NCT07707453 The COMET Study: a Prospective COhort of MEdical residenTs to Assess Professional, Personal and Psychological Trajectories of Residents in General Internal Medicine
| NCT ID | NCT07707453 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | University of Fribourg |
| Condition | Burnout Syndrome |
| Study Type | OBSERVATIONAL |
| Enrollment | 800 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-08-01 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-12-31 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
This is an observational study. You will not receive an experimental treatment; researchers will collect data based on your existing condition or standard treatment.
This trial targets 800 participants in total. It began in 2025-08-01 with a primary completion date of 2026-12-31.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
Introduction. Switzerland, like most Western countries, faces a paradox: an ageing, multimorbid population needs general internal medicine (GIM) physicians more than ever, yet fewer young doctors choose - and stay in - the specialty. Career decisions during residency are intertwined with well-being, mental and physical health, and work-life balance, and distress in training has been associated with depression, burnout, attrition and poorer patient care. Longitudinal data following GIM residents across these domains, and linking them to actual career trajectories, are lacking. The COMET study establishes a multicentre prospective cohort of GIM residents to fill this gap. Methods and analysis. COMET is a prospective, open, multicentre cohort conducted in the departments of (general) internal medicine of Fribourg Hospital (HFR, four sites), Bern University Hospital (Inselspital) and Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV). All GIM residents providing direct patient care are eligible (≈334 residents; expected enrolment ≥267, assuming 80% participation). Participants complete an annual online survey (REDCap; French or German) at baseline and for at least four years, covering sociodemographics; job characteristics; career intentions and 24 factors for or against a GIM career; well-being (Physician Well-Being Index, Professional Fulfillment Index, quality of life, work-life balance); mental health (CES-D, Perceived Stress Scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Questionnaire of Cognitive and Affective Empathy); and physical health (step counts, physical activity, fatigue, sleep, healthcare utilisation). Primary endpoints are the longitudinal course of well-being and distress (PWBI, PFI, CES-D) and residents' career trajectory. Analyses combine descriptive statistics, mixed-effects and regression models, and comparisons with the population-based CoLaus\|PsyCoLaus cohort.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Resident physician in general internal medicine employed at a participating study site or annex centre during the recruitment period Written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Not providing direct patient care Severe mental or physical condition precluding informed consent or compliance with the protocol
Contact & Investigator
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07707453 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, studying Burnout Syndrome. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07707453 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07707453 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at marco.mancinetti@unifr.ch for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07707453 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Bern, Switzerland, Fribourg, Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07707453 clinical trial?
NCT07707453 is sponsored by University of Fribourg. The trial plans to enroll 800 participants.