Tehran University of Medical Sciences

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A Social Network Intervention to Improve Connectivity and Burnout Among Psychiatry Residents in an Academic Institution: A Quasi-Experimental Study Publisher Pubmed



Aghaei AM1 ; Sharifi V1 ; Tabatabaee M1 ; Abdimasouleh F1 ; Nooraie RY2
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Roozbeh Hospital, South Kargar Avenue, Tehran, 13337-15914, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, United States

Source: BMC Medical Education Published:2022


Abstract

Background: Burnout is common among residents, which could be associated with their professional network characteristics. This study aimed to assess the social networks of psychiatry residents and develop an intervention to improve their network characteristics, burnout, and perception of the educational environment. Methods: We recruited a cohort of 17 PGY-2 residents and assessed their social networks, burnout, and perception of the educational environment. After the baseline survey, we held a focus group with PGY-2 residents to discuss the results, their network characteristics, and interventions that can improve their relationships. The PGY-2 residents indicated that offering extracurricular opportunities to facilitate friendly interactions among the residents and faculty members would be the most feasible and acceptable intervention. Therefore, four “interest groups” for extracurricular activities were established. Residents and faculty members were invited to participate in interest groups to improve the network characteristics. Some PGY-2 residents and faculty members agreed to moderate interest group sessions (active members). Results: After the intervention, active residents improved significantly in the perceived personal accomplishment subscale of the burnout inventory and their perception of the educational environment. Active faculty members also had a significant increase in their relationships with PGY-2 residents in one domain of social networks. Conclusions: Enhancing relationships between residents and faculty members through participatory intervention and extracurricular activities can improve faculty-resident connectivity and residents’ perception of personal accomplishment and educational environment quality. © 2022, The Author(s).