Physician and Trainee Wellness
Our lab led the design, implementation, and evaluation of The Family Anesthesia Experience initiative, featuring the innovative use of simulation in institutional wellness provision programming. Simulation is a tool effectively used for clinical task training for medical trainees but has rarely been used to combat medical professional stress and enhance wellness.
Related publications and news reports
FAX Study
A family-focused educational experience to enhance the wellbeing of new anesthesiology residents
The family anesthesiology experience (FAX) is a wellness initiative that was developed by the Department of Anesthesiology (TEACHER lab faculty involved: Susan Martinelli, Robert Isaak) in 2017. This event is held annually for new anesthesiology residents and their support persons. It consists of presentations on wellness, burnout, substance abuse, and local wellness resources and demonstrations on patient care activities in anesthesiology (airway management, central lines, neuraxial and peripheral nerve block, and perioperative experience). This event introduces support persons to the work-related demands of anesthesiology in hopes of improving communication and social support between the provider and their support persons to promote wellness and decrease burnout.
Martinelli SM, Isaak RS, Chidgey BA, Bullard TL, DiLorenzo A, Rebel A, Chen F. Family Comes First: A Pilot Study of the Incorporation of Social Support into Resident Well-being. J Educ Periop Med Issue IV, Vol XXII. Oct-Dec 2020. DOI: 10.46374/volxxii-issue4-martinelli
Martinelli SM, Chen F, Hobbs G, Chidgey BA, Straube LE, Zvara D, Isaak R. The Use of Simulation to Improve Family Understanding and Support of Anesthesia Providers. Cureus. 2018 Mar 2; 10(3): e2262. doi:10.7759/cureus.2262
Medical Student Family Day
An adaptation from the FAX study: The Family Experience intervention for medical students
Participants of this study were 3rd year medical students who were starting clinical rotations, a vulnerable time for depression and burnout. The event was held virtually in the Spring of 2021 and the content presented were modified to reflect the clinical rotation experience. Presentations consisted of an introduction to the leadership, a panel of 4th year medical students and their support persons, and lectures on wellness, burnout, and local wellness resources. The last hour was dedicated to virtual simulation sessions and discussions demonstrating clinical experiences the students would encounter. We hope that the intervention improves support person’s understanding of the clinical years of medical school, increases wellness, and reduces burnout.
Related publications and news reports
Contact TEACHER Lab
Department of Anesthesiology
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Phone 919-966-5136
Email: Anes_TEACHER_Lab@med.unc.edu