A Novel Statewide Emergency Medicine Residency Symposium Is Well Received by Participants
Background: Residency is challenging time and improving wellness/resilience is paramount. Interactions between like groups can be therapeutic. In New Jersey, the “residency hierarchy” have developed a combine statewide annual residency assembly specifically for resiudents. Objective: To determine residents sentiment regarding a statewide EM symposium. Methods: A retrospective analysis and depiction of an educational series. Three years of data were analyzed. The planning committee met annually, with continued e-mail based communications. Core lecturers were obtained locally, with grand rounds recruited nationally. Resident participation incorporated: web based interactive CPC case, SIM lab competitions, or rapid lecture series. “A priori” elected judges determine winners who received gift cards. Receipt of the resident evaluation accompanied an allotted raffle ticket. Evaluations were on a closed end questionnaire ranging 1-5 (1-poor, 2-below average, 3-Average, 4-above average, and 5-outstanding). Surveys analyzed: lecturer, location, food quality, networking opportunities, and exhibitors. Conference funding was obtained by sale of tables, to various organizations. Purchasers were allotted designated time/space with the residents. Results: Resident participants totaled 439 with 54% (N=235) completing evaluations. Combined overall topic scores: lecturer 4.5, exhibitors 4.3, location 4.2, networking 4.0, and food quality 3.8. In 2015 the mean evaluation scores was 4.1, with lecturers receiving 4.5 the highest. Individual topic scores ranged from for exhibitors 4.4 (95% CI 4.2-4.5), location 4.3 (95% CI 4.2-4.5), networking opportunities 4.1(95% CI 3.9-4.2), and food quality 3.7 (95% CI 3.4-3.9). In 2016 mean overall score was 3.9 with lecturers receiving 4.6. Individual topics ranged from exhibitors 4.2 (95% CI 4.1-4.4), location 4.1(95% CI 3.9-4.2), networking opportunities 4.0 (95% CI 3.8-4.2), and food quality 3.7 (95% CI 3.5-3.9). In 2017 the mean score was 4.1 with lecturers receiving 4.3. Individual topic scores in 2017 ranged from exhibitors 4.2 (95% CI 4.0-4.4), location 4.1(95% CI 3.8-4.2), networking 3.9 (95% CI 3.7-4.1), and food quality 3.8 (95% CI 3.6-3.9). Conclusion: A statewide EM resident symposium is feasible and rated above average to excellent in most studied areas.
