Evaluation of a Daily Brief Exercise Intervention on Resident Physician Personal Resiliency and Burnout

Evaluation of a Daily Brief Exercise Intervention on Resident Physician Personal Resiliency and Burnout

This study seeks to evaluate the prevalence and characterize predictors of physician burnout in the anesthesia residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The study also seeks to evaluate the effect of an exercise intervention on burnout and personal resiliency (i.e., less individual stress given the same workload).

A cross-sectional evaluation of burnout, perceived stress, average sleep propensity, and social support and coping mechanisms will be assessed from four years of Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) Anesthesia residents. Burnout will be assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS).

Participating interns, Anesthesia Residency Class 1 (CA-1), and Anesthesia Residency Class 2 (CA-2) classes will be randomized to 8 weeks of an exercise intervention (15 min of activity at 70% of max heart rate or higher, 5 days a week) to meet the activity recommendations of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion or 8 weeks of continuing their baseline activity level prior to the study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Vanderbilt University Medical Center Anesthesiology residents (Class 1(CA-1), Class 2 (CA-2)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Failure to sign informed consent
• Will not be in town and available for the full duration of the study (e.g., 2 or more weeks of vacation or absence)
• Physical inability to perform the exercise intervention (including health indications)