Abstract Details

Title Implementation of an Opt-out Wellness Check-in Program in a Neurology and Internal Medicine Residency

Topic Education, Research, and Methodology

Presentation(s) S39 - Broadening the Scope of Medical Education in Neurology (5:06 PM-5:18 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 009

Background

Resident physicians suffer impaired wellness compared to age-matched peers. Opt-out wellness check-in programs may support residents by facilitating care access. We implemented a similar program for Neurology and Internal Medicine (IM) residents at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Objective

Assess the impact of an opt-out wellness check-in program for residents.

Design/Methods Residents were scheduled for an optional 30-minute appointment with a mental health (MH) professional in which they were screened for maladaptive responses to work stress and provided resident-specific wellness resources.

A survey was distributed to trainees who were in residency during the program (exposed group) and alumni pre-dating the program (control group) to assess the program’s impact on attitudes towards and engagement with MH resources.

Results In Year 1, 61% of 76 eligible residents attended an appointment. The survey yielded 48
respondents (23 IM; 25 neurology). In control years, engagement with a MH professional ranged from 9-23% over 2017-2021. Among exposed residents, including the facilitated appointment, engagement rose to 65% in 2021-2022 and 73% in 2022-2023. Not including the facilitated appointment, these values were 38% and 45%, respectively. Engagement with MH beyond the check-in was 59% in those who attended a check-in versus 0% of those opting out (Fisher’s exact p=0.04, phi=0.5). 76% of residents who attended ≥1 session agreed or strongly agreed the session was beneficial for their wellness, with 90% of all respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing that programs such as this one are important.

Conclusions

An opt-out wellness check-in program was highly utilized and well-perceived by residents. It was associated with increased mental health resource engagement.

Authors/Disclosures
Pooja Gupta, MD (Thomas Jefferson University Hospital) PRESENTER	Dr. Gupta has nothing to disclose.
Alexander Buslov, MD	Dr. Buslov has nothing to disclose.
Kathryn Devlin	No disclosure on file
Emily Lisco (Thomas Jefferson University Hospital)	No disclosure on file
Christopher Henry (Thomas Jefferson University)	No disclosure on file
Jeffrey B. Ratliff, MD, FAAN (Thomas Jefferson University)	Dr. Ratliff has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Supernus Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Ratliff has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Acadia. Dr. Ratliff has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for the journal Neurology. The institution of Dr. Ratliff has received research support from Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company. The institution of Dr. Ratliff has received research support from Scion NeuroStim, LLC.