Resident Flourishing in the Surgical Learning Environment: A Mixed Methods Study.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Psychology of Learning

Background:

• The surgical clinical learning environment (CLE) significantly impacts resident well-being and professional development.
• Understanding resident experiences through the lens of flourishing is crucial for optimizing surgical education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine how general surgery residents perceive their clinical learning environment in relation to flourishing.
• To compare resident experiences in two distinct learning environments (Juniper and Birch) based on quantitative and qualitative data.

Main Methods:

• 112 general surgery residents from four programs completed surveys assessing burnout, professional fulfillment, and learning environment.
• Qualitative data were analyzed using Seligman's PERMA framework (Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment).
• Two programs with contrasting results (Juniper and Birch) were compared.

Main Results:

• Residents at Juniper reported significantly better learning environments and lower empathy loss compared to Birch.
• 58.06% of Juniper residents experienced flourishing, versus 21.4% of Birch residents.
• Juniper residents cited supportive relationships fostering engagement and success, while Birch residents reported negative interactions causing emotional fatigue.

Conclusions:

• Creating a surgical CLE with trust, mentorship, and peer connection enhances learning, reduces emotional fatigue, and promotes professional growth.
• Valuing residents as individuals, not just for performance, improves well-being and patient care.
• Proactive strategies are essential for cultivating positive surgical learning environments.