The goal of this clinical trial, nested within an observational cohort study, is to evaluate whether two positive psychology web-based interventions can reduce emotional exhaustion and improve overall well-being in practicing physicians in Switzerland. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does participation in positive psychology interventions reduce emotional exhaustion at three months post-intervention? How do these interventions impact physician wellness, job satisfaction, comfort with end-of-life communication and other aspects of physicians' emotional well-being?

Researchers will compare the effects of two intervention arms (general reflection vs. work-specific reflection) to a control group to determine whether focusing on work-specific aspects leads to greater improvements in emotional exhaustion and job-related outcomes.

Participants will:

• Complete an 8-day intervention consisting of positive psychology activities delivered online.
• Complete baseline and follow-up assessments over the study period

Burnout, emotional exhaustion, and moral distress are widespread among physicians, negatively impacting patient care, job satisfaction, and physician retention in the workforce. While interventions targeting burnout exist, many require significant time commitments or institutional support, limiting accessibility.

Positive psychology interventions, which emphasize strengths-based approaches such as self-reflection, gratitude, and self-compassion, have shown promise in enhancing resilience and well-being.

The INSPIRE study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) nested within an observational cohort using a Trial within Cohort (TwiC) design. It evaluates two web-based positive psychology interventions aimed at reducing emotional exhaustion and improving physician well-being.

A subset of cohort participants is randomized into one of three arms: a control group, a general life reflection intervention, or a work-focused reflection intervention. The interventions consist of an 8-day structured self-reflection program delivered online.

The study employs automated randomization, triple masking (participants, investigators, and outcome assessors), and longitudinal assessments over one year. Findings will inform the scalability of low-burden interventions for physician burnout prevention.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Be a practicing physician in Switzerland
2. Working at least 40% in a clinical capacity
3. Be willing and able to provide informed consent
4. Expecting to be professionally active until 2028

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Retired physician or physician seeking retirement within 3 years from first participation in the study
2. Physician unable to participate in one of the study languages: English, German, or French

This study is open to all gender identities, including male, female, non-binary, and those who prefer not to disclose it.

De-identified individual participant data (IPD) will be made available for research purposes upon request. Data will include survey responses and outcome measures but will exclude any personally identifiable information

18 months after publication of primary results and will remain accessible for at least 5 years

Researchers can request access by submitting a proposal to the study investigators. Access will be granted to qualified researchers for scientifically valid analyses, subject to data-sharing agreements and ethical considerations.

Participants: Control participants are aware of the trial but do not know they are assigned to the control arm, as they are treated as part of the larger cohort and do not receive the intervention.

Investigators: Investigators are masked because recruitment and assignment are automated, ensuring they do not know which participants are in the intervention or control arms.

Outcome Assessors: Researchers analyzing the data remain blinded to group allocation to minimize bias in data interpretation.