An Easily Implemented, Inexpensive, Useful Novel Surgical Intern Wellness Initiative

Determine whether use of reflective questions asked on a twice monthly basis is a useful addition to our intern wellness curriculum, with a goal of longitudinal development. Prior studies have demonstrated the use of reflection in processing educational experiences toward professional growth at both the medical student and resident level.

During the first year, every 2 weeks, the 13 interns were asked and answered 2 reflective prompts by email. Their responses went to a single faculty member and were then blinded for analysis. The second year of the program, prompts were discussed by participants in a closed group setting. Participation was voluntary. The questions fell into 6 major categories: role expectations, role assessment, role affirmation, role reflection, emotional self-assessment, work-life integration, and boundaries. Thematic analysis of the responses was performed using an inductive approach by 2 independent expert reviewers.

Brown General Surgery Residency Program, academic years 2021 to 2022 and 2022 to 2023.

Use of reflective questions is a valuable tool as part of an intern wellness curriculum and can be easily implemented. It is inexpensive, does not require a huge time commitment, and is easily adaptable to a program's specific needs. It encourages developing surgeons to recognize and share in their emotions as they encounter the new and stressful experiences inherent in residency and may help to prevent burnout. Sustained participation through the year and robust responses suggest good resident engagement and acceptance of the program.