Most medical science educators experience periods of their careers when they are particularly stressed or burned out, contributing to reduced career satisfaction. In addition to negatively impacting them personally, their burnout also can negatively impact their families, patients, coworkers, and trainees. According to the AAMC, the majority of US medical school faculty have symptoms of stress or burnout, with the highest rates reported in women faculty and associate professors. Most medical students also experience significant stress throughout their training. Many factors ranging across institutional, system, and personal levels can contribute to stress and burnout. While acknowledging the importance of advocating for changes within institutional and system levels, this session will focus on the individual level by equipping attendees with evidence-based tools to improve their own wellbeing and career satisfaction. This session will implement a variety of activities grounded in the Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) framework. This framework stems from a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that has been supported by decades of research. To be clear, this focus session is not therapy! The evidence-based tenants of ACT have expanded to professional development, and research supports its utility in the workplace. During the focus session, attendees will experience active learning exercises to encourage focusing on the present, identifying personal values, and committing to action guided by one’s values. We will discuss how this approach can empower educators and trainees to rediscover purpose and joy in their careers.

Agenda & Methods

• 00:10 - Introductions and hearing from the audience (Anonymous Polling, Group Brainstorming)
  Goals: Learn about attendees current career satisfaction. Identify factors that dampen joy.
• 00:25 - ACT Introduction (Didactic)
  Goal: Provide introduction to ACT and our work as Health Professions Educators or Trainees
• 00:50 - Identifying Values (Think-pair-share)
  Goals: Identify our values as educators. Understand what brings value and meaning to us.
• 01:05 - Being Present (Individual and Large Group)
  Goal: Create mindfulness practices and a sense of presence in our work.
• 01:20 - Do what matters. (Individual worksheet and commitment)
  Goal: Create individual actions, including a follow up commitment from the presenters.
• 01:30 - Wrap up and questions (large group discussion)
  Goal: Answer remaining questions about the content and activities presented.