3. EMPATHY AND SELF-COMPASSION CORRELATE WITH PERFORMANCE IN PEDIATRIC RESIDENTS

Abstract

Background Empathy and self compassion have emerged as strong, potentially modifiable corollaries with burnout, though little is known about how these correlate with resident performance over time. Objectives Assess residents’ empathy and self-compassion during residency over time, and how these correlate with pediatric milestone scores. Methods As part of the Pediatric Resident Burnout - Resilience Study Consortium, we performed a subanalysis of a prospective cohort including all residents from 55 institutions. In each of the 3 data cycles, residents completed online cross-sectional surveys which included validated assessments of burnout (Maslach), empathic concern (EC; Interpersonal Reactivity Index), and self-compassion (SC; Neffs Self Compassion). Programs provided linked milestone data for each respondent. We fit linear mixed model growth curves predicting competency domain scores (mean milestones within each of the ACGME competencies) from EC, SC, PGY level, data cycle, interaction of data cycle x PGY, and with random intercepts and PGY slopes within learner and within program. Results 4929/4946 residents had responses for all variables. For all 6 competency areas (Medical Knowledge-MK, Patient Care-PC, Interpersonal Communication Skills-ICS, Problem Based Learning Improvement-PBLI, Systems-Based Practice-SBP, Professionalism-PROF), domain scores increased with PGY, as expected. EC and SC were associated with ICS and PROF domain scores; SC was associated with MK and PC; EC was associated with PBLI and SBP; (p Conclusion In a national longitudinal sample of pediatric residents, empathy and/or self-compassion were correlated with all ACGME core competencies. Targeting interventions to modify empathy and self-compassion may support efforts to mitigate burnout and improve performance.