Structured feedback sessions: Enhancing research staff’s well-being and productivity in the research ecosystem of India

Research staff play a pivotal role in psychiatry and public mental health studies in India, yet their well-being and professional development often remain overlooked. High workloads, hierarchical structures, and limited recognition contribute to stress, burnout, and reduced productivity. Structured feedback sessions, though widely emphasized in organizational psychology, are rarely institutionalized within Indian research ecosystems. This viewpoint argues that embedding systematic feedback mechanisms can improve staff well-being, enhance research quality, and strengthen team dynamics. Drawing on the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) framework and recent evidence from global health research teams, we situate the discussion in the unique context of psychiatry and community-based mental health studies in India, where sensitivity and sustained engagement are critical. We outline practical pathways for integrating feedback into ongoing projects, such as within ethics committee oversight, progress reporting, and capacity-building initiatives, while acknowledging barriers including rigid hierarchies, time constraints, and resource limitations. By advocating structured feedback as both a workforce support strategy and a policy priority, this paper calls for institutions like ICMR, DBT, and NIMHANS to adopt feedback mechanisms as integral to research governance. Doing so would foster a healthier, more productive, and sustainable research culture in India.