528 - Utilization of and Reactions to Opt-Out Proactive Individual Mental Health Sessions for Pediatric Residents

Monday, May 1, 2023

9:30 AM – 11:30 AM ET

Poster Number: 528
Publication Number: 528.424

Catherine Posada, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, washington, DC, United States; Avante J. Smack, Children's National Health System, District of Columbia, DC, United States; Eleanor R. Mackey, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, United States; Randi Streisand, Children's National Hospital, Washington DC, DC, United States; Aisha Barber, Children's National Hospital, Washington DC, DC, United States

Presenting Author(s)

CP

Catherine Posada, MD

Primary care pediatrician
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
washington, District of Columbia, United States

Background: There are substantial barriers to residents establishing mental health care including stigma, cost, timing, availability of in-network providers, finding providers who understand the rigors of residency, and overcoming the activation energy to make an appointment. This is particularly relevant during these challenging times for healthcare. The Pediatric Residency Program and Psychology Department have established a partnership to provide no-cost opt-out individual mental health wellness sessions to all pediatric residents with a goal of fostering self-care habits that will allow future pediatricians to sustain career-long contributions to child health.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to describe utilization and impact of opt-out mental health wellness program.

Design/Methods:

We scheduled all PL1, PL2 and PL3 resident physicians for a 45 minute, no-cost, opt-out mental health session with a psychologist from our institution. Visits are built into residents' schedules and residents are not required to utilize leave for visits. Residents completed an anonymous and voluntary well-being evidence-based assessment tool to be completed prior to their visit to prime them for the discussion. Following the session, residents completed an anonymous survey to evaluate resident attitudes about and satisfaction with the appointment.

Results:

Over 11 months, 213 visits were scheduled. Ten of these visits were follow up visits requested by the resident. During the pilot period, 44% of visits were attended. 52% of residents who attended a visit completed the satisfaction survey. 92% found the visits convenient. 81% reported positive or very positive feelings about the session before the visit. 98% of participants reported positive or very positive feelings about the session after the visit. When asked whether the session changed the way the participant thinks about seeking mental health resources, 58% indicated that the visit made them more likely to seek mental health resources, 42% indicated no change in their likelihood of seeking mental health resources, and none indicated that they are less likely to seek mental health resources. 98% of participants recommend continuing this program.

Conclusion(s):

In conclusion, our program sought to provide accessible individual mental health and well-being sessions to pediatric residents through an opt-out program. Residents report being highly satisfied with these visits and that they are more likely to seek mental health support after participating. This model of proactive and convenient mental health support warrants further exploration.