A national assessment of residency wellness initiatives in emergency medicine

A Qualitative Follow-Up to a Survey of Program Directors on Wellness Programming at a Large Healthcare Organization: Interviews of High- and Low-Exemplar Programs

Background

The current research used a qualitative approach to understand which factors facilitate and hinder wellness programming in residency programs.

Methods

Program directors identified from a previous quantitative study as having residency programs with notably more or less resident wellness programming than others (ie, high- and low-exemplars, respectively) were contacted. In total, semi-structured interviews were conducted over Zoom with 7 low-exemplars and 9 high-exemplars.

Results

The results of this qualitative examination suggest common themes across the 2 exemplar groups, such as wanting more resources for resident wellness with fewer barriers to implementation, viewing wellness as purpose-driven, and seeing wellness as a shared responsibility. There were also critical distinctions between the exemplar groups. Those high in wellness programming expressed more of an emphasis on connections among residents in the program and between the faculty and residents. In contrast, those low in wellness programming described more barriers, such as staffing problems (ie, turnover and lack of faculty wellness) and a lack of integration between the varying levels involved in graduate medical education (GME) operations (ie, between GME programs and sponsoring hospitals, and between GME facilities and the larger health care organization).

Conclusion

This study provides insight into program directors' experiences with wellness programming at a large health care organization. The results could point to potential next steps for investigating how the medical education community can improve resident wellness programming.

The Emergency Medicine Resident Retreat: Creating and Sustaining a Transformative and Reflective Experience

Introduction 

Burnout rates for emergency medicine residents are high. One intervention and initiative to enhance wellness and address burnout is the resident retreat. Retreats have multiple formats and are often designed with an emphasis on social events. This longitudinal retreat curriculum for a three-year residency training program was designed emphasizing rest, a step away from what is familiar, and reflection. 

Methods

Individual resident retreats were designed for each year of postgraduate training. The agenda for each is organized and intentional. Activities focused on personal well-being, self-reflection, team building, professional development, and physical activities are coupled with topics unique to class year roles and responsibilities. Retreats are held away from the hospital establishing a separation from the workplace.

Results

The retreat program has been sustainable for almost decades with trainees evaluating it highly. Faculty and residents enthusiastically participate in the program and consider it a fundamental part of the residency; 93.75% of residents surveyed strongly agreed that the retreats benefit their training while 94.2% strongly agreed that retreats increased their enthusiasm for training.

Conclusions

An emergency medicine resident retreat program focusing on unique elements for each post-graduate year is achievable and sustainable in an emergency medicine residency program. Over time, the retreat has become an integral part of the residency experience with positive experiences for both faculty and trainees.