Smartwatch and Physician Well-Being

The prevalence of burnout and other forms of distress among physicians is alarmingly high. This clinical trial is being conducted to learn more about if wearing a Smartwatch and having access to its data improves physicians' sense of well-being and if data measured from Smartwatches contain a 'signal' that predicts well-being

We will conduct a randomized controlled trail to evaluate if wearing a Smartwatch improves overall well-being among physicians, and if so, in which dimension of well-being (e.g., fatigue, stress, overall quality of life, burnout). Additionally, we will explore if data from Smartwatches can predict subsequent well-being among physicians. Study Aims: To determine if wearing a Smartwatch and having access to its physiological data (e.g., sleep, step count, activity, breathing reminders) improves well-being, and if so which well-being dimensions. To determine whether continuous physiological measures (measured from Smartwatches) contain a 'signal' that predicts physician well-being, and if so in which dimensions.

Physicians will be asked to wear a Smartwatch for 6 months, and then will be monitored for the following 6 months without wearing a Smartwatch. Physicians will complete surveys about their experiences

Physicians will be monitored for the first 6 months without wearing a Smartwatch, and then will be asked to wear a Smartwatch for the following 6 months. Physicians will complete surveys about their experiences

The Maslach Burnout Inventory measures emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low sense of personal accomplishment. Possible scores range from 0-27 (emotional exhaustion subscale), 0-10 (depersonalization subscale), and 0-40 (personal accomplishment subscale). Higher scores on the emotional exhaustion and depersonalization subscales and lower scores on the personal accomplishment subscale indicates worse outcome.

The Physician Well-Being Index measures multiple dimensions of distress (burnout, fatigue, quality of life, stress) and satisfaction with work-life integration and meaning in work. The total score ranges from -2 to 9, with higher scores indicating a greater degree of distress, lower meaning in work, and less satisfaction with work-life integration.