Randomized controlled trial of the “WISER” intervention to reduce healthcare worker burnout

OBJECTIVE: Test web-based implementation for the science of enhancing resilience (WISER) intervention efficacy in reducing healthcare worker (HCW) burnout. DESIGN: RCT using two cohorts of HCWs of four NICUs each, to improve HCW well-being (primary outcome: burnout). Cohort 1 received WISER while Cohort 2 acted as a waitlist control. RESULTS: Cohorts were similar, mostly female (83%) and nurses (62%). In Cohorts 1 and 2 respectively, 182 and 299 initiated WISER, 100 and 176 completed 1-month follow-up, and 78 and 146 completed 6-month follow-up. Relative to control, WISER decreased burnout (−5.27 (95% CI: −10.44, −0.10), p = 0.046). Combined adjusted cohort results at 1-month showed that the percentage of HCWs reporting concerning outcomes was significantly decreased for burnout (−6.3% (95%CI: −11.6%, −1.0%); p = 0.008), and secondary outcomes depression (−5.2% (95%CI: −10.8, −0.4); p = 0.022) and work-life integration (−11.8% (95%CI: −17.9, −6.1); p < 0.001). Improvements endured at 6 months. CONCLUSION: WISER appears to durably improve HCW well-being. CLINICAL TRIALS NUMBER: NCT02603133; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02603133