The American Medical Association reports that half of physicians experience some form of burnout. Conventional approaches to addressing burnout typically focus on intervention after it has reached a critical stage. Workshops conducted on the awareness of emotional intelligence, however, offer a potential preventative solution to address burnout before it escalates.
In their poster, presented at the 2025 ACGME Annual Educational Conference, held February 20-22, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee, Liza Marie Garcia and team explain how a workshop dedicated to teaching emotional intelligence competencies could improve these skills in residents leading to reduced emotional exhaustion, improved stress management, and sustained motivation, ultimately reducing burnout rates and improving patient care.
Poster Title: Emotional Intelligence Workshop as a Preventative Approach to Reduce Resident Burnout: Improving Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, and Motivation
Primary Author: Liza Marie Garcia, BSW
Co-Authors: Genesis Cavazos, BS; Klarissa Farias, BHA; Alejandra Pena, BS; Jessica Martin MD, MHSA, C-TAGME
ACGME: Tell us about your academic and professional role.
Ms. Garcia: This is my second year as a program coordinator. My academic background in social work provided me with a strong foundation in interpersonal communication. This skill has been valuable in my role as a program coordinator. I have had the opportunity to coordinate a few programs within our institution, and my experience in these programs has given me a glimpse into the unique demands and the common challenges residents face.
ACGME: Can you briefly describe your research project for us?
Garcia: During new resident orientation week, we conducted an emotional intelligence workshop designed to enhance self-awareness, self-regulation, and motivation. The workshop included self-assessment exercises using the Enneagram [a personality typing system using nine interconnected personality types]; stress management techniques, like guided breathing exercises; and an “About Me” web diagram to help residents reflect on their professional purpose. Post-session assessments were conducted to measure changes in participants’ knowledge, emotional awareness, and growth in emotional intelligence. The goal was to provide residents with practical tools to manage stress and enhance their ability to be aware of and prevent burnout before it happens.
ACGME: What inspired you to do this project?
Garcia: This project was initially sparked by a colleague who invited us to present a wellness session for their program. While searching for a meaningful topic, I reflected on the common struggles I had observed among residents. This gave the inspiration to create a workshop that not only raised awareness but also provided the tools and practical strategies for residents to manage and reduce burnout.
ACGME: What did you discover?
Garcia: The workshop had a profound and positive impact on residents. Many were intrigued by how their personality traits influence their daily interactions, both personally and professionally, including their approach to patient care. Participants found the breathing exercises particularly helpful for managing stress and reported feeling more prepared to handle the emotional challenges of their roles. Overall, the feedback highlighted that residents valued having dedicated time to reflect on their emotional intelligence and to develop strategies to enhance their well-being.
ACGME: What was the main takeaway?
Garcia: It is essential to equip residents with tools to improve their self-awareness and emotional management. By strengthening their emotional intelligence skills, residents can better cope with stress and stay motivated. Implementing preventative workshops like this one on a long-term basis can have a significant impact on reducing burnout, improving physician well-being, and ultimately enhancing the overall health care experience for both practitioners and patients.
ACGME: Who could benefit from this research?
Garcia: This workshop is beneficial for anyone in the medical field—physicians, nurses, faculty members, program directors, residents/fellows, program coordinators, and all graduate medical education administrators. Emotional intelligence is an essential skill in health care, yet it is often overlooked in medical education and training. By investing in social and emotional skill-development, we can foster stronger communication, improve patient care, and create a more supportive and sustainable work environment for health care professionals.