Making housestaff feel at home: impact of workspace interventions on anatomic pathology trainee wellness

Abstract

To improve trainee well-being in a healthcare setting, we implemented changes shown to significantly improve employee well-being in corporate settings in an anatomic pathology (AP) trainee workspace at one large academic program and measured changes in trainee stress and well-being. An IRB-approved survey was distributed to trainees before and after implementation of workspace modifications, which included deep cleaning of the physical space, making storage space for personal items, improving access to perishable and nonperishable foods, arranging equipment to facilitate ergonomic use, and providing real and artificial visuals of nature. The survey incorporated evidence-based scales including the Ambient Belonging Scale (ABS), the five-item WHO-5 Well-Being Index, the five-item modified Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Scales, and the Growth Mindset Scale. Pre-intervention (n = 21) and post-intervention (n = 18) participants had scores consistent with a growth mindset, no significant anxiety state or trait, and above average sense of well-being. Compared with pre-intervention survey results, post-intervention AP residents who actively worked in the space had a significantly increased sense of belonging. Free-text feedback indicated that our efforts to improve the environment and to increase access to food positively impacted their well-being as AP trainees. We show that workspace interventions implemented at our institution significantly increased a sense of belonging for our trainees independent of their growth mindset, anxiety state or trait, and sense of well-being, which was high pre- and post-intervention. These simple and cost-effective workspace interventions can be implemented broadly to create a more supportive, inclusive environment for pathology trainees.