• Eunice Y Huang, Rebecca A Saberi, Kerri Palamara, Danielle Katz, Heidi Chen, and Holly L Neville.
• Department of Pediatric Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, Nashville, TN.
• Ann. Surg. 2024 Mar 4.

ObjectiveTo assess impact of participation in a positive psychology coaching program on trainee burnout and well-being.BackgroundCoaching using principles of positive psychology can improve well-being and reduce physician burnout. We hypothesized that participation in a coaching program would improve pediatric surgery trainee well-being.MethodsWith IRB approval, a coaching program was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic (9/2020-7/2021) in the American Pediatric Surgical Association. Volunteer pediatric surgery trainees (n=43) were randomized to receive either one-on-one quarterly virtual coaching (n=22) from a pediatric surgeon trained in coaching skills or wellness reading materials (n=21). Participants completed pre- and post-study surveys containing validated measures including PERMA (positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, accomplishment), professional fulfillment, burnout, self-valuation, gratitude, coping skills, and workplace experiences. Results were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank sum test, Kruskal-Wallis test, or chi-square test.ResultsForty trainees (93%) completed both the baseline and year-end surveys and were included in the analysis. Twenty-five (64%) were female, mean age 35.7 (SD 2.3), 65% first-year fellows. Coached trainees showed an improved change in PERMA (P=0.034), burnout (P=0.024), and gratitude (P=0.03) scores from pre- to post-coaching compared to non-coached trainees. Coping skills also improved. More coaching sessions was associated with higher self-valuation scores (P=0.042), and more opportunities to reflect was associated with improved burnout and self-valuation.ConclusionsDespite the stress and challenges of medicine during COVID-19, a virtual positive psychology coaching program provided benefit in well-being and burnout to pediatric surgery trainees. Coaching should be integrated into existing wellness programs to support acquisition of coping skills that help trainees cope with the stressors they will face during their careers.Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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