ONLINE REFLECTIVE PRACTICE GROUPS FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY TRAINEES IN PAEDIATRIC HOSPITALS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: WHAT'S THE EVIDENCE?

ABSTRACT

In 2017, the report on the National Wellbeing of Doctors proposed that there are ever-increasing burnout rates. [1] Reflective practice groups are used to explore a deep level of understanding of doctor-patient relationships, in order to combat burnout and increase satisfaction at work. This study aims to assess online reflective practice groups for interdisciplinary trainees in Paediatric hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Balint group methodology was adapted for an online format. Trainees from psychiatry, emergency and paediatric specialties answered two online questionnaires before and after six sessions of Balint group meetings. There were nine responses to the pre-Balint questionnaire and eight responses to the post-Balint questionnaire. The data was analysed using Microsoft Excel. 75% of participants were from Crumlin Children's Hospital. Most were women, aged 26-30 years and 3-11 years' experience. Six participants preferred online groups while four preferred face to face groups after the sessions were completed. Trainees indicated that they thought about patient cases afterward and their teams were disrupted which may cause mild burnout due to the struggles faced. There was a positive relation between burnout reduction and Balint sessions. Additionally, the sessions were positively reviewed by the trainees and there were no sessions cancelled which may indicate the trainees appreciation for the group. Reflective practice programs should be implemented for trainees in all institutions since there is a positive link between reducing the risk of burnout and reflective practice groups. It should be available for all specialties, not only psychiatry and general practice.