Photo from @uabpsychresidency on Instagram.The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology is committed to promoting the wellness and well-being of its residents. Several initiatives and programs have been implemented to address the factors influencing wellness and burnout among residents. Here are some key highlights.
Resident Wellness Committee
A Resident Wellness Committee was formed to focus on resident wellness and address their needs. The committee consists of dedicated members who work together to develop and implement various wellness initiatives.
Resident wellness survey
Residents were surveyed to understand the factors influencing their wellness and burnout. The survey results indicated a strong desire for increased social wellness within the program.
Monthly wellness lunches
Residents can meet and socialize with their peers during monthly wellness lunches. These lunches, held once a month on Tuesdays at noon, provide a platform for residents to connect over a free meal. The lunches also feature self-compassion meditation led by a child fellow. Wellness topics presented during these lunches focus on personal wellness and highlight community resources available in Birmingham. The aim is to encourage residents to explore hobbies, activities, social groups, and other wellness opportunities in the area.
Mind-body skills group
The Resident Wellness chair, Cydney Terryn, M.D., organized a 10-week mind-body skills group specifically designed for interns. This virtual group aimed to increase social interaction among interns, especially given their off-service rotations. The group focused on teaching meditation and other evidence-based mind-body connection skills to help manage stress. These skills can be utilized by residents personally and can also be shared with patients who may benefit from them.
Off-campus social gatherings
The Wellness Committee plans to organize monthly off-campus social gatherings with various activities for residents. These events provide opportunities for residents to unwind, socialize, and engage in recreational activities outside of their work environment.
Walktober Competition
The Wellness Committee organized “Walktober”, a month-long step-counting competition. Participants had the chance to win prizes based on achieving step goals. The competition aimed to foster camaraderie among faculty and staff in the Center for Psychiatric Medicine (CPM) and inspire positive changes in participants’ walking habits.
Automating patient logging
The Workplace Wellness sector of the committee is collaborating with the IT department to automate patient logging for residents. This initiative aims to decrease administrative burden and streamline processes for residents.
Additional wellness initiatives
In addition to the ongoing initiatives, the Wellness Committee is exploring various ideas to further enhance resident wellness. These include incorporating theater in medicine, particularly improv for physicians, through collaboration with Red Mountain Theatre and researching the possibility of a wellness retreat. The committee is also considering providing yoga sessions to residents at the hospital, in partnership with a UAB faculty member who teaches yoga.
By prioritizing resident wellness and implementing various programs and initiatives, the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology aims to create a supportive and nurturing environment for its residents, ultimately promoting their personal and professional growth.