Abstract Details

Title Wellness Initiative Societies Empowering Residents (WISER): Reflections on Establishing a Wellness Curriculum in a Child Neurology Residency Program

Topic Research Methodology, �鶹��ýӳ��, and History

Presentation(s) P8 - Poster Session 8 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 13-011

Objective Child neurology residency is unlike most other residency programs as residents train across several specialties (general pediatrics, adult neurology, and child neurology) leading to interactions with a spectrum of patients, trainees, and faculty. Therefore, our trainees endure several unique stressors requiring a tailored approach to addressing wellness and we sought to create a curriculum to address specific drivers of burnout present in our program.

Background Rates of physician burnout continue to climb, and neurologists also have some of the highest rates of burnout and lowest levels of satisfaction with work life balance among medical specialties. According to a recent study, approximately 73% of neurology residents experienced at least one symptom of burnout. Therefore, institutions are seeking ways of addressing wellness within their own programs.

Design/Methods Following baseline measurements of using the Stanford Physician Wellness Survey, we instituted a wellness curriculum through small group meetings entitled “WISER” with use of child neurology faculty facilitators. Sessions cover topics from methods of mindfulness and reflection to the emotional aspects of managing chronic neurological conditions. Outcome measures used included ACGME burnout questions on a biannual basis and a single item measure (Mini-Z) on a monthly basis.

Results Residents participated in small group sessions every 6-8 weeks in discussions led by faculty. Residents experiencing one or more symptoms of burnout decreased with each session. Qualitative feedback provided by participants also relayed there was a lack of prior knowledge of resources available and these meetings served as an avenue for identifying faculty mentorship as well as peer mentorship.

Conclusions The Baylor College of Medicine Child Neurology wellness curriculum was successfully integrated into the residency without a burden of additional resources being placed on the program and could serve as a template for other Child Neurology residency programs.

Authors/Disclosures
Mariam Hull, MD (Texas Children's Hospital, Pediatric Neurology) PRESENTER	Dr. Hull has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care.
Timothy E. Lotze, MD, F�鶹��ýӳ�� (Texas Children's Hospital)	Dr. Lotze has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for Department of Justice VICP. The institution of Dr. Lotze has received research support from NIH. The institution of Dr. Lotze has received research support from National MS Society. The institution of Dr. Lotze has received research support from Sarepta Therapeutics. The institution of Dr. Lotze has received research support from PTC THERAPEUTICS. The institution of Dr. Lotze has received research support from Avexis. Dr. Lotze has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Lotze has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care.