Evaluation of a Formal Resilience Curriculum for Novice Physicians-in-training on Self-reported Resilience: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Physician wellness has gained much attention over recent years due to growing concerns regarding mental illness and burnout. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the importance of physician health.

Resilience, defined as the capacity of an individual to adapt well and even thrive in the setting of adversity and stress, has been identified as an indicator of physician wellness. Resilience is a multidimensional concept that integrates personal factors, such as personality, with previous challenging experiences, leading to positive adaptation.

Simulation Training for Resilience in Various Environments (STRIVE) is an adaptation of a formal resilience curriculum developed by the Department of National Defense in Canada for military personnel. Fundamental skills learned during the course are applied and reinforced through experiential learning with high-fidelity simulation accompanied by effective debriefing.

Physicians-in-training have been identified as a population cohort with a high prevalence of burnout, depersonalization, and fatigue. Research demonstrates that institutional culture on wellbeing has a greater impact on resident satisfaction compared to the area of specialization. Therefore, we propose that institutional curricula and training in physician wellness may improve self-reported resilience in physicians-in-training.

The study will be conducted at London Health Sciences Centre, University Hospital in London, Ontario. A total of 60 participants will be recruited from the PGY-1 and PGY-2 residents from the Anesthesia and Emergency Medicine residency programs at the commencement of the academic year 2023.