Pathways to Wellness: A Pilot Empowerment Program

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Management
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Physicians and advanced practice providers often lack structured opportunities for personal and professional skill development.
• This gap can contribute to burnout and decreased job satisfaction in healthcare professionals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a cost-effective faculty development initiative to address the need for personal and professional skill-building.
• To enhance physician and advanced practice provider well-being and job satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• Brown Medicine's Division of General Internal Medicine developed the Personal Development Empowerment Series.
• The series integrated sessions on imposter syndrome, assertiveness, and time management into the existing schedule.
• Education was blended with interactive activities and facilitated by psychologists and peers, utilizing cognitive-behavioral strategies.

Main Results:

• The faculty development initiative was well-received by participants.
• Faculty appreciated the emphasis on reflection and practical application of learned strategies.
• The program fostered a supportive work culture and boosted morale.

Conclusions:

• Affordable, internally developed interventions can significantly impact healthcare professional well-being.
• The Personal Development Empowerment Series is a replicable model for improving job satisfaction and organizational culture.
• Investing in personal growth initiatives is crucial for mitigating burnout in medical settings.