We understand the importance of well-being during training and beyond. In order facilitate learning professional and personal skills that will keep them engaged and resilient throughout their careers, we offer a variety of well-being activities. We have two formal departmental retreats October and April to focus on well-being. The October Retreat reviews specific well-being techniques such as relaxation breathing and imagery. The April Retreat reviews professionalism and finding work/life balance. In addition, the program director has frequent formal and informal check ins with the fellow to assist in maintenance of well-being. We have created a special office space for our fellows within the division to assist in quiet time for learning during the day as well as to promote mindfulness during busy clinical months.
At the institutional level, we have implemented a self-assessment tool for fellows to monitor their level of stress/burnout. Free, confidential counseling/mental health services are provided to any fellow who feels they are in need.
The fellowship programs at Connecticut Children's also participate in a Reflective Practice and Leadership series, through the Pediatric Subspecialty Fellows' Core Curriculum. This is a longitudinal initiative in which once monthly fellows will meet with a group of facilitators, including faculty mentors to discuss clinical, psycho-social, career, personal, and ethical challenges that they face as professionals. The model is designed to help trainees analyze and manage complex professional problems through collaborative team discussions/mentoring by faculty and peers.
The Pediatric Subspecialty Fellowship Administrative team seeks to aid fellows in reducing stress in many areas of their program. Recent initiatives include:
- Snack boxes which are restocked regularly to ensure proper nutrition during shifts/rotations
- “Study kit” provided to fellows during board prep. Complete with food, highlighters, comfy socks and more!
- A retreat for all fellows across all 12 pediatric programs, at minimum, once a year during the day, which includes lunch and a team building exercise or activity
UConn School of Medicine Graduate Medical Education is committed to supporting the well-being of all our residents and fellows during their training program. For a full list of resources offered through UConn Health, the Capital Area Health Consortium and the broader community, please visit the Graduate Medical Education Office Well-Being website.
