An Open Pilot Trial of Digital Single-Session Interventions for Healthcare Workers and Trainees

Healthcare workers (HCWs) and trainees face deleterious mental health difficulties resulting from demanding work responsibilities and in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, few mental health resources exist that are tailored to the unique needs of HCWs. To provide confidential, private, and accessible mental health support to HCWs at Stony Brook Medicine we adapted and disseminated three evidence-based, digital, self-guided single-session interventions (SSIs). Through focus groups, interviews, and surveys, we collected HCW testimonials and feedback for adapting each SSI. Using an open-access, internet-based platform (i.e., Single Session Support Center website), we piloted each adapted SSI to investigate their individual and combined effects on hopelessness, agency, and subjective distress. Usage patterns were analyzed to assess engagement, effect sizes were calculated to determine SSI effectiveness, and acceptability was measured to determine real-world applicability. HCWs who completed a SSI (n = 91) reported significant improvements in agency and hopelessness, although differential effects emerged between SSIs. Acceptability results were high, across all three SSIs, indicating satisfaction with the self-guided program. Findings suggest digital, self-guided SSIs may be accessible, acceptable, and effective for providing HCWs with mental health support at any time, and from any location connected to the internet.