BackgroundMultiple studies indicate that residents in family medicine (FM) are exposed to considerable stress and are particularly affected by burnout syndrome. Aim of the study was to specify the effects of a so-called “compact intervention” (i.e., a short intervention) in self-care on FM residents.MethodsThe authors performed a concurrent and independent mixed-methods study with FM residents on the KWBW VerbundweiterbildungPLUS© program. FM residents could voluntarily take part in a two-day seminar including 270 min on self-care, which can be regarded as a compact intervention. Study participants completed a questionnaire before (T1) and ten to twelve weeks after the course (T2), with subsequent recruitment to interview. The main outcomes of the quantitative part were to evaluate (I) self-rated change of cognition and (II) change in behavior. The qualitative outcomes were all possible effects of the compact intervention on participants´ competencies as well as all sorts of induced behavioral changes.ResultsFrom a total ofn= 307 residents,n= 287 FM residents (intervention group:n= 212; control group:n= 75) participated in the study. At T2, 111 post-intervention questionnaires were completed. 56% rated the intervention to be helpful for their well-being (n= 63/111). At T2, there was a significant increase in those willing to act in comparison to T1 (p= .01): 36% (n= 40/111) had changed their behavior and half of the study participants had passed on competencies to others (n= 56/111). From the intervention group,n= 17 participants additionally gave an interview. FM residents favored a trustful learning atmosphere, an interactive teaching concept and practical exercises. They described an encouraging stimulus to act and specified behavioral changes.ConclusionsA compact intervention in self-care could increase well-being, foster competencies and induce behavioral changes, if implemented into a training program with sufficient group cohesiveness. Further studies are required to specify long-term-results.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12875-023-02074-w.