Self-compassion training to improve well-being for surgical residents

Abstract

Context: Burnout remains prevalent among surgical residents. Self-compassion training may serve to improve their well-being.

Objective: To evaluate the impact on well-being of a self-compassion program modified for surgical residents.

Design: This is a 3-year, mixed-methods study using pre-post surveys and focus groups to identify areas for programmatic improvement and the subsequent impact of the modifications.

Setting: A single academic institution.

Participants: Surgical residents participating in a self-compassion program.

Interventions: A self-compassion program adapted from a larger course to fit the needs of surgical residents.

Main outcome measures: Themes relating to the program's strengths and weaknesses were identified through participant focus groups. Well-being was assessed through validated measurement tools, including The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Perceived Stress Scale, and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-6.

Results: 95 residents participated in the self-compassion program, of which 40 residents completed both surveys (total response rate: 42%). All participants demonstrated severe burnout pre-program, based on scores of at least one of the MBI subscales. Emotional exhaustion scores improved post-program, with larger improvements seen after program modifications (2018: 58% vs 2020: 71%). Focus group findings demonstrated that residents need a safe and distraction-free space to practice self-compassion, and program engagement improved following modifications.

Keywords: Burnout; Mindfulness; Self-compassion; Surgical education; Well-being.