Women Just Wanna Have Time: Wellness Innovation Research

Introduction: Studies show that the stress that resident physicians endure, particularly female residents, can have a negative impact on one’s overall well-being. Many interventional studies have explored the impact that mindfulness, meditation, and exercise have on stress, a negative influencer of well-being. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate how short, self-led mindfulness, meditation, and movement exercises impacted OB/GYN residents at a university-based program. Methods: Participants voluntarily enrolled in a self-led program (fall 2019 – spring 2020) encompassing movement, mindfulness, and meditative activities, for which they received instructions by email detailing six 21-day cycles (requiring 15 minutes of daily participation). Periodically, re-engagement reminders were sent. A total of four surveys tracking impact and well-being were utilized via REDCap throughout the study (incentivized by Amazon gift cards). Results: Initial voluntary participation was 29% of the residency program (8/28, 100% women); however, after a precipitous drop (75%, 6/8) following the first survey, and minimal participation thereafter, the study terminated early due to lack of participation. Investigations into the nature of the early termination revealed that time was the major limiting factor for participation, along with the cumbersome nature of the REDCap survey methodology. Conclusion: Future studies and interventions that seek to impact the well-being of already busy clinicians should consider both their perceived and real effects on free time. Otherwise, stress reduction interventions paradoxically and inadvertently can increase stress and perceived daily burdens