. Sarah K. Dotters‑Katz; . Alice Chuang; . Amy Weil; . Jennifer O. Howell
Volume 8, Issue 1 , January 2018, , Pages 1-5
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Humanism is a central tenant of professionalism, a required competency for allresidency programs. Yet, few residencies have formal curriculum for teaching this critical ...
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BACKGROUND: Humanism is a central tenant of professionalism, a required competency for allresidency programs. Yet, few residencies have formal curriculum for teaching this critical aspect ofmedicine. Instead, professionalism and humanism are often taught informally through role‑modeling.With increased burnout, faculty professionalism may suffer and may compromise residentrole‑modeling. The objective of this study was to design a pilot curriculum to foster humanism inamong residents and assess its ability to do so.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two‑phase exploratory sequential mixed methods study. Phase1: a qualitative analysis of residents’ narratives regarding challenges to humanistic behavior, andidentified themes of compassion, fatigue, communication challenges, and work‑life balance. Themesused as needs assessment to build curriculum. Phase 2: three sessions with themes taken fromfaculty development course. Participants and controls completed baseline and 60‑day follow‑upquestionnaires assessing burnout, compassion, satisfaction, and ability to practice psychologicalmedicine. Phase one included Obstetrics/Gynecology and internal medicine residents. Phase twoincluded residents from the above programs, who attended at least 2/3 interactive sessions designedto address the themes identified above.RESULTS: Twelve participants began and ten completed curriculum (83%). The curriculum metcourse objectives and was well‑received (4.8/5). Burnout decreased (−3.1 vs. 2.5, P = 0.048). A trendtoward improved compassion (4.4 vs.−0.6, P = 0.096) for participants compared to controls was noted.CONCLUSION: A pilot humanism curriculum for residents was well‑received. Participants showeddecreased burnout and trended to improved compassion scores. Development and evaluation of anexpanded curriculum would further explore feasibility and effectiveness of the intervention.
