scholarly journals Establishing a Culture of Intentional Wellness:

PRiMER ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine T. Fortenberry ◽  
Sonja Van Hala ◽  
Caren J. Frost

Introduction: Residency training is a peak time of physician distress, but also a venue in which residents can learn skills to thrive in a high-risk career. The goal of this study was to examine residents’ perceptions of the value of teaching wellness as an integrated component of a residency program. Methods: Researchers at the University of Utah Family Medicine Residency Program conducted a focus group with graduating family medicine residents regarding their perception of wellness and wellness skills, after having completed an intentional wellness curriculum integrated through their 3 years of residency. We used open coding to identify themes of the residents’ perceptions of the wellness curriculum. Results: Four interconnected themes emerged: (1) describing the relevance of wellness to a medical career; (2) the wellness curriculum as prioritized and intentional; 3) The value of wellness skills learned through the curriculum; and (3) the role of community ethos in maintaining wellness. Conclusions: Residents consider wellness to be a critical facet of being an effective physician. Our results suggest that a culture of wellness can be created through deliberate and transparent curricular design, helping residents to view wellness as a priority.

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 570-575
Author(s):  
Susan D. Pohl ◽  
Sonja Van Hala ◽  
Dominik Ose ◽  
Benjamin Tingey ◽  
Jennifer P. Leiser

Background and Objectives: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires all residents be trained in quality improvement (QI), and that they produce scholarly projects. While not an ACGME requirement, residents need leadership skills to apply QI knowledge. We developed the Skills-based Experiential Embedded Quality Improvement (SEE-QI) curriculum to integrate training in QI, leadership, and scholarship. Methods: The University of Utah Family Medicine Residency Program began using the novel curriculum in 2012. The aim of the curriculum is to tie didactic teaching in quality improvement, leadership, and scholarship with skills application on multidisciplinary QI teams. Coaching for resident leaders is provided by faculty. Third-year resident leaders prepare academic presentations. Results of the ACGME Practice-Based Learning and Improvement (PBLI) 3 scores and number of scholarship presentations are described as a measure of efficacy. Results: Two cohorts of residents completed the curriculum and all competency assessments. The average initial and final competency scores for competency PBLI-3 showed improvement and the average final competency for each cohort was above the proficient level. The residency requirements for QI scholarship did not change with introduction of the curriculum, but the amount of optional curricular QI scholarship and independent QI scholarship increased. Conclusions: The SEE-QI curriculum resulted in a high level of resident QI competency, opportunity for leadership training, and an increase in scholarship. We studied the results of this curriculum at one institution. Efforts to tie QI, leadership, and scholarship training should be evaluated at other programs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Zaki ◽  
Teresa Cavett ◽  
Gayle Halas

Abstract Background Field notes (FNs) are used in Family Medicine residency programs to foster reflective learning and facilitate formative assessment. Residents assess their strengths and weaknesses and develop action plans for further improvement. This study explored the use of FNs in the University of Manitoba’s Family Medicine residency program 5 years after their implementation. Methods This multi-method study examined 520 FNs from 16 recent graduates from the University of Manitoba Family Medicine residency program. Quantitative analysis (frequencies and means) enabled descriptions and comparisons between training sites. Four themes emerged from inductive content analysis highlighting common ideas reflected upon. Results Residents displayed cyclical variation in the FN generation over 2 years. Eight of the 99 Priority Topics (addressing complex psychosocial issues) were not captured in this data set. The domains of Care of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis; Care of the Vulnerable and Underserved; and Behavioural Medicine and the CanMEDS-FM roles of FM – Procedural Skill, Leader/Manager, and Professional were less frequently reflected upon. Four themes (Patient-Centered Care, Patient Safety, Achieving Balance, and Confidence) were identified from qualitative analysis of residents’ narrative notes. Conclusions Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory of Cognitive Development was proposed as a lens through which to examine factors influencing resident learning. Residents’ discomfort with certain topics may lead to avoidance in reflecting upon certain competencies in FNs, impacting skill acquisition. Further research should explore factors influencing residents’ perceptions FNs and how to best assist residents in becoming competent, confident practitioners.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 216495612097363
Author(s):  
Amy Beth Locke ◽  
Katherine T Fortenberry ◽  
Erika Sullivan ◽  
Dominik Ose ◽  
Ben Tingey ◽  
...  

Background Faculty and trainee well-being at academic medical centers is a nationwide concern. In response, the University of Utah Health created a system-wide provider wellness program that used individual faculty champions who were empowered to 1) examine the unique needs of their department or division using a lens of quality improvement, 2) design projects to address well-being, and 3) measure impact of projects addressing well-being. One team used a feedback tool to attempt to improve the well-being of Family Medicine faculty by better understanding challenges and developing a roadmap for action. Objective Evaluate the effectiveness of an anonymous feedback tool on faculty well-being. Methods The Division of Family Medicine developed and implemented a quarterly anonymous faculty survey to facilitate an ongoing improvement process for faculty wellness in 2016. The faculty survey identified thematic concerns, which were used to develop constructive solutions and systemic changes. Results A closed loop feedback structure provided rich faculty input into impacts on burnout and professional well-being. Sense of control (good to optimal) over workload among faculty increased significantly (p = 0.011) from 10% to 42% over one year exhibiting a large effect size (Cohen’s h = 0.751). Faculty burnout, using a single item emotional exhaustion question validated to the Maslach Burnout Inventory, was reduced from 48% to 25% showing a medium effect size (Cohen’s h = 0.490 with p = 0.097). Work related stress was reduced from 72% to 50% demonstrating clinical significance (Cohen’s h = 0.465) but not statistical significance (p = 0.154)—an effect which was more noticeable when comparing means between years (Cohen's d=0.451with p = 0.068). Response rate was 100% in 2016 (29/29) and 92% (23/25) in 2017. Conclusion This faculty survey, which has since been adopted by other groups at the University of Utah, could help improve well-being in a variety of health care professions.


BJGP Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. bjgpopen20X101045
Author(s):  
Kiran Sahota ◽  
Patrick Goeres ◽  
Martina Kelly ◽  
Eugene Tang ◽  
Marianna Hofmeister ◽  
...  

BackgroundGlobally, medical schools struggle to ensure there is a sufficient number of graduates choosing family medicine as a career to meet societal needs. While factors impacting career choice are complex, one possible disincentive to choosing family medicine is the perception that it is less intellectually stimulating than specialty care.AimThe study sought to elicit student views on intellectual stimulation in family medicine, and their understanding of academic family medicine.Design & settingThis is a qualitative focus group study of volunteer students from the University of Calgary, Canada, and Newcastle University, UK.MethodSix focus groups were conducted with 51 participants. The data were analysed thematically.ResultsStudents associated intellectual stimulation in family medicine with clinical practice. Intellectual stimulation was related to problem solving and the challenge of having to know a little about everything, along with clinical uncertainty and the need to be vigilant to avoid missing diagnoses. Student awareness of academic family medicine was limited, and students identified it with teaching rather than research.ConclusionPromoting intellectual stimulation in family medicine requires educators to highlight the breadth and variety of knowledge required in family medicine, as well as the need to manage clinical uncertainty and to be vigilant to avoid missing diagnoses. Exposure to academic family medicine could enhance students’ understanding and appreciation of the role of research in family medicine.


2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-53
Author(s):  
Olga Yu. Kuznetsova

The article describes the history of the creation of the Department of Family Medicine of the NWSMU named after I.I. Mechnikov, notes the role of international projects in its establishment and development of the main areas of activity. Examples of successful long-term cooperation are given, in particular, with the University of Iowa (USA). The main stages of the formation of teaching the specialty General Practice (Family Medicine) within the framework of professional retraining of primary health care doctors and residency are described. The importance of using various interactive technologies in the learning process is emphasized, including the development of skills in simulation conditions, which were introduced at the department long before their use in the process of accreditation of specialists. The features of teaching the discipline Polyclinic Therapy for the 6th year students of the medical faculty, as well as the experience of leading scientific research that was carried out by participants of the student scientific society are noted. The main directions of scientific research carried out at the department in recent years are described, aimed at a comprehensive study of the features of the management of elderly patients in general medical practice and the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in St. Petersburg and Arkhangelsk. The role of international cooperation in the implementation of large-scale scientific projects, in particular with the Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium), is emphasized. The perspectives for the development of the Department of Family Medicine in the near future are outlined.


2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 427-435
Author(s):  
Kyle Bradford Jones ◽  
Katherine Fortenberry ◽  
Osman Sanyer ◽  
Rachel Knighton ◽  
Sonja Van Hala

Objective To describe the process of creating the Family Medicine Vital Signs blog, curated and edited by residents and faculty at the University of Utah Family Medicine Residency Program and to obtain feedback from participants regarding educational impact. Methods Each resident and faculty member contributes at least one blog post per year (with other invited authors), resulting in one post per week on the blog site. An editorial board composed of residents and faculty provides direction and editorial assistance for each post. Residency staff assist in providing authors with reminders and logistical support. A survey was conducted of blog contributors to understand their perceptions of the blog’s educational value. Results The Family Medicine Vital Signs blog was started in July 2014, with 40% (n = 68) of the 170 posts provided by residents, 38.2% (n = 65) by faculty, and 21.8% (n = 37) by invited authors through June 2017. It has averaged nearly 100 unique readers per week and has had 15 posts republished in different venues. The participant survey demonstrated scores above the median-possible score, showing positive impact in support of the educational goals. Conclusion A residency blog provides a venue for educational instruction, supporting physician development of communication skills, community engagement, and advocacy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-20
Author(s):  
Péter Telek ◽  
Béla Illés ◽  
Christian Landschützer ◽  
Fabian Schenk ◽  
Flavien Massi

Nowadays, the Industry 4.0 concept affects every area of the industrial, economic, social and personal sectors. The most significant changings are the automation and the digitalization. This is also true for the material handling processes, where the handling systems use more and more automated machines; planning, operation and optimization of different logistic processes are based on many digital data collected from the material flow process. However, new methods and devices require new solutions which define new research directions. In this paper we describe the state of the art of the material handling researches and draw the role of the UMi-TWINN partner institutes in these fields. As a result of this H2020 EU project, scientific excellence of the University of Miskolc can be increased and new research activities will be started.


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