Teaching residents and program directors about physician impairment

Objective: Residents are at a higher risk than the general population for the development of stress-related problems, depression, or suicide. The authors describe a curriculum for educating PGY-1s and residency program directors about physician impairment. Methods: A resident wellness program was established with the goals of preventing resident suicide, encouraging acceptance of treatment where appropriate, preventing self-prescribing, and aiding in stress management. Results: The curriculum was rated highly by residents in the areas of program content and usefulness. Conclusions: Residents are receptive to education on physician impairment. Institutional support is necessary for effectively addressing these concerns with trainees.