RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Continuous Heart Rate Variability Monitoring in Doctors; Understanding Patterns of Stress and Recovery and Their Relationship With Self-reported Resilience, Burnout and Wellbeing.

This study aims to understand stress and recovery in doctors, focusing on how these patterns contribute to burnout. Researchers will use a unique approach: doctors will wear a heart rate monitor around the clock to objectively measure stress, while also answering questions on their smartphones about how they're feeling in real-time. This combination helps connect physical signs of stress with personal experiences. Following this, some doctors will be interviewed to share more about their experiences with stress and how they recover. The goal is to get a clearer picture of working life for doctors and find ways to improve their wellbeing and prevent burnout.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Aberdeen

Enrolment target

Start

09 Dec 2024

Estimated completion

31 Oct 2025

Burnout Burnout Syndrome Occupational Stress Stress

What is this study about?

You might have heard about doctors feeling very stressed or 'burnt out' from their demanding jobs. This study is specially designed to understand this problem better. It focuses on UK doctors working within NHS Grampian and aims to find out how stress and recovery patterns in their daily lives might lead to burnout.

The researchers will combine two ways of gathering information. Firstly, they will ask doctors to wear a small monitor that continuously tracks their heart rate. This is important because changes in heart rate can give clues about how stressed or relaxed someone is, even if they don't realise it. Alongside this, doctors will use their smartphones to answer short questions about their mood and stress levels throughout the day. This helps to connect the physical signs of stress with how doctors feel emotionally.

After this first stage, some doctors will be invited to have a chat (an interview) with the research team. This interview will give them a chance to talk more openly about their experiences with stress at work and what helps them recover. By putting all this information together – heart rate data, real-time feelings, and in-depth interviews – the study hopes to build a complete picture of the challenges doctors face and identify better ways to support their health and wellbeing.

Key takeaways

Study aims to understand stress, recovery, and burnout in doctors.
Uses a heart rate monitor and smartphone surveys.
Participation includes wearing a monitor and answering questions.
Some participants may be invited for an interview.
Focuses on doctors working in NHS Grampian.
No specific medical treatments are involved.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be a doctor working within NHS Grampian. You also need to have access to a smartphone, as this will be used to answer some of the study questions.

There are certain health conditions and medications that would mean you can't take part. For example, if you have certain heart rhythm problems or hormone issues. Also, if you are currently taking certain medications like beta-blockers, some blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors or calcium channel blockers), or medicines for anxiety or depression, you unfortunately wouldn't be able to join.

Finally, you need to have enough time off work before the study starts. This is to make sure your body is in a 'normal' state before we begin collecting data, rather than still recovering from a very busy shift.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you a doctor working within NHS Grampian?
Do you have a smartphone?
Do you have any heart rhythm problems or hormone conditions?
Are you currently taking beta-blockers, certain blood pressure medicines, or medicines for anxiety/depression?
Will you have sufficient non-working time before the study starts?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll be asked to continuously wear a small heart rate monitor for a period of time. This monitor is worn on your body and will record your heart rate throughout your day and night. At the same time, you'll be asked to answer short questions on your smartphone at different points during the day. These questions will be about how you're feeling and your stress levels. This part of the study is called the 'ecological momentary assessment phase'. The exact duration of wearing the monitor and answering questions hasn't been specified, but it will be for a continuous period.

After this initial phase, some doctors who participated might be invited for a follow-up interview. This interview will be 'semi-structured', meaning there will be some planned questions, but also space for you to talk about your experiences more freely. The total duration of your involvement could range from a few days to potentially a couple of weeks, depending on the monitoring period and if you are asked to do an interview.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part could help us understand how stress affects doctors, potentially leading to better support for their wellbeing in the future. There are no direct personal medical benefits listed for taking part. The risks are generally low; wearing a heart rate monitor is usually safe, and answering questions on your phone should not cause distress. You might find some of the questions make you think about your stress levels, but you can choose not to answer any questions you're uncomfortable with. Your information will be kept confidential. Remember, you can choose to stop taking part in the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care or job.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

NHS Grampian
Verified postcode
Aberdeen, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What exactly is 'burnout'?

Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress. It can make you feel overwhelmed, cynical, and less effective at work.

Will my information be kept private?

Yes, all your personal information and the data collected will be kept confidential and used only for research purposes. Your identity will not be linked to the results.

What does 'heart rate variability' mean?

Heart rate variability (HRV) measures the small differences in time between your heartbeats. It's a good indicator of how your body is coping with stress and how well it recovers.

Do I need to be a specific age or gender to participate?

No, this study is open to doctors of any age and all genders, as long as you meet the other criteria.

What if I feel uncomfortable during the study?

Your comfort is important. You are free to skip any questions you don't wish to answer, and you can withdraw from the study at any time without needing to give a reason.

How to find out more

Leia M Kane, BSc (hons), MBChB, FRCEM

leia.kane@abdn.ac.uk 07903669881 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.