Initial Characterization of Internal Medicine Resident Resilience and Association with Stress and Burnout

Amber-Nicole Bird,Amber T Pincavage

doi:10.1155/2016/3508638

Amber-Nicole Bird, Amber T Pincavage

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/3508638

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Abstract

Introduction. Burnout is prevalent in medical trainees. Little data exists on resident resilience. Methods. Anonymous surveys were provided to a convenience sample of internal medicine residents. Resilience was assessed using the Connor-Davidson resilience scale. Responses were categorized into low (<70), intermediate (70–79), and high (80–100) resilience. Results. 77 residents from six institutions completed surveys. 26% of residents had high resilience, 43% intermediate, and 31% low. The mean resilience score was 73.6±9.6 and lower than the general population (mean 80.4±12.5, p<0.001). Trainees with high resilience were more likely to never have stress interfere with their relationships outside of work (high: 40%; low: 0%; p<0.001). High resilience residents were more likely to have the skills to manage stress and burnout (high: 80%; low: 46%; p=0.02) and less likely to feel inferior to peers (high: 20.0%; low: 70.8%; p<0.001). There was a trend towards those with high resilience reporting less burnout (high: 40.0%; intermediate: 27%; low: 16.7%; p=0.08). Only 60% report a program outlet to discuss burnout. Conclusions. There is a wide range of resilience among IM residents and scores were lower than the general population. Low resilience is associated with more stress interfering with relationships, feeling inferior to peers, and fewer skills to manage stress and burnout.

Highlights

Further studies have shown that symptoms of depression in medical trainees are associated with perceived medical errors, increased work hours, and stressful life events [4]
Our objective was to complete a preliminary characterization of internal medicine (IM) residents’ resilience and how resilience relates to stress and selfreported burnout in medical trainees through surveys of IM residents from multiple institutions in Northern Illinois
Participants were from six residency programs; data was not complete for how many residents were from each institution. Residents surveyed were both categorical (63%, 49) and preliminary residents (13%, 10) with 23% (18) of residents not responding to this question

Summary

Introduction

Despite increased recognition of burnout in residents, little data exists on how it relates to resilience and few interventions focus on resident resilience. A 2008 multicenter study of medical and surgical interns found that baseline resilience scores in first year residents were significantly less than resilience scores in the general population and correlated with depression scores over a 6-month period [8]. Many resident interventions have targeted burnout and wellness, little is known about the ability to augment resilience in medical trainees through education. Our objective was to complete a preliminary characterization of internal medicine (IM) residents’ resilience and how resilience relates to stress and selfreported burnout in medical trainees through surveys of IM residents from multiple institutions in Northern Illinois

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion