Psychological distress, work-related stress
Conditions
Interventions
Group 1: Intervention Group 1 (n=12):
Healthcare professionals in the field of oncology receive six monthly Balint group sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. A distinctive feature of this study is the
Sponsors
Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Healthcare provider (nurse or physician) in the field of oncology; sufficient proficiency in German; capacity to give informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: None.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The primary endpoint of the study is to determine whether it is feasible to conduct monthly, interprofessional Balint group sessions in the clinical routine of oncology settings and whether these sessions are accepted by the participants. This encompasses, on the one hand, adherence and practicability—as indicated by the participation rate over the entire duration of the intervention—and, on the other hand, the supplementary qualitative feasibility endpoints. These include the perceived acceptance and relevance of the intervention, barriers and facilitating factors for regular participation, practical and organizational feasibility in clinical practice, and suggestions for improving the implementation and integration of Balint groups. These endpoints are to be identified and specified through guided brief interviews with a total of 12 participants, selected via purposive sampling from both groups. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| In addition, initial indications of the intervention’s potential effects will be recorded. Quantitative data will be collected via paper-based, standardized, and validated self-report questionnaires at group-specific time points (T0–T4, depending on group assignment). Group 1 completes the instruments at the following time points: study enrollment (T0), completion of the Balint group intervention (T1, after six months), follow-up (T2, three months after the end of the Balint group). Group 2 follows the same data collection schedule, but with a time lag: study enrollment (T0), after a 6-month waiting period/before the start of the Balint group intervention (T1), completion of the Balint group intervention (T3), follow-up (T4, three months after the Balint group intervention). The self-report questionnaire includes questions on psychological distress, such as depression and anxiety (PHQ-4), work-related stress (ERI), and psychological resources such as self-efficacy (SWE) and team cohesion (PCS). The modified Balint group questionnaire (modif. BG-F) is administered after each session and assesses the group climate, relevance of the content, promotion of emotional and cognitive reflection, and perceived effectiveness. This is an exploratory feasibility study. No formal sample size calculation is planned to test efficacy hypotheses. All analyses of secondary endpoints are intended solely for the exploratory description of possible mechanisms of action. | — |
Countries
Germany
Contacts
Public ContactDominik Fugmann
Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf
Outcome results
None listed