Related Experiment Videos
Support services for pediatric trainees. A survey of training program directors
1Department of Psychiatry, Stanford Medical School, CA.
American Journal of Diseases of Children (1960)
|September 1, 1991
Summary
Pediatric residency programs offer some stress-reducing services but lack preventive measures and adequate leave policies. Program directors need to improve support for house staff well-being and career development.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Pediatrics
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Pediatric house staff experience significant stress during training.
- Existing support services may not adequately address training-related stress or preventive needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey pediatric program directors on support services for house staff.
- To assess directors' attitudes toward training stress and amelioration strategies.
- To evaluate the adequacy of current support policies and benefits.
Main Methods:
- Survey of pediatric training program directors with a 75% response rate.
- Inquiry into explicit stress-alleviation measures, stress-minimizing policies, performance evaluation, career feedback, and benefits.
- Assessment of directors' role perception and attitudes toward house staff adjustment.
Main Results:
- Most programs provide reactive stress reduction services, but few offer preventive support.
- Support policies, particularly for leaves of absence (including parental leave), were deemed inadequate.
- A significant minority of house staff (10-11%) became parents during training.
- Program directors often have short terms and may not prioritize the role.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric residency programs require enhanced support services, focusing on preventive measures and comprehensive leave policies.
- Program directors' perceptions highlight gender-based differences in house staff adjustment challenges.
- A systematic approach to evaluating support services is recommended for program improvement.