Feasibility of a Brief Psychological Group Intervention for Emergency Care Residents and Nurses

The aim of the current study is to examine the feasibility of a brief psychological group intervention in improving the professional quality of life, sleep quality and coping strategies among emergency care residents and nurses. The objectives of the study are: a) To develop a brief psychological group intervention for emergency care residents and nurses to improve their professional quality of life, sleep quality, and coping strategies. b) To examine the feasibility of a brief psychological group intervention. 23 emergency care residents and nurses from Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, will be recruited. Since the study is a single group pre-post design, no randomization of participants is involved. Through purposive sampling that satisfy the inclusion and exclusion criteria participants will be recruited. Recruitment will involve informing potential participants about the study, its objectives, and requirements, followed by obtaining informed consent.

Data collection will include socio-demographic information and clinical data at baseline, using structured forms. Participants will undergo a brief psychological group intervention spanning three sessions, focusing on coping strategies, secondary traumatic stress, and sleep hygiene. These sessions will be distinct from standard care practices. Assessment visits will occur at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up. Standardized scales such as the Professional Quality of Life Scale, Brief COPE Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index will be administered to measure outcomes. Session 1 is ‘Understanding and Identifying Challenges (90 minutes)’. Session 2 is ‘Coping Strategies, STS and Sleep Hygiene (90 minutes)’. Session 3 is ‘Compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue (90 minutes)’. Safety checks will be implemented throughout the intervention, and withdrawal criteria will be defined. Follow-ups may involve telephonic reminders to ensure participant compliance. Overall, the study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of intervention in improving professional quality of life, coping strategies, and sleep quality among emergency care professionals.