Medical residency is a demanding and oftentimes stressful time for residents. Class loads, study time, exams, little to no free time for personal or family obligations, and the pressures of clinical environments all contribute to the long-term stress and mental illness experienced by many residents — including depression which, according to a recent study, affects nearly one-third of medical students.
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education recognizes that resident well-being is critical to developing competent and resilient physicians. Yet, many program leaders don't feel prepared to help. Residency program directors can play an active role in helping their residents improve their mental health and well-being by implementing the following strategies:
1. Flexible scheduling
Medical residency programs can help residents balance their professional and personal responsibilities by providing flexible class options and more advanced scheduling notice before clinicals begin. By offering online classes and flexible, accessible educational resources like LWW Health Library®, residents can conduct research, complete coursework, and review educational materials at their convenience while adjusting to clinical schedules.
2. Policy changes to support residents' mental health
By advocating for new policies, program directors and educators can build a culture that values residents' mental health and well-being. Some examples of policy changes could include transitioning to a pass/fail (P/F) grading scheme, limiting shift hours to allow for adequate rest time between shifts, or allowing residents to exchange shifts to meet personal obligations like doctor's appointments or family commitments.
3. Mentoring opportunities
Residency programs should work towards creating a supportive environment where residents feel comfortable reaching out to their senior-level peers. Formal or informal peer mentoring for new residents can provide opportunities to connect with others who have experienced similar challenges during their residency.
Stanford Surgery's recently expanded Balance in Life program implements a mentorship program that pairs junior residents with senior resident mentors. The program funds quarterly lunch meetings and annual retreats so residents have informal settings to discuss personal and professional concerns.
Regardless of the formality or cadence, residency programs must encourage residents to communicate openly about their mental health concerns with their mentors and peers.
4. Online classes and educational resources
In a recent study, 91.6% of surveyed medical students reported that online lectures reduced their stress levels compared to in-person lessons. Surveyed students who transitioned to e-learning during the pandemic stated there was little to no educational value lost between virtual and in-person education and preferred to continue online education in the future.
It's essential to provide standardized online educational and training resources, like Lippincott® Medical Procedures, to reduce resident stress.
5. Evaluate the pros and cons of reducing weekend and call responsibilities
Rigorous residency programs require residents to work long hours, including overnight and weekend shifts. While residents must gain valuable clinical experience, there have been growing concerns about the impact of these grueling hours on residents' well-being and the impact on patients.
A new study conducted by Harvard Medical School evaluated the impact of limiting residents to no more than 16 consecutive work hours and its effect on patient outcomes. Findings concluded that when the 16-hour limit was in place, resident-physician-reported medical errors dropped by more than one-third, and errors resulting in patient death were reduced by nearly two-thirds.
By reducing weekend and call responsibilities, program directors can ensure their residents are well-rested and have the resources to provide care confidently while improving patient experiences.
Create a path to resident well-being
By prioritizing mental health and well-being during residency, program directors are setting future physicians up for long-term success in handling the demands of their jobs and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Learn more about residency program solutions, Wolters Kluwer, Health, to help reduce the risks of burnout and ensure your residents' — and program's success.
