Three Good Tools: Positively reflecting backwards and forwards is associated with robust improvements in well-being across three distinct interventions

Abstract

Burnout in healthcare workers (HCWs) is costly, consequential, and alarmingly high. Many HCWs report not having enough time or opportunities to engage in self-care. Brief, engaging, evidence-based tools have unique potential to alleviate burnout and improve well-being. Three prospective cohort studies tested the efficacy of web-based interventions: Three Good Things (n = 275), Gratitude Letter (n = 123), and the Looking Forward Tool (n = 123). Metrics were emotional exhaustion, depression, subjective happiness, work-life balance, emotional thriving, and emotional recovery. Across all studies, participants reported improvements in all metrics between baseline and post assessments, with two exceptions in study 1 (emotional thriving and happiness at 6 and 12-month post) and study 3 (optimism and emotional thriving at day 7). The Three Good Things, Gratitude Letter, and Looking Forward tools appear promising interventions for the issue of HCW burnout.

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