Evaluating the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Facilitator-Guided Wellness Initiative in a Residency Program

Authors

Alexander A. Missner, Georgetown University School of MedicineFollow
Jacob Gilbreth, Georgetown University School of MedicineFollow
Stacey Kaltman, Georgetown University School of MedicineFollow
Mayada Akil, Medstar Georgetown HospitalFollow

Funder

This research was funding on a grant from Graduate Medical Education at MedStar Health

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare for this work.

Abstract

Introduction: Burnout in residency is a significant concern. There is an urgent need for feasible and transferable interventions that enhance resident well-being. Toward this end, we implemented a wellness intervention in a psychiatry residency program in 2019. Goals of the intervention included: 1) creating a safe space for sharing experiences in a supportive environment, 2) fostering group cohesion, and 3) addressing developmental challenges in training. We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention.

Methods: This study utilized a mixed methods design. Following the 2022-2023 academic year, residents completed a survey examining their perceptions of how well the intervention met its goals. Facilitators completed semi-structured interviews to explore the intervention's feasibility, acceptability, and required resources for broader implementation.

Results: Of 31 eligible residents who participated in the intervention, 22 (71%) completed the survey. All four facilitators completed interviews. Quantitative and qualitative data demonstrated that residents largely felt positively about the intervention and found that it met its goals, with 86% saying the intervention provided a safe place to share experiences and 73% that the intervention increased group cohesion. Implementation required buy-in from department and program leadership as well as budgeted time for the facilitators.

Conclusion: Despite its implementation in a single psychiatry residency program, the wellness intervention's simplicity and adaptability suggest its potential for broader application across residencies in various specialties and institutions.

DOI

10.55504/2578-9333.1310

Recommended Citation

Missner, Alexander A.; Gilbreth, Jacob; Kaltman, Stacey; and Akil, Mayada (2026) "Evaluating the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Facilitator-Guided Wellness Initiative in a Residency Program," Journal of Wellness: Vol. 6 : Iss. 1 , Article 10.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55504/2578-9333.1310
Available at: https://ir.library.louisville.edu/jwellness/vol6/iss1/10