Improving work-related challenges in psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics : study protocol for an internet-based needs assessment and co-design of a training

Abstract

Background: Medical, psychiatric-psychosomatic facilities are confronted with a variety of daily challenges that affect working conditions, the mental health of employees, and the quality of patient care. This project focuses on the work-related challenges faced by health care professionals in psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics in Germany.

Objective: The aim of the current research is to investigate the interactions between individuals and their social environment, identify psychological and organizational challenges and job demands, and use these findings to inform the development of a participatory, evidence-based intervention.

Methods: This 2-phase research is grounded in the job demands-resources model (JD-R). Study phase (needs assessment) uses a cross-sectional online survey with health care professionals in German psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics to assess job demands, resources, and outcomes in a target sample of N=600 participants (power analysis). Study phase 2 (co-design of a training) involves co-creatively designing an intervention based on survey findings through participatory workshops with at least N=20 participants. Analyses include regression and moderation tests (SPSS; IBM Corporation) and qualitative data analysis to co-design training.

Results: The recruitment of participants is planned to be finished by December 2025. The co-designing of workshops (phase 2) will be started in February 2026. As this is a study protocol, results are not available yet.

Conclusion: This current research examines the work-related challenges faced by health care professionals in psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics. It is expected that burnout, engagement, and psychological safety will likely emerge as central mediating and moderating variables. As the findings of phase 1 serve as a basis for the development of an intervention, this research seeks to improve the well-being of health care professionals in psychiatric-psychosomatic institutions sustainably.