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Professional and Personal Development

Strategies for Teaching and Enhancing Wellness

Wednesday, October 4, 2023
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM East Coast USA Time
Location: Ballroom A1

    Moderator(s)

  • Todd E. Falcone, MD

    Associate Professor of Otolaryngology
    University of Connecticut
    Farmington, CT, United States

    • Panelist(s)

  • KK

    Katherine R. Kavanagh, MD

    Associate Professor of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
    Connecticut Children's
    West Hartford, CT, United States

  • AA

    Ashley D. Agan, MD

    Assistant Professor
    University of Texas Southwestern
    Dallas, TX, USA

  • Noriko Yoshikawa, MD

    Senior Physician
    Kaiser Permanente
    Oakland, CA, United States

Disclosure(s):
Noriko Yoshikawa, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) includes “well-being” as a core requirement for all residency programs, including otolaryngology. With physician-reported burnout at an all time high, it makes sense that otolaryngology residency programs should be discussing wellness with their residents and faculty. All residency programs are tasked with teaching well-being to their residents, however, there is no standard or guidance on how to do this or track outcomes. During this panel presentation you will hear from academic otolaryngologists throughout the country who have successfully implemented wellness programs and curriculums in their otolaryngology programs. These programs have, by in large, targeted and improved faculty well being as well, by placing wellness as a priority within the department. Each presenter will discuss their journey implementing their own wellness programs highlighting the pearls and pitfalls and share their methods of assessing outcomes and analyzing the results.

Discussion points will include, but are not limited to, decreasing administrative burden, increasing support, utilizing focus groups and resident needs-based assessment tools, protected time for personal wellness, mentoring, exercise, physical and mental health resources, nutrition, and incorporating resident and departmental social events. While the focus will be on departmental and resident wellness education, all otolaryngologists will be able to leave this session feeling empowered and obtain the tools to start a wellness program at their own institution, whether they are academicians responding to the ACGME’s “call to action”, or private practice otolaryngologists interested in wellness at their own institution.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Discuss the prevalence and repercussions of physician burnout and the importance of physician well-being

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Learn the ACGME requirements for teaching ‘well-being’ and examine key components of developing a wellness curriculum including pearls and pitfalls for implementing a program

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Obtain the knowledge and tools necessary to implement or improve an existing wellness curriculum or program at your own institution, whether for residents, faculty, or in a private practice setting

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: Burnout among physicians is high. Wellness is critical for physicians and their patients. ACGME mandates that well-being be taught during residency. These principles and examples from residency programs can be used to enhance or implement wellness initiatives at your own practice.