Magnet4Europe - Improving mental health and wellbeing in the health care workplace
Working in a hospital can be rewarding, but high stress and burnout are common challenges for healthcare workers across Europe. Magnet4Europe is a large research study looking at how changing hospital workplace culture and management can boost staff wellbeing and improve patient safety. The project tests ideas adapted from an established system called the Magnet model, which supports nursing excellence and positive working relationships. Over sixty hospitals across five European countries, including the UK, are taking part. Eligible doctors and nurses working on adult inpatient wards are invited to complete an online questionnaire once a year over four years. Each survey takes about 20 minutes and asks about workload, teamwork, job satisfaction, and mental health. Taking part is completely private, anonymous, and voluntary. The answers provided will help researchers understand how to build healthier, more supportive hospital environments for both staff and patients.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Hospital staff provide vital care every day, but high workloads, staff shortages, and intense daily pressures can lead to severe stress and burnout. Studies across Europe show that many doctors and nurses feel exhausted and unhappy with their working conditions. When hospital staff are overwhelmed, it affects their personal mental health and can also impact the quality and safety of patient care.
The Magnet4Europe study aims to tackle this issue by testing a proven framework designed to make hospitals better places to work. It takes inspiration from a healthcare model originally developed in the United States, known as the Magnet approach. This model focuses on giving frontline staff a stronger voice in how their wards are run, encouraging close teamwork between doctors and nurses, and ensuring management listens to and supports its clinical teams.
Researchers want to see if adapting this model for European and UK hospitals helps reduce burnout, keep staff in their jobs, and make hospital care safer for patients. By comparing hospitals that put these supportive workplace changes into action with those continuing their usual practice, the study aims to show whether redesigning hospital environments leads to lasting improvements in staff wellbeing.
Key takeaways
- Tests a supportive workplace model to reduce burnout and improve staff mental health.
- Open to qualified doctors and nurses working on adult inpatient wards, A&E, or intensive care.
- Involves filling out a 20-minute online survey once a year over four years.
- Completely voluntary and confidential, with no impact on your job or working life.
- Aims to create safer, happier, and more supportive hospital environments.
Who may be eligible?
This study is designed for qualified healthcare professionals who have direct contact with adult patients in general acute care hospitals. To participate, hospitals must have at least 150 beds and provide medical or surgical care for adults.
Doctors and nurses who work on general adult wards, emergency departments (A&E), or intensive care units (ICU) can take part. Staff must be fully qualified healthcare professionals working directly with patients as part of their day-to-day role.
Healthcare workers based in certain specialist departments cannot take part in this study. Excluded areas include operating theatres, children's wards (paediatrics), newborn units (neonatology), maternity units (obstetrics), mental health wards (psychiatry), radiology, and laboratory services such as pathology.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- You are a qualified nurse or doctor with direct adult patient contact.
- You work on an adult inpatient ward, in intensive care (ICU), or in emergency care (A&E).
- Your hospital is an acute care hospital with at least 150 beds taking part in the study.
- You do not work primarily in maternity, operating theatres, children's wards, or psychiatry.
- You have internet access to complete a 20-minute survey once a year.
What does participation involve?
Taking part in Magnet4Europe does not involve any medical treatments, clinic visits, or physical procedures. Instead, participating healthcare staff share their experiences through an online survey once a year for four years.
When you agree to take part, you will receive a secure web link to register on a digital platform called the Meplis Care Monitor. Each year, you will be invited to complete an online questionnaire that takes roughly 20 minutes. It asks questions about your ward's staffing levels, your workload, relationships between doctors and nurses, patient safety, and your overall mental wellbeing. You are asked to finish the survey within two weeks of receiving the invite. Over the four-year study, you will complete four surveys in total.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (68)
- East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS TrustCity onlyStevenage, England
- Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustCity onlyCheltenham, England
- Torbay and South Devon Health Care NHS Foundation TrustCity only-, England
- West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust LaboratoryCity onlyWatford, England
- Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustCity onlyBradford, England
- University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation TrustUnverifiedKendal, England
- Frimley Health NHS Foundation TrustUnverifiedCamberley, England
- Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustUnverifiedDoncaster, England
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation TrustUnverifiedLondon, England
- King’s College Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustUnverified-, England
- South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustUnverifiedMiddlesbrough, England
- Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustUnverifiedPreston, England
Common questions
Will my ward manager or hospital see my survey answers?
No. All responses are kept completely confidential. Neither your hospital managers nor your colleagues will be able to see your individual answers or know if you took part.
Does taking part involve any medication or medical tests?
No. The study does not involve any pills, injections, or health checks. It only involves completing a 20-minute online questionnaire once a year.
Will I get paid for completing the questionnaires?
No. Participation is unpaid and voluntary, but your honest feedback helps researchers improve working conditions and safety in hospitals.
What happens if I change jobs or leave the hospital?
You are free to leave the study at any point. If you change jobs or decide you no longer wish to participate, you can simply decline the next annual survey invite.
Why are operating theatres and maternity wards excluded?
The study focuses specifically on adult inpatient medical and surgical wards, A&E, and intensive care to ensure the findings can be compared fairly across different hospitals.
How to find out more
Walter Sermeus
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Discussion
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