Using Human-Centered Design to Improve a Surgery Resident Well-Being Program. J Surg Res 2022 Sep;277:157-162
Date
05/02/2022Pubmed ID
35490604DOI
10.1016/j.jss.2022.02.043Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85129325151 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 1 CitationAbstract
INTRODUCTION: Surgery resident mental health, burnout, and overall well-being are constantly scrutinized, and improving surgery resident well-being programs continuously requires refinement. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of human-centered design (HCD) sprints to enhance our surgery resident well-being program.
METHODS: An HCD sprint was conducted with 34 surgery residents in a single session using seven separate domains, including Mental Health/Reflection and Therapy; Mentoring or Faculty Engagement; Physical Well-being; Retreats; Scheduled Breaks or Free Time; Social Connection; and Well-being Lectures, Emails, or Curriculum. Responses were characterized as: "How might we", Suggestions, Useful, and Not Useful.
RESULTS: Well-being Lectures, Emails, or Curriculum were overwhelmingly viewed, as Not Useful (77%), as was Mental Health/Reflection and Therapy (42%). Scheduled Breaks or Free Time was viewed as the most Useful (42%). This category also had the most suggestions and "How might we" ideas for improvement (41%). Lastly, Suggestions and "How might we" ideas were also common for improving Mentoring or Faculty Engagement (31% and 29%, respectively). These results were incorporated into multiple strategies to improve surgery resident well-being and also shared in a Department of Surgery Grand Rounds.
CONCLUSIONS: Surgery resident well-being and a targeted approach by a well-being program are critical to a residency program, particularly with the arduous nature of surgical training during the pandemic resulting in periods of prolonged social isolation. HCD sprints are an effective means to refine a surgery resident well-being program and to involve the residents themselves in that process.
Author List
Chow BE, Pilarski A, Schmitt J, Decker MC, Ark T, Davis CSAuthors
Christopher Stephen Davis MD, MPH Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of WisconsinAlicia Marie Pilarski DO Associate Professor in the Emergency Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
CurriculumEducation, Medical, Graduate
General Surgery
Humans
Internship and Residency
