In 2017, the ACGME revised Section VI of its Common Program Requirements for all accredited residency and fellowship programs regardless of specialty, to address well-being more directly and comprehensively. The requirements emphasize that psychological, emotional, and physical well-being are critical in the development of the competent, caring, and resilient physician. The CLER Program of ACGME provides Sponsoring Institutions with periodic feedback from site visits addressing the following six Focus Areas: Patient Safety; Health Care Quality; Care Transitions; Supervision; Fatigue Management, Mitigation, and Clinical Experience and Education; and Professionalism.
In 2017, the CLER Program released the CLER Pathways to Excellence Version 1.1, which evolved the Focus Area of Duty Hours, Fatigue Management, and Mitigation into Well-Being, addressing four interrelated topics: work/life balance; fatigue; burnout; and support of those at risk of or demonstrating self-harm. This new Focus Area recognizes the important role of clinical learning environments in implementing systems that monitor and support physician well-being.
The Department of Internal Medicine abides with this accreditation requirements. The program values resident’s well-being thus making sure residents are provided with several options for self care and Wellness. The Program evaluates residents for burnout twice a year with the “Wellness Questionnaire.” All response are treated with utmost confidentiality. This does not in any way affects their program evaluation, rather allows the program to offer help/accommodations to residents deemed high risk for burnout and fatigue.
The program organizes events centering on wellness like Annual Picnics, Holiday Parties, In house activities like sport events, quiz competitions (Annual Jeopardy), Meditation sessions led by residents. (see our Gallery).
Our Wellness Room..