The History of the ACGME's Role in Physician Well-Being

As an accreditor, the ACGME is in a position to shape and influence the learning experience of residents and fellows to create an optimal learning environment that serves the best interests of these physicians, as well as their patients. The ACGME has studied resident/fellow well-being for decades, including conducting surveys with residents and fellows to develop standards that support the health and safety of patients, residents, fellows, and faculty members.

In 2015, the ACGME hosted the first of three Physician Well-Being Symposia to stimulate a national conversation to foster and nurture physician well-being; increase awareness of the crisis of burnout, depression, and suicide among learners and faculty members; change aspects of medical culture to positively impact the clinical learning environment; and provide a roadmap for the continuity and sustainability of physician well-being. The symposia convened well-being experts and members of key stakeholder groups in the GME community to discuss how to mitigate burnout and stress and foster meaning in the clinical setting.

The ACGME has expanded its work regarding physician well-being and continues to proactively address the issue through the activities in this section: reviewing and revising its requirements, conducting research to understand the causes of and interventions for physician burnout, gathering stakeholders to improve the clinical learning environment, and hosting educational sessions.