Background Burnout is a psychological syndrome that arises from chronic workplace stress that has not been effectively managed. It is characterized by emotional exhaustion, increased mental distance or cynicism toward one’s work, and a sense of reduced professional efficacy (WHO, 2019). Due to the long work hours, high workload, and extensive training demands, medical residents are particularly vulnerable to experiencing burnout, contributing to higher rates of anxiety and depression. Burnout typically emerges mid-intern year and progresses through the remainder of residency. Burnout can contribute to higher medical errors, decreased work efficiency, and poor patient-physician interactions.
Methods This QI is a continuous project involving all residents in the HCA Medical City Healthcare Internal Medicine Program. Conducted in collaboration with the Wellness Committee, the initiative included recurring scheduled wellness events and educational lectures. Wellness lectures addressing burnout recognition, coping strategies, and substance use were incorporated into the curriculum. Resident wellness and burnout were assessed through online surveys administered twice yearly via Google Forms. The survey at the beginning of the year will include questions about expectations, and any events the resident would like to participate in. A survey at the end of the year will evaluate the residents’ wellness by using the Resident Wellness Score and to evaluate the events that occurred during the year. Survey data were reviewed iteratively by the QI team to inform ongoing refinement of wellness planning and support continuous improvement in resident wellness.
Results The results are assessed through surveys given twice a year that evaluate residents’ overall well-being and provide an opportunity for them to share feedback. Baseline survey data will be collected to establish resident wellness metrics and guide event planning for the following year. Ongoing data collection will evaluate longitudinal trends in wellness domains and perceived burnout. As this project is currently at the early stages, results are not available at this time.
Conclusion Implementation of structured wellness events and structured lectures can address key contributors to resident burnout. Establishing consistent assessment and targeted interventions may improve resident well-being, foster community, and support sustainable training environments."