TY - JOUR
T1 - Medical Resident Perceptions of Distress during Training
AU - Bernstein, Simone A.
AU - Hanson, Janice L.
AU - Slat, Emily A.
AU - Duncan, Jennifer G.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
PY - 2024/12/1
Y1 - 2024/12/1
N2 - Objectives This study used a qualitative research approach to grounded theory to identify factors that contributed to resident distress during 2021-2022 in multiple different specialties and at different postgraduate years of residency. By better understanding these contributors to distress, the aim was to inform the design of optimal interventions to reduce burnout and other emotional distress. Methods The residents enrolled in this study completed a demographic survey and semistructured interview. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Data analysis included developing codes inductively, grouping codes into categories, and describing themes. Recruitment continued until data analysis indicated theoretical saturation/sufficiency had been reached. A qualitative research approach to grounded theory was used to identify themes and relationships among themes to better understand how the sources of distress affected the trainees of various specialties and postgraduate levels of training. Results Thirty-three participants (15 medical-based, 9 hospital-based, and 9 surgical-based residents) participated in interviews between 2021 and 2022. Seven themes described sources of distress and potential ameliorating factors: workload, support and community, culture, resident outlook, institutional resources, work-life balance, and coronavirus disease 2019. The grounded theory highlights that these factors can collectively influence work-life balance and distress. Conclusions The findings of the grounded theory qualitative analysis were used to examine ways to better mitigate the sources of distress that the residents enrolled in this study described. As institutions strive to diminish distress among residents, they can consider opportunities to assess environmental factors and design targeted interventions for their institutions or programs.
AB - Objectives This study used a qualitative research approach to grounded theory to identify factors that contributed to resident distress during 2021-2022 in multiple different specialties and at different postgraduate years of residency. By better understanding these contributors to distress, the aim was to inform the design of optimal interventions to reduce burnout and other emotional distress. Methods The residents enrolled in this study completed a demographic survey and semistructured interview. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Data analysis included developing codes inductively, grouping codes into categories, and describing themes. Recruitment continued until data analysis indicated theoretical saturation/sufficiency had been reached. A qualitative research approach to grounded theory was used to identify themes and relationships among themes to better understand how the sources of distress affected the trainees of various specialties and postgraduate levels of training. Results Thirty-three participants (15 medical-based, 9 hospital-based, and 9 surgical-based residents) participated in interviews between 2021 and 2022. Seven themes described sources of distress and potential ameliorating factors: workload, support and community, culture, resident outlook, institutional resources, work-life balance, and coronavirus disease 2019. The grounded theory highlights that these factors can collectively influence work-life balance and distress. Conclusions The findings of the grounded theory qualitative analysis were used to examine ways to better mitigate the sources of distress that the residents enrolled in this study described. As institutions strive to diminish distress among residents, they can consider opportunities to assess environmental factors and design targeted interventions for their institutions or programs.
KW - burnout
KW - distress
KW - graduate medical education
KW - residency
KW - wellness
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85211410237&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.14423/SMJ.0000000000001766
DO - 10.14423/SMJ.0000000000001766
M3 - Article
C2 - 39622523
AN - SCOPUS:85211410237
SN - 0038-4348
VL - 117
SP - 719
EP - 724
JO - Southern medical journal
JF - Southern medical journal
IS - 12
ER -