Purpose: Our
primary aim was to evaluate the effects of a formalized wellness curriculum on
the rate of burnout among University of New Mexico (UNM) obstetrics and
gynecology (OBGyn) residents. Our
secondary aim was to evaluate the effect of a wellness curriculum on rates of
depression, alcohol abuse and suicide risk.
Background: Burnout is a pathological syndrome characterized by depersonalization,
emotional exhaustion and a low sense of personal achievement. Burnout is a
concern for resident physicians due to their heavy workload and low sense of
autonomy.
Methods: A structured wellness curriculum was instituted at the start of the 2016
academic year. A 45-item survey,
consisting of the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS),
personal health questionnaire-9 (PHQ9), suicide behaviors questionnaire-revised
(SBQr), and the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT), was to be
administered at the start, midpoint, and end of the academic year.
Results: The study included 23 UNM OBGyn residents. Midpoint and end of curriculum
surveys were collected as planned and demonstrated no difference in rate of burnout. Upon completion of the 2016 academic year 18
(78.2%) residents reported moderate to severe emotional exhaustion; 13 (59.1%)
moderate to severe depersonalization; and 5 (21.7%) low personal achievement. SBQ-R identified 4 (18.2%) residents at high
risk for suicide and AUDIT-C identified 15 (68.2%) at high risk for alcohol
abuse.
Discussions: High
rates of burnout, depression, alcohol abuse, and suicide risk did not change
between the midpoint and end of a structured wellness curriculum.
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2018, Resident, Faculty, Residency Director, Interpersonal & Communication Skills, GME, UME,
Laura Tedrick, MD
University
of New Mexico
Elizabeth Lawrence, MD; Jody Stonehocker, MD;
Ashlee Crawley;
and Peter Jeppson,
MD
