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!
