Work EngagementHIPPNCT06867601
Work-related Challenges in Psychiatric-psychosomatic Clinics
An observational study of Work Engagement and Burnout, run by Jacobs University Bremen gGmbH at 2 sites in Germany.
Trial summary
The aim of this project is to evaluate the work-related challenges faced by healthcare professionals (nurses, psychologists, and doctors) in German psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 100 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Work Engagement, Burnout, Job Satisfaction
- How many people
- 296 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesGermany
- Study dates
- 10 Mar 2025to 20 Sep 2026
- Phase
- Observational
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 100 years
- All sexes
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Healthcare professionals (nurses, psychologists, and doctors) working in German psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics
Who may be able to join
- Healthcare professionals (nurses, psychologists, or doctors) working in psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics in Germany
- Age 18 years or older
- Sufficient German language proficiency to complete the questionnaire
- Willingness to provide informed consent
Who cannot join
- Individuals not working as nurses, psychologists, or doctors in psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics
- Age under 18 years
- Insufficient German language proficiency to complete the questionnaire
- Massively limited cognitive abilities
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country.
Germany2 sites
Constructor University Bremen and online
Bremen, 28759
Constructor University
Bremen, 28759
About this study
Official title: Healthcare Professionals in German Psychiatric-psychosomatic Clinical Practice: Theory Guided Evaluation of Work-related Challenges.
The aim of this project is to evaluate the work-related challenges faced by healthcare professionals (nurses, psychologists, and doctors) in German psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics. By applying the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, this study investigates how job demands and resources influence job satisfaction, turnover intention, and subjective service quality. Special focus is given to the roles of burnout, engagement, and psychological safety as mediators and moderators in these relationships.
The project consists of two phases. In Phase 1, a cross-sectional online survey targeting healthcare professionals in psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics across Germany is conducted to identify key factors affecting well-being and performance in mental health settings. In Phase 2, a participatory co-design workshop with multiprofessional healthcare professionals is conducted to further explore work-related challenges, supportive factors, interprofessional collaboration, and possible practical support approaches for the clinical work environment.
The findings will contribute to a better understanding of work-related experiences in psychiatric-psychosomatic care and support the development of feasible and practice-oriented approaches to improve working conditions and service quality.
Read the detailed description
This study uses an online questionnaire to collect data from healthcare professionals (nurses, psychologists, and doctors) working in psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics in Germany. The survey aims to assess their experiences and perceptions regarding work-related challenges, job demands, and resources, as well as their impact on job satisfaction, turnover intention, and subjective service quality. The study applies the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model to explore the relationships between these factors, with a particular focus on the mediating roles of burnout and engagement and the moderating role of psychological safety.
In addition to the quantitative survey component, the project also includes a qualitative participatory co-design phase. This phase consists of a structured workshop with multiprofessional healthcare professionals working in psychiatric-psychosomatic care. The workshop aims to explore everyday work-related challenges, supportive factors, interprofessional collaboration, and possible approaches to support healthcare professionals in their clinical work environment.
The workshop uses participatory and reflective group methods, including visual activation exercises, moderated group discussions, World Café elements, and co-creative idea development. Discussions focus on experiences of workload, supportive resources, practical challenges, and realistic approaches that may support healthcare professionals in their daily work. Audio recordings and visual workshop materials are used for qualitative analysis. Participation is voluntary, and all collected data are handled confidentially and in accordance with ethical and data protection regulations.
The survey will be conducted at a single time point, targeting 600 healthcare professionals (200 nurses, 200 psychologists, and 200 doctors) across various psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics in Germany. Data will be collected using standardized scales to ensure reliability and validity. Participants will be recruited via email invitations sent to clinics, with the survey distributed through the SoSci Survey platform. Participation is voluntary, and all data will be anonymized and handled in compliance with ethical and data protection regulations.
Main Research Questions are:
- How do the surveyed resources and demands of healthcare professionals impact job satisfaction, turnover intention and subjective service quality? II. What roles do burnout, engagement, and psychological safety play as mediators and moderators in these relationships? III. What are the key challenges and resources identified by healthcare professionals in their daily work within psychiatric-psychosomatic settings? IV. Which practical and feasible support approaches do healthcare professionals identify within participatory co-design discussions regarding the clinical work environment in psychiatric-psychosomatic care?
- Conditions
- Work Engagement, Burnout, Job Satisfaction, Turnoverintention, Service Quality
- Keywords
- Health Care Providers, Patient Safety, Occupational well-being
- Medical subject headings
- Burnout, Psychological
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare professionals in psychiatric-psychosomatic care | Healthcare professionals working in psychiatric-psychosomatic care in Germany, including nurses, psychologists, physicians, and other multiprofessional staff. Participants take part in a cross-sectional online survey and/or a participatory co-design workshop exploring work-related demands, resources, collaboration, and possible support approaches in the clinical work environment. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Job Satisfaction
The 'Arbeitszufriedenheit Skala' (Job Satisfaction Scale) from the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) by Nübling et al. (2010) assesses job satisfaction among healthcare professionals in psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics. This scale captures various dimensions of job satisfaction, including satisfaction with career prospects, colleagues, physical working conditions, management, utilization of skills, salary, and overall job satisfaction. Responses are measured on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (Very satisfied) to 5 (Very dissatisfied). Higher scores indicate lower job satisfaction, while lower scores reflect higher job satisfaction.
Measured: Baseline
Emotional Exhaustion
The 'Emotionale Erschöpfung Skala' (Emotional Exhaustion Scale) from the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) by Nübling et al. (2010) assesses emotional exhaustion among healthcare professionals in psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics. This scale captures participants' experiences of exhaustion and feelings of being emotionally drained due to work. Responses are measured on a 5-point frequency scale, ranging from 1 (Always) to 5 (Never/Almost never). Lower scores indicate greater emotional exhaustion, while higher scores reflect lower levels of exhaustion.
Measured: Baseline
Engagement
The 'Engagement Skala' from the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) by Nübling et al. (2010) assesses work engagement among healthcare professionals in psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics. They collect data on participants' levels of energy, enthusiasm, and absorption in their work. Responses are measured on a 5-point frequency scale ranging from 1 (Always) to 5 (Never/Almost never). Lower scores indicate grater engagement, while higher scores reflect lower levels of engagement.
Measured: Baseline
Secondary outcomes (2)
Turnover Intention
The 'Gedanke an Beruf-/Stellenwechsel Skala' (Turnover Intention Scale) from the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) by Nübling et al. (2010) assesses turnover intention among healthcare professionals in psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics. They collect data on participants' thoughts about leaving their profession or their current job over the past 12 months. Responses are measured on a 5-point frequency scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Every day). Lower scores indicate a lower desire to leave the job, while higher scores reflect greater desire to leave.
Measured: in the last 12 Months
Subjective Service Quality
The 'Service Quality Scale' by Rafferty et al. (2001) assesses subjective service quality among healthcare professionals in psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics. They collect data on participants' perceptions of the quality of care provided on their unit, including reliability, consistency, and alignment with expectations. Responses are measured on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (Strongly disagree) to 5 (Strongly agree). Lower scores indicate a subjective lower service quality, while higher scores reflect higher subjective service quality.
Measured: Baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Mar 2025
- Study start10 Mar 2025
- Primary completion30 Jun 2026
- Study completion20 Sep 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Work EngagementStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 296 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Jacobs University Bremen gGmbH
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Sonia Lippke, Prof. Dr., Study director, Constructor University Bremen gGmbH & Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences, Germany
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06867601
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HIPP_27112024
- Acronym
- HIPP
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 26 Feb 2025
- Last updated
- 24 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Schiffer K, Lippke S. Improving Work-Related Challenges in Psychiatric-Psychosomatic Clinics: Study Protocol for an Internet-Based Needs Assessment and Co-Design of a Training. JMIR Res Protoc. 2025 Nov 25;14:e78047. doi: 10.2196/78047.
PubMed 41289569