Association of Perceived Role Misidentification With Use of Role Identity Badges Among Resident Physicians

Role misidentification of resident physicians occurs frequently and is associated with decreased well-being.

To evaluate the role misidentification and burnout rates among resident physicians after disbursement of role identity badges.

This quality improvement study was conducted during the 2018 to 2019 academic year. Residents in 13 surgical and nonsurgical residency programs at 2 large academic medical centers (Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital) were eligible to receive the intervention and complete 2 surveys (before and after the intervention). Data were analyzed from December 4, 2021, to February 7, 2022.

Role identity badges that displayed "Doctor" and could be attached to mandatory hospital identification badges were distributed to residents in August 2018 at Massachusetts General Hospital and in March 2019 at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Residents were not required to wear the badge.

The primary outcome was self-reported role misidentification at least once per week during the previous 3 months. The change from pre- to post-badge distribution surveys was assessed with McNemar's test. A secondary outcome was any reduction in the frequency of role misidentification after badge distribution. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between reduced frequency of role misidentification and demographic characteristics. A separate analysis evaluated the change in self-reported burnout after badge distribution.

A total of 161 residents (39%) completed both surveys, which included 79 men (49%), 72 (45%) who were younger than 30 years, 20 (12%) with an underrepresented in medicine status, and 74 (46%) who were in surgical specialties. The proportion of residents reporting at least weekly role misidentification decreased from 50% (n = 81 of 161) before badge distribution to 35% (n = 57 of 161; P < .001) after badge distribution. Female residents were more likely to report reduced role misidentification frequency after receiving a badge compared with male residents (adjusted odds ratio, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.18-4.63; P = .01). Residents who wore badges demonstrated no change in burnout before vs after badge distribution (39% [n = 33 of 85] vs 34% [29 of 85]; P = .87) compared with an increase among residents who did not wear a badge (27% [n = 15 of 55] vs 45% [n = 25 of 55]; P = .03).

This study found that the distribution of role identity badges was associated with less frequent perception of role misidentification among resident physicians across specialties, particularly among female residents. Role identity badges were a well-received, low-cost intervention that could be used to reduce role misidentification and address burnout among residents.