-and post -intervention data (n = 21) showed that stress of conscience and secondary traumatic stress decreased, and self -compassion increased following ICOP. Following ICB, HCPs reported decreased burnout symptoms (according to one of two questionnaires) and increased compassion satisfaction. Both courses seemed feasible, showed promising results, and could be further evaluated in a larger study with a similar design.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2022. Vol. 30, article id 100574
Keywords [en]
Internet -based interventions, Health care professionals, Compassionate mind training course, Cognitive behavioral therapy, Stress management course, Stress of conscience
National Category
Psychology
Research subject
Social Sciences, Psychology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-117483DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2022.100574ISI: 000870833500004PubMedID: 36185345Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85138829029OAI: oai:DiVA.org:lnu-117483DiVA, id: diva2:1710295
2022-11-112022-11-112023-04-06Bibliographically approved