A recent study published in JAMA Network Open on August 18 found that wearing smart watches contributed to better physician health, including less burnout.
The authors launched a randomized clinical trial to find out if smart watch use can be associated with boosted physician wellness. The trial lasted a year. Participants wore smart watches for at least six months. They were split into two groups, one wore smart watches for the first six months of the trial and then on (“immediate intervention”), and the other wore them after six months (“delayed intervention,” control).
Key findings:
The researchers observed a nearly 9% difference in burnout between the two groups at six months. Those in the control group reported higher burnout at the time.
Resilience was fairly split between the groups at six months. The control group had slightly lower resilience scores.
“No statistically significant difference was seen in quality of life, depressive symptoms, stress, or sleepiness between the trial arms at six months.”
Progress continued in the “immediate intervention” group after six months, notably, quality of life significantly improved.
The control group’s burnout lowered, and their resilience was higher when wearing the smart watches.
