536 - Efficacy of an Evidence-Based Mindfulness Curriculum for Pediatrics and Pastoral Care Residents in Preventing Burnout

Poster Number: 536
Publication Number: 536.423

Nitin Ron, New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, United States; Keziah Edmunds, New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, United States; Brande Brown, NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, United States; William M. Briggs, Self, New York, NY, United States; Oksana Nulman, new york, Brooklyn, NY, United States

Background: Physician burnout remains a significant problem at both the resident and attending level. A 3-year study performed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (2016-2018) showed that >50% of the pediatric residents surveyed met burnout criteria across all years of training, with similar numbers among attendings according to Medscape’s 2021 National Physician Burnout Report, women reporting higher rates than men. One proposed intervention is to incorporate mindfulness-based meditation training within the residency educational curriculum.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if non-denominational mindfulness training could decrease burnout among pediatric residents when incorporated into the residency curriculum.

Design/Methods: This study took place in an urban based community hospital in 2021, lasted 3 months, and included pediatric and pastoral care residents (Nf35).  Standardized surveys were administered at baseline and final sessions, with a brief survey after each 10-minute weekly meditation session led by resident meditation ambassadors to assess meditation experience awareness (Figure 1). The Initial and Final values of each score and subscore were computed, followed by Final minus Initial values. An F-test was run between the levels of each categorical variable and p-values calculated with a test level of 0.05. All calculations were done in R version 4.1.2.

Results: The cohort consisted of 35 participants, 28 pediatric residents and 7 pastoral care residents. Mindfulness was assessed in nonreactivity to internal emotions and thoughts, and in acting with present awareness. The 21-30 age group was significant for non-reacting (p = 0.0188). Participants in a relationship had increased action awareness (p = 0.0323), shown in Graph 1. Burnout exhaustion was more pronounced in females compared to males (p = 0.0254). Those in a relationship, PGY1 or PGY2, showed more pronounced improvement in action awareness over time as compared to the participants that were senior, single or meditation novices.  Conclusion(s): Employing interventions that successfully mitigate burnout may foster a nurturing training environment.  One sustainable and low-cost technique is the incorporation of mindfulness-based meditation within the residency training curriculum as such interventions may help decrease emotional reactivity in the face of negative stressors. Future studies will expand the cohort to include attending and nursing staff to determine if this could remain an effective intervention to combat burnout.
Figure 1 - Meditation Project TimelineMeditation-Project-Figure (1).jpegThis provides an outline of our 3 month meditation timeline, displaying all 12 weekly ambassador-led sessions and the 3 monthly main sessions (modules).
Graph 1 - Changes in Action Awareness Pre- vs Post-InterventionThis graph shows the changes in participant's Action Awareness after the intervention was complete. Most notable is the "relationship" change which portrays a significant increase in Action Awareness for participants in a relationship (p=0.0323).