A randomized clinical trial at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) suggests that small group coaching could be a practical way to tackle physician burnout — without breaking the bank. Researchers found that six virtual sessions, held in groups of three doctors per coach, reduced burnout by nearly 30% among internal medicine faculty. That’s more than double the reduction seen with traditional one-on-one coaching, which is typically more expensive and harder to scale.

Notably, the small group coaching participants began with higher levels of burnout than those in the one-on-one cohort but still saw comparable relative improvements. The price point is also a potential game-changer. Small group coaching cost $400 per physician, less than half the $1,000 price tag for one-on-one coaching. Researchers also noted benefits beyond burnout: small group participants reported feeling more in control of their workload, and individual coaching seemed to boost work-related energy.

Read the randomized clinical trial here.