The fast-paced, demanding field of medicine is a space where healthcare professionals, particularly residents, feel the onset of imposter syndrome. Acknowledging and facing this phenomenon head on is essential for the well-being of the residents the Resident Wellness Office support. Recently, our office came across a thought-provoking article the UBC CPD page titled, “This Changed My Practice” that explores the very real complexities of imposter syndrome in the medical community.

Some key insights and takeaways from this enlightening resource include:

1. The Prevalence of Imposter Syndrome: The article highlights that imposter syndrome is more common in medicine than one would think. It highlights personal experiences from healthcare professionals who have grappled with these feelings, fostering a sense of solidarity among readers.
2. Impact on Mental Health: The blog post discusses the potential impact of imposter syndrome on mental health, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing these feelings early on. It explores the potential consequences of unaddressed imposter syndrome, such as burnout and job dissatisfaction.
3. Strategies for Coping: The article offers practical strategies for coping with imposter syndrome. From seeking mentorship to reframing negative thoughts, the resource provides actionable steps                                                                                                                                                    for healthcare professionals during various stages of their medical career.
4. The Role of Institutional Support: The article acknowledges how fostering a culture of support and mentorship within medical organizations can significantly contribute to combating imposter syndrome.

For any residents struggling with the feeling of imposter syndrome, know you are not alone! We encourage you to read the CPD article, “Effectively Managing Imposter Syndrome in Medicine” as it serves as a valuable resource, shedding light on the prevalence of imposter syndrome in medicine and offering practical strategies for overcoming its challenges. The counsellors at the RWO are available to provide supportive counselling sessions to assist with overcoming this psychological phenomenon, enhance wellbeing and confidence throughout the remainder of residency. You can book an appointment to access free support through the RWO here.

It’s a bright new year and the Resident Wellness Office is excited about what 2024 will bring for the Peer Support Program! The RWO will be looking forward to organizing a Peer Support appreciation dinner in the spring, as well as potentially offering another training in late 2024 if demand is there. Additionally, the wellness counsellors look forward to sharing more about the Peer Support Program during site visits and workshops to various distributed and local sites.

And with the excitement of a new year, we’re introducing January’s Peer Supporter of the Month, Dr. Grace Qiao! Dr. Qiao is a staff Peer Supporter Ophthalmologist in Vancouver and UBC alumni. She first participated in the Peer Support training in 2021 with Dr. Jo Shapiro, and has since provided 3 reach outs, averaging one per year. She has expressed kindness and compassion when extending support to residents and does not hesitate to share resources that have been helpful to her during residency, like the Physicians Health Program. We are so grateful for our supporters like Grace who are willing and able to provide care and support to residents in need!

As we reflect on the past 8 months of highlighting a Peer Supporter of the Month, it has been evident that there are many wonderful residents and staff who are willing to give their support whether that be through sending an email, providing a listening ear on the phone or sharing a laugh about the struggles of residency. We are so grateful to Dr. Jo Shapiro who has worked alongside the RWO for the past 3 year to train and support the integration of the program at UBC. We look forward to more opportunities to match residents in need.

As we close the chapter on 2023, the Resident Wellness Office (RWO) proudly reflects on a year filled with growth, support, and new accomplishments in our initiatives. Let’s take a moment to recognize some of the key highlights that have made a significant impact on the well being of residents and our office as a whole.

The RWO Turned 10!

The Resident Wellness Office celebrated a milestone this year, as we turned 10 years old! From opening its doors in the fall of 2013 to residents on a part time basis, to now offering full time support to hundreds of residents annually, it is safe to say the Resident Wellness Office has grown exponentially in the last decade. To read more about our wins, read our previous blog post here!

Workshops & Retreats: Nurturing Minds, Fostering Community

In 2022/2023, the RWO team hosted 34 groups and workshops across 26 different programs and sites. From the popular Ice Cream Rounds to psychoeducation workshops, these sessions not only provided valuable tools for coping but also strengthened the sense of community among residents.

The Wellness Counsellors had an ever growing presence at Retreats this year attending to the Surrey residents, Surgical Foundations residents, as well as the Internal Medicine Bootcamps. Partaking in these unique experiences allowed our to team to support enhancing wellness both inside and outside of the traditional medical setting.

Peer Support: Strengthening Bonds, Fostering Resilience

One of the turning points of the RWO’s success in 2023 was the Peer Support program. In collaboration with Dr. Jo Shapiro from Harvard Medical School, the RWO welcomed and trained 10 new Peer Supporters. The commitment to this initiative was further emphasized through the monthly acknowledgment of a Peer Support volunteer on the RWO blog, showcasing gratitude for their unwavering dedication.

In 2023, the RWO witnessed an increase in demand for Peer Support, receiving a remarkable 43 reach-outs—a threefold increase from the previous year. What’s even more exciting is that 68% of residents who reached out accepted and responded to the support offered. Those who chose not to accept the support expressed gratitude for knowing it was readily available, creating a culture of openness and mutual support.

Engaging in the reinvigoration of the Peer Support program was meaningful to the RWO team, while meeting with different directors to understand the unique needs of each program provided invaluable insights moving the program forward into 2024.

Elder Support: A Second Year of Collaborative Growth

The Elder Support and Counselling program, now in its second year, continued its collaborative efforts with Elder Jean Wasegijig. This year, 19 counseling sessions were booked by both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous residents, reinforcing the program’s success in providing culturally sensitive and inclusive support. The RWO remains committed to working closely with Elder Jean, laying the foundation for future initiatives that will further enhance resident well being.

New Initiatives in 2023: Pioneering “Focus and Flow”

The RWO didn’t shy away from moving resident feedback forward in 2023.  We saw an increase in demand for supports with residents experiencing symptoms of ADHD in residency. A notable highlight was the pilot of “Focus and Flow,” a 6-week psychoeducation group designed to support residents experiencing symptoms of ADHD and challenges with Executive Functioning. Developed in collaboration with Dr. Brent Hogarth, this initiative aimed to equip residents with resources and tools for enhancing executive functioning skills to apply to their residency experience.

The response was overwhelming, with over 60 residents expressing interest in joining the group. In September 2023, 40 residents completed intakes, signaling the successful launch of a program that promises to make a lasting impact on the lives of those who engaged.

Staff Highlights

One of the main staff highlights from 2023 was returning to in person orientations and group sessions after Covid-19’s impact on group learning. Engaging in person with resident groups proved to be a highlight for residents as well. One resident shared “Loved loved loved [Ice Cream Rounds]! Felt that community sense afterwards that I had been missing for a while”. Ringing in the new academic year at the resident orientations in person was also a refreshing way to meet the newest cohort of medical professionals in the field. Celebrating our efforts at orientation with Dr. Roger Wong, Vice Dean of Education at the Department of Medicine, was nostalgic as his engagement to support the RWO in 2013 was instrumental.

A definite highlight for the RWO team was travelling to Halifax, NS for the International Conference on Residency Education (ICRE), in addition to meeting Dr. Jillian Horton after her keynote speech at the Resident Awards Dinner. The impact of Dr. Horton’s work, as well as her book “We Are All Perfectly Fine”, has been an inspiration to the Resident Wellness Office over the past several years. Check out our previous blog post about ICRE here.

At the end of 2023, the RWO team responded to feedback received from a group of Residents during a workshop. The residents shared how much having a coffee maker in their lounges enhanced their wellness. A Coffee Initiative Project took place in December 2023 to deliver coffee machines to all resident lounges across the province without one as a gift to wrap up the year! We are proud of our efforts to respond to resident feedback whenever possible.

Overall, one of the main takeaways from the RWO team from 2023 was the special opportunity to witness the incredible resilience and strength of residents through individual counselling sessions this year. We can’t wait to see what achievements and successes come out of 2024 and we look forward to continuing to support residents every step of the way! As we conclude this year in review, the Resident Wellness Office remains dedicated to fostering a culture of well being, support, and growth. The accomplishments of 2023 are not just markers of success but also catalysts for a promising 2024. Here’s to continued collaboration, resilience, and the pursuit of resident wellness in the years to come.

In October 2023, members of the Resident Wellness team had the privilege of attending the International Conference on Residency Education (ICRE) in Halifax, NS. ICRE was a gathering that brought together professionals from around the globe to explore and discuss the latest developments in residency education. The conference was a source of insight and inspiration, highlighting the pivotal role of advocacy and the importance of fostering a nurturing environment for learners. Our team in attendance, Nish Laszczuk, Bronwyn Taylor and Rebecca Turnbull (pictured below) left the week in Halifax with several key takeaways to bring back to the Resident Wellness Office.

Nish, one of our Wellness Counsellors, reflected on the experience at ICRE sharing, “One of my takeaways from ICRE is the vital necessity of advocacy throughout residency. It underscores the importance of an ongoing, multi-level discourse that remains integral to the residency experience.” Nish went on to share wisdom from the sessions, “Advocacy is not just a responsibility but a powerful tool for residents. Embrace it, not as a burden, but as a means to shape a better future for your patients and future residents. Your voice matters!”  Nish reflects on the potential of advocacy in shaping the landscape of healthcare and residency education.

Rebecca, longtime Wellness Counsellor with the RWO, shared her takeaway on the importance of resident learning environments. Rebecca shares her takeaways of “How important it is to foster a nurturing environment for learners. Learning and wellbeing greatly increase when residents feel safe in their work environment.” In a session on Psychological Safety, Rebecca gained valuable insights that she is looking forward to applying to her work with the resident population. In the workshop, “they named [psychological safety] as a pre-requisite for learning. They defined psychological safety as ‘the belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes.” This definition emphasizes a critical role in creating an atmosphere where residents can thrive, and contribute to the improvement of healthcare practices.

ICRE 2023 in Halifax was a transformative experience for our team, bringing back valuable lessons on the power of advocacy and the necessity of nurturing environments in residency education. As we reflect on these insights, it becomes clear that embracing advocacy and prioritizing psychological safety are not just conference themes but essential elements in shaping a brighter future for residents and the healthcare landscape as a whole. We look forward to the next conference, ICAM 2024 in April where our team will be presenting in Vancouver. The Resident Wellness Office is also excited for the opportunity to be presenting at ICRE 2024 in Ottawa!

The New Year is upon us but we can’t move forward without paying homage to all the wonderful work our Peer Support team did this year! In 2023, the Resident Wellness Office received 43 Peer Support requests, which is three times the amount of requests from 2022. The RWO is proud of all of the outreach our dedicated Peer Supporters are doing, as well as the promotion of the program our Wellness Counsellors do during site visits and workshops. We are optimistic that Peer Support will become a more recognized and accepted support moving into 2024!

To honor our December Peer Supporter of the Month, we are sharing our appreciation for Internal Medicine resident, Dr. Kevin Li. He has been a dedicated Peer Supporter with our program since 2022. He has provided two peer reach outs in 2023, to residents seeking a peer to speak to about an emotionally distressing event. We appreciate Dr. Li’s willingness and availability to provide support to his fellow residents and we are so grateful to have his dedication to our program. In an interview, we asked Dr. Li why he wanted to be a Peer Supporter. Dr. Li shared “Residency is a tough time. You don’t often have time to even care for yourself physically, let alone emotionally. I’d like to be the one lending an ear to help my peers get through this tough time!” Residency is challenging and the best people that understand residency from the perspective of a medical learner is a resident themselves! When asked what he likes the most about being a Peer Supporter, Dr. Li responded, “The collegiality, friendliness, and enthusiasm of the group!” We couldn’t agree more with this testament and the peer nomination process is a key reason why our supporters are so fantastic.

Did you know, in order to become a peer supporter with our program, residents or staff must be nominated by a colleague? This peer nomination process allows others to verify that the individual possesses excellent active listening skills, empathy and understanding for the resident experience. Dr. Li is shining example of this and we look forward to connecting future Peer Support requests with Dr. Li.

November was a busy month in the Resident Wellness Office for Peer Support reach outs. Our team is grateful that programs, residents, and program directors are gaining awareness on the program supports that are available during emotionally distressing events. Eight requests for Peer Support came through our portal in November 2023 and we were able to successfully match Peer Supporters for each request within 24 hours. Our supporters are keen, willing and available to provide a listening ear, share helpful resources and allow residents to feel connection, minimizing the sense of feeling alone. If you want to get matched with a Peer Supporter, reach out here!

The Peer Supporter we are celebrating this month is OBGYN resident, Dr. Nicole Thompson. Dr. Thompson participated in the second round of Peer Support Training hosted by the RWO in collaboration with Dr. Jo Shapiro in the beginning of 2022. She has been an active supporter since she participated in the training, and has completed 4 peer reach outs for our program. The Peer Support model aims to ensure Peer Supporters are not asked to do more than 3 peer reach outs per year. In order to maintain engagement and minimize the demand on our Peer Supporters, this model has distributed the support load across 35 trained residents and staff that volunteer for our program. Last October 2022, the RWO hosted a Peer Support training dinner with Dr. Shapiro in which Dr. Thompson attended. Her contributions to conversations regarding the “reinvigoration” of the program were instrumental and it is evident she is a charismatic healthcare provider. She has been a dedicated support to the program as a whole, and we are grateful for her commitment to providing care and compassion to her colleagues. Dr. Thompson’s compassion shines through as she signs off her emails, “Be humble. Be curious. Be kind.” 

The Resident Wellness Office is excited to announce the 2023 Wellness Initiative Fund, an exciting opportunity for residents to foster well-being within their community. Applications are now open until December 15th, 2023.

Why Participate?

Wellness lies at the heart of our values, and the Wellness Initiative Fund aims as a one-time opportunity to empower residents to curate a unique activity, event, or initiatives that promote a healthier and happier community. As a testament to the Resident Wellness Office’s commitment, funds will be distributed through a lottery system to resident-driven initiatives, enhancing well-being across distributed sites.

How It Works?

Residents can apply for funds to support diverse wellness initiatives, ranging from team-building events and movie nights to rock climbing adventures and Indigenous healing practices. Examples of past initiatives include foot massages, skating, go-karting, group dinners or could be as simple as stocking resident lounges with yummy snacks! The application process is straightforward – share your idea, and if selected, receive financial support to make it happen. Note, the maximum funding per program is capped at $500.

Who Can Apply?

Residents are encouraged to collaborate and submit group initiatives for their program or peers. Lead Residents or Wellness Representatives can apply for reimbursement, ensuring funds are distributed appropriately among contributors. A mini-report and photos documenting the wellness initiative will be required for proof.

Where to Apply?

Submit your Wellness Initiative Fund Application here, and let your creativity flourish in promoting well-being for your program.

When to Apply?

Applications are open starting November 30^th 2023, with a deadline of December 15^th 2023. The lottery-based selection process will conclude by December 20^th 2023. If your initiative is chosen, a designated Lead Resident or Wellness Representative will manage the spending and submit receipts for reimbursement by January 31^st 2024.

Important Notes:

Applications will be reviewed to ensure they meet wellness criteria and are directed toward group use. Applications for individual wellness will not be considered. The Lead Resident or Wellness Representative must be willing to handle receipts and invoices for reimbursement. For any inquiries, contact resident.wellness@ubc.ca.

Seize this opportunity to enhance resident well-being and create lasting memories with the 2023 Wellness Initiative Fund this holiday season!

October was a successful month at the Resident Wellness Office for Peer Support and we are thrilled to share some updates. In the end of September and mid-October 2023, the RWO hosted two virtual Peer Support trainings in collaboration with Dr. Jo Shapiro from Harvard. During the two hour training, attendees had experiential learning and practical application of the support model through Dr. Shapiro’s teaching lens. The RWO is pleased to announce that we have trained 10 new Peer Supporters, both staff and senior residents, who are willing and available for any new reach outs. If you are in need of some support, don’t hesitate to request Peer Support through our portal here!

For the month of October we are sharing our gratitude to Peer Supporter Dr. Hélène Morakis who has been gracious in providing support this year. Dr. Morakis is an Emergency Medicine doctor and has been involved in the Peer Support Program since 2022 when she partook in the training with Dr. Jo Shapiro during the pilot phase of our program. When asked why she wanted to be part of the program, she shared “I wanted to be part of a culture of residents helping residents, across different specialties.” The beauty of the Peer Support Program is that all requests are matched with a resident or staff that is senior and from a different program. Pairing a supporter with a resident from different years and specialties allows for anonymity, diverse perspective and the opportunity for reflection on the shared experiences of humanity. Dr. Morakis shares “my favourite thing about the Peer Support Program is normalizing the effects of adverse events on physicians, empowering residents to take care of their peers – now and in the future.” As an office supporting wellness, we couldn’t agree more. Adverse events happen, it’s normal and the aim of our program is to make talking about it a little bit easier!

We did it, one full decade! This fall marks the 10^th anniversary of the UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Resident Wellness Office (RWO) and a decade of enhancing the well-being of UBC resident doctors who are training and providing care in communities across the province. We are thrilled and pleased to share our 10 year anniversary article written by communications at the Faculty of Medicine. Please have a read to learn more about the progression of RWO over the past 10 years including words from our very own Wellness Counsellor, Rebecca Turnbull, and Vice Dean of Education, Dr. Roger Wong.

With ten full circles around the earth comes time for reflection and acknowledgement how far our office has come. We first opened doors in 2013 with one part time counsellor offering supports several days a week. Now, in 2023, we are proud to have 3 counsellors offering sessions 5 days a week, a director, an administrative coordinator and a plethora of offerings at Vancouver, Surrey, New Westminster and extended sites across the province. Over time, the RWO has expanded from just offering counselling to now providing psychoeducation workshops, group supports, Peer support, Indigenous Elder Support, an ADHD pilot support group. There are many additional supports and ambitions the Resident Wellness Office hopes to achieve in the next decade to come and we look forward to seeing where we can expand and grow.

Our number one priority has always been the wellbeing of medical learners and residents and our mission is to continue to foster compassion, community, and connection. Thank you to all that supported the RWO in 2013 until now! We are grateful everyday to support the residents at UBC as they become the skillful, compassionate doctors our communities need.

The journey of a resident doctor can be both rewarding and challenging. The long hours, intense workload, and emotional strain can take a toll on even the most dedicated healthcare professionals. In the midst of this demanding environment, Peer Support programs have emerged as a lifeline for residents, offering them a safe space to share experiences, seek guidance, and find solace in the company of their peers. In September’s blog post, we want to emphasize the significance of the Resident Wellness Office Peer Support program and introduce you to our “Peer Supporter of the Month.” Dr. Graeme Hintz has been a Peer Supporter with our program for the past two years and he is dedicate to the well-being of his colleagues. Dr. Hintz reflects on the program and his motive for supporting his community.

“I wanted to be a Peer Supporter because it is easy, especially during training, to feel as though you don’t have someone familiar with the field that you can also talk to openly about difficult situations you might find yourself in. My favourite thing about the peer support program is how quick and easy it is for those in need of support to access it.”

As Dr. Hintz suggests, it is easy to feel alone, especially in this fast paced working environment but it shouldn’t be difficult to ask for help. The Peer Support program for resident doctors is a lifeline that fosters a sense of community and belonging in a demanding profession. The program thrives on the selfless dedication of individuals who understand the importance of supporting one another through the challenges of medical training. It is through programs like ours that we create a stronger, more resilient healthcare workforce, ensuring that resident doctors can provide the best care possible to their patients.

Introducing Dr. Gurmeet Sohi, the Resident Wellness Office’s Peer Supporter of the Month. Dr. Sohi has been a peer supporter since participating in the training with Dr. Jo Shapiro in 2021. During the training, Dr. Jo Shapiro emphasizes that “the practice of medicine is filled with immense rewards and challenges. Our training and culture have explicitly stated and implicitly implied that the challenges are just part of our job and that we should be strong and not let the challenges affect us emotionally. ​ Somehow, we are meant to not feel, acknowledge that we are feeling, or process whatever feelings we have after sometimes devastating clinical traumatic events. While this denial is reasonable in the moment – where we must focus on our patients and their families – it is not a sustainable long-term practice. It is not sustainable for our own wellbeing or careers, and it is not sustainable for our capacity to give compassionate and wise care to our patients”. Dr. Shapiro’s words have had a significant impact on the Peer Support Program and have driven the desire to make peer support accessible to residents in need of having an outlet during an emotionally distressing event. ​

This month, Dr. Gurmeet Sohi is our feature supporter for August! Dr. Sohi shared in a conversation that she wanted to become a peer supporter because “being a resident comes with many challenges and I wanted to help residents navigate these difficult but extremely common experiences.” We know residency is an exceptional challenge, both physically, mentally and emotionally, even as Dr. Shapiro described in the training. Dr. Sohi shares her favourite thing about peer support is “building connections with residents from other programs!” If you want to get connected to Dr. Gurmeet Sohi through our anonymous and confidential peer support program, please don’t hesitate to request support through our request portal or by emailing resident.wellness@ubc.ca.

The Resident Wellness Office is pleased to announce our newest initiative– “Peer Supporter of the Month” to highlight some of the amazing Peer Supporters that provide reach outs to residents seeking support and validation after an emotionally distressing event. In 2021, the RWO piloted the Peer Support Program derived from Dr. Jo Shapiro’s model from Harvard Medical School. Each of our Peer Supporters are trained under Dr. Shapiro’s model and have been provided the tools to share compassion, empathy and connection to colleagues in distress. We’d like to show our appreciation by featuring a new supporter each month.

This month, we’re featuring Dr. Ben Chew! In a conversation with Dr. Chew, we asked “Why did you want to be a Peer Supporter?” Dr. Chew replied, “I wanted to be a peer supporter because someone suggested my name as they felt I already do a lot of this for our residents. It was a real compliment and I feel like it’s part of our jobs to not only teach medicine, but the human side of it as well. In a lot of aspects, being human and taking care of all our emotional needs is harder than learning medicine. It is a privilege to be able to help.” When asked what his favourite thing about peer support is, Dr. Chew replied, “My favourite thing about peer support is the ability to help others. I hope people reach out when they need to. We all need to at some point.” Thanks for all your efforts Dr. Chew!

If you or a colleague is in need of a Peer Supporter to speak to, please don’t hesitate to submit an anonymous reach out request here.