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spring 2007 |
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R
E S I D E N T ' S C O R N E R
PAIRN promotes
well-being of every resident
The term “residency”
is self-explanatory in that during our post-secondary training, we are
expected to eat, sleep and live at the hospital. It is not only a 100
hour/week job, but a rite of passage to the much anticipated life of
staff, and it is safe to say that the satisfactions of our work
definitely offset the stresses.
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By Dr. Mairi Chadwick |
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The term “residency” is
self-explanatory in that during our post-secondary training, we are
expected to eat, sleep and live at the hospital. It is not only a
100 hour/week job, but a rite of passage to the much anticipated
life of staff, and it is safe to say that the satisfactions of our
work definitely offset the stresses.
In recent years, increasing attention has
been focused on the fact that residents are at higher risk than members
of the general population for stress-related problems, depression and
suicide. In an effort to help residents manage stress more effectively,
seek out assistance when needed, and prevent “self-prescribing”, our
training has made resident wellness a focus of medical education
beginning in medical school and continuing throughout residency.
Wellness is a general term with different meanings for different
residents. To some, it means spending that extra hour with friends and
family instead of studying; to others it is squeezing in a run after (or
before!) work. Whatever the outlet, wellness is encouraged in every
training program at Memorial and supported heartily by PAIRN to promote
the well-being of every resident.
Nationally, resident wellness is
highlighted by Resident Awareness Day (RAD) which was held February 19,
2007. It has actually evolved into a week of organized activities aimed
at helping residents spend more time in leisure pursuits, and hopefully
establishing a pattern of extra-curricular activities that residents
will incorporate into their weekly routines for the rest of their
careers.
This year, to mark the occasion, Eastern
Health provided lunch for all residents at four different sites around
the city on RAD and 18 prize draws took place throughout the day for
gift certificates to movies and restaurants, provided by PAIRN. The
Office of Physician Recruitment provided complimentary tickets to a St.
John’s Fog Devils game for residents and their families, and the week
was capped off with a now nationally famous PAIRN party held at the Rob
Roy.
As well as these activities, individual
departments also provided special events for their residents, both as
acts of appreciation for their work and to support the wellness
initiative. The residents are extremely grateful to all of the sponsors
for their support, as attendance at these events has shown.
Although Resident Awareness Day comes but
once a year, we hope that the spirit of the week will be remembered
every day and that all residents learn early to look after themselves so
that they can better care for others.
Dr. Mairi Chadwick is the VP
Communications with the Provincial Association of Residents and Interns
of Newfoundland.
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