To assess the clinical environment of Neurology residents at an Academic medical center to ameliorate their physical and psychological health, address factors contributing to burnout, enhancing their ability to best care for patients as well as themselves.

The ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú has published on significant burnout in Neurologists. An assessment of the clinical learning environment was conducted as a first step to identify opportunities for program improvement.

This IRB approved study collected anonymous survey data from resident physicians from 20 residency programs at an Academic Medical center by paper or electronic questionnaire. Included in the survey were validated scales to assess the psychological safety, well-being, burnout, and mistreatment in respondents. Data from Neurology residents (NEURO) was compared to non-neurology residents (Non-NEURO). A Mann Whitney U group comparison test was conducted across the well-being and clinical learning environment.

With a response rate of 67%, Neurology residents had significantly lower scores on perceived organizational support compared to non-Neurology residents (U= 1358, p=.03). They felt that taking risks was safe (83% NEURO vs 69% Non-NEURO) but felt mistakes were held against them (33% vs 16%). Mini-Z burnout scale revealed proficiency with electronic health records (EHR) (92% vs 73%), but insufficient time for documentation (92% vs 77%). Neurology residents were threatened with physical harm by patients or their family (50% vs 22%), but not by healthcare members (0% vs 4%). Neurology residents had a 25% risk for an adverse event based on poor well-being compared to 16% Non-NEURO. Not all measures reached statistical significance.

These results demonstrate specific opportunities for the Neurology program to improve the clinical learning environment, and may reflect the experiences of Neurologists in general. Knowing that residents feel safe to speak about their concerns should lay the groundwork for more open discussion about specific items in the Resident questionnaires.