Host Dr. Dael Waxman welcomes Dr. Stuart Slavin, Vice President for Well-Being at the ACGME, for a deep dive into the systemic challenges and solutions surrounding physician well-being in medical training. Dr. Slavin recounts his transformative work at St. Louis University, where interventions like reduced class time and pass-fail grading slashed student depression rates by 80%—without sacrificing academic performance. The conversation exposes the harsh realities residents face: sleep deprivation, productivity pressures, and cultures that stigmatize vulnerability. Dr. Slavin details how the ACGME is pushing structural reforms, from embedding well-being in accreditation standards to providing programs with data-driven tools to diagnose and address environmental stressors.
The discussion also explores the psychological burdens unique to trainees, including imposter syndrome and the "Stanford Duck" effect—the tendency to hide distress beneath a calm exterior. Dr. Slavin advocates for dual solutions: fixing toxic systems (like inefficient workflows and punitive feedback cultures) while equipping individuals with cognitive tools to reframe maladaptive mindsets. He shares promising models, such as Mount Sinai’s Well-Being Champions program, and stresses the need for iterative, trainee-informed change. A rallying cry for educators and leaders, this episode balances stark truths with actionable hope for a healthier future in medicine.
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Music by Ryan Jones.
Find Ryan on Instagram at _ryjones_, Contact Ryan at ryjonesofficial@gmail.com
Production assistance by Clawson Solutions Group, find them on the web at csolgroup.com
