Evaluation of the effects of group reflection sessions on burnout complaints in medical residents

Background: The prevalence of burnout complaints among medical residents is high and rising, with health-related consequences for residents, and negative impact on the quality of healthcare. Group reflection sessions are a promising intervention to impact on burnout and enhance well-being in medical professionals. The aim was to evaluate the effect of a consecutive series of 6-10 group reflection sessions of 2.5-3 h each, on job demands, job resources, resilience, burnout symptom and work engagement in medical residents. Methods: The study has a pre- and post-intervention controlled design. A group of residents (n = 78) received group reflection sessions lasting on average nine months, with a control group (n = 23) not receiving any intervention. Data collection at baseline and after nine months included: demographics, job demands, job and personal resources, resilience, the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). Temporal changes, within and between groups were tested. Results: At baseline, 3% of the intervention group and 0% of the control group was at risk for burnout. In the intervention group, resources (supervisor support, self-efficacy, and resilience) improved significantly over time (differences in means T1 - T0: 0.09; 0.10; 0.08 respectively, p < 0.05). In the control group, one resource (resilience subscale hope) and work engagement decreased significantly over time (difference in means T1 - T0: -0.23, -0.32, respectively, p < 0.05). Group differences were not significant over time (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Group reflection aided to maintain and strengthen psychological capital in residents. The lack of significant between-group differences over time might be explained by floor and ceiling effects, limited power and a too short follow-up period to detect the development of burnout risk. Research in a larger sample is required to corroborate these preliminary findings on psychological capital. Research with a longer follow-up in a group at risk for burnout is needed to test effects on burnout complaints and whether this effect is mediated by psychological capital.