Transforming Patient Care: Discover Boston Medical Center’s Innovative Strategies for Resident Wellness | AHA News

Medical residency is tough. Long hours, intense learning, and new responsibilities make it easy for doctors to forget about their own health. At Boston Medical Center (BMC), there’s a growing effort to change this. They’re putting programs in place to help residents focus on their mental health and overall well-being.

Jordan Steiger from the American Hospital Association (AHA) recently shared on their podcast that the AHA received funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to find ways to prevent suicide among healthcare workers. This has led them to work with teams like BMC, which is making strides in supporting resident wellness.

Why Wellness is Crucial

Dr. Jeff Schneider, a leader at BMC, highlighted an important issue: Many residents neglect their own health. “When it’s a choice between learning something new or taking care of their health, residents often choose to learn,” he said. But this is a problem, because healthy doctors provide better care.

To tackle this, BMC introduced a way for residents to schedule primary care appointments during their training. They also added behavioral health resources to ensure support is available right from the start.

Dr. Schneider mentioned three key goals:

1. Encourage open talks about mental health.
2. Reduce stigma around seeking help.
3. Make it easier to access care.

This effort is part of a bigger movement in healthcare focusing on workforce well-being.

Support Through Wellness Chats

Simone Martell, who oversees BMC’s Employee Resilience Program, shared their preventive approach: “We want trainees to be just as focused on their own health as they are on their patients’.” The wellness chats, lasting 15 minutes, aren’t therapy but connect residents with resources and coping strategies.

“We want residents to have support before they hit a crisis,” Martell added.

Building a Community

BMC also emphasizes peer support. Dr. Schneider encourages residents to look out for one another. “Simply asking, ‘Are you OK?’ can make a difference,” he said. Sharing knowledge about available resources helps create a culture of support.

Lessons for Healthcare Leaders

BMC’s initiatives offer valuable insights for healthcare leaders everywhere. Here are some effective strategies:

1. Introduce wellness early. Include primary care and mental health resources in the orientation for new staff. For more resources, the AHA’s Physician Alliance has a “Be Well” page.
2. Make conversations visible. Normalize discussions around mental health to break down barriers.
3. Adopt a preventive approach. Provide resources before crises occur.
4. Streamline access. Use clear communication to guide staff on how to seek help.
5. Foster peer support. Encourage team members to check in on one another.

Implementing these strategies can not only improve resilience but also contribute to a healthier and more sustainable healthcare workforce.

Overall, the steps taken at BMC reflect a growing understanding of the importance of mental health in medical training, an essential facet that should not be overlooked. For further insights on workforce resilience, check out the AHA’s Workforce page.

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