HOW IS MENTAL HEALTH CARE OF RESIDENTS IN THE US?
As shared in previous articles, during residency training, doctors have to go through an extremely hard working period with an average of 60-80 hours of active work per week. Therefore, lack of sleep accompanied by great mental pressure leading to burn out is a very common problem in the community of medical residents.
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Studies show that about 28% of medical residents have symptoms of depression, far exceeding the rate in the general population, especially the suicide rate. Mortality among doctors, including residents, is also significantly higher than other professional groups.
These numbers show that their mental health is seriously threatened, requiring attention and specific actions.
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In recent years, this has received more attention from medical leaders, as well as the student and resident communities. Therefore, boarding programs have also had a lot of action and practical support for brothers and sisters.
1. Education and awareness and psychological support programs
Remember when I was a resident doctor, nearly ten years ago, my program organized many seminars and courses to emphasize outstanding issues such as mindfulness, mental health and work-life balance to support doctors in raising awareness of this issue during their work time.
In addition, free psychological counseling services are also offered by many hospitals and residency training programs to best support resident doctors when needed.
Doctors are encouraged to seek help without fear of stigma or impact on their future careers. This is guaranteed by strict privacy policies to ensure their personal information is protected.
2. Create a supportive work environment
Besides awareness education and psychological counseling, many other practical measures to help resident doctors have a better resting environment have also been put into practice.
At that time, my residency program also implemented a room called the Wellness room, which is fully equipped with genuine massage chairs, accompanied by a comfortable and negative space. Relaxing music, along with a yoga floor for resident doctors to use when needed or to rest on nights without patients.
In addition, the doctor’s on-call room is also fully equipped with everything from computers, televisions, video games, to very comfortable sofas to create the best conditions for doctors to work and rest. rest.
One special thing about working as a resident doctor in the US is that they never force you to sign a commitment not to get pregnant during your work. On the contrary, it is very convenient if a female doctor becomes pregnant. I know there are many female doctors who get pregnant and give birth right in the first years of residency.
Personally, after more than 2 years working for the program, in my third year of residency, I got pregnant and gave birth to a baby. Every day of medical examination like that, I get an extra 15 minutes break at each session to pump milk. My colleagues are also very supportive of my “dairy career”.
3. Support from peers and instructors
Each year, residency programs will often organize retreat days for resident doctors. This is an opportunity for all doctors of the program, from large to small classes, to participate together. Thanks to that, everyone has the opportunity to relax, exchange, understand, connect, and support each other better.
Furthermore, boarding programs often have mentorship and pairing programs. For example, if you are a 1st year doctor, you will be paired with a 2nd or 3rd year doctor. Such pairing is to create conditions for doctors to connect, exchange experiences, help each other in their expertise, and especially share to overcome the pressures of residency together.
At the time I first joined, I was also paired. with a 2nd year sister, thanks to which I received a lot of support and help from her, until now we still keep in touch and still talk to each other about work in particular and life in general.
4. Support policies
Faced with the serious situation of burnout among resident physicians, in 2003, the American Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) established a regulation on the maximum working time of resident physicians to be 80 hours/week to minimize burnout and ensure rest time.
In addition, resident doctors are also required to have time off between long shifts (at least 10 hours) to ensure the best health for work.
Especially, in the year In 2023, the AMA passed a new policy at its annual meeting, requiring annual automatic mental health screening for medical residents (unless they opt out).
These programs have all been put into practice and have proven to be extremely effective.
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Even though there are still many challenges in reality, thanks to these policies, at the present time, the residency training process is actually much better than before. Previous generations of resident doctors often shared that they had to work extremely hard, even having to work nearly 100 hours per week ~ more than 14 hours/day continuously, without eating or taking breaks.
5. Encourage self-care
In addition to efforts from medical leaders, associations and residency programs, doctors themselves are also encouraged to spend time on recreational activities, sports, and personal interests to balance life as well as maintain passion and motivation for the medical profession.
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In short, although there are still many challenges, paying attention to the mental health of resident doctors is becoming one of the top priorities in the US healthcare system, to ensure the quality of patient care and the sustainable development of the medical team.
the quality of patient care and the sustainable development of the medical team.
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Phoenix Medical Academy.
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