The impact of a stress management intervention on medical residents’ stress and burnout.

Abstract

The high prevalence of medical residents’ stress and burnout raises important questions about how to address this issue effectively and feasibly. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a stress management intervention on residents’ burnout and stress management behaviors and outcomes. We conducted a 1-day workshop for residents in Qatar. The objectives were to help residents identify stressors, identify early warning signs of stress, and practice intervention techniques. Participants completed a precourse survey, a course evaluation, and a 1-month-postcourse survey. Guided by the Kirkpatrick evaluation model, we measured participants’ reactions, learning, behavior, and the results of the training. A total of 256 residents participated in the course. In all, 92 % reported at least one piece of knowledge or skill that they could put into practice. At 1-month postcourse, 83.6% listed at least one piece of knowledge or skill that they had put into practice since the course. Using the abbreviated version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, residents improved in three of the four burnout constructs: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and satisfaction with the practice of medicine. An effective stress management intervention implemented in an international context resulted in residents applying the skills that they learned and a reduction of levels of burnout.

Skills-Based Programs Used to Reduce Physician Burnout in Graduate Medical Education: A Systematic Review

“…Of the 24 studies included in this review, 8 produced significant positive results pertaining to burnout reduction using the MBI and 3 produced significant results using other burnout measurement scales. Nine studies occurred solely within residents' protected education time, 13,16,18,[20][21][22][23][24][25] one had training elements occur both inside and outside of protected time, 17 and one occurred completely outside of residents' protected time. 19 It is possible that incorporating training programs within residents' protected time, such as part of academic half-day lectures or scheduled wellness days, could effectively reduce burnout.…”

“…Of the 11 studies that produced significant results related to burnout, 5 used the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), [16][17][18][19][20] 2 used the abbreviated MBI, 13,21 1 used the MBI General Survey, 22 2 used the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), 23,24 and 1 used the Professional Fulfillment Index (PFI). 25 The abbreviated MBI adds job satisfaction as a measure of burnout, and the MBI General Survey measures emotional exhaustion on a 5-point scale which is shortened to ''exhaustion'' as well as cynicism and professional efficacy.…”

“…Of the 15 single group (pre/post) trials, 7 reported significant results from the instituted program. 13,16,17,[21][22][23]25 Five of these studies utilized the MBI, 13,16,17,21,22 one used the CBI, 23 and one used the PFI. 25 Six single group studies produced decreased burnout while one produced a significant increase in burnout.…”

Policy Options for Adapting Health Care Providers to New Situations in the Workplace During the Covid-19 Pandemic in Iran

“…Increasing the capacity of the employees and training personnel are also mentioned as an intervention in this eld (26,29). In this way, Ghannam et al (2020) in a study stated the effect of stress management training as one-day workshop on burnout of health care providers (37). Darban et al (2016) also mentioned the effect of communication skills training as a two-day workshop in this regard (38).…”

“…In this way, Ghannam et al (2020) in a study stated the effect of stress management training as one-day workshop on burnout of health care providers (37). Darban et al (2016) also mentioned the effect of communication skills training as a two-day workshop in this regard (38). Thus, upgrading exibility skills, that is, changing workplace dynamics, communication skills, and problemsolving skills through training, greatly increases employees' adaptation to a new work environment (39).…”