Impact of a Participatory Wellness Continuing Medical Education Program on Physician Burnout and Well-Being.

Abstract

Examine the impact of a participatory wellness continuing medical education (CME) program on physician burnout, wellness, and well-being. Physicians attending a 3-day wellness CME program. Self-reported questionnaires at baseline with paired analyses at 26-week follow-up. Compared to baseline, at 26 weeks there were decreases in burnout ( P < 0.001, ES -0.68), red meat consumption ( P = 0.02, ES -0.29), and current stress levels ( P < 0.001, ES -0.50). There were increases in fruit/vegetable consumption ( P < 0.001, ES 0.55), energy levels at work ( P < 0.001, ES 0.60) and at home ( P < 0.001, ES 0.66), quality of life ( P < 0.001, ES 0.53), and confidence ( P < 0.001, ES 0.89) and frequency ( P = 0.01, ES 0.32) of counseling patients on wellness. Attendance at this participatory wellness CME program was associated with improved physician burnout, health behaviors in diet, stress, energy, quality of life, and wellness counseling.