Individualized dialogue and self-compassion strengthen pediatrician/family relationships, address burnout and implicit bias
Erikson Institute, a graduate school in early childhood development, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, an organization of 67,000 pediatricians are joining forces to train medical students and practicing pediatricians in Erikson’s Facilitating Attuned Interactions (FAN) approach to relationship-building and reflective practice. FAN strengthens parent/pediatrician communication while addressing physician well-being through mindfulness and self-compassion practices.
FAN shows promise in addressing resident burnout and increasing role satisfaction. Self-compassion practices can lower depression, anxiety, stress and burnout in health professionals. One pediatric resident trained in the FAN said, “I used to go into the room and think diagnosis. Now I go in and think connection.”
Through a $1M grant from the Maritz Family Foundation, AAP and Erikson will work with pediatric academic centers across the country to incorporate the FAN into residency training, offer an online FAN course for practicing pediatricians, and embed the FAN into the national HealthySteps program which pairs pediatric practices with child development/infant mental health specialists.
Fighting Burnout with Relationships
Many parents eagerly look forward to that first visit with “their” pediatrician—a trusted person who will be there for them as well as their child throughout the childhood health journey. While pediatricians embrace this role, close to 50% of pediatricians experience burnout. The short visits and press of the traditional medical model can make it hard for pediatricians to pause and listen, understand family needs and effectively address their concerns. Physicians typically have not been trained to prioritize relationships, even though the new focus in pediatrics is on early relational health for children and families.
“Our physician colleagues tell us that the FAN helps them identify the family’s true concern and then partner to address it. This is the kind of respectful, collaborative care that both physicians and families seek.” says Professor Linda Gilkerson, the project lead from Erikson Institute.
“We are pleased to work with the Erikson Institute to design Facilitating Attuned Interactions training, which will equip pediatric health care providers with the practical tools on how to best care for children and families – and themselves,” said Debra Waldron, MD, AAP senior vice president for Healthy Resilient Children, Youth & Families. “We know physicians can burn out without proper supports. This resource aims to increase collaboration with families while also nurturing individual resilience.”
Reducing Implicit Bias
Equipping pediatric medical students and practicing pediatricians with FAN skills will improve their own wellbeing and support stronger relationships with patient families, leading to less decision fatigue and potential bias in pediatrician decision making. Reducing implicit bias has the potential to address poor maternal health outcomes. The FAN supports respectful collaborative care to honor the racial and cultural differences of the families that pediatricians serve.
Erikson Institute educates, inspires, and promotes leadership to serve the needs of children and families. We are a premier graduate school dedicated to child development. We provide direct services to our community’s children and families. We are leaders in influencing early childhood policy. We work tirelessly every day so that all children can achieve optimal educational, social, emotional, and physical well-being. At Erikson Institute, we know that investing in the early years of children will last a lifetime. Learn more at www.erikson.edu
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists whose mission is to attain optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. For frequent updates on AAP recommendations, Pediatrics studies, AAP in the news, public awareness campaigns, information for parents and more, follow us on social media @AmerAcadPeds.