Social, Individual, and Environmental Characteristics of Family Medicine Resident Burnout: A CERA Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Burnout impacts medical students, residents, and practicing physicians. Existing research oversimplifies characteristics associated with burnout. Our study examined relationships between burnout, depressive symptoms, and evidence-based risk factors. METHODS: Our study questions were part of a larger survey conducted by the Council of Academic Family Medicine Educational Research Alliance (CERA), from May 9-23, 2020. Three emails were used to recruit a national sample of family medicine residents (n=283; questions completed via Survey Monkey). We determined descriptive statistics (frequency, means) for demographic and work environment characteristics, UCLA Loneliness Scale items, health behaviors, burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization), and depressive symptoms. Multivariate data analysis included developing three logistic regression (LR) equations (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, depressive symptoms) based on four blocks of potential risk factors (demographics, work environment characteristics, UCLA Loneliness items, and health behaviors). RESULTS: Rates of psychological distress included 33.1% emotional exhaustion, 31.1% depersonalization, and 53.0% depressive symptoms. We determined stepwise forward-entry LR models for emotional exhaustion (feel isolated OR=6.89, low quality of wellness program OR=5.91, and low companionship OR=4.82); depersonalization (feel isolated OR=5.59, low quality of wellness program OR=15.11, graduate US osteopathic medical school OR=0.329, and African American OR=7.55); and depressive symptoms (feel isolated OR=5.31, inadequate time for restful sleep OR=0.383, and no dependent children OR=2.14). CONCLUSIONS: Current findings document substantial social disconnection, substandard residency wellness programs, inadequate time for exercise, sleep, and other forms of self-care in addition to substantial levels of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and depressive symptoms. We explore implications for the design of future burnout prevention efforts and research.

Cancer survivorship training in family medicine residency programs.

PURPOSE: The objective of the study was to examine current family medicine residency education in cancer survivorship and barriers to cancer survivorship education in the residency curriculum. METHODS: Family medicine residency program directors (n = 628) were surveyed electronically between September 2019 and November 2019 through the Council of Academic Family Medicine Educational Research Alliance (CERA) annual program directory survey. Respondents (n = 250) answered questions regarding eventual cancer survivorship curriculum in their residency program, including interest and barriers to implementation. Program characteristics were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Only 9.2% of family medicine residency program directors reported having a cancer survivorship curriculum. Sixty-nine percent of program directors reported they would implement a cancer survivorship curriculum if one was available. The most significant barrier to implementation of a cancer survivorship curriculum was insufficient time (39.6%) followed by lack of faculty expertise (26.9%). Respondents that reported lack of faculty expertise as a barrier to implementation of cancer survivorship training were more likely be report that they would be willing to implement a cancer survivorship curriculum (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the majority of primary care physicians providing care to cancer survivors, few family medicine residency programs have formal training in cancer survivorship care. There is interest in expanding family medicine residency training in cancer survivorship care among program directors. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Gaining insight into the current educational curriculum and barriers to cancer survivorship training will lead to opportunities to improve residency training, and ultimately provide better care to cancer survivors in primary care settings.

Cardiovascular Screening and Lipid Management in Breast Cancer Survivors.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among breast cancer (BC) survivors. BC survivors are at increased risk of CVD due to a higher prevalence of risk factors. Current data are limited on the cardiovascular screening practices and lipid management in this population in primary care settings. METHODS: A retrospective case control study was performed with 105 BC survivors and 210 matched controls (based on age and medical comorbidities of diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia). BC survivors were established with primary care practices within a large academic institution and had completed primary cancer treatment. Data on screening for CVD and lipid management were collected via a retrospective chart review. RESULTS: The average BC survivor was 63 years old, with 9 years since diagnosis. Compared with matched controls, BC survivors had more cholesterol screening (88% vs 70%, P < .001) and active statin prescriptions (63% vs 40%, P < .05) if indicated by the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Calculator. There were no differences in CVD screening in White and African American BC survivors. However, African American BC survivors were more likely to have hypertension (P < .01) and have a body mass index in the overweight and obese category (P < .001) than White BC survivors. Older BC survivors were more likely to receive cholesterol screening. DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates that BC survivors who have an established primary care provider have improved cholesterol screening and statin therapy based on their risk of developing chronic diseases.

A cross-sectional study of United States family medicine residency programme director burnout: implications for mitigation efforts and future research.

BACKGROUND: Academic physician burnout is concerning. Too little is known about factors associated with residency programme director burnout. Continued uncertainty risks adverse outcomes including graduate medical education leadership turnover and negative impact on recruiting and retaining under-represented minority residency programme directors. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed symptoms of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization) and depression along with evidence-based individual and environmental risk factors in a U.S. sample of family medicine residency programme directors. METHODS: The omnibus 2018 Council of Academic Family Medicine Education Research Alliance survey was used to contact programme directors at all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accredited U.S. family medicine residency programmes via email. Descriptive data included programme director and programme characteristics, Areas of Worklife (workload, values and control), loneliness (lack companionship, feel left out and feel isolated), burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization) and depressive symptoms. Chi-square tests contrasted descriptive variables with burnout and depressive symptoms. Logistic regression (LR) modelled associations between significant descriptive variables and burnout and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 45.2% (268/590). Programme directors reported: emotional exhaustion (25.0%), depersonalization (10.3%) and depressive symptoms (25.3%). LR models found significant associations with emotional exhaustion (Workload: lacking time and other work-related resources); lack of companionship, depersonalization (North West Central residency region; Workload and lack of companionship) and depressive symptoms (Black/African American ethnicity). CONCLUSIONS: One-quarter of U.S. programme directors report burnout or depressive symptoms. Future research should consider associated variables as possible intervention targets to reduce programme director distress and turnover.

Forward Feeding in Graduate Medical Education: Results of a National Survey.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: "Forward feeding" is defined as the sharing of information regarding learner behaviors and performance outside of formal institutional committee structures. The purpose of this study was to establish baseline opinions and policies of forward feeding in family medicine residency programs. METHODS: Data for this study were obtained as part of the 2015 CERA Program Directors Fall Survey. Program directors indicated whether they felt that faculty should and do engage in forward feeding. Respondents were asked to rate the importance of various types of information about learners (academic performance, clinical performance, professionalism, physical health, and mental health), reasons for promoting, and concerns regarding forward feeding on a 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 49% (227/461). Most agreed that faculty should (87%) and do (83%) engage in forward feeding. Concerns regarding professionalism and clinical performance were reported as most important to share. The most important reason identified for forward feeding was the early identification of struggling residents, followed by the ability to direct teaching to the resident's specific needs, and improving the quality of feedback. Fear of creating bias was the most commonly cited concern for engaging in forward feeding, followed by fear of violating confidentiality and difficulty maintaining confidentiality. Fear of litigation was the least common concern. CONCLUSIONS: Despite concerns, the majority of program directors feel that faculty should and do engage in forward feeding. Our study confirms the importance of clinical performance and professionalism as two important themes of information shared by attendings about residents.

Perspectives of Family Medicine Clerkship Directors Regarding Forward Feeding: A CERA Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Forward feeding signifies sharing information about learners for purposes of professional and academic advancement, and promotes progression toward a competency-based educational continuum. The aim of this study is to assess reasons for difficulty or failure of the family medicine clerkship and investigate utilization and methods of forward feeding. Reasons behind medical school policies regarding forward feeding are also evaluated. METHODS: Data were collected through the 2013 Council of Academic Family Medicine (CAFM) Educational Research Alliance (CERA) Family Medicine Clerkship Director survey. Directors rated reasons for clerkship difficulty or failure on a 6-point Likert scale. They also reported if they utilized forward feeding, to whom, and the communication method used. Finally, they were asked about factors influencing institutional policy toward forward feeding, including threats of litigation. RESULTS were compared between public and private schools, and based on tenure as clerkship director. Analyses were performed using chi-square or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Knowledge deficits were the most common reason for clerkship difficulty and failure, followed by professionalism difficulties. Over half of respondents engage in forward feeding, and almost all pass this information to other clerkship directors. Concern for student privacy and faculty bias were noted as two important factors influencing school policy. While almost half of respondents felt that litigation fears influenced their school's approach to forward feeding, few were aware of any related litigation. CONCLUSIONS: Forward feeding is only utilized by half of clerkship directors. More studies regarding the potential impacts of this practice are warranted.

The "July Effect": A Look at July Medical Admissions in Teaching Hospitals.

PURPOSE: We examined the effect of admission for myocardial infarction, heart failure, or pneumonia during the first academic quarter compared with all other quarters in teaching versus nonteaching hospitals on length of stay, cost, and mortality. METHODS: Using data 2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, multivariable modeling with an interaction term was used to test teaching hospital effect by academic quarter. Logistic regression was used for mortality and log-transformed linear models for cost and length of stay. RESULTS: Charlson Index scores were similar in teaching and nonteaching hospitals. Patients admitted to teaching hospitals for myocardial infarction in the first quarter had a higher risk-adjusted mortality (1.217; confidence interval, 1.147-1.290) than those admitted to a nonteaching hospital during the same quarter (0.849; confidence interval, 0.815-0.885). Mean cost heart failure admissions averaged $584 more, and the mean length of stay was longer (0.10; P = .0127), during the first academic quarter. These effects were not present for quarters 2 through 4. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests small increases in mortality among patients admitted with myocardial infarction in the first academic quarter compared with all other quarters in teaching versus nonteaching hospitals. Increased cost and longer stay were seen for those admitted with heart failure.

Family Medicine Clerkship Directors' Influence on the Residency Program Selection Process: A CERA Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Residency directors and their associated programs devote a considerable amount of time and effort recruiting medical students. Family medicine clerkship directors may be in a position to influence a student's decision regarding specific residency programs. In this study we examined the frequency and content of discussions between family medicine clerkship directors and medical students regarding residency programs. METHODS: Data were collected as part of the 2014 Council of Academic Family Medicine Educational Research Alliance (CERA) Family Medicine Clerkship Director Survey. A list of 13 residency program features was provided, and clerkship directors were asked to categorize each item on a 5-point Likert scale assessing their importance with regards to recommendation or quality. RESULTS: The response rate was 91%. Nearly all clerkship directors (99.2%) reported that medical students often or occasionally ask their opinion regarding specific residency programs. The three most common factors considered by clerkship directors to be very or extremely influential when recommending a program are accreditation status (73.1%), location (70.3%), and curriculum (68.3%). To determine quality of a program, accreditation status (80.7%), curriculum (80.0%), and faculty reputation for teaching (78.3%) were most often cited. Marginal agreement was noted for location, board pass rate, attrition rate, and curriculum. CONCLUSION: Since nearly all clerkship directors report that medical students ask their opinion regarding specific residency programs, program directors and faculty may wish to enhance their communication with these individuals in regards to specific attributes of their residency program.

Program Director Participation in a Leadership and Management Skills Fellowship and Characteristics of Program Quality.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The association between a residency program director completing a leadership and management skills fellowship and characteristics of quality and innovation of his/her residency program has not been studied. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the association between a residency program director's completion of a specific fellowship addressing these skills (National Institute for Program Director Development or NIPDD) and characteristics of quality and innovation of the program they direct. METHODS: Using information from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and FREIDA® program characteristics were obtained. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. The relationship between programs with a NIPDD graduate as director and program quality measures and indicators of innovation was analyzed using both chi square and logistic regression. RESULTS: Initial analyses showed significant associations between the NIPDD graduate status of a program director and regional location, mean years of program director tenure, and the program's 5-year aggregate ABFM board pass rate from 2007--2011. After grouping the programs into tertiles, the regression model showed significant positive associations with programs offering international experiences and being a NIPDD graduate. CONCLUSIONS: Program director participation in a fellowship addressing leadership and management skills (ie, NIPDD) was found to be associated with higher pass rates of new graduates on a Board certification examination and predictive of programs being in the upper tertile of programs in terms of Board pass rates.

Approaching the Single Accreditation System: Curricular Variation in Allopathic, Osteopathic, and Dually Accredited Family Medicine Residency Programs.

BACKGROUND: With the approval of a single accreditation system for graduate medical education, allopathic and osteopathic residency programs are moving toward 1 set of accreditation standards, with full implementation planned for 2020. Minimal research has been done on the variations between allopathic and osteopathic family medicine (FM) residency programs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine variations in allopathic, osteopathic, and dually accredited FM programs, and to allow them to be addressed. METHODS: We collected information in July 2014 on faculty-to-resident ratio; number of half-days spent in clinic; and the months performing maternity, pediatric, and surgical care for each program from the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. Location and number of approved positions were also obtained. Data were compared between allopathic, osteopathic, and dually accredited programs. RESULTS: The number of approved positions was twice as large for allopathic and dually accredited FM programs (n = 24) compared to osteopathic programs (n = 12). Osteopathic FM programs offered 5 months of surgical training compared to 2 months in allopathic and dually accredited residencies, and resident stipends in osteopathic programs were about $2,000 lower than those in allopathic and dually accredited programs. All programs had similar faculty-to-resident ratios (1:2.8-3.3), and offered comparable months of maternity (3 months) and pediatric care (4 months) rotations. CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient experiences appeared similar between all types of FM residency programs. Key differences included smaller program size and more months of surgical experience in osteopathic programs. These differences may become increasingly important as osteopathic programs strive to meet accreditation requirements.

The effect of dual accreditation on family medicine residency programs.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In 1985, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Board of Trustees agreed to allow residency programs to become dually accredited by the AOA and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Despite the increase in such programs, there has been minimal research comparing these programs to exclusively ACGME-accredited residencies. This study examines the association between dual accreditation and suggested markers of quality. METHODS: Standard characteristics such as regional location, program structure (community or university based), postgraduate year one (PGY-1) positions offered, and salary (PGY-1) were obtained for each residency program. In addition, the faculty to resident ratio in the family medicine clinic and the number of half days residents spent in the clinic each week were recorded. Initial Match rates and pass rates of new graduates on the ABFM examination from 2009 to 2013 were also obtained. Variables were analyzed using chi-square and Student's t test. Logistic regression models were then created to predict a program's 5-year aggregate initial Match rate and Board pass rate in the top tertile as compared to the lowest tertile. RESULTS: Dual accreditation was obtained by 117 (27.0%) of programs. Initial analyses revealed associations between dually accredited programs and mean year of initial ACGME program accreditation, regional location, program structure, tracks, and alternative medicine curriculum. When evaluated in logistic regression, dual accreditation status was not associated with Match rates or ABFM pass rates. CONCLUSIONS: By examining suggested markers of program quality for dually accredited programs in comparison to ACGME-only accredited programs, this study successfully established both differences and similarities among the two types.

Are specific residency program characteristics associated with the pass rate of graduates on the ABFM certification examination?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Board certification has become an accepted measure of physician quality. The effect of both non-curricular and curricular residency program characteristics on certification rates has not been previously studied. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of various program characteristics on first-time American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) pass rates. METHODS: Using information from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), and FREIDA®, program characteristics were obtained. Three-year and 5-year aggregate ABFM board pass rates were calculated. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. The relationship between program characteristics, initial Match rates, and non-Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) required activities (NRCA), and first-time Board pass rates were analyzed using chi-square. Significance was defined as P<.05 level of confidence. RESULTS: Fifty-two percent of residency programs have ABFM board pass rates ? 90%. Both 3- and 5-year aggregate Board pass rates were significantly associated with regional location, program size, accreditation cycle length, and any NRCA, specifically including international experiences and curriculum in alternative medicine. Location type (urban, suburban, rural, or inner city), program structure, salary, moonlighting, available tracks, and P4 participation were not associated. CONCLUSIONS: The percent of first-time takers successfully completing the ABFM examination is associated with several residency program characteristics, including regional location, program size, accreditation cycle length, opportunities for international experiences, and training in alternative medicine.

Do ABFM board pass rates or additional curriculum activities affect match rates for family medicine residency programs?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: While standard characteristics, such as location and size of family medicine residency programs, have been found to be significantly associated with initial Match rates, the association of characteristics potentially related to quality or non-Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) required curricular activities (NRCA) with initial Match rates has not been previously studied. The aim of this study is to examine the association between initial program Match rates and previously uninvestigated measures of potential quality and curriculum. METHODS: Using information from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Medical Association's (AMA) FRIEDA Online® database, and National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), program-specific information was obtained. Five-year aggregate initial Match rates and American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) board pass rates were calculated. The relationship between program quality characteristics, such as accreditation cycle length, ABFM examination pass rate, and participation in NRCA (ie, specialized tracks, Preparing the Personal Physician for Practice (P4) initiative, integrative or alternative medicine curriculum, and opportunities for additional training through international experiences or training beyond accredited length), and initial program Match rates were analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty-two percent of residency programs have ABFM board pass rates ? 90%. The initial Match rate for programs was significantly associated with regional location and program size. No significant difference in initial Match rates was found between programs with board pass rates ? or < 90% or those with reported additional curricula. CONCLUSIONS: The selected measures of program quality and reported non-ACGME required curricular activities, as listed in the AMA FRIEDA Online® database, are not associated with initial Match rates.