Project Well Modules updated to help residents manage stressors
According to an October 2023 Medscape survey that asked U.S. medical residents about the biggest struggles they faced in residency, the four biggest challenges named were work-life balance, time pressures, fear of making a mistake and racking up student debt.
To help plastic surgery residents, the ASPS Wellness Committee refreshed its "Project Well Modules," which feature a wealth of multimedia, papers and websites for plastic surgeons that are rich in content to improve well-being on multiple fronts. The resources below are geared specifically toward some of the challenges residents face – including those cited in the Medscape survey.
Here are some of the key links:
Work/Life Balance (Career Goals)
A PRS paper discusses considerations for work-life balance and self-care that are important for preventing burnout and sustaining a rewarding career.
Work/Life Balance (Childcare)
Multiple videos available focusing on balancing the role of surgeon and mother. One video presentation is from ASPS Wellness Committee member Kate Krucoff, MD, mother of two young children. A key takeaway is to focus on quality of time at home, and not necessarily quantity.
Time Pressures (Letting Go)
Original white paper from ASPS Wellness Committee member David Kim, MD, on how "letting go" can offer a sense of empowerment and contribute to well-being.
Time Pressures (Multitasking)
Multiple resources available addressing not only the dilemmas of multitasking, but also strategies for handling the challenge when seemingly unavoidable. One PRS paper offers strategies to foster creativity for busy plastic surgeons.
Fear of Making a Mistake
Podcasts, papers and external links with advice on avoiding errors and how to deal with them when they do happen. This includes a PRS paper that proposes a simple checklist solution for avoiding errors of omission in the O.R.
Student Debt (Financial Solvency)
Papers and videos on setting your course towards financial freedom, including tips on budgeting, savings goals and investment strategies. ASPS past President and past Wellness Committee Chair Jeffrey Janis, MD, co-authored a wealth and investment primer for plastic surgeons.
Business Management (Building and Keeping Your Dream Team)
Learn some of the fundamentals of building and running a practice. ASPS members Jennifer Greer, MD, and Amita Shah, MD, have a video presentation that includes tips for not only hiring the right team but how to retain them once doing so.
Business Management (Reputation Management)
Listen to an ASPS Enhance Your Practice podcast where you'll learn simple yet effective tips on how to handle negative reviews.
If you identify a resource that you find especially valuable, it's now just one simple quick to generate an email or text to seamlessly send that resource to a fellow resident whom you feel would also benefit. Each of the more than 600 resources of Project Well Modules now has a convenient share button for both email and text.