Penn Highlands Health Care Family Medicine – Dinner and Movie - March 31, 2023

Penn Highland Family Medicine used their POMA Foundation Wellness Grant to enjoy dinner and private screening the Greatest Showman. The group was joined by ....

.their program director and POMA President Lisa Witherite-Rieg, DO. They are met at the theater for popcorn, pizza and a nice break from the stresses of residency. 

1. What was the general understanding of the purpose of the project/program by participants?

–For the residents and all invited to have a chance to relax and connect in a non-clinical/work setting.

Improve mental and physical well-being through social activity.

The purpose of the program was to allow us to have some wellness time, engage in self-care and relaxation.

The goal was to promote mental wellness while building camaraderie 

To improve life balance of residents and teach them how to build skills that will allow them to incorporate life balance as a physician.  

The general understanding was that this event was team building in nature outside of work. It was a way to connect residents outside of work in a relaxed manner.

To encourage program and residence cohesion.

2. During the project/program, what tangible tools or strategies were demonstrated or taught (i.e., coping skills for wellness and life balance)?

- Work-life balance

Developing social relationships, establishing priorities, teamwork.

We were taught relaxation and that it is okay to put work away for a few hours to be in the moment.

I felt I was able to appreciate that my own stressors are shared by my coresidents, and the social activity acted as a model for a sustainable strategy to maintain wellness. ​

Developing camaraderie among peers.

It encouraged interactions between residents for wellness and to prioritize time outside of work

Making a conscious effort to prioritize wellness and team-building activities

3. What word(s) best describes how you feel when you are experiencing stress or well-being imbalance?

- Overwhelmed, scattered, doubt, alone.

Disorganized, tired, inattentive

Overwhelmed, isolated, depressed.

On-edge, fatigued, low mood​

Overwhelmed, burned out, uncertainty, insecurity

Unbalanced, anxious, confused

Tired and sleepy

4. What suggestions do you have to increase the probability of success for the project/program for other institutions?

-Built in/ protected time for resident wellness

Continue activities that allow for involvement and participation of all inviduals. 

I would recommend wellness be a more regular part of the instruction and programming.

I think it would be helpful to organize the activity well in advance so all parties will have ample time to include this in their schedules. ​

Place a higher focus on a system that promotes constructive criticism in high stress rotations to help combat resident burnout at the source.

It would be valuable to have quarterly projects similar to this one to improve wellness outside of work and as a teambuilding exercise.

Advertise the program and obtain testimonials

5. What do you intend to do, upon returning to work, that you learned and practiced during the activity, that will improve your response to stressful situations?

-Become more aware when I am reaching a level I cannot maintain and correct it before I feel burnt out.

Better communication with coworkers, taking time and space to clear my mind to develop a plan of action.

I intend to continue utilizing a good work/life balance to prevent myself from getting burnout and overwhelmed by work.

After the activity, I have frankly gained a greater respect for the value of social activities during the work-week. Ever since then, I have made a point to participate in some weekly social activity at least one weeknight.​

Make time for self-wellness including recreation, healthy lifestyle, etc.

I would place more emphasis on wellness in my life. I will create a more balanced schedule that prioritizes my interests outside of work.

Watch more movies and contact the residents to check-in