Resident Support Services
To meet the needs of our trainees, CHLA has a full-time Resident and Fellow Wellness Coordinator. We have also established several programs to address bereavement and burnout issues that arise as a result of patient care-related stressors:
- Monthly wellness groups for residents, which are led by the same facilitator throughout the residents’ three years of training
- Twice-yearly scheduled check-and-connect sessions with our employee assistance staff. Participation is confidential, and residents have the ability to opt out if desired.
- Direct follow-up with trainees after the death of a patient to provide grief support and other resources as needed
- GME subcommittee on wellness with representation from faculty, fellows and residents to assess and support institutional wellness
- Quarterly significant other groups for partners of trainees, which provide guidance and peer support in areas such as enhancing communication, supporting your partner during medical training and sustaining your relationship
- Pre-rotation meetings for residents starting their first Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) or Oncology rotation with the respective nursing staff to address any concerns about these areas of the hospital and to enhance collaboration
- Post-rotation ritual following the PICU, NICU and Oncology rotations, to allow for expression of grief and mutual support
- Designed therapist for trainees, free of charge and with flexible hours
- Resources for outside therapy for trainees including reimbursements to offset costs
- “Renewing the Spirit of Medicine” monthly meetings outside of the hospital
- Schwartz Rounds