426 - Initiatives To Support Resident Wellness Before, During And After Surges In Patient Volume

Poster Number: 426
Publication Number: 426.1431

Background: Growing risk for resident physician burnout and suicide continues to be increasingly recognized in the current literature. This puts into question whether pediatric residency programs are well-prepared to support resident wellness through particularly stressful situations such as major surges in patient volume.

Objective: The objective was to implement a two-pronged strategy that would be well-received by pediatric residents to help maintain resident wellness before, during, and after surges in patient volume at a single academic medical center in the US.

Design/Methods: Lapel pins that read “Our caring makes a difference” were distributed to residents. Any resident holding a pin was given the opportunity weekly during protected didactic time to transfer that pin to anyone they wanted to acknowledge or thank publicly for any reason.

During the pediatric volume surge in late 2022, we deployed the “Angel Shift” system. Residents volunteered to replace required or elective sub-specialty time with inpatient time, approximately 2 angel shifts per resident per month. “Angels” saw new admissions and covered phone calls during evening hand-off, maintaining their 8-hour work day while providing much-needed assistance.

Resident perceptions were measured via an anonymous 10-question survey using a 5 point likert scale (strongly agree to strongly disagree).

Results: Survey results were received over a 2 day period (92% completion). > 90% of residents felt that the Pins Exchange initiative was a good idea, promoted resident wellness, and they would recommend it to other residency programs.

More than 90% of residents felt that Angel Shifts were a good idea, helped to preserve resident wellness, and agreed they had a say in starting/stopping Angel Shifts. Of those who worked an Angel Shift, 89% felt personally helpful. 82% of residents perceived our program as working hard to support resident wellness and would recommend that others consider starting Angel Shifts during surging patient volumes.

Conclusion(s): The Pins Exchange initiative and Angel Shift system were generally well received by residents, supported by the fact that most residents at our program responded anonymously that they agreed or strongly agreed they would recommend both initiatives to other programs. We do not suggest our interventions to be the only ones to help decrease rates of burnout and promote resident wellness but instead offer that they may work well as adjunctive measures, as they have in our program, particularly during and in anticipation of crisis and/or surging patient volumes.