Contemporary Evaluation of Work-Life Integration and Wellbeing in US Surgical Residents: A National Mixed-Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: The demands of surgical training present challenges for work-life integration (WLI). We sought to identify factors associated with work-life conflicts and to understand how programs support WLI. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional national survey conducted after the 2020 American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination queried 4 WLI items. Multivariable regression models evaluated factors associated with (1) work-life conflicts and (2) well-being (career dissatisfaction, burnout, thoughts of attrition, suicidality). Semi-structured interviews conducted with faculty and residents from 15 general surgery programs were analyzed to identify strategies for supporting WLI. RESULTS: Of 7,233 residents (85.5% response rate) 5,133 had data available on work-life conflicts. 44.3% reported completing non-educational task-work at home, 37.6% were dissatisfied with time for personal life (e.g., hobbies), 51.6% with maintaining healthy habits (e.g., exercise), and 48.0% with performing routine health maintenance (e.g., dentist). In multivariable analysis, parents and female residents were more likely to report work-life conflicts (all p<0.05). After adjusting for other risk factors (e.g., duty-hour violations, and mistreatment), residents with work-life conflicts remained at increased risk for career dissatisfaction, burnout, thoughts of attrition, and suicidality (all p<0.05). Qualitative analysis revealed interventions for supporting WLI including (1) protecting time for health maintenance (e.g., therapy); (2) explicitly supporting life outside of work (e.g., prioritizing time with family); and (3) allowing meaningful autonomy in scheduling (e.g., planning for major life events). CONCLUSIONS: Work-life conflicts are common among surgical residents and are associated with poor resident well-being. Well-designed program-level interventions have the potential to support WLI in surgical residency.

See One, Do One, Improve One's Wellness: Resident Autonomy in US General Surgery Programs, A Mixed-methods Study.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine the factors associated with resident perceptions of autonomy and to characterize the relationship between resident autonomy and wellness. BACKGROUND: Concerns exist that resident autonomy is decreasing, impacting competence. METHODS: Quantitative data were collected through a cross-sectional survey administered after the 2020 ABSITE. Qualitative data were collected through interviews and focus groups with residents and faculty at 15 programs. RESULTS: Seven thousand two hundred thirty-three residents (85.5% response rate) from 324 programs completed the survey. Of 5139 residents with complete data, 4424 (82.2%) reported appropriate autonomy, and these residents were less likely to experience burnout [odds ratio (OR) 0.69; 95% CI 0.58-0.83], suicidality (OR 0.69; 95% CI 0.54-0.89), and thoughts of leaving their programs (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.37-0.54). Women were less likely to report appropriate autonomy (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.68-0.97). Residents were more likely to report appropriate autonomy if they also reported satisfaction with their workload (OR 1.65; 95% CI 1.28-2.11), work-life balance (OR 2.01; 95% CI 1.57-2.58), faculty engagement (OR 3.55; 95% CI 2.86-4.35), resident camaraderie (OR 2.23; 95% CI, 1.78-2.79), and efficiency and resources (OR 2.37; 95% CI 1.95-2.88). Qualitative data revealed that (1) autonomy gives meaning to the clinical experience of residency, (2) multiple factors create barriers to autonomy, and (3) autonomy is not inherent to the training paradigm, requiring residents to learn behaviors to "earn" it. CONCLUSION: Autonomy is not considered an inherent part of the training paradigm such that residents can assume that they will achieve it. Resources to function autonomously should be allocated equitably to support all residents' educational growth and wellness.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges in a Patient with Radiation Retinopathy Complicated by Corticosteroid-Induced Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a common chorioretinal disorder. It has been postulated that impaired retinal pigment epithelium and hyperpermeability of the choriocapillaris may be involved in the development of CSC, but the exact pathomechanism has not been established. We report an unusual case of a middle-aged man who developed CSC after triamcinolone acetonide injection for macular edema. Edema developed as a late complication of radiation retinopathy after brachytherapy for childhood retinoblastoma. Steroid treatment is an important risk factor for CSC, but the underlying causative mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. It is important to increase the awareness of this link among clinicians who prescribe exogenous corticosteroids, irrespective of the route of administration.

A National Mixed-Methods Evaluation of General Surgery Residency Program Responsiveness and the Association with Resident Wellness.

INTRODUCTION: Resident burnout is highly prevalent in general surgery. Burnout is increasingly recognized as a symptom of an unsupportive workplace. The objectives of this study were to describe resident perceptions of program responsiveness and to identify associated factors. METHODS: We used a convergent mixed-methods design. A cross-sectional survey was administered to all U.S. general surgery residents following the 2020 ABSITE, querying resident perceptions of their learning environment (including program responsiveness), burnout, thoughts of attrition and suicide, and career satisfaction. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for program/resident characteristics assessed associations of program responsiveness with aspects of the learning environment and resident wellness. 366 interviews and 27 focus groups with residents and faculty were conducted during in-person visits to 15 residency programs. Transcripts were analyzed thematically using inductive and deductive logics until thematic saturation was achieved. RESULTS: Of the 7233 clinically active residents from 323 programs who completed the survey (85.5% response rate), 5256 had data available for all outcomes of interest. 72.1% (n = 3791) reported satisfaction with program responsiveness. These residents were significantly less likely to report 80-hour workweek violations (odds ratio [OR] 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.18-0.26), burnout (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.41-0.53), thoughts of attrition (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.27-0.38), and suicidality (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.41-0.65). They were significantly more likely to report satisfaction with career choice, personal life, and work-life balance (all p < 0.001). Factors associated with improved perception of program responsiveness included larger program size (50+ vs. <23 residents; OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.01-2.19), having faculty mentorship (OR 2.64, 95% CI 2.22-3.14), having meaningful input into call and vacation schedules (OR 3.31, 95% CI 2.74-4.00), and feeling comfortable speaking up (OR 4.20, 95% CI 3.47-5.09). We conducted a qualitative analysis to identify the following components of program responsiveness: (1) core values reflecting a shared understanding of the importance of resident voice in shaping the training experience and the program, including mutual trust and respect between residents and faculty, transparency and communication, resident unity, and resident participation in and ownership of program improvement; (2) structural constructs that reflect and support responsiveness; (3) mechanisms for supporting resident agency, including resources and leadership support, faculty advocacy, and resident leadership opportunities. CONCLUSION: Program responsiveness in surgical residency is associated with improved resident wellness. Programs should develop formal channels to elicit and concretely address resident concerns, provide opportunities for resident representation, and entrust residents with the flexibility and autonomy to make decisions that support their own education and wellness.

Ocular Toxoplasmosis Associated with Unilateral Pigmentary Retinopathy That May Mimic Retinitis Pigmentosa: Diagnostic Dilemmas.

We report a unique case of coexisting pigmentary retinopathy and ocular toxoplasmosis in a young male patient. A 23-year-old man presented with sudden visual deterioration in the left eye (LE). The fundus findings revealed bone spicule-shaped pigment deposits, a slightly pale optic disc, arteriole constriction, cystoid macular edema with an epiretinal membrane, and two small inflammatory chorioretinal scars in the right eye, with a concentric narrowing of the visual field and a nonrecordable multifocal electroretinogram (ERG). An active inflammatory lesion at the border of a pre-existing chorioretinal scar in the macula was found in the LE, with a central scotoma in the visual field. Moreover, the patient tested positive for anti-Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulin G antibodies and showed positive results in polymerase chain reaction testing of aqueous humor. Fluorescein angiography revealed hyperfluorescence in the early phase with fluorescein leakage. A multifocal ERG of the LE showed selective loss of responses from the central 10 degrees. Genetic testing revealed heterozygosity in the RP1 and CELSR1 genes. Our case illustrates challenges in the diagnosis of unilateral pigmentary retinopathy. Based on the typical toxoplasmic lesions in the LE and two scars likely caused by inflammation, our patient was diagnosed with pigmentary retinopathy probably related to toxoplasmosis. Genetic consultation did not confirm the diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa, but more advanced tests might be needed to definitively exclude it.