Addressing Well-being, Burnout, and Professional Fulfillment in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Trainees During the COVID-19 Pandemic Through Implementation of a Virtual Balint-Like Group: a Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective Physicians, including psychiatrists and psychiatry trainees, are at higher risk of burnout compared to the average working population. The COVID-19 pandemic heightens this risk. This pilot aims to enhance professional fulfillment and support while decreasing risk and prevalence of burnout in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP) trainees through virtual delivery of a Balint-like group incorporating brief emotional awareness modules. Methods Six CAP trainees participated. Eight 60-min sessions held every 2 weeks were co-facilitated by a psychologist and psychiatrist who developed the curricular content. Five of the eight semi-structured sessions combined a brief emotional awareness enhancing module with a Balint-based approach to case review. The authors assessed trainee well-being, professional fulfillment, and sense of professional support pre- and post-intervention with the Well-being Index (WBI), Stanford Professional Fulfillment Index (PFI), and the authors’ own supplemental survey. Descriptive statistics were reported. Results Trainees found the curriculum feasible and useful. Surveys showed a reduction in burnout from three to zero participants ( p = 0.03) and specific improvements in enthusiasm ( p = 0.013), empathy with colleagues ( p = 0.093), and connectedness with colleagues ( p = 0.007) and patients ( p = 0.042) at work. There were also improvements in happiness ( p = 0.042) and valued contributions at work ( p = 0.004). Conclusions A novel well-being curriculum focused on combining brief emotional awareness enhancing modules with a Balint-like approach enhances professional fulfillment and a sense of professional support and decreases the risk and prevalence of burnout, even when delivered virtually to a group of CAP fellows. Results support the planned expansion of this low-cost, high-value intervention for trainee well-being.

Fear of COVID-19 Impact on Professional Quality of Life among Mental Health Workers

“…Severe FCV-19 increases BO and STS, and both have been linked to unfavourable mental health outcomes in MHWs [ 16 , 53 , 54 ]. Therefore, it is crucial to include in the recommendations that may reduce BO and STS among MHWs, measures that intensify a sense of safety and protection against COVID-19 infections in mental health services [ 16 , 17 , 19 , 67 , 68 ].…”

“…Organizational support in undertaking actions for the physical and psychological quality of life of MHWs are of prime importance for the quality of care they provide, especially during prolonged crisis situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventions that reduce FCV-19, such as specialized psychoeducational programmes [ 72 ]; preventing excessive workloads; developing explicit and up-to-date standards and protocols; providing adequate protective equipment and training on protective measures; offering psychological support and free clinical supervision sessions that strengthen resilience; and facilitating social support are essential in preventing BO and STS and in reducing the risk of adverse mental health outcomes [ 16 , 17 , 19 , 67 , 68 ]. At the same time, there is a need for further research in the future on the fear-induced psychological adversities during the pandemic in MHWs with repeated cross-sectional or longitudinal design.…”

Rethinking how to deal with demand and supply in CAP: a European training perspective

“…It is di cult to estimate which training-efforts will prevent burn-out or even drop-out of CAP practice, but what is known is that burn-out may be experienced by up to 30% of psychiatry trainees and consultants in CAP [32,33]. Small pilot studies suggest that a signi cant reduction in burn-out can be accomplished by regular intervision or mindfulness training [34,35]. Other options have been proposed but have yet to be examined such as more focus during training on safeguarding of protected time for double roles as clinician-scientist, clinician-educators or clinician-leader [30,31], or facilitating cross-generational conversation to avoid compassion fatigue [36].…”

Evolving Roles and Needs of Psychiatry Chief Residents During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond

“…A 2021 pilot study by Chochol et al utilized virtual Balint groups to decrease burnout among child and adolescent psychiatry trainees during the COVID-19 pandemic. 16 Each Balint group in this pilot study was comprised of six trainees and one group leader who was already respected within the trainee body. It is possible that the small-group format, as well as the implication of a respected leader, helped mitigate the potential drawbacks of a virtual delivery format and promoted engagement.…”