4. SUSTAINED REDUCTION IN RESIDENT BURNOUT: IMPACT OF AN INNOVATIVE WELLNESS ROTATION

Abstract

Background Burnout, depression, and risk of suicide are pressing issues in residency programs. Novel strategies to mitigate burnout and promote resiliency are needed. Objective To reduce rates of burnout in our program at Rush University Medical Center, we initiated a multi-faceted approach featuring a Wellness Rotation in the PL-2 year, an ICU-heavy year, with PL-2s historically reporting the highest rates of burnout in our program. Our aim is to promote a resilient workforce for the well-being of our residents and their patients. We seek interventions that produce reductions in burnout that are sustained over time. Design Methods The Wellness Rotation was created for PL-2s beginning in July 2017 that includes: scheduling appointments with healthcare providers, covering for other residents with healthcare appointments, check-in with staff psychologist, Board review, self-care (exercise, meditation), and meetings with academic advisors. Clinical duties are limited to continuity clinic and coverage for co-residents with healthcare appointments. Before and after the creation of the rotation, we participated in the Pediatric Resident Burnout-Resilience Study Consortium (PRB-RSC) survey, which includes scales of stress and resilience including the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Results In 2017 (pre-intervention), 55% of Rush pediatric residents completed the PRB-RSC survey, compared to 90% in 2018 and 82% in 2019. The percent of residents experiencing burnout, defined as scoring high on the emotional exhaustion and/or depersonalization scale of the MBI, fell from 59% (2017 survey) to 45% after the implementation of the Wellness/Study rotation (2018) and further decreased to 32% with its continuation (2019). Rates of burnout in PL-2 residents fell from 80% pre-intervention, to 30% in 2018 and remained at 30% in 2019. Conclusions The Rush Pediatrics Wellness Curriculum includes multiple interventions to prevent and mitigate resident burnout. This innovative model, including the Wellness/Study rotation, appears to have decreased our rate of burnout with sustained improvements over the past 2 years.