Objective: The aim of this study was to generate new knowledge to improve healthcare worker (HCW) happiness.
Background: Already trending upward, HCW burnout spiked during the pandemic reaching rates of 49% to 69%.
Methods: This unblinded randomized controlled trial studied a positive psychological intervention's (PPI) impact on subjective happiness among 183 HCWs in a 644-bed community healthcare organization. The intervention had 2 phases: 1) reading The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor; and 2) participating in a 21-day challenge to adopt evidence-based happiness-boosting practices.
Results: A statistically significant increase in subjective happiness was found in the intervention group compared with the control group over the 6-month follow-up period. Within the intervention group, subjective happiness was sustained by 70% at the 18-month follow-up.
Conclusions: Offering the PPI may increase HCWs' subjective happiness. The study design should be strengthened and replicated.
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