A Pilot Experience with Improvisational Theater to Reduce Burnout in Psychiatric Residency

Abstract

Purpose: Rates of burnout are high during medical training including psychiatric residency. This study examined the impact of improvisational theater training on psychiatry residents’ experiences of burnout and on several outcomes associated with improv training: tolerance of uncertainty, playfulness, and self-compassion. Methods: Fourteen psychiatry residents with minimal background in improvisational theater participated either in an improv (N = 9) or comparison group (N = 5). The improv group met weekly in 2020 for four weeks in person and two additional weeks online. Surveys were admi-nistered before the program, after the first four weeks, and following the complete program. Results: Nine residents participated in the improv program. Eight completed all follow up surveys (100%) as did all five non-participants (100%). Initial results indicated that improv contributed to residents’ self experienced well-being, either through reduced burnout or tolerance of uncertainty, increased playfulness, self-compassion, or some combination thereof. Residents reported that improv affected their work and life in general and that it differed substantially from other types of coursework in their psychiatric curriculum. Conclusions: This study, utilizing a relatively low-cost six-week program, suggests that improv can help psychiatry residents overcome burnout, increase tolerance of uncertainty, and enhance their playfulness, self-compassion