Enneagram in EM.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Psychology

Background:

• The Enneagram is a personality theory identifying nine types, each with distinct fears, desires, and behaviors.
• While used in various fields, its application for enhancing self-awareness, leadership, and teamwork in emergency medicine is under-explored.
• Emergency medicine demands high self-awareness and team attunement for success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance participants' self-awareness by identifying their Enneagram type and predictable behavioral patterns.
• To discuss strategies for improving teamwork and physician leadership by addressing Enneagram type strengths and weaknesses.
• To equip learners to identify their Enneagram type, understand its motivations, and navigate interpersonal dynamics.

Main Methods:

• A 20-minute lecture introduced the Enneagram, followed by 20-minute facilitated small group discussions.
• The session was delivered virtually to emergency medicine residents and physicians during a conference.
• Learners engaged in discussions about their Enneagram types, strengths, and challenges in professional settings.

Main Results:

• 17 responses indicated the session was "moderately" to "quite important" for self-understanding (62% total).
• 62% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that the session improved their understanding of peers' personalities and communication preferences.
• Participants shared successes and struggles interacting with different Enneagram types.

Conclusions:

• The Enneagram, delivered virtually, effectively enhanced residents' self-awareness and understanding of team dynamics.
• The educational format was well-received, fostering insightful conversations about personality types and professional interactions.
• Participants gained greater self-awareness and appreciation for diverse personalities within the medical team.