Applying behavioural insights to reduce burnout in trainee anaesthetists

INTERVENTION: This will be a 2‐arm individual‐level randomised controlled trial, where all participants are sign‐posted to self‐help materials upon completion of a baseline survey and through an initial text message. Participants will be randomised to treatment or control groups using a random number generator in Stata. Treatment participants will receive a series of 23 fortnightly supportive text messages (over 10 months) incorporating a variety of behavioural insights as well as research from the science of wellbeing. Control participants will receive business‐as‐usual, i.e. no special support beyond being directed to self‐help materials for managing burnout. Both control and treatment participants will be asked to complete two further surveys: a midline survey at 4 months (3 months after first text) to ensure the intervention is not having an unintended backfire effect; and end survey at 10 months. All participants will be sent up to 2 reminder messages to complete each survey. At the end of the intervention period, participant feedback on the intervention materials will be sought via a survey. CONDITION: Burnout and wellbeing in trainee anaesthetists ; Mental and Behavioural Disorders ; Burn‐out PRIMARY OUTCOME: ; 1. Wellbeing is measured using the Short Warwick‐Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale [SWEMWBS] (7 items) at baseline, 3 months and at the end of the intervention.; 2. Burnout is measured using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory [CBI] (7 items) at baseline, 3 months and at the end of the intervention.; SECONDARY OUTCOME: ; 1. Meaningful work is measured using the question “How meaningful do you find your work in general?â€? [0‐10 scale] at baseline and at the end of the intervention.; 2. Feeling valued is measured using the question “Overall, how valued do you feel as a trainee anaesthetist?.â€? [0‐10 scale] at baseline and at the end of the intervention.; 3. Absenteeism is measured using the question “Over the last 6 months, approximately how many sick days have you taken off work?â€? at baseline and at the end of the intervention.; 4. Intention to stay in profession is measured using the question "Are you considering taking a break in your training in the near future for wellbeing or mental health reasons?" [Yes/No] at the end of the intervention.; INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Trainee anaesthetists. 2. Working in a UK hospital. 3. Registered with the Royal College of Anaesthetists. 4. In training years CT2, ST3 or ST4.