From Wilderness to the Bedside: Creating Adventurous and Mindful Physicians Entering Residency (CAMPER) by Residents for Residents to Foster Belongingness.

OBJECTIVE

Determine whether a preresidency overnight outdoor experience can positively impact incoming resident's comfort, preparedness and sense of support before starting residency. Outdoor education trips have been shown to positively impact participants in many other settings but have not been examined in the transition to residency.

DESIGN

The Creating Adventurous and Mindful Physicians Entering Residency (CAMPER) program consists of a multi-day backpacking trip designed by residents and medical students for incoming residents. CAMPER trips were conducted between 2022 and 2023 for the Michigan Medicine Family Medicine and Stanford Healthcare Ophthalmology, Plastic Surgery, and General Surgery residency programs. Trip programming included hiking, team-building activities, and an overnight camping experience including all meals and gear. After each program, participants were asked to provide feedback and given surveys to assess how their experiences impacted their start to residency.

SETTING

Michigan Medicine Family Medicine and Stanford Healthcare Ophthalmology, Plastic Surgery, and General Surgery residency programs. Trips were held in Point Reyes National Seashore in California and Pinckney State Recreation Area in Michigan.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 44 incoming residents, including: 8 incoming Stanford Healthcare Ophthalmology, Plastic Surgery, and General Surgery residents in 2022, 12 residents in 2023. 12 Incoming Michigan Medicine Family Medicine interns for 2022 and 11 residents 2023. Participants in the most recent, 2023 cohort were surveyed about their experiences.

RESULTS

65% of participants responded to the 1-week post-CAMPER survey (11 from Stanford Healthcare and 4 from Michigan Medicine) and 100% of the Michigan Medicine trip responded to the 6-month post-trip survey. 100% of participants selected an 8, 9, or 10 when asked how likely they were to recommend CAMPER to a friend. 80% of participants in the 2023 cohort selected Agree or Strongly Agree to the question whether they felt more prepared to start residency than they did before participating in CAMPER. 73% of the CAMPERs endorsed bonding with their class as the biggest strength of the CAMPER experience.

CONCLUSIONS

Preresidency wilderness orientation trips conducted at 2 different institutions over multiple specialties have shown promise for helping residents feel more connected to their peers and programs and more prepared to begin their residencies. CAMPER can provide a model for fostering professional collaboration and development to build a true culture of support during a critical time in physician's training.