title: A Qualitative Study of Factors Affecting Morale in Psychiatry Residency Training.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Resident morale is an important yet poorly understood aspect of the residency training experience. Despite implications for program quality, resident satisfaction, patient care, and recruitment, little is known about the variables influencing this complex phenomenon. This study sought to identify important factors affecting morale in psychiatry residency training.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors conducted four semi-structured focus groups at a moderately sized, urban, psychiatry residency program during the 2013-2014 academic year. They used qualitative data analysis techniques, including grounded theory and content analysis, to identify key themes affecting resident morale across training levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven residents participated in the focus groups with equal distribution across post-graduate years (PGY) 1-4. Five major conceptual categories affecting resident morale emerged: Sense of Community, Individual Motivators, Clinical Work, Feeling Cared For, and Trust in the Administration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Morale is an important topic in residency education. The qualitative results suggest that factors related to a Sense of Community and Individual Motivators generally enhanced resident morale whereas factors related to a lack of Feeling Cared For and Trust in the Administration tended to contribute to lower morale. The authors describe the possible interventions to promote stronger program morale suggested by these findings.
authors.affiliation: New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. Rachel.Caravella@nyumc.org.|NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA. Rachel.Caravella@nyumc.org.
authors.forename: Rachel A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Caravella
authors.affiliation: Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Lee A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.|Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Ilene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wilets
authors.affiliation: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weinberg
authors.affiliation: New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.|Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Cabaniss
authors.affiliation: New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.|Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Janis L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cutler
authors.affiliation: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Carisa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kymissis
authors.affiliation: New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.|Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Arbuckle
mesh_terms: D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D009013:Morale; D009042:Motivation; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education*; D012929:Psychological Distance; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D035502:Trust; D016526:Workload
keywords: Groups; Internship and residency; Morale; Resident wellness; Residents; Resident’s professional development