Burnout Intervention During War for Hospital Staff in Ukraine

Professional Burnout Among Socially Significant Services in Ukraine in Wartime and Its Dynamics Within the Framework of Training Intervention for Burnout Prevention

The project endeavours to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a psychoeducational training intervention for professional burnout and related psychological variables among both medical and non-medical workers in Ukraine during wartime. A secondary aim is to assess the outcomes of the intervention at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and follow-up (single-arm feasibility design). The participants receive two days of a psychoeducational training focusing on different facets of burnout prevention.

The investigators will identify eligible participants. An eligibility screening conducted in person or by telephone to ensure the inclusion criteria and to introduce the study is held by the study assistant. All participants must sign an informed consent after written and verbal study clarification. Participants will carry out self-reported measurements at baseline (T0), after the intervention phase of 2-5 days (T1; depending on the date of the second workshop day) and two weeks after finishing the intervention (T2). The group of participants participates in two workshop sessions lasting 2.5-3 hours each and occuring on separate days.

The training is practical in nature and aims to build and/or increase motivation to implement effective strategies for preventing burnout syndrome. Participants learn about scientifically proven methods of supporting mental health and receive tools for applying them in their professional and everyday lives.

The training program covers, in particular, the following areas: managing working time and workload; effective professional communication; developing stress-resistant thinking patterns; forming healthy lifestyle habits; methods of relaxation and overcoming stressful situations. .

The data management plan includes standard procedures for data-handling such as using anonymized identification codes for patient data. The data is being saved in an online database, only allowing researchers involved in the study to access the data.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Respondents must be 18 years of age or older.
• Sufficient command of the Ukrainian language to understand the materials and complete the questionnaires.
• Voluntary informed consent to participate in the study and data processing.
• Permanent residence in Ukraine at the time of participation in the study.
• Belonging to the working civilian population (medical or non-medical workers).
• Technical ability to participate online (access to the internet and an electronic device for completing questionnaires and participating in training).
• Skills/ability to attend online sessions and use smartphone chat for communication.
• Willingness to complete questionnaires at specified time points (T0, T1, T2).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to provide informed consent or limited legal capacity.
• Presence at the time of inclusion of a condition that significantly complicates participation in the study or adherence to the protocol (acute psychotic episodes, manic states, severe cognitive impairment, decompensated somatic diseases, active dependence on psychoactive substances), Severe mental state or pronounced mental distress requiring urgent specialized care.
• Current intensive psychotherapeutic or psychiatric treatment that may significantly affect the assessed indicators.
• Lack of technical ability to participate in online training or complete questionnaires at specified times.
• Inability to use a smartphone or significant visual, hearing, or speech impairments that prevent interaction with the application and completion of questionnaires.
• Refusal to participate or withdrawal of informed consent at any stage of the study.