Wellspan Good Samaritan - Family Residency - Laserdome 2024 03.09.24

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

The laser tag and arcade activity for our family medicine program residents was seen as a means of promoting teamwork, relieving stress, encouraging physical activity, fostering relationships outside of work, and boosting morale. Most residents saw the activity as a way to foster team spirit among residents and an opportunity to build relationships with their colleagues outside of the clinical setting.

2. Why did you choose this specific wellness activity?

The choice of a laser tag and arcade activity for residents in our family medicine program was made for several reasons.
The laser tag activity provided an opportunity for residents to engage in a thrilling and interactive team-building experience, fostering camaraderie and enhancing teamwork skills such as effective communication and developing strategies; crucial in their medical practice.
Both activities offered a chance for residents to unwind and relieve stress from the demanding nature of their training. Laughter is the best medicine, and there was plenty of that throughout the day.
Additionally, laser tag and arcade games encouraged physical activity, contributing to residents' health and fitness. Moreover, the event facilitated social interaction with colleagues outside the clinical setting and their family, strengthening relationships among residents. Overall, this activity was selected to promote wellness among our dedicated residents!

3. During the project what tangible tools and strategies were demonstrated or taught to address wellness and life balance?

During our day at LaserDome, we engaged in laser tag matches and provided unlimited access to arcade games, featuring interactive experiences like dance-offs and ice hockey. This encouraged healthy competition among participants.
During laser tag matches, participants were divided into two teams, comprising residents from different years, which fostered inter-year collaboration. Engaging in cooperative gameplay, such as strategizing together during laser tag matches, highlighted the importance of exercise and teamwork in maintaining wellness.
Additionally, the event offered opportunities for residents to socialize outside of their usual circles, promoting diverse social connections and support networks.
These games also encouraged residents to stay active and engaged throughout the event while promoting physical activity.

By integrating leisure activities into their routines, residents were motivated to prioritize self-care and achieve a balanced lifestyle, demonstrating practical methods for incorporating wellness activities into their residency training.

4. 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?

Upon returning to work, we intend to apply the lessons learned and practiced during the event to enhance our response to stressful situations. Specifically, we plan to utilize the teamwork and communication skills honed during the activity to effectively collaborate with colleagues and navigate challenging scenarios. Moreover, our goal is to integrate intervals of leisure and recreation into our busy schedules to handle stress more efficiently and maintain a healthy work-life balance. We are thankful for the support from our residency leadership and will use this event as a way to highlight the importance of intentionally scheduling more fun and interactive activities for our residents, perhaps even inspire our faculty to be intentional in creating space for their well-being. By drawing on the experiences from the activity, we believe we can better cope with
stressors in the workplace and contribute positively to patient care and team dynamics. Furthermore, we will remember that just like any arcade game, we can always try again!

5. What can POMA do to address wellness and life balance for your future?

We are grateful for POMA's invaluable support in organizing the wonderful laser tag event for our hardworking residents. Looking to the future, there are several ways POMA can continue to address wellness and life balance for our residents.
Firstly, they could organize regular wellness workshops or seminars covering topics such as stress management, mindfulness techniques, and strategies for maintaining work-life balance.
Additionally, POMA could provide resources or support for creating wellness initiatives within our program, such as implementing regular physical activity breaks, offering mental health resources, or promoting social events to foster community and support networks. Moreover, they could facilitate access to counseling services or mental health resources for residents in need of additional support.
Overall, by continuing to prioritize wellness initiatives and offering support tailored to the needs of our residents, POMA can play a crucial role in promoting the health and well- being of our medical community in the future.