Residents function in a highly stressful work environment that includes long hours, sleep deprivation, the challenges of making serious medical decisions with relatively little experience, and the need to balance the all-consuming demands of the hospital with the responsibilities to one’s family.

In phase 1, SVP counters the threat of burnout by providing safe space, a trained facilitator, and an opportunity to talk about their experiences as an effective healer, acknowledge times when they were not at their best, and develop coping strategies that enable them to remain healers even in a very challenging environment.

In phase 2, Residents move from exploring their inner world and focus on the work environment. They prepare a list of recommendations to present to Residency Directors and hospital executives that respond to the question: What changes would we like to see in our work situation which would make us feel better about our experience and better able to serve our patients? The administration has taken many of these recommendations seriously.

What do Residents say about the SVP?

…Wonderful experience. Perfect after a stressful ICU month, and best before a tough month anticipated ahead. Would strongly recommend to other Residents

…I never imagined I would be enthusiastic [enough] to attend the session even on my day off.

…Rarely do we get the chance to share the personal aspect of our life. Rarely do we get a chance to share our successes and failures in this way and speak about how to better relate to patients and others.

…Fantastic experience…Situations already present themselves in which I am able to use some of the ideas and skills we have discussed.

…I feel this program was very beneficial…It gave you an opportunity to vent, talk about frustrations, but also talk about the future [and] learn how you can be a better doctor; realize your reasons for going into medicine again…

…I always thought that being a physician had a sacred part…sometimes I do forget this. Sacred Vocation really helped me to remember this feeling with full power. Thank you.