A Resident-Preceptor Collaboration to Encourage Wellness and Reduce Burnout Amongst Pharmacy Residents

Abstract

Pharmacy residents are especially vulnerable to burnout given the professional and personal stressors associated with postgraduate training. Residency programs need to prioritize burnout reduction strategies to support resident health and well-being. This commentary describes a resident-preceptor collaborative approach to encourage wellness and reduce burnout within a large residency program at an academic medical center. Strategies that have been utilized include (1) fostering collaboration among residents and preceptors; (2) assessing resident interests and needs to ensure alignment; (3) leveraging available institutional and community resources; and (4) integrating initiatives within the existing residency program structure. This commentary aims to provide suggestions that can be implemented to address resident burnout for other residency programs, regardless of resource availability.

Keywords: Burnout; Pharmacy residency; Postgraduate training; Precepting; Well-being.