A Nation-Wide Survey of Program Directors at a Large Health Care Organization: Prevalence and Perceptions of Resident Wellness Activities.

Background: This study evaluated wellness programs in a large hospital network to determine residency program directors' (PDs) perspectives on their wellness programs' state, including wellness prioritization, frequency of wellness activities, and wellness' influence on decision-making across organizational levels.

Methods: In 2021, 211 PDs were sent surveys on program policies, program implementation frequency, perceptions of the administration's ability to prioritize wellness, funding sources, and perceptions of resident wellness' impact on decision-making.

Results: Among 211 contacted programs, 148 surveys were completed (70.1%). The majority reported having wellness programs, committees, and funding. Fewer than 25% reported having a chief wellness officer. PDs perceived that fellow colleagues in their institution linked wellness to markers of institutional success to a greater extent than other available options (ie, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education [ACGME] requirements, budgetary concerns, resident input, core faculty priorities, and education quality). Financial well-being was perceived as least connected to wellness. Perceptions of wellness were rated across 3 organizational levels: program, institution, and organization. Across all levels, ACGME requirements (31.0%-32.8%) and budgetary/financial concerns (21.9%-37.0%) were perceived as having the most significant influence on overall decision-making, whereas resident wellness was rated lower in influence (8.0%-12.2%). Most programs allowed residents to attend mental health appointments without using paid time off (87.9%) and while on duty (83.1%).

Conclusion: The frequency of wellness activities varied greatly across programs. PDs reported challenges making resident self-care and personal development a priority and perceived resident wellness as having limited importance to decision-making at higher levels.