Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Programmatic Interventions on Academic Performance and Resident Perspectives in Internal...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Internal Medicine Residency
• Programmatic Interventions

Background:

• Internal Medicine Residency Program at Oman Medical Specialty Board faced challenges including fatigue, burnout, and academic stress.
• These issues impacted resident well-being, academic performance, and scholarly productivity.
• Previous approaches were insufficient to address the multifaceted challenges faced by residents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of integrated programmatic interventions on academic performance, scholarly productivity, well-being, and resident satisfaction.
• Key interventions included reduced duty hours, restructured academic days, simulation-based workshops, and enhanced research mentorship.
• The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of these changes in an Internal Medicine residency program.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods study was conducted during the 2022/23 academic year at the OMSB IM Residency Program.
• Interventions involved restructuring academic days (IMAD), reducing duty hours (24-hour to 12-hour shifts), and enhancing research training.
• Quantitative analysis included pre- and post-intervention pass rates (OMSB Part 1, Part 2, OSCE) and publications; qualitative analysis involved semi-structured interviews.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in Part 2 exam pass rates (85.0% to 98.0%, p=0.014) and a doubling of annual resident publications (10.5 to 21.0, p=0.007).
• Qualitative data indicated reduced fatigue, improved work-life balance, and higher satisfaction with academic days and simulation workshops.
• Some concerns were noted regarding scheduling conflicts and continuity of care, highlighting areas for further refinement.

Conclusions:

• Structured educational and wellness-focused interventions effectively improved academic outcomes, scholarly output, and resident well-being.
• The findings support the integration of similar strategies into residency programs to enhance overall resident experience and performance.
• Further research is recommended to assess the long-term sustainability and broader applicability of these interventions across different programs.