Power of pedaling: Physician well-being as a collaborative effort in social media-based cycling

Abstract

Background The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of radiation oncologists, from the attending to trainee level, has been multifactorial. One such notable shift has been the limitation of colleague interactions to Zoom-type calls for over two years. Moreover, work-related stress has significantly risen largely due to additional and increasingly complex patient management secondary to COVID-related precautions. As part of the run-up to the ACRO 2022 Annual Meeting, we initiated a friendly competition utilizing a social media-based cycling platform to promote physician well-being as part of #TOURdeACRO. The goal was to support both formation of new connections and strengthening of existing ones between colleagues. Methods Team members were solicited via email, social media, the ACRO websites, and word of mouth. #TOURdeACRO occurred between 1/1/2022 and 2/28/2022. Team members competed based on the number of miles they completed using a social media-based cycling platform. Participants were asked to post their rides on social media platforms so that other Team Members could view the rides and offer positive encouragement. Interval updates were given to encourage friendly competition and reinforce continued investment of teammates in one another's progress. At the Annual meeting, all Team Members were given an official ACRO Racing Jersey to strengthen the unified team culture. Results A total of 7 female and 5 male team members participated, including3 resident physicians and 9 attending physicians. Female riders were significantly more productive than male riders, as evident by total combined mileage. The overall winner was determined on the last day of the #TOURdeACRO. The top three productive team members produced 1066 miles, 834 miles, and 787 miles over the two months. Eight riders reported significant increases in weekly and monthly mileage over their baseline in preceding months. Discussion A social media-based cycling platform was useful and effective in creating and fostering a team culture for a demographically diverse group of radiation oncology physicians. Moving forward, additional riders will be recruited and other social media-based platforms that involve exercise (other than cycling) will be explored to further strengthen this inclusive team environment to enhance physician well-being. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of radiation oncologists, from the attending to trainee level, has been multifactorial. One such notable shift has been the limitation of colleague interactions to Zoom-type calls for over two years. Moreover, work-related stress has significantly risen largely due to additional and increasingly complex patient management secondary to COVID-related precautions. As part of the run-up to the ACRO 2022 Annual Meeting, we initiated a friendly competition utilizing a social media-based cycling platform to promote physician well-being as part of #TOURdeACRO. The goal was to support both formation of new connections and strengthening of existing ones between colleagues. Team members were solicited via email, social media, the ACRO websites, and word of mouth. #TOURdeACRO occurred between 1/1/2022 and 2/28/2022. Team members competed based on the number of miles they completed using a social media-based cycling platform. Participants were asked to post their rides on social media platforms so that other Team Members could view the rides and offer positive encouragement. Interval updates were given to encourage friendly competition and reinforce continued investment of teammates in one another's progress. At the Annual meeting, all Team Members were given an official ACRO Racing Jersey to strengthen the unified team culture. A total of 7 female and 5 male team members participated, including3 resident physicians and 9 attending physicians. Female riders were significantly more productive than male riders, as evident by total combined mileage. The overall winner was determined on the last day of the #TOURdeACRO. The top three productive team members produced 1066 miles, 834 miles, and 787 miles over the two months. Eight riders reported significant increases in weekly and monthly mileage over their baseline in preceding months. A social media-based cycling platform was useful and effective in creating and fostering a team culture for a demographically diverse group of radiation oncology physicians. Moving forward, additional riders will be recruited and other social media-based platforms that involve exercise (other than cycling) will be explored to further strengthen this inclusive team environment to enhance physician well-being.