An Online Compassion Based Intervention for Healthcare Staff
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An Online Compassion Based Intervention for Healthcare Staff: A pragmatic pilot feasibility study.
IRAS ID
302862
Contact name
Pauline Adair
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queens University Belfast
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 8 months, 29 days
Research summary
The covid-19 pandemic has brought to light the need to provide evidence-based interventions to promote psychological wellbeing within National Health Service staff. Poor mental health, particularly within nursing populations, has been documented vastly in recent research. Based on this research, the need to foster self-compassion within healthcare staff has never been more important. The aim of this study is to pilot as well as assess the feasibility and acceptability of an online compassion-based intervention for NHS healthcare staff with a waiting list control. The intervention will be based on principles and practices of Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Compassionate Mind Training (CMT). CFTs treatment model focuses on shifting attentional processes from self-blaming and shaming of difficulties to more self-compassionate practices. CMT refers specifically to interventions designed to help develop compassionate attributes. The four-week online intervention will be recorded and delivered by a co-founder and specialist in the field of CMT, and will involve the use of mindful training practices, including attention training, imagery, behavioural practices, and techniques to develop an identity based on the qualities of compassion. The sample will include nursing professionals working in a large NHS Trust. A feasibility study with two groups will be conducted.
Questionnaires will be administered online at three different time points - before the intervention, after the intervention and at one month follow up. The questionnaires will include staff mental health as well as staff burnout, self-compassion, fear of self-compassion, self-critical processes and wellbeing. For recruitment, participants will self-identify themselves and respond to study advertisements within the trust, including hardcopy leaflets and email advertisements. Data will be collected electronically on Microsoft forms and saved on a Trust-based, encrypted database.REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/EM/0013
Date of REC Opinion
16 Feb 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion