Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To develop a core outcome set (COS) to capture and measure the well-being of doctors working in the National Health Service (NHS). DESIGN: An online Delphi study. SETTING: UK NHS. PARTICIPANTS: Participants from four stakeholder groups: (1) those who might use the COS in research, (2) organisations that measure/capture NHS staff well-being, (3) professionals with experience managing NHS staff well-being and (4) NHS doctors were identified through authorship of relevant publications, attendee lists of doctor well-being conferences and meetings, professional bodies, participation in a previous study and recommendations from others. They were recruited via email. INTERVENTIONS: A two-stage process: (1) creating a list of 43 well-being outcomes informed by a systematic review of well-being measurement instruments, a survey of UK doctors and two doctor engagement workshops and (2) an online Delphi study (with two rounds) to reach consensus. Outcomes were rated on a 9-point Likert scale; 'consensus' was reached when ≥75% agreed that an outcome was critical for inclusion in the COS. RESULTS: 52 participants completed both Delphi rounds. Seven well-being outcomes met the threshold for inclusion in the COS: general well-being, health, personal safety, job satisfaction, morale, life work balance and good clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the COS has the potential to reduce heterogeneity and standardise the capture and measurement of doctor well-being, and ensure outcomes important to all stakeholders are reported. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was prospectively registered with the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trial initiative at www.comet-initiative.org (Registration: 1577).