What Is a Culture Of Wellness, and How Do We Develop One?

Seemingly, everyone is discussing “wellness” and burnout now. But what is “wellness,” really? The term has been used in so many different contexts that the word itself has become almost meaningless. If you wish to increase the sense of well-being and sustainability among your faculty and learners in your EM program or institution, what might this vision look like? Where should you begin, and what should you think about?

This conversation will offer newcomers to the well-being space information to help get started on a journey towards institutional well-being. You will hear speakers from several different institutions who are actively involved in creating a culture of sustainability and well-being among their faculty, their learners, and within their institutions at large. Speakers will introduce the concept of a “culture of well-being”, discuss how they use organizational strategies to improve the sense of well-being and sustainability at their institutions, and demonstrate some “first steps” that those new to this arena can consider when starting the conversation at their home institutions.

At the end of this discussion, the learner will be able to:

  • Envision a culture of well-being appropriate for their particular setting
  • Find and utilize resources that can serve to organize and prioritize goal-setting for creating a culture of well-being.
  • Choose a few pieces of “low-hanging fruit” to successfully jump-start the conversation and begin the journey

Presenters:

  • Emily Lynn Hirsh, MD
  • Pamela Dyne, MD
  • Christine R. Stehman, MD
  • Amanda J. Deutsch, MD
  • Suzanne (Suzi) Bentley, MD, MPH