Taking care of medical residents through intentional wellness interventions

Taking care of the caretakers

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People are drawn to the field of medicine to serve, and medical students are fully ready to sacrifice themselves to the rigors of residency. But the demands of medical education can take a significant toll. Physician burnout can lead to poorer patient care and increased medical errors as well as increased rates of substance abuse, suicide, and intent to leave practice.

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A preeminent east coast hospital and medical school asked Daylight to help them better support their students to prepare them for long, successful careers in medicine. We created a comprehensive set of wellness interventions that targeted a variety of student needs from physical care to mental health.

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The medical institution rolled out our interventions with their residents and presented our toolkit at a national conference for internal medicine. As they track the long-term impact of the program, the institution continues to advocate for creating a healthier, more sustainable medical school experience for all.

Prioritizing wellness

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By immersing ourselves in the intense world of medicine and listening to residents' stories, we found that Maslow's hierarchy of needs was oddly inverted for these medical professionals. Residents had a profound sense of purpose, but were having trouble taking care of their own basic needs like eating and drinking.

A suite of interventions

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Daylight developed 16 interventions — everything from fueling residents with healthy portable snacks to providing package deliveries at the hospital. These interventions were designed to fit into the residents' busy lives and to enhance rather than interfere with the rigors of residency.

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Our client rolled out the first round of interventions on their campus and presented the suite of interventions as a toolkit during a national conference for internal medicine programs. They continue work tracking efficacy and improvement to inspire other institutions across the country.