Implementing complex interventions to mitigate burnout among qualified healthcare professionals: a realist review protocol

Authors

Sabrina Figueiredo, Clinical Research and Leadership, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA sfigueiredo@gwu.edu.
Ulrich Koch, Clinical Research and Leadership, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Eliezer Oliveira, Family Services, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Kathleen Ennis-Durstine, Family Services, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-30-2023

Journal

BMJ open

Volume

13

Issue

1

DOI

10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067577

Keywords

HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION & MANAGEMENT; MENTAL HEALTH; OCCUPATIONAL & INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Reported burnout rates among qualified healthcare professionals (QHP) are alarming. Systematic reviews evaluating the effectiveness of burnout interventions for QHP exist; however, findings are contradictory. In addition, to date, there is no indication of how these interventions work and what specific intervention elements mitigate burnout. This review aims to explain how burnout interventions work and the contextual factors that mediate the intended outcomes. Our ultimate goal is to formulate actionable recommendations to guide the implementation of complex burnout interventions for QHP working in the hospital setting. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: In light of the heterogeneity and complexity of the interventions designed to address burnout, we will conduct a realist review using Pawson's five iterative stages to explore and explain how burnout interventions work, for whom, and in what circumstances. We will search PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO and Web of Science from inception to December 2022. Grey literature sources will also be considered. The results will be reported according to the Realist and Meta-Narrative Evidence Syntheses-Evolving Standards quality and publication standards ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Findings will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal, conference presentations and through the development of infographics and relevant educational material to be shared with stakeholders and key institutions. This study is a secondary data analysis; thus, a formal ethics review is not applicable. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021293154.

APA Citation

Figueiredo, Sabrina; Koch, Ulrich; Oliveira, Eliezer; and Ennis-Durstine, Kathleen, "Implementing complex interventions to mitigate burnout among qualified healthcare professionals: a realist review protocol" (2023). GW Authored Works. Paper 2218.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/2218

Department

Clinical Research and Leadership