Resident Perception of a Newsletter’s Impact on Residency Morale and Collegiality

Abstract

Study Objective: While several residency programs have created residency newsletters, no study has evaluated resident perception of a newsletter’s impact. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a newly implemented residency newsletter on resident morale and attitude toward fellow residents.

Methods: At a Midwestern PGY1-3 emergency medicine residency program, a four-page monthly newsletter was implemented in April of 2005. The newsletter included features on residents, stories on residency events, and information on upcoming events. The newsletter was designed as a resident project in which residents contributed stories and photos. Content and editorial decisions were independent of residency faculty. Ten months after implementation of the newsletter, the program’s residents were surveyed to assess the newsletter’s impact on their morale and attitude toward fellow residents. They also reported their interest in participating as a formal newsletter staff and they provided their opinion on faculty oversight. The survey was conducted anonymously, was distributed in both paper and electronic forms, and was based on a five-point Likert scale (1-negative, 5-positive).

Results: Of the 37 eligible residents, 32 (86.5%) responded to the survey; 84.6% of PGY-3 residents, 83% of PGY-2, and 91.6% of PGY-1 residents participated. When asked to rate the newsletter’s impact on their general morale, the mean rating for all residents was 4.6 (range 2-5, standard deviation 0.64, median 4). PGY-3 residents’ mean rating was 4.7, PGY-2 mean was 4.5, and PGY-1 mean was 4.6. Residents were asked to rate the newsletter’s impact on their attitudes toward fellow residents; the mean rating for all residents was 4.7 (range 3-5, standard deviation 0.53, median 4). PGY-3 residents’ mean rating was 4.7, PGY-2 was 4.7, and PGY-1 was 4.6. When asked if they would be willing to contribute to the newsletter as part of a formal staff, 53% of residents responded “yes”; 27% of PGY-3, 60% of PGY-2, and 70% of PGY-1 answered “yes.” Residents were queried as to whether they would like more faculty oversight of the newsletter; no residents (0%) responded “yes.” 100% of residents (32/32) stated that they read the newsletter monthly.

Conclusion: In a relatively large Midwestern PGY-1-3 emergency medicine residency program, nearly all residents perceived a monthly residency newsletter as having a positive impact on their general morale and on their attitudes toward fellow residents. Most junior residents were interested in joining a formal newsletter staff, and residents unanimously expressed their interest in maintaining the independent format of the newsletter. While results will vary across programs, a residency newsletter may be a relatively inexpensive means of improving resident morale and positively impacting residents’ attitudes toward their colleagues.