Talks
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Staff
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Family Medicine
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Family Medicine
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Faculty
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Family Medicine
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Family Medicine
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Staff
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Family Medicine
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
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Patient Care
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Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: The Fortify Resilience Initiative (FRI) is focused on building and sustaining a culture of well-being for Residents and Fellows (R/Fs) at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Medicine (SOM) Graduate Medical Education (GME) residency and fellowship programs. The current literature underscores the pressing need to address the mental health and well-being of medical residents and fellows, who face heightened risks of burnout and psychological distress. These challenges are particularly acute in underserved regions like the Rio Grande Valley, where healthcare workforce shortages exacerbate health disparities. By promoting the well-being of medical residents and fellows, the goals of FRI are to promote the resilience of the healthcare workforce, improve care quality, and contribute to advancing health equity. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the FRI well-being services by investigating the relationship between service participation and psychological outcomes (i.e., psychological flexibility, self-compassion, resilience, and burnout) and identify factors associated with service utilization.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included participants from UTRGV SOM GME residency and fellowship programs across all specialty areas. Online surveys were disseminated to 140 past and current UTRGV SOM GME R/Fs via Qualtrics. Currently, 50 R/Fs have responded to the survey (35.71% response rate). The survey collected demographic data (i.e., age, gender, race, income, relationship status, number child dependents), program characteristics (i.e., specialty, year of residency), and awareness and utilization rates of wellness services. Psychological flexibility, self-compassion, resilience, and burnout were measured using validated instruments. Additionally, single-item measures were used to assess R/Fs perceived social support, mental health, and physical health. The survey took participants approximately 15 minutes to complete. R/Fs who completed the survey received a $20 gift card via Tango.
Results: Preliminary findings indicate high awareness of FRI services among residents (>85%) and varied participation rates across service types. Early descriptive analyses indicate trends toward higher psychological flexibility, resilience, and self-compassion among residents utilizing FRI wellness services. Detailed descriptive, correlational, and inferential analyses are ongoing, with results expected to highlight significant relationships between service participation and measures of psychological well-being.
Conclusions: The Fortify Resilience Initiative contributes to promoting health equity by addressing the well-being of medical residents and fellows who serve underserved communities. By enhancing psychological resilience and reducing burnout, this initiative supports the development of a sustainable healthcare workforce equipped to meet the needs of diverse populations. Preliminary findings suggest that participation in wellness services may positively impact key psychological outcomes, underscoring the importance of integrating such services into residency programs. This study highlights the role of resident well-being in advancing health equity and eliminating health disparities in regions with significant healthcare access challenges. Ongoing analyses will provide actionable insights for improving resident wellness and fostering equity-driven healthcare practices.
Recommended Citation
Perez, Monica C.; George, Deepu; Hernandez, Maria G.; Garza, JoAnna; Cantu Cazares, Yvette K.; and Perez, Mayrin A., "Promoting Resident Well-Being through the Fortify Resilience Initiative: Exploring the Impact of Wellness Interventions on Psychological Outcomes in Graduate Medical Education and Beyond" (2025). Research Symposium. 19.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/talks/19
Included in
Promoting Resident Well-Being through the Fortify Resilience Initiative: Exploring the Impact of Wellness Interventions on Psychological Outcomes in Graduate Medical Education and Beyond
Background: The Fortify Resilience Initiative (FRI) is focused on building and sustaining a culture of well-being for Residents and Fellows (R/Fs) at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Medicine (SOM) Graduate Medical Education (GME) residency and fellowship programs. The current literature underscores the pressing need to address the mental health and well-being of medical residents and fellows, who face heightened risks of burnout and psychological distress. These challenges are particularly acute in underserved regions like the Rio Grande Valley, where healthcare workforce shortages exacerbate health disparities. By promoting the well-being of medical residents and fellows, the goals of FRI are to promote the resilience of the healthcare workforce, improve care quality, and contribute to advancing health equity. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the FRI well-being services by investigating the relationship between service participation and psychological outcomes (i.e., psychological flexibility, self-compassion, resilience, and burnout) and identify factors associated with service utilization.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included participants from UTRGV SOM GME residency and fellowship programs across all specialty areas. Online surveys were disseminated to 140 past and current UTRGV SOM GME R/Fs via Qualtrics. Currently, 50 R/Fs have responded to the survey (35.71% response rate). The survey collected demographic data (i.e., age, gender, race, income, relationship status, number child dependents), program characteristics (i.e., specialty, year of residency), and awareness and utilization rates of wellness services. Psychological flexibility, self-compassion, resilience, and burnout were measured using validated instruments. Additionally, single-item measures were used to assess R/Fs perceived social support, mental health, and physical health. The survey took participants approximately 15 minutes to complete. R/Fs who completed the survey received a $20 gift card via Tango.
Results: Preliminary findings indicate high awareness of FRI services among residents (>85%) and varied participation rates across service types. Early descriptive analyses indicate trends toward higher psychological flexibility, resilience, and self-compassion among residents utilizing FRI wellness services. Detailed descriptive, correlational, and inferential analyses are ongoing, with results expected to highlight significant relationships between service participation and measures of psychological well-being.
Conclusions: The Fortify Resilience Initiative contributes to promoting health equity by addressing the well-being of medical residents and fellows who serve underserved communities. By enhancing psychological resilience and reducing burnout, this initiative supports the development of a sustainable healthcare workforce equipped to meet the needs of diverse populations. Preliminary findings suggest that participation in wellness services may positively impact key psychological outcomes, underscoring the importance of integrating such services into residency programs. This study highlights the role of resident well-being in advancing health equity and eliminating health disparities in regions with significant healthcare access challenges. Ongoing analyses will provide actionable insights for improving resident wellness and fostering equity-driven healthcare practices.
