Burnout Among Psychiatry Residents and One Program’s Approach to Creating a Culture of Wellness

Psychiatry residency training includes unique characteristics that can predispose trainees to burnout, including vicarious traumatization, prevalence of patient suicide and violence in the workplace, and social stigma surrounding mental health. For the purposes of this article, the authors examine these contributing factors and address how psychiatry residency training programs, specifically the Kaiser Permanente Oakland program, are responding to these unique challenges with wellness initiatives. Initiatives to promote wellness at Kaiser Permanente Oakland include a resident and faculty–led wellness committee, work-hour limits, reasonable call schedules, a robust mentorship program, funded social and networking events programs, and comprehensive mental health services.