Role of Validated Well-being Index in Promoting Trainee Wellness in a New Neurology Residency Program
Spandana Chittajallu1, Sarah Luber2
1Neurology, ., 2Tower Health Reading Hospital
Objective:
To evaluate wellness among neurology residents using the Online Well-Being Index(WBI) and to demonstrate the value of established, validated tools in promoting program-wide well-being and continuous quality improvement.
Background:
New residency programs provide an opportunity to build wellness and professional resilience from the start. Given the demands of clinical training, fostering a supportive environment is vital for learning and retention. Using validated tools such as the Online Well-Being Index enables objective assessment and targeted interventions. The Neurology program at Reading Hospital implemented the WBI to assess baseline wellness and identify opportunities for growth and cultural improvement.
Design/Methods:
We conducted a retrospective analysis using aggregate data from the WBI, collected between August 2019 and May 2025. A focused subgroup of 22 neurology residents was analyzed from a total of 442 responses collected across other Tower Health residency programs. We evaluated the data for emotional distress, associated negative behaviors (e.g., repeated criticism, gossip), and identified offender types (e.g., peers, male/female colleagues, superiors, patients and other staff). Results were compared to 2024 national averages.
Results:
The overall emotional distress score among neurology residents was 2.61, slightly higher than the national average of 2.25. Scores above 3 say high distress. The most reported stressor was repeated reminders of mistakes, with a mean score of 2.18 among 20 respondents. Male and peer-related interactions were associated with the highest distress (mean scores 3.20 and 3.13, respectively), highlighting the importance of peer support and positive feedback culture in early program development.
Conclusions:
Implementing WBI offered valuable insights into the wellness landscape of a new community-based neurology program. Although distress levels exceeded national norms, the results highlight opportunities for early intervention and cultural growth. Using validated tools allows programs to benchmark progress, identify actionable areas, and promote a transparent, data-driven approach to resident support through mentorship, wellness initiatives, and ongoing reassessment.
Disclaimer: Abstracts were not reviewed by Neurology® and do not reflect the views of Neurology® editors or staff.