A protocol exploring the use of wearables for more objective and holistic assessment of clinician wellbeing

Citation

Oxbury O, Bunclark H & Powell D (2025) A protocol exploring the use of wearables for more objective and holistic assessment of clinician wellbeing. Physiotherapy, 126, Art. No.: 101600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2025.101600

Abstract
First paragraph: Purpose: The health and social care workforce has faced a range of exogenous shocks, including a global pandemic, geopolitical instability, and inflationary pressure. All of which have taken a significant toll on clinicians' wellbeing and physical & mental health. Previous research has demonstrated the clear link between clinician wellbeing and patient outcomes, as such methods to measure and modify clinician wellbeing remain a key priority for healthcare leaders. Technological advances have provided novel opportunities to capture and measure wellbeing more continuously and objectively. This protocol aims to test wearable devices for their capacity to quantify wellbeing alongside existing traditional approaches (e.g.questionnaires). This can include but is not limited to Heart Rate (HR variability,activity, Gait (walking), and sleep quality. This protocol will test the feasibility of using wearable devices to measure clinician wellbeing continuously (over 7 days) alongside traditional methods.

Journal
Physiotherapy: Volume 126