Game On: Team-Based Competition to Enhance Engagement in Obstetrics and Gynecology Graduate Medical Education [ID 2683471

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called attention to what he declares a public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in our country. Three years into the COVID pandemic, the medical profession has experienced a huge increase in burnout that has only exacerbated this crisis. Consistent with national trends, lack of faculty engagement and overall well-being was noted to have suffered on our 2022 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Resident Survey. METHODS: The Brooke Army Medical Center Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics residency program implemented a themed team competition for the 2022–2023 academic year, “GYN of Thrones.” Residents and staff were divided into five families, modeled after Game of Thrones to compete for the “Throne of Hysteros.” Points were awarded for participating in program activities, receiving kudos for patient care, and demonstrating clinical excellence. The data from the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 ACGME surveys were compared to evaluate the effect of this new competition. RESULTS: Faculty interest in resident education increased 41% (P=.002), from 59% to 100% after implementation. Similarly, only 59% felt there was an appropriate amount of teaching in clinical and didactic activities in 2021–2022, whereas this improved to 89% in 2022–2023 (P=.041). Residents were also more satisfied with faculty feedback: 53% prior to the competition improved to 84% after (P=.047). CONCLUSION: Resident perception of faculty engagement in academics and quality of teaching drastically improved after implementation of this program-wide competition. Faculty well-being scores improved as well, indicating this may decrease burnout in the workforce and improve morale and connection.