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Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017
| Contributor Information
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Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Bullying. Depression. Suicidality. Not enough time to attend to personal health and wellness or to have satisfying social lives. Doubting their ability to be good physicians. These are just a few of the challenges and stresses that residents face in 2017. But there is joy and fulfillment as well. What factors are residents considering as they look forward to their first job?
More than 1500 medical residents in over 25 specialties offered insights into these and other pressing issues. All participants were enrolled in a US medical resident program.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
It's not surprising that work–life balance was cited as residents' biggest (33%) challenge. It also took the top spot in our 2016 and 2015 reports. Dealing with time pressures was the second greatest challenge in 2016, and it took second place again this year.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Residents are no strangers to being bullied. In fact, 22% of residents report that they are either often or occasionally bullied. Women are more often targets of bullying than are men, according to our survey results.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Over half (56%) of residents pointed their fingers at attendings, 46% say nurses are the bullies, 38% put the blame on senior residents, and 27% say that other residents exhibit this negative behavior.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
One in 10 residents admitted to being depressed all or most of the time, mirroring last year's findings. Also echoing last year's findings, over half of residents said they rarely or never get depressed. More men than women (56% vs 44%) said they rarely or never get depressed.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Despite the stress and pressure, over three quarters (85%) of residents indicated that they have never considered suicide. Among the 11% of residents who have thought about suicide, more women (15%) than men (9%) have had suicidal thoughts.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Among the general public, there is sometimes a stigma against seeking mental health therapy, and residents are no different.More than two thirds (67%) of residents said they strongly or somewhat agree that there is a stigma among peers against seeking mental health support.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
In 2016, 65% of residents said they take time for themselves, whether sometimes, most of the time, or always. In 2017, that number is also 65%, although slightly more said "sometimes" and slightly fewer said "always or most of the time."
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Almost one fifth (19%) of men said they always or mostly have time for their own wellness, compared with 15% of women. About a third or more of both genders rarely or never have time.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Expectations don't always come to fruition. Most residents (43%) feel that the balance between their personal and professional lives is pretty much what they were anticipating. A lucky 23% said the balance is much or somewhat better than they had envisioned.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Social life clearly takes a back seat for residents.Less than one fifth (18%) of respondents said they always/mostly have time to lead a satisfying social life, while 37% said they never or rarely have time. And 68% have seen relationships fail because they don't have adequate time for a social life.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Almost half of residents (46%) said they would like to be in a long-term relationship with another physician. One reason may be each partner's ability to relate to the challenges and stresses that the other faces.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Almost half (48%) of residents acknowledged that sometimes they are too fatigued to function well due to long shifts, and 19% said they are always or mostly too tired to function well.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
The recent increase in allowable shift hours for first-year residents has stirred up controversy. Just over half of our survey's respondents say they believe that these longer hours will result in more accidents and errors, while 48% don't think more harm or mistakes will occur.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Two thirds (66%) of residents said stress could be relieved by having a manageable work schedule and call-hours, but for 42% of residents, sufficient compensation is the cure-all. Meanwhile, 39% said reasonable patient loads would combat burnout.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Half of residents said they sometimes doubt their ability to be a good physician. Men appear to be more confident, with over one third (35%) indicating that they rarely or never doubt their ability, compared with 21% of women; 26% of women always or mostly had doubts, compared with 17% of men.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Confidence levels about committing errors vary among residents. Almost half (47%) are sometimes afraid of making a serious mistake, while 44% indicated that they rarely or never worry about it.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Clinical knowledge and gaining experience topped the list; gratitude from and relationships with patients was also mentioned by a majority of residents.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
A good work schedule and reasonable call hours are the most important factors residents consider when looking for their first job as a physician. Supportive organizational/practice environment and the starting salary were also mentioned.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Residents are eager to embrace technology that enables remote health visits. Over two thirds (70%) of residents said they are willing to consult online through video, 64% gave the thumbs-up to phone consults, 53% said they are willing to consult online by email, and 27% are in favor of text messaging.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Despite the challenges, stress, long shifts, and threats of burnout, the majority (85%) of residents are looking forward to their work. Only 11% of respondents indicated that they are undecided about their future career choice, and 4% said they are not looking forward to it.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Most residents (71%) work in hospital settings, despite the fact that working in military and underserved areas offers some relief from medical school debt. Only 14% of residents chose academic, research, military, or government settings.
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
Residents Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2017
Sandra Levy | August 9, 2017 | Contributor Information
More than 19,200 physicians in over 27 specialties responded to this year's Medscape compensation survey and told about their compensation, productivity, challenges, and more.Medscape Features Slideshows, April 2017
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Sandra Levy
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