The Text Effect: Stress Management and Resiliency Training Pilot for Resident Physicians

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Psychiatry
• Mind-Body Medicine

Background:

• Physician burnout is a significant issue in medical training.
• Stress management and mindfulness are linked to improved empathy and mood.
• Existing interventions need further evaluation for resident well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To pilot the Stress Management and Resiliency Training for Residents (SMART-R) program.
• To assess the impact of SMART-R on burnout, empathy, and stress in residents.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of supplementary text message reminders.

Main Methods:

• A 6-hour SMART-R program was delivered to Family Medicine and Ob-Gyn residents.
• Participants received protected didactic time for three 2-hour sessions.
• Weekly text messages with mindfulness reminders were offered to interested residents.

Main Results:

• Burnout, empathy, and stress levels remained stable throughout the study period.
• Residents receiving weekly text reminders showed increased mindful attention awareness.
• A significant majority of participants found the training valuable and recommended it.

Conclusions:

• The SMART-R program positively impacted resident physicians' well-being.
• The intervention helped maintain stable levels of empathy, stress, and burnout.
• Weekly text reminders appear to enhance the benefits of stress management training for medical professionals.