Resident-Led Physical Wellness Initiative Linked to Less Burnout for Emergency Physicians during COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

Camila A. Calderón, Department of Emergency Medicine, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonFollow
Adeola A. Kosoko, Department of Emergency Medicine, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonFollow
Salil K. Bhandari, Department of Emergency Medicine, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonFollow
Jason A. Lesnick, Department of Emergency Medicine, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonFollow
Derek R. Herkes, Department of Emergency Medicine, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonFollow
Ryan M. Huebinger, Department of Emergency Medicine, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonFollow

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a significant toll on societal, physical, and psychological health. Emergency physicians (EPs) are susceptible to burnout under ordinary circumstances and may be particularly vulnerable during the pandemic. To reduce pandemic-related burnout, we implemented a residency-led physical wellness initiative and evaluated the effect on burnout among EPs.

Methods: In the spring of 2020, we invited all resident and attending EPs in our department to participate in a four-week physical wellness initiative as part of a prospective study. After completing or opting out of this wellness initiative, EPs responded to an online survey comprised of five sections: demographics, participation, opinion on wellness initiative, opinion on the impact of COVID-19, and the Maslach Burnout Index (MBI-HSS). We stratified respondents by initiative participation, described the characteristics of each group, and then compared the perceived impact of COVID-19 and the MBI-HSS results between the two groups.

Results: Out of 110 eligible participants, 57 EPs completed the survey (51.8%). Thirty-five respondents completed the wellness initiative. Few (37.1%) documented their progress, though most worked with accountability partners (85.7%). Most enrollees enjoyed participation (Likert Score 3.2-5, CI 2.9-3.5) and would participate again (3.3, CI 3.0-3.6). The reported effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental wellbeing was lower for participants, although this was not significant (2.1, CI 1.5-2.1 vs 2.4, CI 2.0-2.7, p=0.312). On the MBI-HSS, participants had a lower emotional exhaustion score (1.4, 95% CI 0.9-1.8) than non-participants (2.2, 95%CI 1.8-2.6, p=0.005).

Conclusion: Participation in a residency-led, physical wellness initiative was linked to lower emotional exhaustion for EPs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DOI

10.18297/jwellness/vol3/iss3/1

Recommended Citation

Calderón, Camila A.; Kosoko, Adeola A.; Bhandari, Salil K.; Lesnick, Jason A.; Herkes, Derek R.; and Huebinger, Ryan M. (2021) "Resident-Led Physical Wellness Initiative Linked to Less Burnout for Emergency Physicians during COVID-19 Pandemic," Journal of Wellness: Vol. 3 : Iss. 3 , Article 1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18297/jwellness/vol3/iss3/1
Available at: https://ir.library.louisville.edu/jwellness/vol3/iss3/1