Who Benefits Most? A Multisite Study of Coaching and Resident Well-being

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Psychology
• Physician Well-being

Background:

• Coaching interventions show promise for improving resident well-being.
• However, the benefits of coaching are not uniformly distributed among all residents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify predictors of changes in resident physician well-being and burnout.
• To assess outcomes of a multisite Professional Development Coaching Program implementation.

Main Methods:

• A pre- and post-implementation survey design was used with intern year residents.
• Effect sizes were calculated using paired data from 129 residents across five internal medicine programs.
• Coaching involved quarterly meetings with faculty trained in positive psychology and coaching skills.

Main Results:

• Resident well-being (PERMA scale) improved overall, with males showing an increase and females a decline.
• Burnout (emotional exhaustion) decreased in non-Hispanic white residents but not in other racial/ethnic groups.
• Self-reflection was linked to positive well-being changes, while goal setting improved burnout.

Conclusions:

• Coaching programs need tailored approaches for residents facing gender or racial disparities in well-being.
• Interventions should address factors like intolerance of uncertainty and resilience.
• Coaching skills such as goal setting and reflection can enhance intern well-being and coping mechanisms.