R-FAST: Applying mHealth for Assessing and Mitigating Healthcare Workforce Burnout in Resource-Challenged Settings

Rates of burnout among healthcare workers (HCWs) have reached significant levels in resource-challenged settings, including low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Burnout is formally classified as an occupational health condition, rather than a mental health condition. Research indicates that HCWs face a distinct set of occupationally related burnout risks compared to other professional cohorts. HCWs’ burnout not only compromises their wellbeing, but is also associated with heightened rates of medical errors and lower rates of patient satisfaction. Despite this concerning backdrop, there has been a striking gap in research to date on the effectiveness of mHealth as a tool for addressing the specific set of burnout challenges that HCWs face, including in resource-limited environments. A growing body of peer-reviewed studies, including by members of the proposed study team, points to self-efficacy as a leading positive modifier of adaptive occupationally related behaviors and attitudes among HCWs. The purpose of this two-part study is accordingly to develop, measure the effectiveness of, and refine a novel mHealth intervention (R-FAST [Resilience – Facilitation and Assessment Tool]) using an evidence-informed approach for enhancing self-efficacy of LMIC (Ecuador)-based HCWs’ toward self-assessment and self-management of burnout.